How the Catholic Church Faced the Historical Criticism of the Bible

Subject Areas : Christianity

Ahmad Reza Meftah ¹ , Hamideh Amiryazdani ²

1 - Associate Professor of University of Religions and Denominations, Qom, Iran
2 - Assistant Professor of University of Religions and Denominations, Qom, Iran

Received: 2022-06-19 Accepted : 2023-02-25 Published : 2023-02-20

Keywords: Richard Simon Alfred Loisy, Catholic church, Historical-Critical method, Pontifical biblical Commission,

Abstract :

This article discusses the historical criticism of the Bible, which originated among liberal Protestants with the belief that the Bible should be examined through a historical approach. While this approach was initially met with resistance from conservative Protestants, it later became a challenge for the Catholic Church as well. Prominent Catholic scholars such as Richard Simon and Alfred Loisy, as well as the Tübingen School, supported the movement, raising concerns within the church. The article aims to analyze how the Catholic Church addressed this challenge. The church was apprehensive that the historical-critical method would overlook the divine aspects of the Bible, resulting in a decline in biblical authority. Therefore, it denounced the trend and expelled its pioneers. However, the Catholic Church eventually came to understand that it needed to adapt to the modern age and recognize the relationship between theology, culture and human accomplishments. Consequently, it became more open towards the historical-critical method, acknowledging it as a viable approach towards biblical exegesis, despite its initial condemnation. In summary, this paper examines the historical criticism of the Bible, its origins and opposition, and how the Catholic Church eventually adapted and embraced this approach towards biblical interpretation.

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