The Holy Scripture Read in the Church as the Soul of Theology. Benedict XVI's Concern About the State of the Catholic Exegesis

Sławomir Zatwardnicki

Faculty of Theology in Wroclaw , Poland
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7597-6604

Abstract

Benedict XVI in his concern about the state of the modern exegesis reminded of the necessity to use theological criteria while interpreting the Holy Scripture. The so-called “great principles of interpretation” should be taken into consideration as part of “the hermeneutics of faith” postulated by the Pope. Taking into account the living Tradition of the whole Church, the principle that was described in the article, is one of them. Deep reflection over the connection between the Holy Scripture and the Church makes the Pope conclude that the life of the Church is the proper place for interpreting inspired books. The Fathers of the Second Vatican Council expected the study of the Holy Scripture to become the soul of theology. The Holy Father modificated this wish and postulated that the Bible read within the communion of the Church should become the soul of theological studies.

Keywords:

Benedict XVI, Joseph Ratzinger, Holy Scripture, hermeneutics, hermeneutics of faith, interpretation, exegesis, historical-critical method, Church, science, theology, the Church Fathers, Tradition, Dei verbum, the Second Vatican Council, Verbum Domini