The Bible | Catholic Central
Summary
TLDRIn this engaging Catholic Central discussion, hosts Libby and Kai explore the significance of the Bible for Catholics. They clarify misconceptions about Catholic Bible reading habits, delve into the inclusion of the Apocrypha, and explain the canon's formation through historical councils. The conversation highlights the Bible's role as a divinely inspired, living text that offers personal connection and guidance through various literary forms. They emphasize the importance of understanding the Bible's context and the 'Law of Love' for interpreting its teachings, ultimately framing the Bible as a love story revealing God's relationship with humanity.
Takeaways
- đ The Bible is a compilation of 73 books in the Catholic version, including the 66 books of the Protestant version plus 7 additional books known as the Apocrypha.
- đ Catholics believe that the Bible, including the Apocrypha, is divinely inspired and part of the canon of Scripture, which is a recognized set of sacred texts.
- đ The canon of Scripture was established through councils, notably the Council of Rome in 382, under the authority of Pope Damasus.
- đ The Bible is considered a living text for Catholics, offering a personal connection to God every time it is read.
- đ The Bible is written in various languages, including ancient Hebrew, Greek, Latin, and Aramaic, and requires understanding of the historical and cultural context.
- đ€ God inspired the human authors of the Bible to write about Him, akin to a love story or a marriage contract, as depicted in Exodus chapter 6.
- đ The Bible contains various literary forms, including narrative, law, poetry, prophecy, fable, allegory, parables, romance, and apocalyptic literature.
- đ§ Understanding the different literary styles in the Bible can help in discussions about the Bible and science, as not all parts of the Bible are meant to be taken literally.
- đïž The Law of Love, as stated by St. Augustine, dictates that no interpretation of Scripture should contradict the love of God and the love of neighbor.
- đïž Catholics view both the Old and New Testaments through the lens of Jesus Christ, recognizing His presence and teachings throughout both parts of the Bible.
- đ The Bible's ultimate purpose is to reveal the love story of God with humanity, explaining our origins, destiny, and the path to salvation.
Q & A
What is the main topic of discussion in the Catholic Central video?
-The main topic of discussion is the Catholic perspective on the Bible, its contents, and the beliefs surrounding it.
How many books are in the Catholic Bible according to the transcript?
-The Catholic Bible is made up of 73 books, which includes seven additional books known as the Apocrypha that are not found in the Protestant Bible.
What is the term 'canon of Scripture' referring to in the context of the video?
-The 'canon of Scripture' refers to the recognized set of sacred books that the Church believes are divinely inspired, forming the Old and New Testaments.
Why do Catholics believe the Bible is important today?
-Catholics believe the Bible is important today because it is a living text that connects them to God in a personal way every time they read it, speaking to their current situation.
What is the significance of the Council of Rome in 382 in the context of the Bible?
-The Council of Rome in 382 was significant because it was when the canon of Scripture, which includes the Old and New Testaments, was essentially settled under the authority of Pope Damasus.
Why do some people believe the Bible contains the 'secret Illuminati Gospels' and other fantastical elements?
-This belief is a misconception, as the video clarifies that the additional seven books in the Catholic Bible, known as the Apocrypha, do not contain such elements but are considered divinely inspired.
What does it mean to say that the Bible is a 'complicated book'?
-The Bible is considered complicated because it was written over different centuries by various authors, in different languages and cultural contexts, which requires a deep understanding of these backgrounds to interpret correctly.
What is the 'Law of Love' as mentioned by St. Augustine in the video?
-The 'Law of Love', as stated by St. Augustine, is the principle that no interpretation of Scripture should contradict the love of God and the love of neighbor, as the Bible is fundamentally a love story.
How do Catholics view the relationship between the Old and New Testaments?
-Catholics view the Old and New Testaments as equally important, reading the Old Testament through the lens of Jesus Christ, recognizing that Jesus and God the Father are one.
What is the role of different literary forms in the Bible according to the video?
-Different literary forms in the Bible, such as narrative, law, poetry, prophecy, fable, allegory, parables, romance, and apocalyptic, serve to reveal God to humankind through the personalities and styles of the human authors.
How should one approach the Bible if they encounter difficult or multiple interpretations?
-If one encounters difficult or multiple interpretations of the Bible, they should always return to the Law of Love and remember that all Scripture points to the truth and Jesus Christ.
Outlines
đ Understanding the Catholic Bible
Libby and Kai from Catholic Central introduce a discussion about the Bible, highlighting the differences between Catholic and Protestant Bibles, particularly the inclusion of the Apocrypha in the Catholic version. They explain the concept of the 'canon of Scripture,' which refers to the set of books recognized as divinely inspired by the Church. The video also touches on the historical process of determining the canon, mentioning the Council of Rome in 382 and the role of early Church councils in shaping the Bible's content. The importance of the Bible to Catholics as a living text that offers a personal connection to God is emphasized, as well as the need to interpret it within its historical and cultural context.
đ Literary Forms and Interpretations of the Bible
In this segment, Libby and Kai delve into the various literary forms present in the Bible, such as narrative, law, poetry, prophecy, fable, allegory, parables, romance, and apocalyptic literature. They discuss how these forms are used by God to reveal Himself to humanity through human authors, each with their unique personality. The conversation also addresses the topic of biblical interpretation in relation to science, explaining that not all biblical stories should be taken literally. They introduce the concept of 'Jesus goggles,' which means reading the Old Testament through the lens of Jesus Christ, finding parallels and deeper meanings. The importance of the Law of Love, as stated by St. Augustine, is highlighted as a guiding principle for biblical interpretation, emphasizing that the Bible is fundamentally a love story about God's relationship with humanity.
Mindmap
Keywords
đĄBible
đĄCatholic
đĄCanon of Scripture
đĄApocrypha
đĄDivinely Inspired
đĄCouncil of Rome
đĄInterpretation
đĄLiterary Forms
đĄLaw of Love
đĄOld Testament
đĄNew Testament
Highlights
Libby and Kai discuss the importance of the Bible in Catholicism and the differences between Catholic and Protestant Bibles.
Kai reveals that some Catholics do not read or believe in the Bible, contrary to Libby's assertion that Catholics do read it.
The Bible consists of 73 books in the Catholic version and 66 in the Protestant version due to the inclusion of the Apocrypha.
The Apocrypha contains seven additional books that are considered divinely inspired by Catholics but not by Protestants.
Libby clarifies that the seven additional books are not secret Illuminati Gospels but are part of the Catholic canon of Scripture.
The concept of the canon of Scripture is introduced as a recognized set of sacred books or a religious order.
Catholics believe the Bible is the inspired word of God, written by humans but divinely guided.
The process of determining the canon of Scripture involved councils and the selection of the earliest and most widely used documents.
The Council of Rome in 382 played a significant role in finalizing the canon of Scripture.
The Bible is described as a living text that offers a new and personal connection to God each time it is read.
Kai humorously interprets a literal reading of the Bible, highlighting the importance of understanding its metaphorical language.
The Bible is a complex text written in various languages and dialects, requiring a deep understanding of its cultural context.
Interpreting the Bible requires considering the historical and cultural context of its authors.
God's inspiration for the Bible is likened to a love letter, sharing His nature and the relationship He desires with humanity.
The Bible contains various literary forms, including narrative, law, poetry, prophecy, fable, allegory, parables, romance, and apocalyptic.
Understanding the different literary styles in the Bible can help in discussions about the Bible and science.
Libby explains that not all parts of the Bible are meant to be taken literally, such as the allegorical or mythological sections.
The Law of Love, as stated by St. Augustine, ensures that interpretations of Scripture do not contradict the love of God and neighbor.
The Bible is seen as a love story, revealing God's nature, humanity's purpose, and the path to salvation.
The program concludes with the hosts emphasizing the Bible's role in guiding and inspiring readers to live according to its teachings.
Transcripts
LIBBY: Hi, I'm Libby.
KAI: And I'm Kai.
This is Catholic Central.
Today, we are going to discuss the book.
The good book, the book of books, the book of life.
LIBBY: The Bible.
KAI: Which I read every day.
LIBBY: Really?
KAI: And, fun fact, other Catholics do not ever read
or even believe in the Bible.
LIBBY: Um, fact fact, Catholics do read the Bible.
KAI: OK, then.
LIBBY: And today, we are going to find out
what Catholics actually believe about this holy book.
(upbeat music)
LIBBY: The Bible is made up of 73 books
by at least 40 different authors.
KAI: True story.
LIBBY: Or 66 books, if you're reading a Protestant Bible.
Catholics include seven books
as being divinely inspired that Protestants do not.
KAI: The Apocrypha. Seven books containing
the secret Illuminati Gospels,
the date of the end of days, and the zombie uprising.
LIBBY: Yeah, you know that's not true.
Those seven books aren't included in Protestant Bibles,
but Catholics believe they're divinely inspired.
KAI: Yeah, not so mysterious.
LIBBY: For Catholics, they're part of the canon of Scripture.
(cannon fires)
KAI: What was that?
LIBBY: The Cannon of Scripture.
You like it?
KAI: The canon of Scripture isn't the shooting kind.
It means a recognized set of sacred books,
or a law, or religious order.
LIBBY: So, the canon of Scripture means the set of books
that the Church believes are divinely inspired.
KAI: And written on Mount Zion on tablets of stone,
carved by lightning from the finger of God.
LIBBY: Not literally.
The Bible is a collection of books
and letters written by human people,
but Catholics believe those human people
were inspired by God,
and the writings aren't just ordinary writings,
they're special, holy, and sacred.
KAI: Catholics believe it is the inspired word of God.
LIBBY: The Jewish people had
their existing holy Scriptures.
Later, the early Christians
had their personal accounts and letters.
At a certain point, the Church decided to decide
which of all these writings were divinely inspired,
and to put them together to create one holy book.
KAI: And to make the decision on what to include,
they used a 20-sided die.
LIBBY: No.
To discuss what books were Holy-Bible-worthy,
they held councils.
- Yes, the entire canon of Scripture, (cannon fires)
that is, what we call the Old and New Testament,
was basically settled at the Council of Rome in 382.
Bishops, theologians, and trusted Church officials
under the authority of Pope Damasus.
LIBBY: And they gave preference to the earliest documents
and those in widest use in the Christian communities.
KAI: Right, it wasn't just the bunch of old dudes
deciding for everybody else what was sacred and what wasn't.
And they continued to hold
these councils throughout the years.
LIBBY: The history of the Church
has illustrated-- (phone rings)
KAI: Oh, sorry, hang on.
Hi there, Catholic Central.
CALLER LIBBY: Hey guys.
I totally get the canon and, like, boom and all,
but like what about the Bible now?
KAI: Thank you, star follower.
You're asking why is the Bible important now.
LIBBY: Oh, good question.
Catholics would answer that by saying
the Bible is a living text that connects us to God
in a new and personal way every time you read it.
It speaks to now, who you are, and where you are.
KAI: And as the divinely inspired word of God,
it must be obeyed to the word, nay, to the letter.
Like this, from Job.
"My breath is an offense to my wife.
I am loathsome to my family."
Wait a minute.
"Speak to those who are doomed with you
to eat their own dung and drink their own urine."
Okay, hold on.
"Your breasts are like twin gazelles..."
V/O: Huh?
KAI: Okay, did you know that all this stuff was in here?
LIBBY: The Bible is a complicated book,
not only written in different centuries by different people,
but in different languages, ancient Hebrew, ancient Greek.
Pontius Pilate spoke Latin,
and Jesus Himself speaks a local dialect called Aramaic.
KAI: It sounds complicated.
LIBBY: It takes a village to understand the Bible,
a village of thousands of people of goodwill
over thousands of years who have to consider
the times and culture of the sacred authors.
KAI: So, OK, the Bible speaks to us personally.
We also have to know how it's been understood
by others throughout Church history.
But why does the Bible really exist the way that it is?
I mean, why would God inspire people to write about Him?
LIBBY: Well, God wants people to know Him.
Oh, OK.
Bad metaphor warning.
Say, some lucky girl was engaged to be married to you.
You decide to write her about yourself
and how you envision your married life together.
KAI: I would let her know that I am super chill
about everything, except don't touch my hair.
LIBBY: (laughs) Your hair?
KAI: I would also let her know that it's really important to me
that she's kind to everyone.
LIBBY: That's sweet.
KAI: Also, I'd tell her I saw her picture,
and she has beautiful eyes.
LIBBY: Oh, you really commit.
KAI: I'd tell her that in a poem.
Yeah, a love poem, totally.
Oh, and I'll include my genealogy study from Ancestry.com,
oh, and some childhood stories, like, this one time --
LIBBY: That's actually what I'm talking about.
In Exodus chapter 6, God says,
"I will take you as my people
and you will take me as your God."
That's so totally like a marriage contract.
And then God uses all those forms of literature,
the way you do for your bride,
to share with us who He is and who we are.
KAI: Cool.
KAI AND LIBBY: Categories!
V/O: The game of Categories,
forms of literature in the Bible.
LIBBY: Narrative.
KAI: Law.
LIBBY: Poetry.
KAI: Prophecy.
LIBBY: Fable.
KAI: Allegory.
LIBBY: Parables.
KAI: Romance.
LIBBY: Apocalyptic.
(audience claps)
Through all these genres,
God reveals Himself to humankind,
and yet, it's all through very human authors
who absolutely flavored it with their own personalities.
KAI: Yeah.
And, you know, understanding different literary styles can help us
with all talk about the Bible and science, too.
LIBBY: What do you mean?
KAI: Well, it says in Genesis
that the world was created in six days.
I mean, come on, six days?
LIBBY: Right, but as we saw
in our totally exciting segment from Categories,
part of the Bible's mix is ancient allegory or myth.
KAI: Myth?
As in, like, fiction?
The Bible?
Libby, you heretic.
Burn her, burn her!
Apocrypha! LIBBY: Okay, Kai, not fiction.
Forms of literature that use story as a teaching method.
Nobody takes everything in the Bible literally,
even if they say they do.
They'd be a lot more folks walking around
with a missing eye or a hand if they did.
KAI: Matthew 5:30: "And if your right hand causes you to sin,
cut it off and throw it away."
LIBBY: Ouch.
See, at the heart of it is
that all Scripture points to the truth
and points to Jesus Christ.
KAI: Ah, you mean the New Testament,
which is a little less freaky and politically incorrect.
Am I right?
LIBBY: Catholics believe the Old Testament has just as much
to tell us about ourselves as the New.
They read the Old Testament
through the lens of Jesus Christ.
KAI:Wait, there are Jesus goggles?
LIBBY: Yes, actually.
The Bible states that Jesus and God the Father are one.
So Jesus is equally present
in both the Old and the New Testaments.
What are those?
KAI: Jesus goggles.
So, let's read from the OT through these babies.
Ah, Jonah, a prophet who threw himself
off the boat to save others, swallowed by a big fish,
spat out of its belly three days later,
and fulfilled his destiny.
Or is there more to this hard-to-swallow story?
Jesus sacrifices Himself for others,
descends to the belly of the dead,
three days later rises again and changes everything.
Wow.
These goggles are really good.
LIBBY: And if you get messed up by all the different interpretations
of the Bible, always return to the Law of Love.
KAI: The Law of Love stated by St. Augustine.
Augustine said the Law of Love
is that no interpretation of Scripture can contradict
the love of God and the love of neighbor.
LIBBY: And that's because, at its core,
the Bible is a love story, a story of who God is,
who we are, where we're from, where we're going,
and how to get there, and why it's all worth it.
And it exists for us to read and hear.
KAI: And live.
LIBBY: And all the people said, amen.
Hope this has been entertaining and informative.
KAI: Enterforming, if you will.
LIBBY: I won't.
KAI: Say God bless, Libby.
LIBBY: God bless Libby.
KAI: And all the rest of us, too.
(upbeat music)
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