Victor R. Claveau, MJ
The Catholic Church also understands the need to interpret correctly the truth of all of the Bible. The Bible warns us that there will be incorrect interpretation without authority. All interpretations of a scripture cannot be equally true (it is contrary to the nature of truth); some interpretations of the same scripture are mutually incompatible (e.g., Mt 16:16; Jo 6). Hence, there must be an authority to whom truth and error can be appealed.
2 Pet 3:16: “There are certain passages in them (Paul’s letters) hard to understand. The ignorant and the unstable distort them (just as they do the rest of Scripture) to their own ruin.” (NAB)
The Catholic Church accepts the authority both of Divine Revelation and of the Holy Spirit. Deviation from the truth must be cursed and condemned.
Rom 13:1: “Let everyone obey the authorities that are over him, for there is no authority except from God, and all authority that exists is established by God. As a consequence, the man who opposes authority rebels against the ordinance of God; those who resist this shall draw condemnation down upon themselves.” (NAB) 2 Thess 2:8: “This lawless one will appear as part of the workings of Satan, accompanied by all the powers and signs and wonders at the disposal of falsehood–by every seduction the wicked can devise for those destined to ruin because they have not opened their hearts to the truth in order to be saved. Therefore, God is sending upon them a perverse spirit which leads them to give credence to falsehood, so that all that have not believed the truth but have delighted in evildoing will be condemned.” (NAB)