Dei Verbum Activity
1. This document is no more or less authoritative than
any other document written by the Second Vatican
Council.
False
“Therefore, following in the footsteps of the Council of
Trent and of the First Vatican Council, this present
council wishes to set forth authentic doctrine on divine
revelation and how it is handed on, so that by hearing
the message of salvation the whole world may believe,
by believing it may hope, and by hoping it may love.”
2. To “have” Jesus is to “have” the ultimate revelation of God.
True
“By this revelation then, the deepest truth about God and the salvation of man shines out for our sake in Christ, who is both
the mediator and the fullness of all revelation.”
3. It is possible that new books may be added to the canon of the Bible.
False
“He taught this people to acknowledge Himself the one living and true God, provident father and just judge, and to wait for
the Savior promised by Him, and in this manner prepared the way for the Gospel down through the centuries.”
4. Faith in God is possible first because we seek it.
False
He enlightened us by His deeds and words to have faith. Of course, one cannot be ignorant and must seek enlightenment
and fait. “God is with us to free us from the darkness of sin and death, and to raise us up to life eternal.”
5. The essential content of divine revelation can be arrived at through the power of reason as much as by faith.
False
Spiritual guidance is reinforced by “actual demonstrations” in order to persuade even the most sceptic people. “Holy Spirit
must precede and assist, moving the heart and turning it to God, opening the eyes of the mind and giving "joy and ease to
everyone in assenting to the truth and believing it."
6. God can be known by people outside of any exposure to sacred scripture, thus confirming that salvation is possible
for non-christians.
True
“His revelation that those religious truths which are by their nature accessible to human reason can be known by all men
with ease, with solid certitude and with no trace of error, even in this present state of the human race.
He had revealed for the salvation of all nations would abide perpetually in its full integrity and be handed on to all
generations.”
7. Both sacred scripture and sacred tradition are essential sources of God’s truth.
True
“It is clear, therefore, that sacred tradition, Sacred Scripture and the teaching authority of the Church, in accord with God's
most wise design, are so linked and joined together that one cannot stand without the others, and that all together and each
in its own way under the action of the one Holy Spirit contribute effectively to the salvation of souls.”
8. Our understanding of revelation, both in scripture and tradition, can grow over time even though the content of
revelation itself does not change.
True
“For there is a growth in the understanding of the realities and the words which have been handed down”
9. Anyone who claims to have had a private revelation of God is either a fool, a heretic or, at best , misguided.
False
“For Sacred Scripture is the word of God inasmuch as it is consigned to writing under the inspiration of the divine Spirit,
while sacred tradition takes the word of God entrusted by Christ the Lord and the Holy Spirit to the Apostles, and hands it
on to their successors in its full purity, so that led by the light of the Spirit of truth, they may in proclaiming it preserve this
word of God faithfully, explain it, and make it more widely known.”
10. Any properly informed Catholic may authentically interpret sacred scripture or tradition.
False
“However, since God speaks in Sacred Scripture through men in human fashion, (6) the interpreter of Sacred Scripture, in
order to see clearly what God wanted to communicate to us, should carefully investigate what meaning the sacred writers
really intended, and what God wanted to manifest by means of their words”
But it could be difficult because………..
“For the correct understanding of what the sacred author wanted to assert, due attention must be paid to the customary
and characteristic styles of feeling, speaking and narrating which prevailed at the time of the sacred writer, and to the
patterns men normally employed at that period in their everyday dealings with one another.”
11. Every word in scripture is true insofar as it relates to God’s salvific plan.
True
“Therefore "all Scripture is divinely inspired and has its use for teaching the truth and refuting error, for reformation of
manners and discipline in right living, so that the man who belongs to God may be efficient and equipped for good work
of every kind" (2 Tim. 3:16-17, Greek text).”
12. Scripture is not open to interpretation, but must be accepted at its literal face value.
False
“However, since God speaks in Sacred Scripture through men in human fashion, (6) the interpreter of Sacred Scripture, in
order to see clearly what God wanted to communicate to us, should carefully investigate what meaning the sacred writers
really intended, and what God wanted to manifest by means of their words.”
13. It is enough for Christians to read and understand the New Testament only.
False
“The plan of salvation foretold by the sacred authors, recounted and explained by them, is found as the true word of God in
the books of the Old Testament: these books, therefore, written under divine inspiration, remain permanently valuable.”
14. The Gospels occupy a place of pre-eminence in the Bible.
True
“It is common knowledge that among all the Scriptures, even those of the New Testament, the Gospels have a special
preeminence, and rightly so, for they are the principal witness for the life and teaching of the incarnate Word, our savior.”
15. Though the four Gospels all contain truth about Jesus, their content differ.
True
“The sacred authors wrote the four Gospels, selecting some things from the many which had been handed on by word of
mouth or in writing, reducing some of them to a synthesis, explaining some things in view of the situation of their churches
and preserving the form of proclamation but always in such fashion that they told us the honest truth about Jesus.”
16. The Bible is just as vial to our faith life as are the sacraments.
True
“Therefore, like the Christian religion itself, all the preaching of the Church must be nourished and regulated by Sacred
Scripture”
17. The Bible should be accessible to all Christians.
True
“Easy access to Sacred Scripture should be provided for all the Christian faithful.”
18. The Church’s understanding of scripture is complete.
False
“… the Church taught by the Holy Spirit, is concerned to move ahead toward a deeper understanding of the Sacred
Scriptures.”
19. Catholic teachers should be students of scripture.
True
“The sacred synod also earnestly and especially urges all the Christian faithful, especially Religious, to learn by frequent
reading of the divine Scriptures the "excellent knowledge of Jesus Christ" “
20. Non-christians should have access to suitable translations of scripture.
True
“Furthermore, editions of the Sacred Scriptures, provided with suitable footnotes, should be prepared also for the use of
non-Christians and adapted to their situation. Both pastors of souls and Christians generally should see to the wise
distribution of these in one way or another.”
1. This document is no more or less authoritative than
any other document written by the Second Vatican
Council.
False
“Therefore, following in the footsteps of the Council of
Trent and of the First Vatican Council, this present
council wishes to set forth authentic doctrine on divine
revelation and how it is handed on, so that by hearing
the message of salvation the whole world may believe,
by believing it may hope, and by hoping it may love.”
2. To “have” Jesus is to “have” the ultimate revelation of God.
True
“By this revelation then, the deepest truth about God and the salvation of man shines out for our sake in Christ, who is both
the mediator and the fullness of all revelation.”
3. It is possible that new books may be added to the canon of the Bible.
False
“He taught this people to acknowledge Himself the one living and true God, provident father and just judge, and to wait for
the Savior promised by Him, and in this manner prepared the way for the Gospel down through the centuries.”
4. Faith in God is possible first because we seek it.
False
He enlightened us by His deeds and words to have faith. Of course, one cannot be ignorant and must seek enlightenment
and fait. “God is with us to free us from the darkness of sin and death, and to raise us up to life eternal.”
5. The essential content of divine revelation can be arrived at through the power of reason as much as by faith.
False
Spiritual guidance is reinforced by “actual demonstrations” in order to persuade even the most sceptic people. “Holy Spirit
must precede and assist, moving the heart and turning it to God, opening the eyes of the mind and giving "joy and ease to
everyone in assenting to the truth and believing it."
6. God can be known by people outside of any exposure to sacred scripture, thus confirming that salvation is possible
for non-christians.
True
“His revelation that those religious truths which are by their nature accessible to human reason can be known by all men
with ease, with solid certitude and with no trace of error, even in this present state of the human race.
He had revealed for the salvation of all nations would abide perpetually in its full integrity and be handed on to all
generations.”
7. Both sacred scripture and sacred tradition are essential sources of God’s truth.
True
“It is clear, therefore, that sacred tradition, Sacred Scripture and the teaching authority of the Church, in accord with God's
most wise design, are so linked and joined together that one cannot stand without the others, and that all together and each
in its own way under the action of the one Holy Spirit contribute effectively to the salvation of souls.”
8. Our understanding of revelation, both in scripture and tradition, can grow over time even though the content of
revelation itself does not change.
True
“For there is a growth in the understanding of the realities and the words which have been handed down”
9. Anyone who claims to have had a private revelation of God is either a fool, a heretic or, at best , misguided.
False
“For Sacred Scripture is the word of God inasmuch as it is consigned to writing under the inspiration of the divine Spirit,
while sacred tradition takes the word of God entrusted by Christ the Lord and the Holy Spirit to the Apostles, and hands it
on to their successors in its full purity, so that led by the light of the Spirit of truth, they may in proclaiming it preserve this
word of God faithfully, explain it, and make it more widely known.”
10. Any properly informed Catholic may authentically interpret sacred scripture or tradition.
False
“However, since God speaks in Sacred Scripture through men in human fashion, (6) the interpreter of Sacred Scripture, in
order to see clearly what God wanted to communicate to us, should carefully investigate what meaning the sacred writers
really intended, and what God wanted to manifest by means of their words”
But it could be difficult because………..
“For the correct understanding of what the sacred author wanted to assert, due attention must be paid to the customary
and characteristic styles of feeling, speaking and narrating which prevailed at the time of the sacred writer, and to the
patterns men normally employed at that period in their everyday dealings with one another.”
11. Every word in scripture is true insofar as it relates to God’s salvific plan.
True
“Therefore "all Scripture is divinely inspired and has its use for teaching the truth and refuting error, for reformation of
manners and discipline in right living, so that the man who belongs to God may be efficient and equipped for good work
of every kind" (2 Tim. 3:16-17, Greek text).”
12. Scripture is not open to interpretation, but must be accepted at its literal face value.
False
“However, since God speaks in Sacred Scripture through men in human fashion, (6) the interpreter of Sacred Scripture, in
order to see clearly what God wanted to communicate to us, should carefully investigate what meaning the sacred writers
really intended, and what God wanted to manifest by means of their words.”
13. It is enough for Christians to read and understand the New Testament only.
False
“The plan of salvation foretold by the sacred authors, recounted and explained by them, is found as the true word of God in
the books of the Old Testament: these books, therefore, written under divine inspiration, remain permanently valuable.”
14. The Gospels occupy a place of pre-eminence in the Bible.
True
“It is common knowledge that among all the Scriptures, even those of the New Testament, the Gospels have a special
preeminence, and rightly so, for they are the principal witness for the life and teaching of the incarnate Word, our savior.”
15. Though the four Gospels all contain truth about Jesus, their content differ.
True
“The sacred authors wrote the four Gospels, selecting some things from the many which had been handed on by word of
mouth or in writing, reducing some of them to a synthesis, explaining some things in view of the situation of their churches
and preserving the form of proclamation but always in such fashion that they told us the honest truth about Jesus.”
16. The Bible is just as vial to our faith life as are the sacraments.
True
“Therefore, like the Christian religion itself, all the preaching of the Church must be nourished and regulated by Sacred
Scripture”
17. The Bible should be accessible to all Christians.
True
“Easy access to Sacred Scripture should be provided for all the Christian faithful.”
18. The Church’s understanding of scripture is complete.
False
“… the Church taught by the Holy Spirit, is concerned to move ahead toward a deeper understanding of the Sacred
Scriptures.”
19. Catholic teachers should be students of scripture.
True
“The sacred synod also earnestly and especially urges all the Christian faithful, especially Religious, to learn by frequent
reading of the divine Scriptures the "excellent knowledge of Jesus Christ" “
20. Non-christians should have access to suitable translations of scripture.
True
“Furthermore, editions of the Sacred Scriptures, provided with suitable footnotes, should be prepared also for the use of
non-Christians and adapted to their situation. Both pastors of souls and Christians generally should see to the wise
distribution of these in one way or another.”