1. Kinds of Truth Found in Scripture

2. Literal Vs. Contextual Literalist: People who read and interpret the Bible passages word for word based on the actual words in their ordinary meaning Contextualist: People who weave together the whole situation, background or environment relevant to a particular event, personality, etc. when reading the Bible Most Catholics read from a contextual point of view – they look at the meaning behind what is being said.

3. Kinds of Truth Found in Scripture The concept of truth can be found in the Bible in many different ways. Remember, the most important truth found in Scripture is Religious truth – that is, God’s relationship with people.

4. Kinds of Truth Found in Scripture Scientific Truth: Observations regarding the universe we live in Eg. The sun rises and the sun goes down, and hurries to the place where it rises (Eccl 1:5) Historical Truth: Records and stories of past events and deeds Eg. And in the 9 th year of his reign, in the 10 th month, on the 10 th day of the month, King Nebuchadnezzer of Babylon came with his armies against Jerusalem (2 Kings 25:1)

5. Kinds of Truth Found in Scripture Moral Truth: Lessons and rules about good behaviour Eg. You shall not hate in your heart any one of your kin…but you shall love your neighbour as yourself (Lev 19:17-18) Proverbial Truth: Short saying of common sense wisdom Eg. Those who honour their father will have joy in their own children (Sir 3:5)

6. Kinds of Truth Found in Scripture Symbolic Truth: Poetic language used to emphasize a lesson Eg. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell (Mt 5:29) Religious Truth: Belief and faith in God’s action in our life Eg. For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life (Jn 3:16)