Systematische Überlegungen zur allegorischen Schriftauslegung: (Schluß)
This article wants to give an explanation and a defence of the medieval method of explaining the Bible "allegorically". Attacks on this method have not first started with Martin Luther. You can find already in Thomas Aquinas too much emphasis on the so-called "litteral interpretation...
| Published in: | Zeitschrift für katholische Theologie |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | German |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Echter
1995
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| In: |
Zeitschrift für katholische Theologie
Year: 1995, Volume: 117, Issue: 4, Pages: 416-446 |
| Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains: | B
Allegoric exegesis
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| Further subjects: | B
Allegoric interpretation
B Schriftsinn B Allegory B Exegesis |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Parallel Edition: | Non-electronic
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| Summary: | This article wants to give an explanation and a defence of the medieval method of explaining the Bible "allegorically". Attacks on this method have not first started with Martin Luther. You can find already in Thomas Aquinas too much emphasis on the so-called "litteral interpretation of the Bible". In the latest document of the Pontifical Biblical Commission one discovers, even if it is in a very subtle way, some disregard too for the medieval method of interpretation with the "four senses". Thomas does not use Augustine correctly, if he adduces the letter of the lastmentioned to the Donatist Vincentius as a support for his own attitude, because a distinction has to be made between a theology written for all kinds of people (like the "Summa contra Gentes" is) and a theology written for believing theologians (a "Summa Theologiae"). The best arguments for a defence of the allegorical interpretation of the Bible can be found in Cardinal Newman. More recently Hans Gadamer has clearly developed the philosophical presuppositions, on which the use of such a method is based. Although modern theologians mean often the same, when they speak about "typological exegesis", as the medievals meant, when they spoke about "allegorical exegesis", still the latter expression has to be preferred, as has been shown at great length by Henri de Lubac. The Dominican Hugh of St. Cher (d. 1263) has to be regarded as one of the best of the medieval exegetes and it is pity, that the last edition of his main work was in 1754. His enormous "Postilla super totam bibliam" shows what medieval theologians meant, when they interpreted the Bible allegorically: still more than 70% of the interpretations are "secundum litteram". The rejection of the allegorical method is one of the main causes for the Iittle importance which is given to the Old Testament in recent theological works. A theologian of the last centuries who has used this method in a most satisfying way is Matthias Joseph Scheeben. |
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| Contains: | Enthalten in: Zeitschrift für katholische Theologie
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