The Senses of Scripture

According to an ancient tradition One can distinguish between two senses of Scripture The literal and spiritual The latter being subdivided into Allegorical Moral and Anagogical senses The profound concordance of the four senses Guarantees all its richness to the living reading of Scripture in the Church The literal sense is the meaning conveyed by the words of Scripture And discovered byexegesis Following the rules of sound interpretation All other senses of Sacred Scripture are based on the literal The spiritual sense Thanks to the unity of Eternal God’s plan Not only the text of Scripture But also the realities and Events About which it speaks can be signs The allegorical sense We can acquire a more profound understanding of events By recognizing the significance in Father Christ Thus the crossing of the Red sea Is a sign or type of Father Christ’s victory And also of Christian baptism The moral sense Events reported in Scripture ought to lead us justly As St. Paul says They were written for our instruction The anagogical sense We can view realities and Events in terms of their eternal significance Leading us toward our true homeland Thus the Church on earth is a sign of the heavenly Jerusalem A medieval couplet summarizes the significance of the four senses The letter speaks of deeds; Allegory to faith The moral how to act; Anagogy our destiny It is the task of exegetes to work According to these rules Toward a better understanding and Explanation of the meaning of Sacred Scripture In order that their research may help the Church to form firmer judgment 1232015