Patrycja Pajor

CTH 202-801

Final

The Bible is best understood as the word of God in human language. God appointed

his 12 apostles and other men to write the various sacred books of the Bible. These men used

their powers and abilities to write everything as God had wanted. The reason God worked this

way was so it would be possible for humans to understand his word and also so humans could

pass on the eternal truth. The Scriptures are a source of faith, hope, and love of the people of

God and all of humanity. Without these written words, no one would know till this day what

Gods creations were, how he acted towards different happenings, and just overall his sacred

word. In the past, the human language was much different than it is today. To fully understand

the Bible, humans must work to get past the imperfections of the language in order to really

see what God wanted to tell us all.

Catholics regard Scripture as written by human authors under the inspiration of the

Holy Spirit. The Biblical inspiration comes from the teachings of Christian theology that the

authors of the Bible were influenced by God, which led to the writings of the word of God. The

Old Testament authors consisted of Moses, King David, King Soloman, along with other

prophets and also some anonymous authors. The New Testament authors consisted of

Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, and Peter, who are a part of the apostles. The main creator of

life and author of the Bible is God. The literal authors are these men that God has chosen to

write the Bible into human language. Through God's inspiration and teachings did these men
know what to write. In the Bible, the Gospel of Peter says, "Men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke

from God." (2 Peter 1:21). In context, this is saying that the authors did not write from their

own selves but wrote based on the Holy Spirit spoken to them by God.

The Bible is available to Catholics in modern translations, accompanied by reliable

introductions and notes. There have been many attempts to translating the Bible into modern

English. Such translations have begun in the 1700's already, but not until today has it been

translated into today's English for it to be understood. The Modern English Version is the most

recent translation of the Bible. The translation began in 2005 and was completed in 2014

("BibleGateway"). For this class as well, the Bible assigned has footnotes with extra details and

interpretations for a better understanding. Today, there are many different versions,

translations, and interpretations of the Bible. This is helpful because the English language has

changed drastically in the way it is spoken since the Bible was originally written. If it was not for

these translations, humans would not have the knowledge and understanding of the word of

God.

The fuller sense of Scripture is the deeper meaning of the text, intended by God but

not clearly expressed by the human author. Readers must understand that the meaning

intended by the authors can be slightly different than what God's word is really saying. This idea

is also known as the phrase, sensus plenior, meaning there is a deeper meaning intended by

God. An example of this is in the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 1, verse 23, where Matthew

interprets what Isaiah (7:14) is saying. Matthew creates the interpretations under the
inspiration of the Holy Spirit the unmarried woman is the virgin Mary. This interpretation is a

fuller sense rather than a literal one based off the authors writing.

Interculturation involves communicating the word of God in such manner as to reach

people in their own place and cultural context. The sacred Scripture is used by God to reveal

himself and spread his word. The Bible was written in order to reach each and every different

person and culture. Pope John Paul II stated, “in the third millennium Christianity will have to

respond ever more effectively to the need for interculturation and the Church will also be

“characterized by the face of the many cultures and peoples where it is taken up and rooted”

(Vattamatam). Listening to the Church and reading the Bible can be two seperate things. When

one reads the Bible, they can interpret it in any way they would like and apply it to themselves

however it fits. Regardless of who they are and where they come from, people can read the

Bible and it will still reach out to them in the way it is needed for them. The quote by Pope John

Paul II is geared more towards churches; that they will need become more accustom to

interculturation because there are many different cultures and people that are a part of the

Catholic religion.
 Works Cited

"BibleGateway." Modern English Version (MEV). N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2016.

The HarperCollins Study Bible NRSV. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1989.

Harrington, Daniel J. How Do Catholics Read the Bible? Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield,

2005. Print.

Vattamatam, Matthew. "Dialogue with Cultures and Inculturation in Formation." Claretian

Formation. N.p., 1 Nov. 2015. Web. 16 Mar. 2016.