Strand: Scripture, Israel and Jesus (SIJFE2)

Foundation

is interpreted in the light of the author, place, purpose and time it was written.

Explore the Bible as a collection of sacred stories written for different times, people, places and purposes.

Elaborations

The Church interprets the Bible in order to make meaning of its place and purpose in the world and to enlighten its members on their journey of faith. The Bible has an oral tradition that was written down in order to explain and give meaning to various events and experiences in the lives of the Chosen People. For people of faith it is a living document which is always brought into dialogue with the times in which it is encountered. The Old Testament and New Testament contain the Scriptures. The Old Testament gives witness to ancient Israel’s encounter with the living God (Abraham, Moses, Wisdom, Prophets, and Psalms etc.) The New Testament is the early Church’s encounter with the person and work of Jesus Christ. A Catholic approach to Scripture is that it is to be interpreted post critically. See ECSI

To interpret Scripture post critically the reason (purpose) the Scriptures were written and by whom (author) are considered. The geographic setting and the historical, cultural and political context all contribute to understanding texts from Scripture.

See Learning Lites: Revelation, Synoptic Gospels.

Resources:

A Friendly Guide to...series. Mulgrave: Garratt Publishing.

Anderson, W.A. (2012). The Liguori Catholic Bible Study series. Liguori, Missouri: Liguori Publications.

The Catholic Youth Bible: Second International Edition, Saint Mary’s Press.

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