The Theological-Political Problem After Dei Verbum

Reason and Faith in the Interpretation of Scripture — The Spinoza Case

Abstract

The theological-political problem, as it was configured in the 17th century, is approached in this article through the confrontation between the rational biblical exegesis of Baruch Spinoza in the Theologico-Political Treatise and the Catholic doctrine of biblical inspiration reaffirmed by the Dogmatic Constitution Dei Verbum (1965). It first analyzes how Spinoza redefined the interpretation of Scripture, denying its supernatural inspiration and proposing a historical-philological method aimed at liberating politics from theological domination, while ensuring freedom of conscience and expression. It then presents the Catholic response, which, throughout the 20th century — especially with Divino Afflante Spiritu and Dei Verbum — integrated modern critical methods without renouncing the conviction of divine inspiration and the salvific dimension of Scripture. Finally, drawing on Bernard Bourdin’s reading and others, it argues that the theological-political problem cannot be reduced to a mere legal separation between Church and State, but rather expresses the structural and enduring tension between the Christian tradition and modern secular rationality. The study thus demonstrates that the articulation between reason and faith, politics and religion, remains a key challenge both for historical understanding and for contemporary debates on democracy and secularization.