THE CATHOLIC REVIEW: Catholic Biblical Interpretation and History

by Deacon Rick Bauer

Catholic theology and Catholic biblical scholarship have been companions through the centuries, but the travelling has not always been comfortable. Catholic theology untethered from the life of the Church or the biblical sources can lead to an excess of enthusiasm (as I witnessed growing up in Central and South America); drinking too deeply into historical critical biblical methodologies can leave both students and their teachers with a shipwrecked faith.

Mystical interpretation can at times seem “out there” with no connection to the literal text. On the other hand, no one wants to hear a homily based on the verbal parsing of the Hebrew and Greek texts of the Sunday lectionary readings; how could this “scholarship” be relevant to the young family trying to raise children in something resembling a vital Catholic faith? While trying to avoid extremes in both interpretation of biblical texts and some untested Catholic theology, how can a student of the Word and of the faith combine these serious subjects in a way that strengthens — not erodes — the Catholic faith? In their book “The Future of Catholic Biblical Interpretation” (Eerdmans Publishing), James Prothro and Isaac Morales have collected important essays toward this goal in a long-delayed tribute to Father Maries-Joseph Lagrange, under the topics of both scriptural fidelity and service to the theology of the Catholic Faith.

Coming to the Catholic faith from the experience of a Protestant professor, teacher, pastor and writer, it was a challenge for me to understand how both rigorous scriptural study and meaningful, church-centered theology could reinforce each other. My time at Harvard Divinity School did little to bring these two subjects together, and as I reflected on the Eucharist during my studies, I was slowly brought by the Holy Spirit into the Catholic faith. To my great surprise, I came to realize that seldom is there a perfect, exclusive answer in an “either/or” argument about the faith, but rather the redemptive message I came to embrace was the wonderful “both/and” of the Catholic approach — both to Scripture and to the theology of the Church. James Prothro (my colleague at the Augustine Institute, and a Professor of Sacred Scripture) and Isaac Augustine Morales, OP (Professor of Theology at Providence College) have collected timely essays to again “join together what God has joined together.” Not for a casual devotional read, but for serious students of both Scripture and theology, for preachers, pastors, and students of the Catholic faith — this book is a treasure.

Along with notable Catholic interpreters of Scripture, our editors discern the guiding values of biblical interpretation at the brink of a new theological era for the Church. These developments have taken a more intentional turn and focus in the past century with documents such as “Divino afflante Spiritu” (Pope Pius XII, 1943) and the Second Vatican Council’s Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, “Dei Verbum” (1965), which became a clarion call to return to the scriptural sources. The late Father Raymond Brown called Pope Pius XII’s encyclical “a Catholic Magna Carta for biblical progress,” and the thoughtful articles gathered by the editors reflect that flowering of deep scholarship inextricably joined to the church.

Under the influence of the late popes Benedict XVI (“Verbum Domini,” 2010) and Francis (“Scripturae sacrae affectus,” 2020), Roman Catholics, whether lay or religious, have found renewed interest in studying Sacred Scripture. Yet the Church has also grown and faces fresh challenges in the new millennium. What does the future of Catholic biblical interpretation look like? And how ought the church’s rich heritage of biblical interpretation continue to influence it?

“A few still decry the implementation of historical methods as still inescapably faithless, and the Pontifical Biblical Commission still finds a need to warn against fundamentalism in interpretations. Even in recent decades, some Catholics have felt a need to defend the use of historical criticism and its value for interpretation.”— James Prothro and Isaac Morales, from the Introduction, p.7.

This volume collects essays by some of the most influential voices in Catholic biblical scholarship today. Covering a variety of topics, from the Old Testament to the New Testament and biblical theology, the essays are united by a common goal: to hear the word of God and proclaim and apply it within the church. The authors pay special tribute to Father (Père) Marie-Joseph Lagrange (1855-1938). This 19th-century French Dominican led the way in blending critical methodology with respect for the Church’s authority in order to put scriptural study in service to the good of souls. There are 1,786 separate works in his bibliography; in addition to his scholarship, there is ample faith-related writings as well. His interests ranged widely, yet were always authentically Catholic perspectives. Lagrange is regularly regarded as a founding father (along with Father Ray Brown, a personal hero) of Catholic biblical studies in the modern era.

For those who thrill to the study of the Word of God, the Sacred Scriptures, there is a veritable delicatessen of delightful articles and studies, proving new insights on timeless texts and subjects, and leaving the reader with a deep confidence that the gospel has been entrusted to faithful men and women for generations to come.

The topics addressed include “Biblical Interpretation and the Community of Faith,” by the late Father Donald P. Senior, CP, another founding father, as it were, whose recent passing is greatly mourned; “Dei Verbum, Historical Criticism, and the Future of Catholic Exegesis” by Brant Pitre, a seminal article on how a scholar, like the ancient prophets, is not always regarded well in his hometown; “Père Lagrange and the Criticism of Criticism” by Isaac Morales, OP; “Eucharistic Hermeneutics” by Kelly Anderson; “What Does It Mean to Read Scripture as the Word of God?” by Luke Timothy Johnson; and “Biblical Inspiration and Textual Criticism” by James Prothro. Though scholars all, we should not be afraid of reading and reflecting on these chapters, for the writers are in their own way teachers, translating any original terms, making certain that their insights both reflect the literal senses of scripture as well as the spiritual sense, clearly drawing readers into deeper faith and commitment to the Catholic faith.

“The Future of Catholic Biblical Interpretation” represents fresh purpose and direction for the church’s long and fruitful tradition of exegesis. The work is not for the novice, but it pays great dividends to the resolute reader.

This month we will observe Memorial Day, honoring those who placed, in Lincoln’s words, “the full measure of sacrifice on the altar of freedom.” His words spoke of the horrific sacrifice, both Union and Confederate, of the Civil War, particularly in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

A subject of interest to many Catholics should be the service and sacrifice of the many Catholic chaplains in this conflict. “Faith of the Fathers: The Comprehensive History of Catholic Chaplains in the Civil War” (Notre Dame Press) by Robert J. Miller brings to light the forgotten stories of courageous chaplains whose commitments to faith and to men at war during America’s most divisive conflict have long been overlooked. Father Miller, a retired Catholic priest and author of six books on the topic, provides a comprehensive and compelling portrait of the 126 priest-chaplains who served during the war and reflects on the importance of religion and faith in 19th-century America. A splendid and thoughtful introduction is provided by Dr. James McPherson, another specialist on the Civil War and Professor of United States History at Princeton University, who received the 1989 Pulitzer Prize for the outstanding Civil War text “Battle Cry of Freedom” — no small endorsement. The book describes how, as a culture of death and horror raged around them, Catholic priest-chaplains met the needs of soldiers and officers alike, providing years of faithful and dedicated service in hospitals, prisons, battlefields, and camps.

“One of the more striking monuments at Gettysburg National Military Park is a bronze statue of Father William Corby, chaplain of the 88th New York, standing on a boulder to give absolution to the soldiers of the Irish Brigade as they were about to go into action near the Wheatfield on the afternoon of July 2, 1863. Forty-two men of this skeleton brigade would be killed or mortally wounded in the next couple of hours. Colby’s statue is mounted today on the same stone where he stood in blessing the Union troops in 1863.” (Foreward).

Whether ministering to Union or Confederate soldiers (or sometimes both), in eastern or western theaters, in battle or camp, these priests risked their lives to bring faith and hope to one of the darkest and most devastating periods of American history.

For comments, reactions, or to suggest a book or resource that might be helpful for Catholics, please write Deacon Rick at rbauer@diocs.org.