Interpreting Scripture

... the Church is the servant of Scripture, as a teacher is faithful to her textbook. Her Book comes alive when the Holy Spirit teaches through her, as a sword comes alive in the hands of a great swordsman (see Heb 4:12).

Some of the most important principles of interpreting Scripture are:

1. All Scripture is a word-picture of Christ. The Word of God in words (Scripture) is about the Word of God in flesh (Christ).


2. Therefore the Old Testament is to be interpreted in light of the New (and vice versa), for Christ came not "to abolish the law and the prophets ... but to fulfill them" (Mt 5:17).


3. Saints are the best interpreters of Scripture, because their hearts are closer to the heart of God, Scripture's primary Author. Christ said, "If any man's will is to do his [the Father's] will, he shall know whether the teaching is from God" (Jn 7:17).


4. The Gospels are the very heart of Scripture. The saints found no better material for meditation than these (see CCC 125-27).


5. Each passage should be interpreted in its context -- both the immediate context of the passage and the overall context of the whole Bible in its unity, all the parts cohering together.


6. Scripture should be interpreted from within the living tradition of the Church. This is not narrow and limiting, but expansive and deep. It is also reasonable; for suppose a living author had written a book many years ago and had been teaching that book every day: Who could interpret that book better than he?

Catholic Christianity: A Complete Catechism of Catholic Beliefs based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church by Peter Kreeft