GRGR: Gospels & stuff

[Paul Mackin]

On Sat, 1 Jan 2000, Peter Petto wrote:

> rj wrote in response to David Morris:
> 
> > > > Beyond all that, there are many who would call all
> > > > Biblical text a form of "dictation,"  from God's mouth
> > > > to the scribe's pen.
> >
> >  Even the Vatican is bending on this one I think.
> 
> What is the Vatican saying now? What did they used to say?


Don't know about "say now" and "used to say" but the Vatican isn't 
all that hung up on biblical text (not like the Protestants). The
Catholics have what is called Apostolic Tradition. This is at least as
important as canonical writings. It is apostolic tradition that decides
what is canonical. Apostolic tradition (maintained through Papal
Succession) derives from the fact that the apostles actually heard what
Jesus said. Most of the composers of the canonical texts didn't. St Paul
didn't either but is considered to be an honorary apostle. All this is of
course under the guidance of the Holy Spirit so that the canon does have
to be considered inspired by God. But the metaphor of "dictation" directly
from God's (Jesus) mouth to the writers of the text has limited use for
the Christian situation. It does work well for the Islamic case.

			P.