Some
books of the Bible (e.g. the Psalter, Proverbs, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel) are
anthologies. Indeed, the Psalter contains collections within collections.
This
requires us to draw two basic distinctions. We must distinguish between the
time of the individual compositions, and the time of their canonical
compilation. We must also distinguish between the audience for the individual
composition and the audience for the subsequent anthology.
The
original speeches or writings were addressed to the contemporaries of the
prophet, psalmist, or proverbialist. By contrast, the anthology is addressed to
a later audience. That’s for the posterity’s benefit. What is more, the earlier
sayings or writings are taken to be comprehensible to posterity. For instance,
some psalms were composed centuries before the final edition.
This
underscores the fact that the Scriptures were given with a view to a time when
the original authors were dead. When the writers were long gone, and we’d be
left with their writings. When we’d have to judge what they meant by what they
wrote.
That’s
useful to keep in mind when Catholics attack sola Scriptura or the perspicuity
of Scripture.
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