By Scarlett Rose Ford
Cambridge, Massachusetts, Apr 7, 2025 / 13:01 pm
Professor Scott Hahn recently delivered a powerful message about the saving truth of Scripture to Harvard’s Catholic Church, St. Paul’s, on Friday, April 4.
Hahn, a renowned American Catholic scholar with over 40 books on theology and apologetics, is the founder and president of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology. His mission is to provide Catholics with a deeper understanding of Scripture and Catholic doctrine.
Returning to Boston for the event hosted by the Harvard Catholic Forum, Hahn expressed his fondness for the city, calling it a “second home” after his time at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and previous residence in the area.
Reflecting on the Harvard Catholic Forum, Hahn remarked, “The Christian community, especially the Catholic community, is so unique. It’s good to be back, and it’s good to see it growing and getting better. It’s a gem.”
Hahn shared that his main prayer request and hope for the lecture was to build bridges. “In an intellectual community as high-powered as Harvard, you have many gifted people from a wide range of backgrounds,” he said.
Embarking on a journey to illuminate the truth of Scripture to all, regardless of their background or beliefs, was the noble goal of the renowned speaker.
The title of his captivating lecture, “Veritas: The Saving Truth of Scripture,” was a testament to his mission. However, he humbly suggested that a more appropriate title would be “Veritas: The Saving Truth and Humility of God’s Word.”
Delving into Harvard’s historical evolution of “Veritas” from its Christ-centered origins to its current emphasis on truth, the speaker drew parallels to the Catholic faith’s pursuit of truth and integrity.
Highlighting the distinctive authority of Scripture in Catholicism, he emphasized that the Word is not confined to the pages of a book but is embodied in the person of Jesus Christ.
By embracing humility, exemplified by Jesus’ life and teachings, one can unravel the profound mysteries embedded in Scripture. This humility, the speaker emphasized, is essential for genuine understanding and spiritual growth.
Reflecting on the humility displayed by Jesus in post-Resurrection accounts, the speaker underscored the transformative power of divine humility working through human frailty.
Just as Jesus walked alongside Cleopas and his companion on the road to Emmaus, patiently explaining the Scriptures, we too are called to approach the Word with intellectual humility and a reverent heart.
