5_interpretation of Scriptures

8/4/2019 5_interpretation of Scriptures

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Prepared by:

Richard G. Pazcoguin UST -IR


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We encounter a lot of preachers today usingGods Word to justify their doctrines, each

claiming that he or she has the monopoly of

truth.

As Christians who are concerned with thewholeTRUTH about Sacred Scriptures, wemust be well-equipped with the tools for

interpreting and understanding the SacredScriptures in order for us to really knowWHAT GOD WANTS TO TELL USnot what we want God to say.


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EXEGESISGk. ex-ago-sis means

to lead out of The in-depth study of Sacred ScripturesThe process of drawing out the meaning of a textAn interpretation that comes from the text

In contrast to

EISEGESIS Gk. eis means intoThe process of putting ones own meaning into the textAn interpretation placed on the text which the textiself did no mean.

EXEGESISEISEGESIS

This is

what

the text

says..

This is

how I

understand

the text


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THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT

THE BIBLE:

It is a PARTIAL RECORDit does not contain allof revelation

It is a record ofRELIGIOUS INTERPRETATIONit presents the story of Israel in the light of their belief

that, since they were the Chosen People, their historywas directed by God.


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The first consideration one should have in studyingthe Bible is to recognize that the BIBLE is a library,

which means that though it appears like a singlebook, it is actually a compilation of books, each of adifferent literary form.

For instance, a book may contain an epic, a satire, a

legend, a parable, a mythetc.

One must be able to identify and understand thedifferent types of writing in the Bible in order toderive and comprehend its meaning.


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MYTHsymbolic expression of religious truths or ultimaterealities

MIDRASHimaginative reconstruction of a biblical episode

HISTORYGods revelation of Himself in the framework ofevents

FABLEa short story embodying a lesson and introducinganimals and inanimate things as actors or persons

APOCALYPTIC GENRErevelation made by God concerning

hidden things employing all kinds of imagery and symbolismwhich appeal to the imagination of the ancientsWISDOM LITERATUREreflections on the meaning and

problems of life, good and evil MIRACLE STORIESstories of Gods presence and of

Messianic Salvation


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PARABLEa simple narrative in the form of an extendedmetaphor which criticizes worldly values and invites conversionthrough reorientation of the values of the Kingdom

ALLEGORYsimilitude which involve levels of meaning POETRYartistic depiction of life through metaphors and other

exaggerationsAETIOLOGYattempts to explain the origin or cause of a

phenomenon of nature, condition, custom, or institution SATIREa social commentary on a person or institution

involving sarcasm, invective, parody, irony, or direct condemnation IRONYa passage with double-layered meaning LEGAL CODESLaws and Commandments PROPHECYan oracle or utterance of the spokesmen of God

expressing threat, promise, reproach or admonition

EPISTLEcorrespondence of an apostle to another person orcommunity regarding doctrinal and pastoral matters


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In interpreting scriptures, one must also realize thateach book was written by a different person orgroups of persons who lived in different contextsand would therefore have different biases andviews of things.

To understand what the author meant with hiswords, the reader must be able to properly situatethe author, i.e. know the culture, the socio-politicalconditions during the time of writing, the style of

writing and the literary genre employed, etc.


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The Sacred Scriptures are a response tothe peoples craving for Gods Word. The

content of each book are tailor-made forthe particular audience to which it is

addressed.

To interpret a book effectively, one mustalso be familiar with the needs of eachbooks audience, so as to understand why

the contents of each book are as such.
http://www.kfki.hu/~arthp/art/m/masolino/brancacc/preachin.jpg


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THEREFORE, TO PROPERLY UNDERSTAND THE SCRIPTURAL

TEXT, WE HAVE TO CONSIDER THREE THINGS:


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According to an ancient tradition, one can distinguishbetween two sensesof Scripture: the literal and the spiritual,the latter being subdivided into the allegorical, moral andanagogical senses. The profound concordance of the four

senses guarantees all its richness to the living reading of

Scripture in the Church. CCC 115

St. Thomas Aquinas method of interpreting SacredScriptures consisted of considering the different senses ofscriptures.


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LITERAL SENSE refers to the immediate meaning conveyed by the words

of Sacred Scriptures.

PROPERLITERAL SENSE

IMPROPERLITERAL SENSE

The obvious or

face-value

meaning of theword.

The meaning which

the author wanted to

convey through hiswords.

It is necessary to understand first what the text says before one

can understand what the text means.


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An allegory is a sustained metaphor. It is also a technique ofinterpreting works of art such that they will convey more than one

level of meaning simultaneously.

To discover the allegoricalsense of scriptures, one mustpay attention topatterns

andparallelisms, especiallyin relation to the person of

Jesus.

The allegorical sense is the profound meaning of events brought

about by the recognition of their significance in CHRIST.


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The moral sense refers tothe instruction given bythe text to the readersuch that he be able toconduct his life

according to theteachings of SacredScriptures.
http://www.worshipimages.com/images/wi%20people%20girl%20bible%20study%201%20ckb.jpg


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Gk. anagoge -leading

The anagogical sense refers to thepre-figurations of mans eternal union

with God.

Thus, the anagogical sense enables oneto view realities and events in the Biblein terms of their eternalsignificance.
http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=NIV&passage=all


16/29http://www.internetpadre.com/scripture.htm


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APPLICATION OF THE FOUR SENSES:

Biblical Story: Wedding in Cana John 2:1-12

Literal Sense:The author referred to the changing of water intowine as a SIGN.

Proper literal sense: A sign is a reality that

points to a greater realityImproper literal sense: The author wanted thereaders to understand that in performing themiracle, Jesus was not doing magic. Rather, thismiracle was intended to call us to awareness of

Gods presence in human history.


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Allegorical Sense:

The stone jars contained water used forJewish purification rituals.

Water symbolized Jewish traditions onpurification which were ineffective incleansing sin.

Wine is an allusion of the blood of Christ

which alone washed away sin and causedthe salvation of humanity.

Hence, the first sign signified thetransition from the Old Covenant to the

New Covenant.


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The Stone Jarscan also symbolize Jesus. Jews believe that stonecannot be touched by impurity or by evil spirits. Jesus is that pureunblemished stone. When the Jars containing the wine was poured,the couple in Cana was saved from disgrace. When the blood of

Christ was poured, the world was saved from sin.


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Moral Sense:

Through the miracle

at Cana, Jesusteaches us the valueof faith. No faith, nomiracle. The greatestmanifestation of thisfaith is obedience.


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Allegorical Sense:

Wedding Feastsignifies the final

and perpetual union of God andhumanity on the last day.The Third Daythe author tells us

that the sign occurred on theThird Day, which evokes thememory of Christs gloriousresurrection, prefiguring hisappearance in glory on the lastday.


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LITERARY CRITICISManalysis of the textsliterary form. Is it a myth? A legend? An epic? Is itpoetry? Religious history? Etc

HISTORICAL CRITICISManalysis of thehistorical context (culture, significant events, socio-political-economic conditions, foreign influences) in

which the text was written.

REDACTION CRITICISManalysis of the motivesor intent of the writer or editor since literature isalways conditioned by the authors concerns.


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APPLICATION

Biblical Story:The Visit of the Magi

Matthew 2:1-12Literary Criticism: Since no one was there

to witness and record the events during

Christs infancy, this story must be a

MIDRASHan imagined story notintended to give biographical information

on the protagonist, but to describe him

through symbolic narratives.


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Historical Criticism:This story was written during the time whenJews were being converted to Christianity. Its author was a Jew and theaudience were Jews as well. Some details of the story were lifted fromOld Testament prophecies of which the audience were familiar. (e.g.Bethlehem, Dream, Star) Most likely, the writing of Matthews accountwas done after Christianity was officially excommunicated fromJudaism. To criticize the Jews rejection of Jesus Christ, the author

presented Gentiles as the Messiahs first visitors.


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Redaction Criticism:The authorpresented Jesus as a royal king, notborn in a stable but in a house. Toemphasize Jesus royalty, the author

situated the story in Bethlehem, thehometown of David. Noble wise men,not shepherds, were the first visitors.

These foreigners were the first visitorsof the newborn Jewish king. Theauthor wanted to make his Jewishaudience feel sorry that while Christ

was principally sent for them, theyrejected him. The Gentiles were theones that accepted him first andacknowledged him as the Messiah

sent by God.


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The Holy Spirit, whom we acknowledge as the author of SacredScriptures, is the only One who could reveal to us what the Bibletruly means because only the author can truly explain what he meantwith his words.

The Holy Spirit dwells in the Church. It is therefore the Church

who teaches us the correct meaning of Scriptures.

Read the Scripture within the living Tradition of the whole Church". According to asaying of the Fathers, Sacred Scripture is written principally in the Church's heart rather than indocuments and records, for the Church carries in her Tradition the living memorial of God's

Word, and it is the Holy Spirit who gives her the spiritual interpretation of the Scripture.CCC 113


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Interpretation must be done within the living tradition of thechurch, whose first concern is fidelity to the revelation

attested by the Bible Due consideration must be given to the historical character

of biblical revelation since Gods self disclosure took placethrough human language, within human history.

Since the bible contains the universal Word of God, thisWord must be interpreted in such a way that it becomesresponsive to the needs of its reader today

The Scriptural text must always be interpreted in relationChrist, to the whole of Scripture, and to life of the Church.


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CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

THE INTERPRETATION OF THE BIBLE IN THE CHURCH

Pontifical Biblical Commission, 1994

Martin Dybicz and Sister Mary Walsh, S.U.UNDERSTANDING SCRIPTURE: Owning Your Life and Your Faith

Makati: Salesiana Publishers Inc., 1985

Dr. Margaret Nutting-Ralph

AND GOD SAID WHAT?: An Introduction to BiblicalLiterary Forms for Bible Lovers

New Jersey: Paulist Press, 1986

Fr. Gerry Tapiador, SSLTHE MYSTERIOUS SEED

Makati: St Paul Publications 1988

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5_interpretation of Scriptures