MARY, OUR MOTHER

CHAPTER XLIV: TWO HEARTS OF WIT & WISDOM

The Question: Are there contradictions in the Bible? INTERPRETATION of the Scriptures:
When I came to this country--years ago--one day I was on 59th St., Columbus Circle in Manhattan. In those days, barkers, open forum-speakers, socialists, communists, used to stand on little soap-boxes, either selling their wares, or giving talks on their subjects and beliefs. I remember too well, one fellow was selling a book called: "The Book of Contradictions."
It was exactly what this article is all about. The book contained quotations from the Bible, which seemed to contradict each other--if taken side by side--not considering the context. "Quotations taken out of context!"
There are difficult quotations in the Bible, which, if taken out of context, compared with other quotations of the Scriptures, seem to contradict each other. In fact, in certain reference Bibles, one can find on the bottom of each page, giving Chapter and Verse, of quotations on the same subject. No problem.
This Book of Contradictions disappeared, faded away into oblivion--but the Bible stands today as always--as the One Book with the biggest circulation--Numero Uno! Because it is the inspired Word of God!
However there must be a teacher. Who, then, is that teacher? Jesus Himself gave us the answer:
"You are Peter (Rock) upon this Rock I will build my Church--who hears you hears Me!" The CHURCH is the Teacher. - - -
In the Acts of the Apostles (Chapter 26) the Ethiopian Eunuch said, while reading the Scriptures: "How can I understand unless someone shows me." (Yes, a Teacher is needed.)
Again, please, don't forget the last words of St. John in his Gospel: "There are, however, many other things that Jesus did, (and said) but if every one of these should be written, not even the world itself, I think, could hold the books that would have to be written--Amen."
So therefore--it is the continued written word of the early Fathers of the Church, handed down from the time of Christ till today--which we call TRADITION! Simply confirming what is written in the Bible in the first place.
So again--our Faith is based on the Bible & Tradition--!
Yes, there is DIFFICULTY trying to interpret the Scriptures--all by your little self:
One may read the Bible - prayerfully - sincerely - but somehow Almighty God does not give each individual special visions and insights into fully understanding the Scriptures. Again, it takes a Teacher! The Church!
The proof of the pudding: You have today over 350 different denominations: they all read the Bible but they all come up with so many contradictory answers. How come? - - -
Indeed one can get into deep water trying to interpret certain difficult quotations of the Bible.
Yes, it takes a special study, under the direction of a "Teacher"--the Church--whom Jesus has commissioned to explain and interpret, particularly difficult passages . . .
As an example: God tells us in the Bible; "Thou shalt not kill." Now, does that mean you cannot kill an any nor an animal--nor one who attacks you intending to take your life--can you kill in self-defense? Can you kill in time of war?
All these answers are not given in this text. So how do we get the correct answers?
Again, here comes the Teacher--the Church--who examines the Scriptures and writings of the early Fathers of the Church (TRADITION) and gives us the correct answers--period--!

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