It has frequently been said
MORAl SURVEY IV
that even the devil can quote Scripture. And today, in a time of great advancement in biblical studies, we are very a ware that not every fundamentalist appeal to the authority of God in Scripture is in fact validated by the authority of God. Through a history which includes such unfortunate episodes as the notorious Galileo case we have come to realize that appeals to the authority of God in the Bible can be at times the taking of the name of God in vain.
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CJ!,w As it reaches back to its biblical roots, moral theology begins to take a new shape.
But appeals to the authority of God are made not only on the basis of Scripture. Divine authority has been invoked traditionally also in matters of natural law. For instance, Pope Pius XI wrote in his encyclical Casti Connubii:
NORBERT J. RIGALI, S ..T.
"Since¡, therefore, the conjugal act is destined primarily by nature for the begetting of children, those who in exercising it deliberately frustrate its power and purpose sin against nature and commit a deed which is shameful and intrinsically vicious. Small wonder, therefore, if Holy Writ bears witness that the Divine Majesty regards with--greatest detestation this horrible crime and at times punished it with death." 41