All Christians believe that the Bible is the Word of God. Yet, not all Christians agree on how to interpret and understand God’s written word. This reflects a fundamental difference in the rule of faith between Protestants and Catholics.
In The Bible and Its Interpreter, Reverend Casey addresses this question by exploring the Protestant practice of individual and private interpretation, versus the Catholic claim that it is the Church who holds the authority to interpret Scripture authoritatively and definitively and who is to be regarded as the rule of faith.
The Protestant rule of faith suggests that each believer can and ought to interpret the Bible personally, unrestrained by other believers, and that he is thereby guided and aided by the Holy Spirit. However, as practice has shown, this individualistic approach leads to a spectrum of interpretations, which in turn leads to grave inconsistencies in understanding biblical teachings, and which inevitably ends up in hopeless and irremediable disunity.
In contrast, Reverend Casey presents the Catholic view that Jesus Christ invested the Church He founded with the authority to interpret Scripture. This approach positions the Church, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, as the custodian of biblical truth. It ensures that the interpretation of Scripture remains consistent with the historical and theological foundations of Christianity, thus maintaining doctrinal continuity and unity.
In this book, Reverend Casey clarifies and proves why the Church’s role as the interpreter of Scripture is essential in upholding the integrity of Christian teachings. It is a compelling read for those seeking to deepen their comprehension of biblical interpretation through the lens of Catholic faith, highlighting the crucial distinctions in the rule of faith that separate Catholics and Protestants.