„The challenges for modern biblical science”

Zeszyty Naukowe KUL 48 (2005) 2, 3-17.
= Wrocławskie Wiadomości Kościelne 3 (2005) 349-362.

In this article, the author reflects on the challenges which are placed before modern biblical scholarship, at the dawn of the era when the historical-critical method is regarded as insufficient. In addition, psychological trends, subjectivity, radically far-reaching symbolism or even fundamentalism are also problems when reading the Bible. The rebirth of Jewish methods of interpretation cannot be ignored, lead on by feminist and sociological interpretations. It appears that the appropriate medicine for the agreeable of the Church's Tradition interpretation o the inspired texts is following the challenge of Augustine, who in De Doctrina Christiana wrote: „In order to properly understand God's decrees, there must be a constant effort to grasp the mind of the author. The Holy Spirit speaks through him. [...] It is a mistake to attribute to Scripture a different meaning than that which was intended by the writer, even when such an interpretation serves to awaken mercy which is what the kingdom of Truth thrives in”. Finally, the author presents the postulates whose achievement belongs to the challenges facing modern Polish biblical scholars.

back