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=== The literal sense of scripture ===

=== The literal sense of scripture ===

The literal sense of scripture refers to the sense of the words themselves; it is “that which has been expressed directly by the inspired human authors.” It has been variously described as the verbal or grammatical sense, the plain sense, the sense the human author intended, the sense the divine author intended, the historical sense, and even the obvious sense. Underlying these various descriptions is the notion that “the literal sense is the meaning conveyed by the words of Scripture.” However, the literal sense of scripture is not merely limited to the literalistic, which too often obscures, and can even violate the actual meaning of the text (see [[Cafeteria Christianity#Proof texts]]). The literal sense is discovered by careful and attentive study of the biblical text using all interpretive tools available, such as grammatical aids, archaeological evidence, historical and literary analyses, sociological and anthropological studies, and whatever else can be called upon to expand one’s knowledge of the historical and literary context of the text and thereby gain a better understanding of the literal sense of the biblical text.

The literal sense of scripture refers to the sense of the words themselves; it is “that which has been expressed directly by the inspired human authors.” It has been variously described as the verbal or grammatical sense, the plain sense, the sense the human author intended, the sense the divine author intended, the historical sense, and even the obvious sense. Underlying these various descriptions is the notion that “the literal sense is the meaning conveyed by the words of Scripture.” However, the literal sense of scripture is not merely limited to the literalistic, which too often obscures, and can even violate the actual meaning of the text (see [[Cafeteria Christianity#Proof texts]]). The literal sense is discovered by careful and attentive study of the biblical text using all interpretive tools available, such as grammatical aids, archaeological evidence, historical and literary analyses, sociological and anthropological studies, and whatever else can be called upon to expand one's knowledge of the historical and literary context of the text and thereby gain a better understanding of the literal sense of the biblical text.

The importance of the literal sense was emphasized by St. [[Thomas Aquinas]] in his recognition that “all the senses are founded on one—the literal—from which alone can any argument be drawn, and not from those intended in allegory.”<ref>Pope Pius XII, ''Divino Afflante Spiritu'' (1943), no. 33, translated National Catholic Welfare Conference, in The Bible Documents: A Parish Resource (Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 2001), 22. 2  Pontifical Biblical Commission, The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church  (1993), no. 131, in The Bible Documents, 162. 3  Catechism of the Catholic Church (2nd ed.) (Washington, DC: Libreria Editrice Vaticana–United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2000), no. 116.</ref> This importance was reiterated in [[Pope Pius XII]]’s long delayed exhortation to Catholic biblical scholars: “let the Catholic exegete undertake the task, of all those imposed on him the greatest, that namely of discovering and expounding the genuine meaning of the Sacred Books. In the performance of this task let the interpreters bear in mind that their foremost and greatest endeavor should be to discern and define clearly that sense of the biblical words which is called literal.”<ref>''Divino Afflante Spiritu''</ref>

The importance of the literal sense was emphasized by St. [[Thomas Aquinas]] in his recognition that “all the senses are founded on one—the literal—from which alone can any argument be drawn, and not from those intended in allegory.”<ref>Pope Pius XII, ''Divino Afflante Spiritu'' (1943), no. 33, translated National Catholic Welfare Conference, in The Bible Documents: A Parish Resource (Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 2001), 22. 2  Pontifical Biblical Commission, The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church  (1993), no. 131, in The Bible Documents, 162. 3  Catechism of the Catholic Church (2nd ed.) (Washington, DC: Libreria Editrice Vaticana–United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2000), no. 116.</ref> This importance was reiterated in [[Pope Pius XII]]’s long delayed exhortation to Catholic biblical scholars: “let the Catholic exegete undertake the task, of all those imposed on him the greatest, that namely of discovering and expounding the genuine meaning of the Sacred Books. In the performance of this task let the interpreters bear in mind that their foremost and greatest endeavor should be to discern and define clearly that sense of the biblical words which is called literal.”<ref>''Divino Afflante Spiritu''</ref>

== Critical Assumptions ==

== Critical Assumptions ==

Perhaps no study requires so devout a spirit and so exalted a faith in the supernatural as the pursuit of the Higher Criticism. It demands at once the ability of the scholar, and the simplicity of the believing child of God.<ref>"The History of the Higher Criticism", Canon Dyson Hague, M. A., Rector of the Memorial Church, London, Ontario. He discusses the differences between legitimate and illegitimate approaches to historical-critical research.</ref> The Bible’s message is both ‘divine’ and ‘human’. Unique among all the world's literature, the Bible is really God's word in human language.<ref name=BFMKwatera>St. John's Abbey: ''The Bible’s message is both ‘divine’ and ‘human’.'' Friday, January 17th, 2014, Benedictine Father Michael Kwatera, a monk of St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville, MN. A discussion of the meaning of historical-critical methodology.</ref> The more conservative theologians who employ the historical-critical method believe that the Scriptures are more than the writings of mortal men.<ref>Siegbert W. Becker, "The Historical-Critical Method of Bible Interpretation", page 4. He distinguishes the good from the bad among historical-critical researchers.</ref>

Perhaps no study requires so devout a spirit and so exalted a faith in the supernatural as the pursuit of the Higher Criticism. It demands at once the ability of the scholar, and the simplicity of the believing child of God.<ref>"The History of the Higher Criticism", Canon Dyson Hague, M. A., Rector of the Memorial Church, London, Ontario. He discusses the differences between legitimate and illegitimate approaches to historical-critical research.</ref> The Bible's message is both ‘divine’ and ‘human’. Unique among all the world's literature, the Bible is really God's word in human language.<ref name=BFMKwatera>St. John's Abbey: ''The Bible’s message is both ‘divine’ and ‘human’.'' Friday, January 17th, 2014, Benedictine Father Michael Kwatera, a monk of St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville, MN. A discussion of the meaning of historical-critical methodology.</ref> The more conservative theologians who employ the historical-critical method believe that the Scriptures are more than the writings of mortal men.<ref>Siegbert W. Becker, "The Historical-Critical Method of Bible Interpretation", page 4. He distinguishes the good from the bad among historical-critical researchers.</ref>

'Critical' does not mean debunking scripture, and it does not mean proving its truth. Religious Bible readers may also be interested to learn something about where their Scripture came from, who wrote it, and how editors collected it for them to read. For that only a historical-critical inquiry will do the job.<ref>"What Is the Historical-Critical Method?" (Wake Forest University).</ref> One of the most distinctive features of the Bible is the consistency with which its authors place events in real-life history.<ref name=literature>The Bible as Literature: The Bible ~ A Literary Work and an Artistic Presentation of Human Experience</ref>

'Critical' does not mean debunking scripture, and it does not mean proving its truth. Religious Bible readers may also be interested to learn something about where their Scripture came from, who wrote it, and how editors collected it for them to read. For that only a historical-critical inquiry will do the job.<ref>"What Is the Historical-Critical Method?" (Wake Forest University).</ref> One of the most distinctive features of the Bible is the consistency with which its authors place events in real-life history.<ref name=literature>The Bible as Literature: The Bible ~ A Literary Work and an Artistic Presentation of Human Experience</ref>