The Art of Interpreting the Bible, or
Letting the Bible Interpret You

1. The Catholic Approach to the Bible
   1. 1943 - Pius XII: Divino Afflante Spiritu: Catholic scholars may use scientific tools such as history, archeology, literary analysis to discover the mind of the author
   2. Vatican II (1962-65): Constitution on Divine Revelation: "Since God speaks in Sacred Scripture through humans in human fashion, the interpreter of Sacred Scripture, in order to see clearly what God wanted to communicate to us, should carefully investigate what meaning the sacred writers really intended, and what God wanted to manifest by means of their words." (N 12)
   3. Note on fundamentalism: this approach interprets the bible from a 17th century worldview and sees the bible as the only source of truth
2. Hermeneutics: The Art of Interpretation
   1. Starting point: our common humanity
      1. human need to make meaning out of our lived experiences: our human longings, aspirations, tragedies, joys, awe at the mystery of being, and especially underlying it all our compassion (humanity at its best)
      2. human ability to imagine: expressed in literature, rituals and symbols of all human cultures and religions
   2. Myths & Metaphors
      1. Myth = an organization of symbolic images and narratives developed by a culture to make sense of life
      2. Four functions of myth:
         1. to represent the mystery of existence and of the world we live in, i.e., origins, purpose, destiny
         2. to present a consistent image of the order of the cosmos; e.g., the bible reflects the cosmology of the 3rd millennium BCE
         3. to validate and support a specific moral order, e.g., through rites of initiation
         4. to carry the individual through the various stages and crises of life with integrity
      3. Metaphor = the native tongue of myth
         1. "a vessel of the truth that is far more reliable than census and almanac figures" - Eugene Kennedy in editor's forward to Thou Art That
         2. meta = passing over + phorein = to move or carry; metaphors are bridges that allow us to cross boundaries that would otherwise be closed to us, expressing spiritual truths that transcend time and space
         3. a metaphor expresses both "is like" and "is not"; e.g., John is a deer; God is Father
         4. metaphors not interested in realtime or historical facts, but too often misread to refer to tangible facts and historical events
   3. The art & danger of interpretation
      1. Completely disinterested (objective) interpretation not entirely possible
         1. we bring our own worldview and life experience as the lens through which we interpret text
         2. we project our own hopes and wishes
      2. Tools of interpretation
         1. find sense of book/passage by way of
            1. its language - grammar, use of words, etc.
            2. its rules of logic - internal context
            3. the writers' intention and cultural situations - external context
         2. Hermeneutical circle:
            1. Text
            2. Readers' worldview
            3. Readers' lives
         3. as we approach the text,
            1. be aware of projections, worldview and assumptions we bring with us
            2. listen with openness to the text, its symbols and stories and allow them to have an effect on us, let them interpret us
            3. approach with a "second naiveté"
3. Interpreting the Bible
   1. The Hebrew/Christian bible uses religious, metaphorical language and a religious, mythical worldview to express spirituality realities
   2. "Many elements of the Bible seem lifeless and unbelievable because they have been regarded as historical facts instead of metaphorical representations of spiritual realities....A failure to follow Pope John XXIII's injunction to "read the signs of the times" leaves (religious leaders) behind even their own times. ...The spiritual needs of people are neglected by religious leaders who insist on reasserting the historical-factual character of religious metaphors, thereby distorting and debasing their meaning." * Eugene Kennedy, Ph.D. in editor's forward to Joseph Campbell, Thou Are That, p. xv.
   3. In the bible writings, even (especially?) the gospels, historical truth plays second fiddle to the symbolic use of stories about people and events to motivate action
   4. "Thus, the Virgin Birth...does not refer to the biological condition of Mary, the mother of Jesus, but to a rebirth of the spirit that everyone can experience. The Promised Land refers not to a geographical location but to the territory of the human heart which anyone can enter." -- Kennedy, p. xvii.
4. Studying the Bible
   1. Modern tools of interpretation: Historical-Critical Method
      1. Study of historical/cultural setting - historical criticism
      2. Study of the text - textual criticism
      3. Study of literary structure and form - form criticism
      4. Study of sources the writers used - source criticism
      5. Study of editors purpose and audience - redaction criticism
   2. Guidelines for bible study
      1. Bible study done in context of a faith community - it originated in a faith community
      2. Scripture not to be seen as only or final revelation of God, rather it gives us a measure to discern God's presence and activity today
      3. We must always look at parts in context of entire bible, must look at the whole story the bible tells
      4. We are challenged to allow the symbols and stories to interpret us

   "I listen intently to the Book. But I do not acquiesce in it. I rail at it, I make accusations. I censure it for endorsing patriarchalism, violence, anti-Judaism, homophobia, and slavery. It rails back at me, accusing me of greed, presumption, narcissism, and cowardice. We wrestle. We roll on the ground, neither of us capitulating, until it wounds my thigh with 'new-ancient' words. And the Holy Spirit is there the whole time, strengthening us both." * Walter Wink, The Human Being: Jesus and the Enigma of the Son of the Man ((2002), p. 16.

   Sadly, Tom did have to go back to "work" (he should have stayed til the break!) and we continued our process. We went around the circle introducing ourselves and telling a little bit about how we got here, what we are expecting to get out of our time and what Bible we read or would like to have available at the bookstore. It was a lovely time filled with many wonderful stories and a large dose of laughter.

   We did indeed take a break for social time and treats and oh my lord what a treat! So what, did we bring something from Damico or what? We came upon a tray that lovingly portrayed an assortment of gourmet bars. By the time I got there some variations were gone, I believe, but what was left was spectacular. We tested the most marvelous date cookies I have had in years. They were like Pasty's (sp?) from the Iron Range only rolled with sweet date filling. The bar I got to know weighed about a pound and was a hypnotic blend of dreamy creamy chocolate, peanut butter and some kind of nuts. Wow! I also conspired to take home a couple of...hey, where did I put them? Hang on a second. Whew. They're here! The object of my conspiracy is a napkin full of Oreo Mint cookies! Now, was I having a flashback to the Potluck last week, or did I see French bread with butter floating around! Ok, enough, you're killin' me!

   We then actually did get to break up into small groups for a short time and were asked to share a burning question we may have. What challenge is it that we are dying to get out for discussion? So this we did and though we did not have time to share upon closing at least one group discussed the idea of how we feel about corporate worship. Organized religion. Wonderful stuff and something that many of us have grappled with. At 9:05 finally got back to large group where we shared a beautiful reading and meditation.

   For next week we will be discussing the first two chapters of the Borg book. I think Bob has one or two more copies left for sale, a bargain at $13 especially when you see what Canadians pay! Privileges for next week include:

   • Facilitator- Bruce
   • O. Prayer- Colette
   • C. Prayer- Judith
   • Treats- Denny
   • Clean up- Rita
   • Bookstore
     • After 9-
     • After 11- Jeanne
   We can't thank you all enough and hope to see you Tuesday the 15th.

   Shanti,

   Rik Murray
   

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