TREDTRI FINAL EXAM

6. The Bible is not a history book. Neither is it a science book. We are not to believe every
detail that we find in it.
The Bible is neither a history book nor is it a science book. The Bible, though written by more
than 40 men such as sheperds, kings, fishermen, peasants, etc., was written originally by a single
author, God. Despite having more than 10, 000 events, the Bible only has a single story which
revolves around God and His people. In addition, it only has a single theme in the story; that is,
the idea that we, as humans, are always seeking for Gods love. In my opinion, as a Catholic, we
are to believe whatever there is in the Bible because of the authorship of God, and Him being the
Biblical inspiration, for a God-breathed salvation.
7. The Biblical message is to be considered in its totality. We cannot take one passage and
consider it absolute.
Indeed, the Biblical message needs to be considered in its totality; for there are no absolute passage
among all the written texts in the Bible. However, there are some written texts that are given more
emphasis in the Catholic teaching, like for example, Matthew 22:36-40; wherein the student asked
the teacher what is the greatest commandment in the Law. And Jesus replied: Love the Lord
your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and
greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the
Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. This passage is only given emphasis in
the Catholic Social Teaching because this is where the very core of Gods teaching lies. It is
essential and innate within us, as followers of Chirst to always live by these two commandments,
nevertheless, we still consider the Holy Bible as a whole and not by parts or passages.
8. We are not to make the Bible decide for our lives. The responsibility of making responsible
decisions, in the light of our faith rests on us.
In my opinion, the Bible should not decide for our lives because as a Catholic, the Bible serves as
a guidance and refuge for whenever we need to commune with God. As human beings, we were
given free will and intellect; and we are responsible and in control of our own decisions. Truly,
the light of our faith rests on us but in every decision, we must always remember some of the
Bibles implications. First is that God is patiently giving people the opportunity to turn back to
Him. Second is that with God, our opportunities have unknown time limits. And most importantly,
the Bible is actively drawing people closer to Christ (like that in John 6:44) and that, He wants us
on His side, although He does not use His power and force us to.
9. As a faith community, we need the Bible. It is our conscience. It will agree with everything
that we are doing. It challenges us to go beyond ourselves and to reverse many of the values
we have been too contented with.
As a faith community we need the Bible for it serves as our conscience as Catholics and as
followers of Christ. And to affirm the second statement, in my opinion, the Bible poses a challenge
for us to go beyond ourselves. Just like our innate conscience as human beings, the Bible also
contrasts the good from the bad. Whenever we go against Gods will, the Bible is there like our
conscience to help repay for our sins and do good before time and opportunity runs out. Just like
how God gave the people in the Old Testament centuries of warnings, to turn back to him; and
how God offers us eternal life and a place in his kingdom as presented in the New Testament.
10. As belonging to an academic community, we study the Bible and use the Bible for
theological formulation of doctrine and dogma, teaching and training in righteousness.
We study and use the Bible for theological formulation of doctrine and dogma, teaching and
training in righteousness not only as an academic community but as followers of Christ. The
Bible in itself gives us an evidence that Jesus is the Christ (the anointed one predicted during the
times of the Old Testament). Studying the Bible can be analogous to us getting to know the
Triune God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Through the various stories of the Bible, we
not only form doctrines and dogmas; rather, we get to learn the core teachings of God not only
through the 10 Commandments presented by Moses in the Old Testament or the Beatitudes in
the New Testament but also through the values that we can learn from the people who lived
before, in, and after Jesus death and resurrection.