THE POPE ON THE SCRIPTURES by G.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jan 28, 1903

THE POPE ON THE SCRIPTURES.

By G.

It has been noted before that the pope has appointed a commission to inquire into the question of modern Biblical criticism, as it affects the Catholic Church. But it appears from comments of Catholic papers that the scope of the commission’s authority is quite limited. Quotations from the German ultramontane press say that nothing is to be done which will in any degree detract from the high authority of the Scriptures; nor is any question of criticism to be decided by mere scholarship.

The pope says he “can not too often repeat that the Scriptures are not given to be the subject of private judgment, either of learned or ignorant persons. In all questions connected with the interpretation of Scripture the church alone is to be the guide and teacher. Furthermore, no member of the Catholic Church can be permitted to question this prerogative, which is the divine gift to the church—a prerogative on which her authority and her office as teacher rests.”

Thus the Papacy assumes the prerogative of God, who has ordained that the Holy Spirit shall be the interpreter of truth to His people. John 14:26; 16:12, 13. The Spirit is accessible to all who ask for it in faith. Luke 11:9, 10, 13; Matt 21:22. And we get our instruction by studying the Word. 1 Cor. 2:9-13. G.