Reading the Bible through the lens of faith
Reading the Bible through the lens of faith
Monday, May 28, 2012
Brother Richard DeMaria
In Verbum Domini, his Apostolic Exhortation based on the 2008 Synod of Bishops on the Word of God, Benedict XVI writes:
“Another major theme that emerged during the synod to which I would now like to draw attention is the interpretation of sacred Scripture in the Church. The intrinsic link between the word and faith makes clear that authentic biblical hermeneutics can only be had within the faith of the Church, which has its paradigm in Mary's fiat.” (Paragraph 29)
This reiterates a position that Benedict proposed in his book, “Jesus of Nazareth,” in which he states that whoever wishes to interpret Scripture must do so through the eyes of the faith. I suspect that many who read this think that Benedict is advocating a position which is contrary to the scientific, objective study of the Scriptures. Why, they ask, is he afraid of the new science of scriptural exegesis? In fact, Benedict and the Church many years ago embraced the importance of the scientific study of the scriptures. What he is questioning is those who claim this can be done in a completely “objective” way.
In fact, it is not possible to study anything in a completely objective way. Whenever we study any topic, we inevitably do so through a set of lenses which affect the outcome of our studies. This truth about intellectual study is the principle that leads Benedict to insist that Biblical scholarship must be done through the hermeneutics of the Christian faith—that is, through the lens of the Christian faith, as it has been understood by the tradition and magisterium of the Church.
There is support for this principle, surprisingly to some, in quantum physics, in what is called the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle. In his study of the atom, Heisenberg, a Nobel laureate in physics, concluded in 1927 that in the effort to know the position of an electron, the very act of shining a light wave on the electron disturbs the electron and thus distorts the results. Applied to the macro world, this principle suggests that whenever we study a topic we distort the results by the very question with which we approach an issue. There is no such thing as a completely objective study. The very way we frame a question influences the outcome. Accordingly, it is not surprising that those who interpret the Christian Bible expecting to find support there for the theory of socialism, or gender equality, or social revolution will “discover” a Jesus who is the model of their position.
Once we recognize that every person who studies the Scriptures does so through a set of pre-dispositions, the suggestion that we should consciously acknowledge the bias of our studies appears quite reasonable. Benedict and the Synod of Bishops are urging us to follow only those who study the scriptures through the lenses of the Catholic tradition, the community which has treasured these writings from the beginning.
Those who understand the dynamics of learning will not consider this suggestion as something less objective than, for example, those who begin their research convinced that there can’t be miraculous occurrences and then find other explanations for these recorded events.
In a blog I wrote some years ago, I applied another key principle of physics — Bohr’s Principle of Complementarity —to theology. I believe in both cases quantum physicists are re-discovering principles of learning that have been known and practiced for centuries — and should be heeded by those of us in the Church.
Since we last heard from him, Brother DeMaria spent two months in Stellennbosch, South Africa; two months in Mazabuka, Zambia; and is now in Cape Town working with nine novices. He finds the novices to be “the nicest and most idealistic young men you could imagine.” Most of all, he says, he is delighted to be able to be in a situation where he can teach again: “I am a very lucky man to be finding life so exciting and beautiful at this age. The chance to again be teaching (and to re-discover that I am good at it) was something that I thought was over a few years ago.”
Comments from readers
I just discovered your blog. What a delight it is to know that you are still a part of my home diocese.
As a physics teacher now, I always try to find ways to link what I teach to what the kids experience in life. I read your blog post with a new understanding of how physics can help me understand my faith!
Thanks for posting,
Metz
Physics/Math Teacher
Miami Country Day School
Your love for the Lord and your desire to instruct all of us are always evident. I thank you for your deep concern. As always, you impact our beliefs.
In His name,
Carlota E. Morales, Ed. D.
Principal
Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School
May God bless your work Brother, I have fond memories of you from your days at Curley. My son speaks of you often.
Sincerely in Christ,
Vivian Cuadras