Scott Hahn Inspires Harvard Audience with Talk on Humility and Scripture
The theologian and Catholic scholar urges a return to reverent study of the Bible, grounded in humility and faith.
Cambridge, MA – April 7, 2025
Renowned Catholic theologian and author Dr. Scott Hahn delivered a powerful lecture at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Harvard, captivating a full audience of students, professors, and faithful with a compelling message about the importance of humility in reading and understanding Scripture.
Known for his theological clarity and engaging teaching style, Hahn’s talk titled “The Humble Mind: Unlocking Scripture through Reverence” emphasized that Scripture is not simply a book to be mastered intellectually but a divine mystery to be entered into with awe and submission.
“True wisdom begins when we approach the Word of God not with pride, but with a posture of humility,” Hahn said, drawing from Proverbs 1:7 and Romans 12:2.
Throughout the lecture, Hahn encouraged listeners to adopt the humility of the saints and Church Fathers, noting that many modern readers attempt to dissect the Bible like an academic textbook rather than allowing the Word to speak and transform. “We don’t read Scripture to prove ourselves right; we read it to be made right,” he added.
Why This Matters for Catholics Today
Dr. Hahn’s message comes at a crucial time, when Catholics are increasingly called to deepen their personal understanding of the faith amid cultural and theological confusion. His emphasis on humility in biblical interpretation challenges a growing tendency to read Scripture selectively or with preconceived notions.
For Catholics, this means returning to a foundational approach that views Scripture not only as inspired but as life-giving—something that must be received with reverence and applied with discernment. Hahn's teaching encourages believers to cultivate a deeper spiritual life through daily engagement with God’s Word, supported by Church tradition, the Magisterium, and prayerful reflection.
This talk also underscores the role of Catholic intellectual life within major secular institutions. Delivering such a message at Harvard—a symbol of academic prestige—was a bold reminder that faith and reason, far from being opposed, are united in the pursuit of truth.
As Hahn concluded, “The greatest scholars are those who never stop being students—especially of the Word of God.”