Bishop Remi De Roo Bishop Remi De Roo ConversationsConversations

TopicTopicDei Verbum (“Word of God’)Dei Verbum (“Word of God’)

The Dogmatic Constitution on The Dogmatic Constitution on Divine RevelationDivine Revelation

Dei VerbumDei Verbum

• IntroductionIntroduction

• A story about Pope John XXIII A story about Pope John XXIII

Pope John XXIII a man filled Pope John XXIII a man filled with hopewith hope

• “ “ Consult not your fears but your Consult not your fears but your hopes and your dreams. Think not hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what is till possible failed in, but with what is till possible for you to do.”for you to do.”

Quotes from Blessed Pope John XXIII Quotes from Blessed Pope John XXIII about the Second Vatican Councilabout the Second Vatican Council

• ““I expect a little fresh air from it.”I expect a little fresh air from it.”

• ““We must shake off the imperial dust that has We must shake off the imperial dust that has accumulated on the throne of St. Peter since accumulated on the throne of St. Peter since Constantine.”Constantine.”

• ““We must become a church of pastors not a We must become a church of pastors not a society of rulers.”society of rulers.”

A Presentation in three A Presentation in three partsparts

• Part-1 The Actual Document: Part-1 The Actual Document: Dei VerbumDei Verbum ((The Dogmatic Constitution on Divine The Dogmatic Constitution on Divine

RevelationRevelation))

• Part-2 The Central Teachings of the DocumentPart-2 The Central Teachings of the Document

• Part-3 The implementation and influence of Part-3 The implementation and influence of the document on the Church’s understanding the document on the Church’s understanding of Sacred Scripture (Bible) & Tradition over of Sacred Scripture (Bible) & Tradition over the past 50 yearsthe past 50 years

Part-1 The Actual Part-1 The Actual DocumentDocument• Setting the stage with a storySetting the stage with a story• Structure and overview of the document Structure and overview of the document

((Dei Verbum Dei Verbum ))– PrefacePreface– Chapter-1 Revelation ItselfChapter-1 Revelation Itself– Chapter-2 Handing on Divine RevelationChapter-2 Handing on Divine Revelation– Chapter-3 Sacred Scripture, Its Inspiration and Chapter-3 Sacred Scripture, Its Inspiration and

Divine InterpretationDivine Interpretation– Chapter-4 Old TestamentChapter-4 Old Testament– Chapter-5 New TestamentChapter-5 New Testament– Chapter- 6 Sacred Scripture in the Life of the Chapter- 6 Sacred Scripture in the Life of the

ChurchChurch

• The actual vote on the document The actual vote on the document Dei Dei Verbum Verbum was nearly unanimous 2,344 was nearly unanimous 2,344 to 6. Pope Paul VI promulgated the to 6. Pope Paul VI promulgated the document on November 18, 1965document on November 18, 1965

A few words about the A few words about the PrefacePreface

•The preface maintains that divine The preface maintains that divine revelation is a self manifestation of revelation is a self manifestation of God who in essence is both God who in essence is both personal personal and and relational.relational.

•The Council wishes to address the The Council wishes to address the matter of how God reveals God’s matter of how God reveals God’s self to humankind and how humans self to humankind and how humans respond to the voice of God.respond to the voice of God.

A few words about chapter A few words about chapter 1 of the document1 of the document

• Chapter 1 emphasizes the Chapter 1 emphasizes the personal personal rather than rather than propositional propositional dimension of revelation.dimension of revelation.

• Revelation is God’s self communication, out of love, to us as Revelation is God’s self communication, out of love, to us as God’s friends, invited into God’s company. God’s friends, invited into God’s company.

• Moreover, our God moves among us, and acts in human Moreover, our God moves among us, and acts in human history.history.

• Jesus Christ is the centerpiece of God’s revelation for he is Jesus Christ is the centerpiece of God’s revelation for he is the Incarnate Word through whom all things are made. Jesus the Incarnate Word through whom all things are made. Jesus is both “the mediator and fullness of all revelation.” (DV, 2)is both “the mediator and fullness of all revelation.” (DV, 2)

• Put another way, Christ is both the message and the Put another way, Christ is both the message and the messenger of all that God wants to say to us.messenger of all that God wants to say to us.

• Revelation is available to all human beingsRevelation is available to all human beings through the through the light of natural human reason.light of natural human reason.

A few words about chapter 2 of the A few words about chapter 2 of the Document entitled “Handing on Document entitled “Handing on Divine RevelationDivine Revelation

• Both Scripture and Tradition flow from the same Both Scripture and Tradition flow from the same “divine wellspring” of truth.“divine wellspring” of truth.

• Both constitute inspired revelation under the Both constitute inspired revelation under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.guidance of the Holy Spirit.

• They (Scripture & Tradition) are They (Scripture & Tradition) are notnot two separate two separate sources but “one sacred deposit of the Word of sources but “one sacred deposit of the Word of God.” God.”

• There is growth in our understanding of revelation.There is growth in our understanding of revelation.• The teaching office of the church authoritatively The teaching office of the church authoritatively

interprets Sacred Scripture yet it “ is not above the interprets Sacred Scripture yet it “ is not above the word of God, but serves it.”word of God, but serves it.”

Emphasis on the both /and Emphasis on the both /and aspects of the Catholic aspects of the Catholic FaithFaith•Scripture and TraditionScripture and Tradition

•Word and SacramentWord and Sacrament

•Personal and propositional Personal and propositional aspects of revelation.aspects of revelation.

A Few Words About A Few Words About Chapter 3 of the Document Chapter 3 of the Document “Sacred Scripture Its “Sacred Scripture Its Inspiration and Inspiration and Interpretation”Interpretation”• This chapter maintains a careful balance This chapter maintains a careful balance

between the divine and human origins of between the divine and human origins of the Scriptures.the Scriptures.

• God is the “author” of the Scriptures, but God is the “author” of the Scriptures, but the human writers are also “true authors” the human writers are also “true authors” who communicated faithfully God’s who communicated faithfully God’s intended message.intended message.

• No specific theory of inspiration is adopted No specific theory of inspiration is adopted by the council, but several biblical passages by the council, but several biblical passages that affirm the inspired nature of both that affirm the inspired nature of both testaments are cited (John 20:31; 2 Tim testaments are cited (John 20:31; 2 Tim 3:16)3:16)

Chapter 3 of the document Chapter 3 of the document continuedcontinued

• The Scriptures communicate the divine message in The Scriptures communicate the divine message in human language; thus any interpreter must consider human language; thus any interpreter must consider the literary forms and conventions of communication the literary forms and conventions of communication of biblical times (e.g., words, style, customs) in of biblical times (e.g., words, style, customs) in order to interpret the message accurately.order to interpret the message accurately.

• The Scriptures “faithfully and without error teach The Scriptures “faithfully and without error teach that truth which God, for the sake of our salvation, that truth which God, for the sake of our salvation, wished to see confided to the Sacred Scriptures.“ wished to see confided to the Sacred Scriptures.“ (DV, 11)(DV, 11)

• Thus, divine inspiration neither necessitates nor Thus, divine inspiration neither necessitates nor guarantees that every historical detail of scripture guarantees that every historical detail of scripture is accurate, in our contemporary sense of that word.is accurate, in our contemporary sense of that word.

• Scriptures have an inherent unity in them that must Scriptures have an inherent unity in them that must influence their authentic interpretation.influence their authentic interpretation.

Article #13 of chapter 3: a Article #13 of chapter 3: a striking comparisonstriking comparison

• ““The words of God expressed in The words of God expressed in human language have been made human language have been made like human discourse, just as the like human discourse, just as the Word of the eternal Father, when he Word of the eternal Father, when he took to himself the flesh of human took to himself the flesh of human weakness, was in every way made weakness, was in every way made like man. “ (DV, 13)like man. “ (DV, 13)

• Put in plain English---The Bible is like Put in plain English---The Bible is like Jesus, fully human and fully divine.Jesus, fully human and fully divine.

Chapters 4 & 5 deal with Chapters 4 & 5 deal with the Old and New Testamentthe Old and New Testament• The sacred authors wrote the four Gospels, The sacred authors wrote the four Gospels,

selecting some things from the many which selecting some things from the many which had been handed on by word of mouth or in had been handed on by word of mouth or in writing, reducing some of them to a writing, reducing some of them to a synthesis, explaining some things in view of synthesis, explaining some things in view of the situations of the churches, and the situations of the churches, and preserving the form of proclamation, but preserving the form of proclamation, but always in such a fashion that they told us always in such a fashion that they told us the honest truth about Jesus.” (DV, 19)the honest truth about Jesus.” (DV, 19)

• This section of the document pointed out This section of the document pointed out that the four Gospels are most likely not the that the four Gospels are most likely not the writings of eye witnesses.writings of eye witnesses.

Three stages of Gospel Three stages of Gospel DevelopmentDevelopment

• 1. The ministry of of Jesus 1. The ministry of of Jesus

• 2.a period of oral transmission and 2.a period of oral transmission and preaching by the apostlespreaching by the apostles

• 3.The actual composition of the 3.The actual composition of the Gospels by the evangelists who drew Gospels by the evangelists who drew on the oral traditions and retold the on the oral traditions and retold the story of Jesus in light of the situation story of Jesus in light of the situation in their own churches.in their own churches.

A few words about Chapter 6 A few words about Chapter 6 “Sacred Scripture in the Life of “Sacred Scripture in the Life of the Church”the Church”

• The chapter’s first line is most striking:The chapter’s first line is most striking: • ““The church has always venerated the divine The church has always venerated the divine

Scriptures just as she venerates the body of the Scriptures just as she venerates the body of the Lord, since, especially in the Sacred liturgy, she Lord, since, especially in the Sacred liturgy, she unceasingly receives and offers to the faithful the unceasingly receives and offers to the faithful the bread of life from the table bread of life from the table both both of God’s word and of God’s word and of Christ’s body.” (DV, 21)of Christ’s body.” (DV, 21)

• Thus, Christ is really present as much in the Sacred Thus, Christ is really present as much in the Sacred Scriptures proclaimed, as in the Eucharistic species Scriptures proclaimed, as in the Eucharistic species of consecrated bread and wine.of consecrated bread and wine.

• ““He [Jesus] is present in his word since it’s he He [Jesus] is present in his word since it’s he himself who speaks when the holy scriptures are himself who speaks when the holy scriptures are read in church.” (read in church.” (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy #7#7) )

Pastoral Items in Pastoral Items in Chapter 6Chapter 6 • The Scriptures are described as “food for the soul, the The Scriptures are described as “food for the soul, the

pure and everlasting source of spiritual life.” (article pure and everlasting source of spiritual life.” (article 21) 21)

• All liturgical preaching should be “ nourished and All liturgical preaching should be “ nourished and regulated by Sacred Scripture,” for liturgical preaching regulated by Sacred Scripture,” for liturgical preaching “must hold the foremost place” in the church’s “must hold the foremost place” in the church’s

ministry of the WORD (articles 21 and 24)ministry of the WORD (articles 21 and 24) • All Christian faithful should have easy access to All Christian faithful should have easy access to

Scripture and good reliable vernacular translations Scripture and good reliable vernacular translations (article 22) and should be encouraged to read the (article 22) and should be encouraged to read the Bible in order to better know Christ. (article 25)Bible in order to better know Christ. (article 25)

Pastoral Items Continued• In keeping with the ecumenical nature of the In keeping with the ecumenical nature of the

council, modern translations, where possible, council, modern translations, where possible, should be produced “in cooperation with the should be produced “in cooperation with the separated brethren” for the benefit of all separated brethren” for the benefit of all (articles 23 and 25). (articles 23 and 25).

• Priests, deacons and catechists have special Priests, deacons and catechists have special responsibility to be informed about Scripture, responsibility to be informed about Scripture, utilizing the means of liturgy, devotional utilizing the means of liturgy, devotional reading, instruction and prayer (article 25)reading, instruction and prayer (article 25)

• Catholic exegetes and biblical scholars are Catholic exegetes and biblical scholars are encouraged to do their professional work encouraged to do their professional work recognizing also the legitimate oversight recognizing also the legitimate oversight provided by apostolic authorities in the church provided by apostolic authorities in the church (the pope and bishops) (article 23) (the pope and bishops) (article 23)

• “… “… the study of the sacred page is, the study of the sacred page is, as it were, the soul of sacred as it were, the soul of sacred theology” (DV, 24)theology” (DV, 24)

• ““Ignorance of the Scriptures is Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.” (DV, 24 quoting ignorance of Christ.” (DV, 24 quoting St. Jerome)St. Jerome)

Part II : The Central Part II : The Central Teachings of Teachings of Dei Verbum Dei Verbum

What What Dei Verbum Dei Verbum Teaches about Teaches about RevelationRevelation

• Ch-2 of the document demonstrates the overall Ch-2 of the document demonstrates the overall theological shift AWAY from the theological shift AWAY from the propositional propositional model.model.

• The passage begins with a remarkable assertion: The passage begins with a remarkable assertion: God doesn’t reveal to us a collection of God doesn’t reveal to us a collection of information; rather God shares God’s very self information; rather God shares God’s very self with us. with us.

• God comes to us as a person, Jesus Christ, who is God comes to us as a person, Jesus Christ, who is “both mediator and the sum total of revelation.”“both mediator and the sum total of revelation.”

• Thus, Jesus is the ultimate and primary way God Thus, Jesus is the ultimate and primary way God has been revealed to human beings.has been revealed to human beings.

According to According to Dei Dei Verbum……..Verbum……..• Revelation is primarily a matter of God inviting us into a Revelation is primarily a matter of God inviting us into a

relationship: “the invisible God…, from the fullness of his relationship: “the invisible God…, from the fullness of his love, addresses men and women as his friends…, and lives love, addresses men and women as his friends…, and lives among them…, in order to invite and receive them into his among them…, in order to invite and receive them into his company.”company.”

• The council document relates revelation to the trinity.The council document relates revelation to the trinity.

• The council is reminding us that revelation is NOT a The council is reminding us that revelation is NOT a collection of statements, theses, or teachings but the single collection of statements, theses, or teachings but the single “intimate truth” of God’s love for us in Christ by the power of “intimate truth” of God’s love for us in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. the Holy Spirit.

What What Dei Verbum Dei Verbum teaches teaches about the Role and Authority about the Role and Authority of Sacred Scriptureof Sacred Scripture • Scripture is the privileged inspired witness Scripture is the privileged inspired witness

to what God has reveled to us.to what God has reveled to us.

• ““God chose certain men who, all the while God chose certain men who, all the while he employed them in this task, made full he employed them in this task, made full use of their powers and faculties so that, use of their powers and faculties so that, though he acted in them and by them, it though he acted in them and by them, it was as true authors that they consigned to was as true authors that they consigned to writing whatever he wanted written, and writing whatever he wanted written, and no more.” (DV, 11)no more.” (DV, 11)

Renewed Commitment to the Renewed Commitment to the Priority of Scripture: A Counciliar Priority of Scripture: A Counciliar ThemeTheme

• “ “ The treasures of the Bible are to be opened more The treasures of the Bible are to be opened more lavishly, so that a richer share in God’s word may be lavishly, so that a richer share in God’s word may be provided for the faithful.” provided for the faithful.” (Constitution on the Sacred (Constitution on the Sacred LiturgyLiturgy #51) #51)

• Seminarians are to be taught that Scripture “was the Seminarians are to be taught that Scripture “was the very soul of theology.” (See: Decreevery soul of theology.” (See: Decree on the Ministry on the Ministry and Life of Priests, #16).and Life of Priests, #16).

• ““Easy access to Sacred Scripture should be provided Easy access to Sacred Scripture should be provided for all the Christian faithful.” (DV, 22) and the faithful for all the Christian faithful.” (DV, 22) and the faithful are to be encouraged to develop “a frequent reading are to be encouraged to develop “a frequent reading of the divine scriptures” (DV, 25)of the divine scriptures” (DV, 25)

Dei Verbum’s Dei Verbum’s Understanding of Understanding of and Teaching About the Role of and Teaching About the Role of TraditionTradition

• Just What is Tradition?Just What is Tradition?• Tradition can be described as the living Tradition can be described as the living

transmission of the Gospel in the Church.transmission of the Gospel in the Church.• ““Tradition means: protect the fire, not preserve Tradition means: protect the fire, not preserve

the ashes.” Pope John XXIIIthe ashes.” Pope John XXIII• The Second Vatican Council and the Catholic The Second Vatican Council and the Catholic

Church maintains that both the Bible and Church Church maintains that both the Bible and Church tradition is the primary source of God’s tradition is the primary source of God’s revelation.revelation.

• Put another way, God reveals God’s self through Put another way, God reveals God’s self through both Scripture and tradition.both Scripture and tradition.

Tradition: A Living RealityTradition: A Living Reality

• In paragraph 8 of In paragraph 8 of Dei Verbum Dei Verbum there are two there are two important sentences about tradition. The first important sentences about tradition. The first states: “states: “There is a growth in insight into the There is a growth in insight into the realities and works that are being passed on” realities and works that are being passed on”

• The second states: The second states: “This comes about through “This comes about through the contemplation and study of believers who the contemplation and study of believers who ponder these things in their hearts… and from ponder these things in their hearts… and from the preaching of those who… have received the preaching of those who… have received such a charism of truth.”such a charism of truth.”

Tradition Progresses Tradition Progresses

• The council’s reference to the The council’s reference to the “progress” of tradition speaks “progress” of tradition speaks to an important theological to an important theological question: Can doctrine change question: Can doctrine change and develop? and develop?

• The Council’s response is YES The Council’s response is YES

• ExamplesExamples

The whole Christian faithful Share The whole Christian faithful Share responsibility for the development responsibility for the development of traditionof tradition• ““The tradition that comes from the disciples makes The tradition that comes from the disciples makes

progress in the church, with the help of the Holy progress in the church, with the help of the Holy Spirit. There is a growth in insight into the realities Spirit. There is a growth in insight into the realities and words that are being passed on. This comes and words that are being passed on. This comes about through the contemplation and study of about through the contemplation and study of believers who ponder these things in their hearts believers who ponder these things in their hearts (see Luke 2:19 and 51). It comes from the intimate (see Luke 2:19 and 51). It comes from the intimate sense of spiritual realities which they experience. sense of spiritual realities which they experience. And it comes from the preaching of those who, on And it comes from the preaching of those who, on succeeding to the office of bishop, have received succeeding to the office of bishop, have received the sure charism of truth. Thus, as the centuries go the sure charism of truth. Thus, as the centuries go by, the church is always advancing towards the by, the church is always advancing towards the plenitude of divine truth, until eventually the words plenitude of divine truth, until eventually the words of God are fulfilled in it.” (DV, 8)of God are fulfilled in it.” (DV, 8)

The whole Christian faithful The whole Christian faithful contribute to traditioncontribute to tradition

• Each BelieverEach Believer by virtue of baptism, by virtue of baptism, has a supernatural instinct of sense has a supernatural instinct of sense of faith (of faith (sensus fidei) sensus fidei) that allows that allows each to recognize God’s word and to each to recognize God’s word and to respond to it.respond to it.

Two understandings of this Two understandings of this sense of faith sense of faith (sensus fidei)(sensus fidei)

• As a kind of spiritual instinct or sixth sense As a kind of spiritual instinct or sixth sense

• As an actual perception or imaginative As an actual perception or imaginative grasp of divine revelation grasp of divine revelation

• Another way of talking about this is to say Another way of talking about this is to say that: Tradition is a way for the people of that: Tradition is a way for the people of God, which is the church, to read the signs God, which is the church, to read the signs of the times through the eyeglasses of of the times through the eyeglasses of faith and invent the future. It is a faith and invent the future. It is a liberating force, not an inhibiting one.liberating force, not an inhibiting one.

Revelation & Tradition Revelation & Tradition Happen in Community Happen in Community

• Revelation is not a possession Revelation is not a possession

• #8 of #8 of Dei Verbum Dei Verbum teaches that “the teaches that “the church is always advancing toward church is always advancing toward the plenitude of divine truth.” the plenitude of divine truth.”

• No one can ever corner the market No one can ever corner the market on the activity of Godon the activity of God

Part 3Part 3

• The implementation and influence of The implementation and influence of Dei Verbum Dei Verbum on the church’s on the church’s understanding of Sacred Scripture understanding of Sacred Scripture and Tradition over the past 50 yearsand Tradition over the past 50 years

On Church TeachingsOn Church Teachings

• The Catholic Church does not draw The Catholic Church does not draw its certainty about everything that its certainty about everything that has been revealed about God from has been revealed about God from Sacred Scripture alone.Sacred Scripture alone.

• Both sacred tradition and Sacred Both sacred tradition and Sacred Scripture are to be accepted and Scripture are to be accepted and venerated with the same sense of venerated with the same sense of loyalty and reverence. ( DV, 9)loyalty and reverence. ( DV, 9)

Influence of Influence of Dei VerbumDei Verbum

• On Catholic Theological and Biblical On Catholic Theological and Biblical scholarship scholarship

• ““Whereas altar-and-chalice was formerly, Whereas altar-and-chalice was formerly, as it were, the symbolism of Catholicism as it were, the symbolism of Catholicism and, obviously, of the counter-reformation, and, obviously, of the counter-reformation, the bible is now also taken as a symbol of the bible is now also taken as a symbol of the Catholic Church alongside the chalice.” the Catholic Church alongside the chalice.” (Edward Schillebeeckx)(Edward Schillebeeckx)

Influence of Influence of Dei Verbum Dei Verbum

• On priestly formation On priestly formation • Dei Verbum Dei Verbum and the teachings of Pope and the teachings of Pope

John Paul II John Paul II • Dei Verbum Dei Verbum and the and the Catechism of the Catechism of the

Catholic Church Catholic Church – Cites Cites Dei Verbum Dei Verbum 77 times; also see chapter 277 times; also see chapter 2

• Dei Verbum Dei Verbum and Catholic Parish Life and Catholic Parish Life • Dei Verbum Dei Verbum and Liturgical Music and Liturgical Music • Dei Verbum Dei Verbum and Ecumenismand Ecumenism

ConclusionConclusion

• Reception of Reception of Dei VerbumDei Verbum

• 50 years is but a heart beat in the 50 years is but a heart beat in the long view of church historylong view of church history

The path that the The path that the constitution has laid out for constitution has laid out for the futurethe future• A future generation of Catholics who experience revelation as A future generation of Catholics who experience revelation as

God’s self communication of love for them. God’s self communication of love for them.

• A generation that are neither biblical nor doctrinal fundamentalists A generation that are neither biblical nor doctrinal fundamentalists but rather biblically literate and doctrinally discerning.but rather biblically literate and doctrinally discerning.

• A future generation of Catholics capable of serious reflection on A future generation of Catholics capable of serious reflection on Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition.

• A generation of Catholics who are full of wonder and awestruck at A generation of Catholics who are full of wonder and awestruck at God’s activities in their lives as a dear and close friend one who is God’s activities in their lives as a dear and close friend one who is as close as a son is to his father and a daughter is to her mother.as close as a son is to his father and a daughter is to her mother.

• A personal footnoteA personal footnote