Catholic Interpretation of the Bible

Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D.


The Challenge of (Protestant) “Fundamentalism”

Five Principles of Catholic Biblical Interpretation

  1. “Both/And” Approach (vs. one-sided over-emphases of any type)
  1. Literary Genres (vs. modernist/historicist assumptions)

Hebrew Bible Genres:

  • Myths & Legends (Gen, parts of Exod, Num, Deut)
  • Legal Codes (Lev, parts of Exod, Numb, Deut)
  • Genealogies (parts of Genesis, much of Numbers)
  • Annals (Josh, Judges, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, etc.)
  • Prophetic Books (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, etc.)
  • Psalms/Odes/Songs (Psalms);  Prayers/Laments (Lam)
  • Proverbs (Proverbs);  Wisdom Literature (Job, Wisdom, etc.)
  • Apocalypse (Daniel)

New Testament Genres:

  • Gospels (Mark, Matthew, Luke, John)
  • Acts (Acts of the Apostles)
  • Letters (esp. Paul’s);  Epistles (1 & 2 Peter)
  • Sermon (Hebrews);  Wisdom Collection (James)
  • Church Orders (1 Timothy, Titus)
  • Testaments (2 Timothy & 2 Peter)
  • Apocalypse (Revelation to John)
  • many more sub-genres, esp. in the Gospels
  1. Historical-Critical Exegesis (vs. fundamentalist/literalist fallacies)
  1. Incarnational Principle (vs. bibliolatry, over-emphasis on the Bible as text)
  1. Ecclesial Guidance (vs. individualistic misinterpretations)

Official Church Documents explaining Catholic Bible Interpretation


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Electronic New Testament Educational Resources

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This page was last updated on April 13, 2022
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