SACRED SCRIPTURE

Roman Catholic Holy Bible
Roman Catholic Holy Bible 

By Edward Matulanya 

Here are meaning, development, Inspiration and Authority, and Role of Sacred Scripture According to the Roman Catholic Church.

1. Definition of Sacred Scripture

In Roman Catholic teaching, Sacred Scripture refers to the collection of writings inspired by God and recognized by the Church as the authoritative Word of God. It is not merely human literature but is divinely inspired and a guide for faith and moral living (Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC], 1994, §81).

2. Development and History of Sacred Scripture

A. Old Testament

The Old Testament consists of writings produced before the birth of Christ, mainly in Hebrew with some Aramaic portions, written roughly between 1200–100 BCE (McKenzie, 2018). It was formed through oral traditions and written texts reflecting the religious, historical, and moral life of Israel.

Key Sections 

Pentateuch: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy

Historical Books: Joshua, Judges, Kings, Chronicles

Wisdom Literature: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes

Prophetic Books: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and the Minor Prophets

The Catholic Old Testament includes Deuterocanonical books such as Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, and Sirach, which were debated in Jewish canon but affirmed by the Church (CCC, 1994, §120–121).

B. New Testament

The New Testament was written in Koine Greek, approximately 50–100 CE, by apostles and early disciples under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

Structure

Gospels (4 books): Matthew, Mark, Luke, John

Acts of the Apostles (1 book)

Epistles (21 books): Pauline and general letters

Book of Revelation (1 book)

The canon was affirmed in the 4th century by the Councils of Hippo (393 CE) and Carthage (397 CE) (Pelikan, 2003).

3. Inspiration and Authority

A. Divine Inspiration

Sacred Scripture is God-breathed, written by human authors under divine guidance (CCC, 1994, §105).

B. Inerrancy

Scripture is free from error in matters of faith and morals, though not necessarily in human historical or scientific details (CCC, 1994, §107).

C. Magisterial Authority

The Church’s Magisterium authentically interprets Scripture, together with Sacred Tradition forming the deposit of faith (CCC, 1994, §97–100).

4. Role of Sacred Scripture in Catholic Life

1. Liturgy and Worship: Scripture is central to Mass readings, sacraments, and prayers (CCC, 1994, §118–119).

2. Spiritual Life and Prayer: Practices such as Lectio Divina encourage meditation on Scripture.

3. Doctrine and Morality: Scripture guides moral decision-making and the formation of conscience.

5. Aspect Description

Definition Word of God inspired by the Holy Spirit

Composition Old Testament (46 books), New Testament (27 books)

Language Hebrew, Aramaic (Old), Greek (New)

Canon Determined by Church councils, including Deuterocanonical books

Inspiration God as ultimate author; humans as instruments

Authority Free from error in faith/morals; interpreted by Magisterium

Role Liturgy, prayer, moral guidance, Divine revelation.

References

Catechism of the Catholic Church. (1994). Libreria Editrice Vaticana. https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM

McKenzie, S. L. (2018). The Old Testament: Text and context. Oxford University Press.

Pelikan, J. (2003). The Christian tradition: A history of the development of doctrine, Vol. 1: The emergence of the Catholic tradition (100–600). University of Chicago Press.

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