Scriptural Literacy
While we believe that our sacred Scripture should guide us in our daily lives, embarrassingly few of us consider ourselves competent in going to the Bible for guidance. As disciples, we need a basic Scriptural literacy so we can understand Scripture and use it as a resource for our prayer and discernment. This is obviously a huge topic, so this page necessarily just scratches the surface.
We offer a number of Scripture classes, especially in the San Francisco Bay Area. Learn more...
We offer a number of Scripture classes, especially in the San Francisco Bay Area. Learn more...
Key Insights
Start With the Basics
Nothing is too obvious to begin with. We need to teach the structure of the Bible, the difference between translations, basic history, and authorship. Genres
The Bible is a collection of works of different genres, some within the same book. These genres range from laws and proverbs to poetry and song to epic tales and apocalyptic stories. We can't read these genres the same way, just like we understand a fairy tale as different from a newspaper article or biography. Some of these genres are not meant to be taken literally, such as the parables of Jesus, which instead are relating spiritual truths. |
Biblical Truth
As Catholics, we believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God as recorded by humans. This means that the Bible offers us a spiritual truth that comes from God, without requiring that historical or scientific details be literally accurate. Translations
The Old Testament was written almost entirely in Hebrew, and the New Testament almost entirely in Greek. What we read today is a translation. The translation process is a science and an art, and different translations use different methodologies, with a different balance between word-for-word and thought for thought approaches. |
References
Study bibles offer good overviews of Biblical book, put them in historical context, and point out important points for some verses. Commentaries go deeper, with broader interpretations. Daily Life
Some resources such as concordances or more general indexes can help individuals find Scripture passages relevant to daily life situations. |
Quotations
There is no doubt that the Bible is one of the most widely disseminated books. But "most widely disseminated" does not necessarily mean "most read" and "best understood." The Bible is a compilation of many ancient documents stemming from a time and culture which are rather alien to our own. This brings up a question: Why should I read the Bible? It is so old.... St. Joseph Edition of the New American Bible
The fathers of the council taught that the reverent hearing of the Word of God and its faithful proclamation are essential elements for the life and mission of the Church, "so that by hearing the message of salvation the whole world may believe, by believing it may hope, and by hoping it may love." Pope John Paul II
Address Commemorating the 25th Anniversary of Dei Verbum |
[I]t is the duty of the sacred bishops "who have the apostolic teaching," to provide the faithful entrusted to them with suitable instruction in the correct use of the divine Books, especially of the New Testament and above all the Gospels. They do this by giving them translations of the sacred texts, equipped with such explanations that are necessary and truly helpful, so that the members of the Church can become familiar with the Sacred Scriptures in a safe and profitable way and be nourished by their spirit. Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation
(Dei Verbum) All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
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...thanks to Pope Pius XII, Catholic scripture scholars have had decades to produce the best thinking on scripture in the world. That Catholics are leaving to join evangelical churches because of the church teaching on the Bible is a disgrace. Too few homilists explain the scriptures to their people. Few Catholics read the Bible. |
Church Documents
Books
The Catholic Study Bible
Donald Senior and John J. Collins The paperback edition of this landmark resource, now available in the NABRE translation, contains all the authoritative study notes, expanded essays, and informational sidebars for which it is known and trusted. The heart of this volume remains its extensive Reading Guide that leads the reader through the Scriptures, book by book. References and background information are clearly laid out in the margins of the text, guiding the reader to a fuller understanding of the Bible. Other outstanding features include: a 15-page glossary of special terms, complete Sunday and weekday lectionary readings for the liturgical years of the Church. 32 beautiful pages of full-color Oxford Bible Maps come with a place-name index for easy reference. (Amazon) New Jerome Biblical Commentary
Raymond Brown, Joseph A. Fitzmyer, Roland E. Murphy This reference book is a compact commentary on the entire Bible that readers can use to familiarize themselves with the methods and paths followed by biblical scholars. It features current theories on dating, historical reconstruction, and archaeological information. Contemporary perspectives and topical articles of an introductory nature include Hermeneutics, Canonicity, Old Testament themes, and coverage of biblical theology. Additional commentary includes articles on Jesus, the early Church, Gnosticism, and the subapostolic church. Especially for seminarians and clergy who require a commentary on the Scriptures both during their formal study of theology and for preaching in their ministry. Also, for those interested in religion and theology on all levels and feel the need for an adequate background in the Bible. (Amazon) |
How Do Catholics Read the Bible?
Daniel J. Harrington, SJ Do Catholics really read the Bible? If so, how do they read it and is there anything unique about their approach? What role does the Bible play in Catholic life, teaching, and culture? As a leading Scripture scholar who also teaches students and preaches to everyday people, Fr. Daniel Harrington, S.J., has made it his life's mission to answer these and many related questions about the Bible and its relationship to Catholic life. Accessibly written, How Do Catholics Read the Bible? blends biblical scholarship with compelling personal anecdotes to equip readers with the tools they need to more fully engage Scripture and the Catholic tradition. With chapters on how the Catholic canon came to be, what the Church teaches about the Bible, appropriate methods for analyzing Scripture passages, and how to incorporate the Bible into everyday life, this book is ideal for individual or group use in parishes and classrooms. Each chapter concludes with questions for reflection and recommendations for further reading. (Amazon) God's Library: A Catholic Introduction to the World's Greatest Book
Joe Paprocki A unique approach to reading the Bible for the millions of Catholics who donít know where to begin. In Godís Library, Joe Paprocki, a veteran catechist and Bible authority, guides readers into a basic understanding of Gods Librarythe collection of seventy-three books that Catholics regard as the definitive written revelation of God. (Amazon) |
Where to Find It in the Bible: The Ultimate A to Z Resource
Ken Anderson Locate specific Bible references to hundreds of subjects with this Ultimate A to Z Resource. The Little Book of Where to Find it in the Bible is a unique topical concordance that helps you find biblical passages that apply to traditional and 21st-century topics. (Amazon) What Does The Bible Say About... The Ultimate A To Z Resource
Thomas Nelson How does a 2,000-year-old book apply to the 21st century? This Ultimate A to Z Resource applies biblical insight to hundreds of contemporary topics ranging from addiction, to political infighting, to world hunger. (Amazon) |
Articles
- Understanding the Bible (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops)
- Understanding the Bible: Study Resources (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops)
- Ways of Reading the Bible (Felix Just, SJ)
Organizations & Websites
Parish Ideas
Offer "Bible 101"
Parishes should regularly offer adult education opportunities. This should be a core part of of the adult initiation process, but it should be opened up to all parishioners. We offer a number of Scripture classes, especially in the San Francisco Bay Area. Learn more... |
Offer Resources
Keep key resources such as recommended study bibles and commentaries in stock for loans and/or purchases. If that is not possible, at least maintain and promote a list of recommendations. |
Offer "The Four Gospels"
One of the most effective adult formation experiences we have seen is to teach an overview class of the four gospels that encourages students to read the entirety of the four Gospels, one per week (it doesn't take as long as you would think). We offer this class, especially in the San Francisco Bay Area. Learn more... |
Related To
Gospel values originate from Scripture, and cannot be fully understood separate from it.
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Much of our exposure to Scripture comes through the reading we hear as part of liturgy.
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