What Is Scripture?

Learning Objectives

By the end of this module you should be able to:

• Explain what Christians mean by Scripture.
• Describe what inspiration does and does not mean.
• Explain how the biblical canon developed.
• Understand how Jesus and the Apostles interpreted the Old Testament.
• Explain the literal and spiritual senses of Scripture.
• Describe the relationship between Scripture, Tradition, and the Church.
• Apply sound principles for reading and interpreting Scripture.

Study Guide

Part 1 — What Is Scripture?

Questions

• What is Scripture?
• Why do Christians call it the Word of God?
• Who is the true author of Scripture?
• What role did the human authors play?
• How is Scripture different from other religious writings?
• What is Divine Revelation?

Scripture

• Luke 24:13–49
• 2 Timothy 3:14–17
• 2 Peter 1:16–21

Primary Reading

Dei Verbum

• Chapters 1–2

Focus:

• Divine Revelation
• Scripture as God’s Word
• Inspiration

Catechism

CCC 101–108

Focus:

• Inspiration
• The nature of Scripture

Augustine — On Christian Doctrine

• Book I

Focus:

• The purpose of Scripture
• Love as the goal of biblical interpretation

Questions to Answer

• How do Scripture, Dei Verbum, and Augustine define Scripture?
• What does it mean that God is the author of Scripture?
• Why was Scripture given?

Part 2 — Inspiration

Questions

• What does inspiration actually mean?
• Does inspiration mean dictation?
• Can inspired authors write poetry, history and symbolism?
• What is biblical inerrancy?
• What did the early Church believe about inspiration?

Scripture

• 2 Timothy 3:16–17
• 2 Peter 1:20–21

Primary Reading

Dei Verbum

11–13

CCC

105–108

Augustine

On Christian Doctrine, Book II (selected sections)

Questions to Answer

• How does inspiration preserve both divine and human authorship?
• What does the Church mean by “without error”?
• What common misunderstandings should be avoided?

Part 3 — The Canon

Questions

• Why are these books in the Bible?
• What makes a book canonical?
• Did the Church create or recognise the canon?
• Why do Catholic and Protestant Bibles differ?
• What is the Deuterocanon?

Scripture

• Luke 24:44
• Romans 3:2

Primary Reading

Augustine

On Christian Doctrine, Book II (canon list)

Historical Sources

• Muratorian Fragment
• Athanasius’ Thirty-Ninth Festal Letter
• Council of Hippo (393)
• Council of Carthage (397)

Questions to Answer

• How did the canon develop historically?
• Why were some books disputed?
• What role did the Church play?

Part 4 — Reading Scripture

Questions

• How did Jesus interpret the Old Testament?
• How did the Apostles interpret Scripture?
• What is typology?
• What is fulfilment?
• Why is the Old Testament essential for understanding the New?

Scripture

• Luke 24
• Acts 8:26–40
• 1 Corinthians 10:1–11
• Hebrews 8–10

Primary Reading

Irenaeus — Against Heresies

Book III (selected chapters)

Focus:

• Unity of Scripture
• Christ as the fulfilment of the Old Testament
• Apostolic teaching

Questions to Answer

• How do New Testament authors read the Old Testament?
• What patterns emerge?
• What is typology?

Part 5 — Interpreting Scripture

Questions

• Can Scripture be interpreted in different ways?
• What are the literal and spiritual senses?
• Why does literary genre matter?
• How should difficult passages be approached?
• What principles did the Fathers use?

Scripture

• Luke 24
• Acts 8

Primary Reading

Augustine

On Christian Doctrine

Books II–III

Focus:

• Figurative language
• Rules for interpretation

CCC

109–119

Questions to Answer

• What are the four senses of Scripture?
• Why must interpretation begin with the literal sense?
• How should Christians interpret difficult texts?

Part 6 — Scripture and Tradition

Questions

• What is Tradition?
• How is Tradition different from traditions?
• What is the Deposit of Faith?
• Why do Catholics reject sola scriptura?
• How do Scripture and Tradition work together?

Scripture

• 2 Thessalonians 2:15
• 1 Timothy 3:15

Primary Reading

Irenaeus — Against Heresies

Book III (selected chapters)

Focus:

• Apostolic succession
• Public teaching of the Church
• Scripture within apostolic Tradition

CCC

74–100

Dei Verbum

7–10

Questions to Answer

• Why does Irenaeus appeal to apostolic succession?
• How are Scripture and Tradition related?
• Why is the Church important in preserving and transmitting the faith?

Final Reflection

By the end of this module, write a short summary answering:

1. What is Scripture?
2. What does it mean that Scripture is inspired?
3. How did the biblical canon develop?
4. How should Christians interpret Scripture?
5. How do Scripture, Tradition, and the Church relate to one another?

If you cannot answer one of these clearly, revisit that section before moving to Module 2.

Suggested Reading Order

Rather than jumping between sources, follow this rhythm:

1. Read the relevant Scripture passages.
2. Read the corresponding sections of Dei Verbum.
3. Read the Catechism paragraphs.
4. Read the selected Church Father(s), taking notes on how they answer the questions.
5. Consult the historical sources where appropriate (especially for the canon).
6. Write your own answers to the study questions before consulting secondary literature.
7. Create or update your evergreen notes.
8. Finish by writing a one-page summary in your own words.