Scripture According to the New Catechism of the Catholic Church

Abstract

John F. Brug’s essay surveys the treatment of Scripture in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, highlighting both affirmations and concerns. The Catechism upholds the divine inspiration and inerrancy of Scripture, yet places oral tradition on equal footing with the written Word. Brug critiques this dual-source view of revelation, noting that the Church claims exclusive authority to interpret both Scripture and Tradition through the teaching office of the bishops and the pope. He also examines the Catechism’s openness to private revelations and its adoption of higher critical methods, especially in interpreting Genesis. While the Catechism affirms the historical reality of the fall, it treats creation accounts as symbolic and evolutionary development as compatible with faith. Brug concludes that although the Catholic Church maintains a formal reverence for Scripture, its doctrinal authority ultimately rests in ecclesiastical tradition, which can override or reinterpret biblical teaching. Abstract prepared by Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4).