Michael Brooks
A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture is a book by Bernard Orchard, Edmund F. Sutcliffe, Reginald C. Fuller, and Ralph Russell. It was first published in 1953 and is the result of nine years of work by the authors, who are Catholic biblical scholars. The book aims to integrate biblical learning with traditional Christianity and provide a resource for Catholics and non-Catholics alike to understand the Catholic Church's teachings and interpretations of Scripture. While the book may be useful for those well-grounded in orthodox Roman Catholicism, some recommend seeking more orthodox sources. When comparing Catholic and Orthodox interpretations of Scripture, it is important to note that the Eastern Orthodox view includes additional parts beyond the Catholic canon. The Eastern Orthodox view also differs in its understanding of authority, tradition, and Scripture's role within that tradition.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Authors | Bernard Orchard, Edmund F. Sutcliffe, Reginald C. Fuller, Ralph Russell, and Peter S. Williamson |
| Publisher | Nelson Publishers |
| Year of Publication | 1953 |
| Number of Volumes | 17 |
| Target Audience | Catholics |
| Canon | Includes everything in the Catholic canon and additional parts |
| Approach | Integrates Scripture with Catholic doctrine, worship, and daily life |
| Style | Readable, informative, and scholarly |
| Usefulness | An invaluable resource for pastoral ministers |
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What You'll Learn
The Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture
The CCSS offers just the right level of commentary for Catholic students of the Bible, relating Scripture to Christian life today. It is designed to help pastoral ministers, lay readers, and students better understand and use the Bible more effectively. The series includes biblical text from the New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE).
The CCSS is described by Michael J. Gorman, Raymond E. Brown Professor of Biblical Studies and Theology at St. Mary's Seminary and University, Baltimore, as a "landmark achievement in theological interpretation of Scripture in and for the Church." He praises its inviting and edifying format, photos, background notes, cross-references, rich exposition of the text, and reflections for contemporary life.
While the Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture is primarily for those of the Catholic faith, it may also be of interest to those of other denominations who want to learn more about the Catholic Church's teachings on Scripture and how its members interpret it. However, some reviews suggest that it may not be suitable for those who are not well-grounded in orthodox Roman Catholicism.
It is worth noting that there are some differences between the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox canons of Scripture. The Eastern Orthodox canon includes everything in the Catholic canon but has some additional parts. These differences are due to variations in the Old Testament that persisted through the Great Schism in the fourth century.
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Differences between Catholic and Orthodox canons
The Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church have slightly different canons of scripture. The Eastern Orthodox Church has several books in its Bible that do not appear in the Catholic Bible. These include 3 & 4 Maccabees, and the apocryphal Esdras. The modern Eastern Orthodox Church does not possess a formal, universally approved Biblical canon, and there is some confusion among Eastern Orthodox followers as to which books constitute the canon of the Bible.
The Catholic Church, on the other hand, has a more defined canon. The Catholic Church considers certain books canonical and meant to be used in liturgy, while others are apocryphal and meant to be hidden or obscure. The Catholic Church makes no distinction between canonical and inspired, and has defined what books and parts of books it accepts.
The differences in the canons of the Catholic and Orthodox churches can be attributed to historical and linguistic differences. The Eastern Church and the Western Church used Greek and Latin, respectively, as their primary languages. Translations did not always correspond, leading to misunderstandings and differing interpretations of the Bible.
Another point of difference is the concept of papal primacy, or the "primacy of the Bishop of Rome". The Catholic Church attributes to the primacy of the Pope full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church, a power which he can always exercise unhindered. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, some understand the Bishop of Rome to be "first among equals", without effective power over other churches.
Finally, the two churches also differ in their beliefs about the Eucharist and transubstantiation.
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The Eastern Orthodox view of Scripture
The Eastern Orthodox Church has a unique perspective on Scripture, which differs from the Catholic viewpoint in several ways. Firstly, the Eastern Orthodox canon includes everything in the Catholic canon but also has some additional parts, mainly in the Old Testament. This is because, unlike the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church does not hold the same legalism regarding inspiration and canonical status, adopting a more fluid understanding.
Eastern Orthodox Christians view the Bible as a collection of inspired texts that emerged from the Church's tradition, rather than the other way around. They believe that the Bible is a tradition of the Church, meaning that it belongs to the Church, and the Church decides its authority and interpretation. This is summed up by Bishop Timothy (Kallistos) Ware, who states that the Bible "derives its authority from the Church". The Church, therefore, acts as a guide to interpreting Scripture, and the Bible should be read with the ""mind of the Church". This is to prevent scriptural misuse, such as "rapture" theology, and to ensure that the Bible is read spiritually, with the Holy Spirit guiding the Church.
The Eastern Orthodox Church also interprets truth based on three witnesses: the consensus of the Holy Fathers of the Church, the ongoing teaching of the Holy Spirit, and the "Universal Consciousness of the Church" or the "mind of the Church". This interpretation is not a matter of personal opinion but is guided by the consensus of the Holy Fathers. The Church does not oppose a critical academic approach to studying Scripture and acknowledges the Bible's long and complex history of development.
Additionally, the Eastern Orthodox view of sin and salvation differs from the Catholic doctrine of original sin. They believe that sin is not about transgressing a Divine law but is any behaviour that fails to live up to the goal of conforming to God's nature, which is love. Salvation, therefore, is about overcoming sinful habits and achieving the goal of a truly human life, fulfilling one's Divine design as the likeness of God.
Overall, the Eastern Orthodox view of Scripture emphasizes the role of the Church in interpreting and guiding the understanding of the Bible, ensuring that it is read spiritually and in the context of the Church's tradition.
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The Catholic Church's teaching on Scripture
The Catholic Church teaches that the Bible is the written expression of God's revelation. It is a collection of 73 books that form a single book, which is the inspired word of God. The Church's most extensive and authoritative teaching on the Scriptures is found in the Second Vatican Council's Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, often referred to by its Latin name, Dei Verbum (The Word of God). The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), 74-141, reiterates the teaching of Dei Verbum, and the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 11-24, presents these teachings concisely.
The Catholic approach to Scripture interpretation is governed by Church authority, which determines not only the meaning of each book but also which books are inspired. Catholics approach Scripture with humility, studiousness, and caution, recognizing the use of a wide variety of literary forms within the texts, including poetry, historical narrative, and historical fiction. The literal sense of Scripture refers to the meaning that emerges from the biblical words themselves in their literary and historical context, while the spiritual sense refers to meaning and interpretation beyond the author's original intent, informed by the Holy Spirit and the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
The Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture (CCSS) is a widely acclaimed resource that combines biblical scholarship with faith to help Catholics interpret Scripture and apply it to their Christian lives. It provides readable and informative commentary on each book of the New Testament, integrating Scripture with Catholic doctrine, worship, and daily life. The CCSS is an invaluable resource for pastoral ministers and all those seeking to deepen their understanding of the Catholic faith and its interpretation of Scripture.
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Interpreting Scripture for modern life
The CCSS is a landmark achievement in theological interpretation, offering a rich exposition of the text, quotations from the Church's tradition, and reflections for contemporary life. It is a product of years of collaboration between Catholic scholars, integrating biblical learning with traditional Christianity. The commentary is intended not only for Catholics but also for anyone interested in understanding the Catholic Church's teachings and interpretations of Scripture.
While the Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Churches share many similarities in Scripture, there are some differences. The Eastern Orthodox canon includes all the books of the Catholic canon but with some additional parts, mainly in the Old Testament. The Orthodox Churches view canonical differences as minor and do not hold the same legalism as the Catholic Church, adopting a more fluid understanding. They see Scripture as part of the broader concept of tradition, where authority and certainty are derived from the continuing presence of the Holy Spirit within the Church.
In interpreting Scripture for modern life, it is important to consider the context and applicability of biblical teachings to contemporary issues. The CCSS provides a critical survey of modern biblical knowledge, offering insights from the standpoint of those who accept the doctrine of biblical inspiration. It serves as a bridge between traditional Christianity and modern society, helping Catholics navigate their faith in a changing world.
However, it is worth noting that some commentaries may be more suitable for those well-grounded in orthodox Roman Catholicism. The Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture by Orchard, Sutcliffe, Fuller, and Russell, for example, is considered by some to be less heretical than other Catholic commentaries. Nevertheless, it is recommended to approach it with caution, especially if one is from a different denomination.
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Frequently asked questions
A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture is a 17-volume series that combines biblical scholarship with Catholic faith to help Catholics interpret Scripture and apply it to their lives.
It is primarily for Catholics who want to study the Bible in depth and integrate Scripture with Catholic doctrine, worship, and daily life. However, it is also meant for anyone who wants to learn more about the Catholic Church's teachings and interpretations of Scripture.
It was written by a group of scholars, including Bernard Orchard, Edmund F. Sutcliffe, Reginald C. Fuller, and Ralph Russell.
It was published in 1953 and was nearly a decade in the making.
While it is a Catholic commentary, it is not considered heretical. It is based on the full acceptance of the divine inspiration of Holy Scripture and the teaching and discipline of the Catholic Church. However, it is not the official Catholic Bible commentary.
