There were many times and men who did a lot
of good things for hermeneutics and biblical interpretation. The rich history
of Biblical Interpretation offers no shortage of great scholars who shaped and
developed the methods by which we interpret the Scriptures today. One of the greatest contributions made was by
Augustine. He provided the necessary framework and environments through which
an interpreter should approach the Bible. [1]
Augustine was very
concerned that those who read the Bible learn to interpret it themselves,
rather than depending solely on the insights of others. On Christian Doctrine
begins: There are certain rules for interpreting the scriptures which, as I am
well aware, can usefully be passed on to those with an appetite for such study to
enable them to progress not just by reading the work of others who have
illuminated the obscurities of divine literature, but also by finding
illumination themselves.[2] Augustine explains that
teaching someone the rule of interpretation is like teaching them the alphabet.
Once a person knows the primary basics of interpretation, they can read for
themselves without needing someone else to read to them.[3] This is important because
people need to be able to read and come to their own conclusions.
Augustine
built on the primary hermeneutic that a “text’s literal or historical meaning
ought to determine its ‘real meaning,'”[4] foreshadowing the modern view that the goal
of good interpretation is to discover the “plain meaning of the text.”[5] His judgment could not
have been more immaculate and perfect for building his interpretive views.
Furthermore,
while Augustine left open the possibility for allegorical interpretation, he
rightly imposed guidelines to guard against subjective excess. When an ambiguous and unclear biblical text
leaves an interpreter wanting, Augustine suggested the interpreter consult
first other, clearer passages of the Bible that are related. Then, one should consult the “rule of faith,”
or the traditional interpretation, and finally the interpreter should consider
the context within which the text falls to determine which of the previous two
interpretations best explain the passage.[6] All in all, Augustine
helpfully provides an approach that even the most unlearned Bible reader can follow
to gain a very widespread and deep understanding of the Bible. Augustine
provides modern readers a framework to interpret the Bible.
[1]
Karlfried Froehlich, "'Take Up and Read": Basics of Augustine's
Biblical Interpretation,' Interpretation 58: I (Jan 2004), p. 13.
[2]
On Christian Doctrine, preface (l) . All quotations from On Christian Doctrine
are taken from Saint Augustine, On Christian Teaching (trans. R.P.H. Green; New
York: Oxford University Press, 1997).
[3]
On Chr. Doc., preface (9) [18].
[4]
William W. Klein, Craig L. Blomberg, and Robert L. Hubbard, Jr., Introduction
to Biblical Interpretation, rev. ed. (Nashville: Nelson, 2004), 41.
[5]
Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart, How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth, 3rd
ed. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003), 18.
[6]
Ibid 41
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