B. Purpose of This Document

It is, then, appropriate to give serious consideration to the various aspects of the present situation as regards the interpretation of the Bible�to attend to the criticisms and the complaints as also to the hopes and aspirations which are being expressed in this matter, to assess the possibilities opened up by the new methods and approaches and, finally, to try to determine more precisely the direction which best corresponds to the mission of exegesis in the Catholic Church.

Such is the purpose of this document. The Pontifical Biblical Commission desires to indicate the paths most appropriate for arriving at an interpretation of the Bible as faithful as possible to its character both human and divine. The commission does not aim to adopt a position on all the questions which arise with respect to the Bible such as, for example, the theology of inspiration.

What it has in mind is to examine all the methods likely to contribute effectively to the task of making more available the riches contained in the biblical texts. The aim is that the word of God may become more and more the spiritual nourishment of the members of the people of God, the source for them of a life of faith, of hope and of love�and indeed a light for all humanity (cf. Dei Verbum, 21). To accomplish this goal, the present document:

1. Will give a brief description of the various methods and approaches,[1]

indicating the possibilities they offer and their limitations.

2. Will examine certain questions of a hermeneutical nature.

3. Will reflect upon the aspects which may be considered characteristic of a

Catholic interpretation of the Bible and upon its relationship with other

theological disciplines.

4. Will consider, finally, the place interpretation of the Bible has in the

life of the church.