Ep. #84 – The Inerrancy of Scripture w/ Dr. Feingold
Summary
How should we understand the inspiration of Scripture? Is the Bible wholly inerrant? What has the Church taught regarding this? How should we understand the ideas surrounding Dei Verbum 11? Dr. Lawrence Feingold joins us to answer these questions and more.
Guest Bio
Dr. Lawrence Feingold is Associate Professor of Theology and Philosophy at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis. He converted to Catholicism in 1989 together with his wife while engaged in realist marble sculpture in Pietrasanta, Italy. In 1999 he earned a doctorate in theology from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome. He is the author of The Natural Desire to See God According to St. Thomas Aquinas and His Interpreters, a three-volume series entitled The Mystery of Israel and the Church, Faith Comes from What Is Heard: An Introduction to Fundamental Theology and The Eucharist: Mystery of Presence, Sacrifice, and Communion.
Show Outline
In the first segment, Dr. Feingold gives an update on his teaching and writing. He also walks us through what it means to say the Scriptures are inspired by God.
In the next segment, we tackle the topic of inerrancy. He defends the traditional Catholic position of plenary inspiration. Also, he addresses the debate surrounding Dei Verbum 11 and gives three arguments for complete inerrancy (as opposed to limited or restricted inerrancy).
In the final segment, Dr. Feingold responds to a quote from James Keating who reviewed his book. Also, he explains why plenary inspiration does not entail a dictation model. The interview closes with Dr. Feingold expressing how Catholic scholars should approach the task of biblical interpretation.
Important Quote
Therefore, since everything asserted by the inspired authors or sacred writers must be held to be asserted by the Holy Spirit, it follows that the books of Scripture must be acknowledged as teaching solidly, faithfully and without error that truth which God wanted put into sacred writings (5) for the sake of salvation.
Dei Verbum 11 (source below)
Resources Mentioned
Faith Comes From What is Heard: An Introduction to Fundamental Theology by Dr. Lawrence Feingold
The Eucharist: Mystery of Presence, Sacrifice, and Communion by Dr. Lawrence Feingold
Association of Hebrew Catholics (Link to Dr. Feingold’s free lectures)
Provintissemus Deus by Pope Leo XIII
Dei Verbum (document of Vatican II)
Related Episodes
Ep. #36 – Is Faith Irrational with Dr. Feingold
