d'Hulst, although not by name. "[T]hose who maintain that an error is possible in any genuine passage of the sacred writings, either pervert the Catholic notion of inspiration, or make God the author of such error." Leo then quotes Augustine: "And if in these Books I meet anything which seems contrary to truth, I shall not hesitate to conclude either that the text is faulty, or that the translator has not expressed the meaning of the passage, or that I myself do not understand." "But he must not on that account consider that it is forbidden, when just cause exists, to push inquiry and exposition beyond what the Fathers have done; provided he carefully observes the rule so wisely laid down by St. Augustine-not to depart from the literal and obvious sense, except only where reason makes it untenable or necessity requires./" Leo argued that as science and theology are separate disciplines they do not contradict each other, provided that scholars keep to their respective areas of expertise. The scientist should not view the biblical writers as explaining the visible world, as that was not their intent. Biblical scholars should be aware that the writers may have used figurative language or descriptions from appearances. Leo endorsed the study of the Oriental languages and of the art of criticism. "...[I]t is most proper that Professors of Sacred Scripture and theologians should master those tongues in which the sacred Books were originally written; …" At first, both conservatives and liberals found elements in the encyclical to which to appeal. Over the next decade, however, Modernism spread and the encyclical was increasingly interpreted in a conservative sense. This encyclical was part of an ongoing conflict between Modernists and conservatives. Divino Afflante Spiritu On September 30, 1943, Pope Pius XII issued his encyclical on “The Most Opportune Way to Promote Biblical Studies,” Divino Afflante Spiritu (“Inspired by the Divine Spirit”), in commemoration of Providentissimus Deus. See also Divino afflante Spiritu – Pius XII on study of scripture List of encyclicals of Pope Leo XIII Laetitiae sanctae Fundamentalist–Modernist controversy – Similar debates about critical biblical scholarship in the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America – A history of Catholic attitudes toward biblical criticism References External links Text of Providentissimus Deus Catholic Church and science Biblical studies 1893 in Christianity 1893 documents November 1893 events Encyclicals of Pope Leo XIII