The Catholic Church and the Bible

by Peter M. J. Stravinskas

Publisher:

Ignatius

, 1996

Overview

Are Catholics biblical illiterates?

So goes the frequent question, proving that myths die hard. But Catholics ought to be able to answer the charge made by many non-Catholics in this regard. This book is a response to fundamentalist critics and an explanation of the Catholic biblical tradition.

The Catholic Church and the Bible is a significant scriptural study guide, published from a Catholic perspective and particularly keyed to the new Catechism of the Catholic Church. The well-planned, straight forward text is clearly outlined to make information easy to find and understand.

This work should be heartily welcomed by both clergy and laity, for Father Stravinskas sheds new light on Catholic Bible study by writing with candor, clarity, and scriptural backing. This is ideal for use in Catholic high schools and in parish RCIA programs.

In the Logos edition, all Scripture passages in The Catholic Church and the Bible appear on mouseover, linking to your favorite Bible translation in your library. With Logos’ advanced features, you can perform powerful searches by topic or Scripture reference, finding the answers you need instantly.

Key Features

• Overview of the Catholic understanding of the Bible
• Analysis of God’s Word and its purpose in the Church
• Seven principles essential to fundamentalism
• Question-and-answer section dealing with inquiries made by Catholics and non-Catholics alike

Contents

• The Word of the Lord
• The Church’s Scriptures
• A Biblical Theology of the Mass
• Mass Prayers; Biblical Prayers
• “What About . . . ?”

Top Highlights

“Sacred Scripture, or the Bible, is that collection of works written under divine inspiration. Sacred Tradition is the unwritten or oral record of God’s Word to His prophets and apostles, received under divine inspiration and faithfully transmitted to the Church under the same guidance. Tradition differs from Scripture in that Tradition is a living reality passed on and preserved in the Church’s doctrine, life, and worship, while Scripture is a tangible reality found in written form (CCC 81–82).” (Page 16)

“Martin Luther began as an advocate of private scriptural interpretation, reasoning that if the Pope can interpret the Bible, why not he or any other Christian? Luther’s speeches and letters show that later in life he backed off from this position after seeing the disastrous results of having unprepared and unqualified people give personal reactions to the Bible, allegedly of equal value to the contributions of scholars. Furthermore, most Protestant denominations have very defined explanations of critical passages, not allowing much leeway for their members’ private judgment, whether the issues might be the significance of water baptism, faith and works, divorce and remarriage, or the Eucharist.” (Page 14)

“The very postures of prayer have always been important. The Psalter often indicates the various liturgical gestures and suggests their meaning. Kneeling and genuflection are signs of adoration. Folded hands bespeak subordination to the divine will. Prostration (still used with such powerful effect in our ordination liturgy) declares one’s vulnerability as a believer and, hence, one’s total dependence upon God. Raised or lifted hands beckon to the Almighty in petition.” (Page 74)

Product Details

• Title: The Catholic Church and the Bible
• Author: Peter M. J. Stravinskas
• Publisher: Ignatius Press
• Publication Date: 1996
• Pages: 134

About Peter M. J. Stravinskas

Peter M. J. Stravinskas has been the professor of theology and of education at St. John’s University and Seton Hall. He is the well-known editor of the Catholic Answer magazine, is a contributing editor to the National Catholic Register, has written over 500 articles for numerous Catholic publications, and has also authored and edited 18 other books.