Senses of Scripture: Lecture Recording

Understanding the Senses of Scripture

• The senses of Scripture refer to the various ways in which the Bible can be interpreted to uncover deeper meanings.

• Saint Thomas Aquinas is the notable theologian who developed the method of interpreting the Scripture through different senses.

Main Categories of Sense

• There are two main categories of scriptural senses:

  • Literal Sense

    • This refers to reading the biblical text at face value—understanding the characters, events, and setting.

    • Example: The story of Noah explains who he is, God's approval of him, God's command to build an ark, and the narrative surrounding the flood.

    • It establishes the foundation for deeper analysis.

  • Spiritual Sense

    • This encompasses deeper interpretations that provide additional layers of meaning to the text.

    • According to Aquinas, this is further divided into three types:

      • Allegorical Sense

        • The sense in which the biblical text foreshadows Christ.

        • Example: The tenth plague's Passover foreshadows Christ as the lamb of God, leading to salvation and eternal life.

      • Anagogical Sense

        • This refers to how a biblical text points towards our ultimate destiny, which could be heaven or hell.

        • It involves reflections on spiritual life and final judgment.

      • Moral Sense

        • This sense teaches us about morality—understanding right from wrong and the relationships with God, self, others, and creation.

        • Example: Noah's obedience reflects a moral life aligned with God's will, preserving his relationship with creation.

Details on Spiritual Senses

• Allegorical Sense

  • Definition: The sense in which a biblical text foreshadows Christ.

  • Example: In the Passover story, the unblemished lamb sacrificed parallels Christ's own sacrifice.

    • The blood on the doorposts symbolizes salvation through Jesus's sacrifice on the cross, marking a doorway to eternal life.

• Anagogical Sense

  • Definition: The sense in which a biblical text refers to our eternal destiny; it reveals implications for what comes after death (heaven or hell).

  • Example: Same as with the Passover, illustrating how choices lead to either freedom or spiritual death, as with Pharaoh's obstinacy leading to destruction in the Red Sea.

• Moral Sense

  • Definition: The sense in which a biblical text teaches us about maintaining right relationships in life.

  • Example: Noah's commitment to build the ark showcases moral courage and obedience, resulting in the preservation of life and a restoration of creation.