The Gift of Prophecy

The Roman Catholic Church: True Interpreter of Scripture?

Postapostolic Christianity lost much of its original biblical identity under the paganizing influence of Greco-Roman culture. ⁸ One such cultural contribution was the Alexandrian allegorical method of biblical interpretation—with its explanation of Scripture based on the author’s intent versus the literal reading of the scriptural text. This method allowed many Christian interpreters the latitude needed for their syncretistic accommodation of Scripture to popular culture. The acceptance of this new hermeneutical methodology began to erode several Bible doctrines from mainstream Christianity. By itself, the allegorical method would have driven the Christian church into such a pluralistic interpretation of Scripture that its religious identity would end up vanishing completely. But the Church of Rome took advantage of this religious hermeneutical subjectivism and the sociopolitical influence of the Roman Empire to establish itself as the only true interpreter of Scripture. ⁹ GOP 290.2

Gradually many extrabiblical “apostolic traditions” reshaped scriptural interpretation and the teachings of the church. Augustine even confessed, “For my part, I should not believe the gospel except as moved by the authority of the Catholic Church.” ¹⁰ Thomas Aquinas argued that “the formal object of faith is the First Truth, as manifested in Holy Writ and the teaching of the Church, which proceeds from the First Truth.” ¹¹ Later on, the Council of Trent in its fourth session (1546) would assert that all saving truths and rules of conduct are contained “in the written books and the unwritten traditions . . . preserved in the Catholic Church.” To the “holy mother Church” belongs the authority to judge the “true sense and interpretation” of the Holy Scriptures. ¹² Consequently, ecclesiastic interests overruled true faithfulness to the Word of God and built up a strong nonbiblical hermeneutical tradition. GOP 291.1

Already in the Middle Ages, pre-Reformers such as John Wycliffe, John Huss, Jerome of Prague, and the Waldenses tried to restore the authority of Scripture above religious traditions and ecclesiastical decisions. Even though much limited in scope, those attempts helped to pave the way for the great Reformation of the sixteenth century. GOP 291.2