Opening Up the Scriptures: Joseph Ratzinger and the Foundations of Biblical Interpretation

by José Granados (Editor), Luis Sanchez-navarro

This volume was written by a group of eminent Catholics, including Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger - now Pope Benedict XVI. In these erudite essays the authors contend that historical-critical interpretation of Scripture has long since run its course in both Protestant and Catholic exegesis. Instead, they argue, the future of interpretation lies in accepting that the Bible is not just a collection of historical documents but also a record of revelation conceived in faith. By this token, true exegesis involves the faith and humility of the exegete. Contributors: Paul Beauchamp
Bruna Costacurta
Ignace De la Potterie
Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger
Klemens Stock
Albert Cardinal Vanhoye

Genres: Catholic

148 pages, Paperback

First published July 31, 2008

About the author

Rev. José Granados is the Vice President of the Pontifical Institute of John Paul II (Rome) where he is also a professor of dogmatic theology of marriage and family; he is also a guest professor at the Pontifical Gregorian University. In April 2013 he was appointed by Pope Francis as a consultor to the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith. Rev. Granados has earned a Doctorate of Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome (Bellarmine Award). He also holds a degree in Industrial Engineering from the Pontifical University of Comillas (ICAI), Madrid.

Rev. Granados is co-author, with Carl A. Anderson, of Called to Love: Approaching John Paul II's Theology of the Body.

Reviews

[Pablo Sotelo · Rating 5 out of 5]

La Sagrada Escritura crece con el que la escudriña.... siempre nueva....siempre viva.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of writings that analyze post-Vatican II perspectives on exegesis, Opening Up the Scriptures is an excellent introduction to the issues surrounding exegetical scholarship, Catholic or not. This short book contains an unexpected amount of depth, and the texts can be challenging for the average layperson to grasp. However, several articles, especially Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI's writings, are especially valuable for understanding modern day issues of exegesis.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a slightly odd book of the kind that academia can sometimes produce: it is not a reprint of the original 1988 New York conference proceedings on Catholic Biblical Interpretation, at which then-Cardinal Ratzinger's essay was first presented, but a selection of Continental theologians offering their observations.

The quality of the essays are mixed, some are quite good, but Old Testament exegesis is hardly discussed except to assert the necessity of viewing Scripture as a whole for proper Catholic interpretation.