Basic Scripture
By: William G. Most

(c) Copyright by William G. Most, 1993

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CHAPTERS

- Introduction
- A Revolution by Vatican II?
- What is Inspiration ?
- A Revolution by Pius XII?
- Using Genre to defend Inerrancy
- How to Interpret Scripture
- The l964 Instruction of the Biblical Commission
- Which are the Inspired Books?
- The Pentateuch
- Genesis
- Exodus
- Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy
- Joshua, Judges and Ruth
- Samuel, Kings, Chronicles and Ezra-Nehemiah
- Pre-exilic Prophets
- Exilic and Post-exilic Prophets
- The Psalms
- The Wisdom Literature
- Daniel
- The Two Books of Maccabees
- Judith, Esther, and Tobit
- The Gospels
- The Acts of the Apostles
- St. Paul's Epistles
- The Catholic Epistles
- Study Questions
- Selected Answers

Books/Resources
by Fr. Most

- EWTN Scripture Q & A
- Basic Scripture
- Bible Commentaries
- Our Lady in Doctrine And Devotion
- Outline of Christology
- An Introduction to Christian Philosophy
- The Living God
- The Holy Spirit and The Church
- Catholic Apologetics Notes

Apologetic Resources

- Ask Father
- Biblical Catholicism
- Theology/Philosophy
- Scripture Resources
- Scott Hahns Lectures
- Apologetics Links

Other Services

- Catholic Chaplaincy
- St. Anthony Communications

ANSWERS: BASIC SCRIPTURE COURSE 525



The following are a number of answers to the study questions designed for the Basic Scripture course by Father William Most. Note that these answers are not complete however, but rather are brief, and restricted to the more difficult questions.





Did Vatican II or Pius XII revolutionize Scripture studies?

No. Pius XII encouraged more freely the use of literary genres, which was not forbidden before, but not encouraged. Vatican II made no further change.

What is meant by literary genre?

It is a pattern of writing, within which some things are asserted by the author, others not. e.g, in a modern historical novel the author asserts the main line is history, does not assert the fill-ins.

How answer those who claim to see so many errors in scripture?

A large part of the answer is found in noting that DV says that whatever is asserted by the human author is asserted by the Holy Spirit. But many things are not asserted, as we learn from checking literary genre of each part of Scripture.

DV 11 says Scripture contains without error what God wanted there for the sake of our salvation. Are other things open to error?

No, DV itself showed by notes taking us to such texts As Vatican II, which says God Himself is the Chief Author - hence no error possible in the things that are asserted.

What principles did Vatican II give for Scripture study?

We must remember that the Holy Spirit is the chief author of all, so one part of Scripture does not contradict another. And there is no error at all. We must always check to see if a proposed interpretation would clash even by implication with any Church teaching.

Is it enough for inspiration to be free from error?

No, also, we must say "God Himself is the chief author, who uses a free human instrument, but causes him to write what God wants, without error.

How can we know which books are inspired?

Only by decision of the providentially protected Church.

They say there is no such thing as an uninterpreted report - so this undermines all history, including Gospels.

There is some truth in the saying, but some things have so simple a structure that there is no room, e.g., a leper stands before Christ asking to be healed. He says: "I will it. Be healed." No room for interpretation in that account.

The first Gospels may have been written 40 or more years after Christ - how could they get the facts?

Some of the writers probably were eyewitnesses. Even if not, Pope Clement I, in his letter to Corinth of c 95 AD says Peter & Paul were of his own generation. They probably died c 67. So he must have heard them. Also we have Ignatius of Antioch who came from the see where Peter had worked not long before; and Quadratus, saying some in his day were still alive who had been cured by Christ or raised by Him. Even if not in 123, this covers easily 80-90 AD when many say Mt. & Lk were written.

How prove the Church has a teaching commission from Christ?

Six points:There was a man Jesus who, (2) claimed to be sent from God; and (3) proved He was by miracles done with a tie to the claim and, (4) in the crowds He had a smaller group, the Twelve and, (5) told them to continue His teaching and, (6)Promised protection:"He who hears you hears me." Our sketch of apologetics did not show anything about a Pope. True, but once we have a group or church commissioned to teach by someone sent from God, and promised protection, that group can tell us there is a Pope and what he can do. Also, two major Protestants, Albright and Mann in Anchor Bible, Matthew agree with our reading of Matthew 16.

What did Luther think Paul meant by faith?

Only confidence the merits of Christ are credited tome. Really if we read all of Paul, faith includes:believe in God's words, confidence in His promises, and obedience to His commands. Luther omitted the third, said we could sin freely.

What is genre of chapters 1-11 of Genesis?

Probably ancient stories, (could have been borrowed from Mesopotamia, but not really likely) used to bring out things that happened, e.g., God made all things, in some special way made first pair, gave some sort of command, they violated it, fell from favorer grace. Church never taught fundamentalism. Even Augustine said, about the clay image, that God does not have hands. St. John Chrysostom said the Eve incident should not be taken crudely.

What is the Documentary theory?

Says Pentateuch was put together out of 4sources, Yahwist, Elohist, Priestly Code, Deuteronomist. We may believe theory, need not. Many scholars today are dropping it.

May we consider evolution?

Not atheistic, but theistic, said Pius XII in 1950. But scientific evidence for it is very scant.

What is likely the genre of: Pentateuch 12 ff?Joshua, Judges, Jonah, Daniel?

Pent. is probably epic; Joshua also, Judges, more factual, Jonah unclear, may be extended parable; Daniel includes edifying narrative and apocalyptic.

What areTargums?

Ancient Aramaic versions of OT, mostly free, with fill-ins to show how Jews understood it">. So we can understand messianic prophecies better than some scholars do today.

What levels of Church teaching are there?

1) Definitions; 2) Universal teaching when showing it is meant to be definitive - infallible; 3) decisions of Pope in documents in Acta on debated questions: infallible; 4) things not presented as definitive.

What are the three stages in development of Gospels?

1) Words and acts of Jesus, adapted to current audience; 2) Way Apostles & others preached these things, with adaptation of wording to audience; 3) some individuals under inspiration wrote down part of this basic preaching:this is the Gospel. So the Church has something more basic than Gospels, its own ongoing teaching. What method of study builds on what we just said? Form and Redaction criticism tries to find at which of the 3 stages our present text was formed, and so find out some things. Can be useful, often is abused.

What is polygenism?

Theory that our race came from several pairs. Statement of Pius XII in 1950 may rule it out some debate that. But Allan Wilson of UC. at Berkeley by study of mitochondria said we all come from one mother, 3500 yrs. Ago. Many scientists accept the view, lowered it to 200, 000 yrs.

What is original sin?

In us, it is lack of the grace that should be there, i.e., a pure privation.

What was the coordinating gift or gift of integrity?

When God called: Adam where are you? and Adam said: I hid, was naked, we see Adam before the fall had no shame for nakedness, afterwards did - so had lost the means of easily controlling all drives. That gift was a coordinating gift.

Name two messianic prophecies from Genesis.

Targums see Gen 3:15 as such (enmity between you and the woman) and Gen 49:10 (Scepter will not depart from Judah until messiah comes).

How did Gen 49:10 come true?

Was always some ruler from tribe of Judah until Herod in 41BC. who was not of that tribe, by birth half Arab, half Idumean.

When was the Exodus?

Two chief theories: one says 1290 (Jews built store cities, in Ex 1:11 , which have been excavated); others say around 1445 (Solomon began to build temple in 4th year of reign which was 480 yrs after Exodus). What do we do if archaeology seems to contradict OT? Recall many buildings were mud, washed away - there was some site shift - only a fraction of sites usually excavated -- check genre of the passage.

What did Sinai covenant provide?

A people to get favor on condition of obedience.

Lv 4 speaks of involuntary sin. What is it?

Violation of command of God without knowing the fact requires a sacrifice, to restore damaged objective moral order.

God sometimes ordered Hebrews to wipe out a city:herem. Was it immoral?

No, the adults had sinned mortally; children in it had not, but life is a moment to moment gift: God decided to stop giving it, using Hebrews as a means. Killing is wrong precisely because it is a violation of rights of God, the Lord of life.

Why did Israel wander for 40 years?

First spies sent in to see the land lied, said people were giants. God then punished them by making them wait until that generation had died out.

What is the nature of Deuteronomy?

Mostly speeches of Moses, and repeat of earlier books. Seems dramatization.

Why does God give commands?

1) He loves all that is right - that says creatures should obey their creator; 2) He wants to give good to us, but we need to be open: commands tell us how to be open to receive.

What choice did Dt 30 give?

Blessing for keeping covenant, curse for sins.



Kenyon expedition could not find walls of Jericho that had fallen. But Bryant Wood did find them. Kenyon made other serious mistakes in excavating Jerusalem.

What is the deuteronomic pattern?

God warns, people keep on sinning, He punishes, they repent, He restores them.

How many books of Samuel were there?

Probably originally our 1 & 2 Sam were one book of which 1 &2 Kings were also part.

How can we show whether the Hebrews knew of survival after death?

Many today deny that they knew, appeal to a supposed unitary concept of man, i.e., a body with breath in it. But the determined belief in necromancy we find in the OT shows they did know of a survival (Lev 19:31 and 20:6; Dt 8:11), even if they did not knowhow to reconcile that with a possible unitary concept of man.

Who built the first great temple?

Solomon. God told David he , David, had shed too much blood. This was not sinful, God had commanded his wars. But it is a matter of fittingness.

Why was there a split into two kingdoms?

Solomon and the people sinned, punishment was a foolish ruler, Rehoboam, whose folly led to the split. When did the two kingdoms fall? North fell in 621; south in 597 & 587.

Probable relation of Chronicles to Ezra-Nehemiah?

Probably all parts were originally one book - cf. cases of 1&2 Sam and 1 & 2 Kings.

How did the great exile end?

Cyrus of Persia conquered Babylonia in 539.

Which prophet first foretold the fall of Samaria in 621?

Amos in 786-46.

What was sense of "I want mercy and not sacrifice?"

Really means God wants hesed, covenant fidelity, more than external rites.

Who was the child in Isaiah 7:14 and 9:5-6.

Targums saw child of 9 as Messiah, which implies same for child of 7. By multiple fulfillment (a prophecy can go through more than once) it would be both Hezekiah, son of Achaz, and Jesus. What two other major prophecies are found in Isaiah? In 11, Messiah will have the Divine Spirit; in 53, He will suffer terribly.

Why did the prophets speak against sacrifice?

They did not, they really meant God wants interior dispositions of obedience and not just external rites.

What is the greatest prophecy of Jeremiah?

The new covenant in 31:31, which was made by Jesus in Upper Room.

Which prophet said the son would not suffer for father's sins?

Ezekiel 18.

Which is the most messianic of the prophets next to Isaiah?

Zechariah, who foretold the entry into Jerusalem, the piercing of the Messiah, His being sold for 30 piece of silver.

Which Psalms have messianic prophecies?

Chiefly 2 and 22.

Was everything in wisdom books a religious teaching?

No, much was worldly wisdom, interspersed with religious ideas.

How could Job and Sirach and Qoheleth speak darkly about survival?

The afterlife then was much different from now, a drab limbo of the Patriarchs.

Does Daniel include future prophecies?

Most of the things in chapters 7ff seem to refer to time of Antiochus IV, yet some features seem to mean the times of Christ.

What text shows belief in purgatory?

2 Maccabees 12. We can also show it by noting that in Mal3:2 God is a refiner's fire: "Who can stand when He appears?". So the soul must be pure to be united with Him forever - not just total corruption as Luther held.

What is genre of Tobit, Judith and Esther?

First two probably edifying narrative; second may be more historical.

Must we know the names of the Gospel writers? Why?

Need not, enough to know they tried to get things right, the for sake of their own eternity, and had the means to get the facts. See answer to qu. 14 on this. (Often in those times writers used a pen name, often that of a famous man).

What is the synoptic problem? Why? the Two Source theory?

There are some similarities in the text and even wording of the Synoptics - many say then that Mark wrote first, Mt and Lk used him, plus a course Q (German Quelle = source) for things not in Mark. This view is under some attack today. Evangelists could have each had their own traditions, which were careful of wording.

Did Evangelists always keep the very words of Jesus and sequence of events?

Neither. They would adapt wording to current audience, and arrange events according to the special purpose they had.

Are the Infancy Gospels historical? Give reasons.

Yes, Paul VI, John Paul II, and Vatican II show they consider them historical. Objections easily answered.

What of the census in Luke?

There is a new solution now">. Pick the eclipse of Jan 10, 1 Bc as the one just before death of Herod. Then we know there was a registration to take oath of allegiance to Augustus before he was named "Father of his country" Feb 5, 2 BC. Real governor of Palestine would have gone to Rome, put Quirinius in as acting governor for the registration. As to coins showing successors began to rule in 4 BC - this sort of pattern is well known in ancient things, and Herod had special reason:was in bad with Augustus, wanted to use names of Hasmoneans.

What of the differences in genealogies in Mt and Lk?

Genealogies then often were not family trees, were artificial to bring out other things.

What of fact W. Harrington says Our Lady did not believe in Him, as shown in Mk 3:20 ff.

But Mark would not contradict Luke, who shows her as first believer. If she went with that group - uncertain - she need not have agreed with them, might have wanted to hold them down, as most mothers would do. When did Our Lady learn Jesus was to be Messiah? Soon as Angel said He would reign over house of Jacob forever - then all the prophecies would begin to come to mind.

What of the "brothers of Jesus"?

Hebrew had few words for relatives, used ah for most things. Even though Gospels were in Greek, NT Greek often uses Greek words in such a way we need to think of the Hebrew to understand. And James the "brother of the Lord" was still alive in 49 at Council of Jerusalem: Jesus would have asked him to care for her.

What was purpose of parables?

Made possible for well-disposed to get more and more; ill-disposed less and less, as Isaiah had foretold.

Did Jesus really speak against Pharisees, or was it just the later Church?

Gospels could retroject some things He actually said, from after to before Easter. But cannot fake by retrojecting what Henever did say.

Did Jesus at once reveal who He was?

No, used gradual self-revelation, especially by "Son of Man"which evoked Daniel 7. Had He said at once, "I and the Father are one" they would have stoned Him.

What was the messianic secret?

Wrede in 1901 said Jesus never said He was Messiah - Church was embarrassed, faked incidents where matter would come up, but He asked for secrecy. Wrede appeals to raising of daughter of Jairus as clear case - anyone could see she was alive. But Jesus needed only enough time of silence to slip out and get on way to next city, so crowd would not proclaim Him King Messiah.

When did Jesus find out who He was?

From first instant of conception, according to teaching of Church, His human soul saw vision of God, whence He knew everything that was to come upon Him, and all His mission.

How great was suffering of His Mother at cross?

All holy souls must positively will what God positively wills so she was asked to positively will His horrid death, in spite of her love so great we cannot understand that love, according to Pius IX.

Lk 2:52 says Jesus advanced in wisdom.

St. Athanasius showed He did not grow in actual wisdom, but in manifestation of what He already had. Jesus said in Mk 13:32 He did not know day of end. Gregory the Great said He knew the day in His humanity(registered on human mind) but not FROM His humanity.

What does kingdom mean in Gospels?

Ancient words often had a span of meaning. Kingdom often meant Church in this world or next, cf. parable of wicked tenants:kingdom to be taken from them = they would no longer be members of People of God.

Why did Jesus often break the Law?

Never did, broke foolish oral additions by Pharisees, such as the Korban teaching which let them break the 4th commandment. He said He came not to destroy but to fulfill.

Did Jesus contradict Paul - Jesus said He came to fulfill law, Paul said we are free from law.

Paul meant that keeping law does not earn salvation, though breaking it can earn punishment: Rom 6:23. Jesus said same in saying we must be like little children, who get things because parents are good, without earning it, though they could earn to lose inheritance.

What was difference of Pharisees and Sadducees?

Pharisees held all oral law, believed in survival after death, retribution in next life. Sadducees denied survival, denied the oral law.

Who was guilty of the death of Jesus?

All who sin are guilty in general in special way, those Jews who were before Pilate calling for His death. But Pilate tried to get Him free, fault was with Jews. Jews today try to deny the guilt of their ancestors.

Can we be sure Jesus worked miracles?

In His day even His enemies admitted He worked cures and exorcisms - attributed to magic or devil, did not deny">. Were some of those He exorcised really just epileptics? Possibly, but not all. He did not come to teach science, but to heal souls and bodies.

Was not Jesus just much like Apollonius of Tyana?

Not at all - Latter was just a philosopher, his "miracles"not like those of Jesus, e.g., he quieted a satyr with wine, gave a threatening letter to a ghost instead of commanding the devil to go out.

NJBC says Jesus always refused to appeal to His miracles to prove claims.

Not so, the cases cited by NJBC are all foolish, e.g., He refused a miracle to amuse Herod, refused to come down from cross etc. But often He did appeal, e.g., John 5:36 and 14:10 and Mark 2.

Was the Last Supper a Passover celebration?

John and Synoptics seem not to agree. Pharisees celebrated on Thursday eve to avoid breaking Sabbath; Sadducees used Friday evening. And when Passover fell on a Sabbath, some lambs were sacrificed on Thursday eve to avoid running into sabbath rest.

Who foretold the New Covenant? How does it apply to the redemption?

Jeremiah 31:31 foretold it. Covenant condition was obedience, basically that of Jesus (Rom 5:19) to which His Mother's obedience was joined, not as adding - her whole ability came from Him, but as making things richer in good order (cf. Is 19:5.c., and LG 61).

To whom was price of redemption paid? Was it infinite?

Not to satan, nor to the Father(not the captor) but in God's love of all holiness to rebalance the objective moral order. It was infinite, work of an Infinite Person, and gives an infinite title for the whole race, and also infinite title for each individual: cf. Gal 2:20 and GS 22.

If merits of Christ are infinite, then we cannot do anything, need not do anything.

This forgets the syn Christo theme of St. Paul e.g, Rom 8:17:"We are heirs together with Christ, provided we suffer with Him so we may be glorified with Him". cf. also Romans 6:3-8; Col 3:1-3; Eph 2:5-9; Rom 8:9. We get in on the claim He established insofar as we are members of Him and like Him.

How do we know He promised to be with the Church until end of time?

Cf. Mt 28:18-20 and parables of weeds and net. Would it not be ridiculous to suppose He became incarnate and died for just one generation?

Make sequence of Easter events.

Magdalen & others come to tomb, find it empty run to Apostles -- they refuse to believe, but Peter & John run to tomb, see it is empty, do not see Jesus - Magdalen stays, sees Jesus - goes to Apostles again - He appears to Peter - then to two on road to Emmaus - the two find Peter has seen Jesus - He appears to the Eleven without Thomas - returns when Thomas is there -- more appearances at Lake of Galilee.

Who was Beloved Disciple?

Some question today. But was John - was one of inner three-surely not Peter, not James, who was martyr in 42.

Does Acts disagree with Epistles?

No. Paul in Acts & Romans 1 & 2 does preach repentance. Acts show Paul in Nazirite ceremony - in 1 Cor he says he was all things to all men. 2 Cor 11: Paul recounts his sufferings - in Acts we actually see them. How could Paul tell Corinthians they can eat meat sacrificed to idols, when Acts 15 forbids it. Only to converts in Syria and Cilicia-- when in that area Paul did preach rule of Acts 15.

Will everyone die?

No, 1 Thes 4:13 ff shows those alive at the parousia will never die. Is there a rapture -- 1 Ths 4:13 depicts event in air, Last judgment is on earth. Both passages have strong apocalyptic color - in that we do not press details.

Will God offer all the grace of final perseverance?

Yes: 1 Ths 5:23-24; Phil 1:6; 1 C or 1:7-9. Trent says we cannot be sure of having it - but if God offers, a man may reject and not have it.

What is justification by faith?

Justification means the soul is transformed, made capable of face to \face vision of God: 2 Peter 1:4 and 1 Cor 13:12, and becomes Temple of Holy Spirit: 1 Cor 3:16 and 6:19. Faith includes three elements; cf answer 14. Luther thought justification left one totally corrupt, was only legal, and thought faith is just confidence merits of Christ apply to me. What did Paul say of Law? We are free from law in sense that keeping it does not earn salvation, which is an inheritance to children of God; but not free to violate it, if we do, we lose our inheritance: Rom 6:23, 1Cor 6-9-10.

What are focused and factual views of Law?

In focused view, we as it were look through a tube, see only what is within circle:law makes heavy demands, gives no strength, so we must fall. In factual view, circle is removed, we see off to side, in no relation to law, grace was given even in anticipation of Christ: outcome is then good.

Gal 3:28 says in Christ we are neither male nor female. Why not ordain women?

Paul spoke of getting justification by faith - not of all else too.

How do we know Paul believed in survival after death?

In Phil 1 he wants to be dissolved to be with Christ, in 2Cor 5 he wants to leave the body to be present to God. And he was a Pharisee - they believed in survival.

What does it mean Christ emptied self?

Gave up using divine powers for own comfort.

If God causes the good thought, the act of will and the doing, how are we free under grace?

Actual grace comes, with no help from me makes me see something as good, makes me well-disposed. At that point I could reject. If I merely make no decision against grace, it continues in its course, then works in me both the will and the doing while giving me power to cooperate.

How can Paul say all creatures are rubbish - God made them good?

Paul means on relative scale, comparing time and eternity.

How was incarnation and redemption nonsense to Greeks & Jews?

Greeks believed no god associated with men - Jews believed one who hangs on the wood is cursed, and Messiah would never die.

In 1 Cor 6:11 Paul says that only some of the Corinthians had committed the great sins; but in Romans 1 he implies all Greeks had done all.How possible?

We saw in answer 95 that there are two ways of looking at law, focused and factual. In 1 Cor 6:11 it is factual; in Romans 1it is focused: each command in the law makes a heavy demand, gives no strength, so all fall and sin against each major demand. Hence in Romans 2:1 each one is guilty of the very same sins.

Church teaches we can reach perfection in any state in life. How can Paul say celibacy/virginity is higher than marriage?

One gives greater means than the other, but the key is this:to follow what one sees is God's will for him/her is not lacking in generosity, and so perfection is possible. Marriage, from differences of male & female psychology, requires much giving in, the opposite of selfishness, and so can be a means of spiritual growth.

How does Paul show he does not believe in infallible salvation?

In 1 Cor 9:26-27 he says he is hard on his body so it will not lead him into sin, and he might be lost in eternity. Chapter10 shows the original People of God did not have it made from being such either.

How can Paul say in 2 Cor 3:5 we cannot even get a good thought by our own power?

"Without me you can do nothing." Cf. 1 Cor 4:7.

In Romans 1-3 Paul wants to show all are hopeless if they try for justification by law, can't keep it. But in 2:14-16 he says some gentiles do make it by keeping law. How?

This is a factual picture, not the focused picture of Romans1-3 in general. Some say Paul speaks in Rom 1 only of tendencies- but then Paul's thrust would be void, for he is trying to prove that no one can gain justification by keeping the law.

How can St. Justin say some in the past were Christians long before Christ?

Justin says also that the Divine Word is in all - not aspatial presence. He writes the law on hearts (Rom 2:15), i.e., makes known what morality requires. If a person obeyed that, he was following the Spirit of Christ, without knowing what he was following. And also, in view of Rom 8:9, he belonged to Christ, and so was a member of Christ = member of the Church, without external adherence of course.

What is "justice of God" in Romans 1:17?

Usual view:salvific activity by God. But a study of Hebrew sedaqah shows it is God's concern for what is morally right, leading to reward for the good, punishment for breaking covenant.

What is predestination?

A providential arrangement so a person gets full membership in the Church - given without merits, but, it seems from 1 Cor 1and elsewhere, it is given where more is needed. Predestination to heaven is not mentioned in Scripture: however, God lets one go down who gravely and persistently throws away, the only thing that could save him, grace; but then predestines to heaven, without merits, those who do not resist that way. Reason:He wanted to do so in first place, they do not block Him.

What does word saved mean?

1) rescue from temporal danger; 2) entry into Church; 3) reaching heaven. -- It never has the meaning of getting "infallible salvation".

What does Col 1:24 mean?

Paul wills to make up for deficiency of members of Christ who do not do enough to rebalance objective moral order for their own sins.

What great mystery, once unknown, does Paul reveal in Col and esp. in Eph?

God calls gentiles too to be part of His people.

What does 2 Tim 2:2 call for?

Oral transmission of faith - pass on to those who can pass on to others.

What is genre of Hebrews?

Except for introduction, it is homiletic: constant comparisons of old Temple vs Christ. He earned title to all grace and forgiveness once for all -- yet God in His love of good order wants a means or title for giving it out, for which Christ provided saying, "Do this in memory of me" -- Under same external sign as on Holy Thursday, obedient will of Christ is presented as title for giving out graces -- to receive, we must be members of His and be like Him (syn Christo theme, as in answer 175).

Hebrews 9:28 says Christ died once for all. How then is there room for the Mass?

It is one thing for Christ to earn all forgiveness and grace, another for a person to take it in - person must be disposed, open. For this, he must be a member of Christ and like Him. Cf. the syn Christo theme. esp.Rom 8:17:"We are heirs with Christ, provided that we suffer with Him, so we may also be glorified with Him."

Most striking things in Epistle of James?

Speaks of faith as only intellectual acceptance - stresses that if one can control the tongue, he will do everything else too.

What are "spiritual sacrifices"?

Everything we do that is offered to God. Cf.LG 34.

Chief trends in interpreting Apocalypse/Revelation?

1) It is purely a book of consolation, no prophecy at all, 2) It is consolation, adds some prophecies, hard to interpret, though Popes seem to favor the woman clothed with the sun as Our Lady standing for the Church.

Will there be a reign of the just with Christ on earth for 1000 years?

No, this was an early error on Apoc. 20. First resurrection is from sin - to rule is to not be slave to sin - then physical resurrection.