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
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Copyright © Jacqueline R. Mendoza | Year Posted 2015
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