«DIVINO AFFLANTE SPIRITU». — Encyclical of Pius XII, dated 30 September 1943 (AAS, 35 [1943], pp. 297–325), on the most appropriate way of promoting biblical studies; a subject that the Church has always diligently followed, promoted, and defended against errors and exaggerations throughout the centuries, since Sacred Scripture is one of the two sources of Revelation and contains the divine Word with the charism of inspiration and the consequent inerrancy.
In its first part, the encyclical, taking its point of departure from Leo XIII’s Providentissimus Deus of 18 November 1893 (Acta Leonis XIII, 13 [1893], pp. 326–64), gives a rapid survey of the salutary effects that derived from it and that are manifested in the numerous subsequent institutions and provisions established by the pontiffs; in the various initiatives that arose to spread the reading of the Bible, especially the Gospels, ever more widely among the faithful; in the numerous scriptural publications that appeared everywhere; and in the establishment of “biblical courses,” “biblical weeks,” etc.
But since much still remains to be done and further progress is possible toward solving problems that are either new or not yet fully resolved, the encyclical, in its second part, outlines a program of scientific work focused on the ever deeper and more precise study of the original texts. This requires: a more thorough study of the ancient languages; textual criticism exercised with logical accuracy; a perfect interpretation of the meaning, clearly determining both the literal sense and the theological doctrine contained therein; the exact use of the exegetical writings of the Holy Fathers and ecclesiastical writers; and a broad knowledge of profane literature, which can make hermeneutics easier. It also adds precautionary norms concerning the question of literary genres, as well as words of vivid exhortation to the well-prepared and well-grounded reading and explanation of the word of God among the faithful, and to the priests’ intimate and heartfelt love for “that pure and perennial source of spiritual life,” which is Sacred Scripture.