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METHODS OF INTERPRETATION AND AUTHORITY OF THE BIBLE

Early Catechetical Schools:

Alexandrian

Antiochene

Augustine

Medieval Fourfold Sense of Scripture

literal

allegorical

tropological

anagogical

Reformation Understanding of Authority of the Bible

Scripture interprets itself

canon within the canon

Bible is basis of tradition

Chemnitz' 8 definitions of tradition:

oral teachings of Christ and apostles

transmission of books of Scripture

apostolic tradition

traditions concerning exposition of true sense or meaning of Scripture

doctrines not explicitly stated in Scripture but derived from scriptural witness by sound and indisputable reasoning (e.g. doctrine of Trinity)

patristic consensus ("by the tradition of the fathers")

unwritten traditions ascribed to the apostles but not contradicting Scripture

traditions relating faith and practice, not in Scriptural witness, but decreed by Council of Trent to be as normative as Scripture - THIS IS NOT VALID TRADITION

Enlightenment Approach to Interpretation of the Bible

historical critical method

Contemporary Versions of Reformation Understanding

Barth - threefold concept of Word of God

Preached

Written

Revealed

Tillich - 6 meanings of Word of God

principle of divine self-manifestation in ground of being

medium of creation

manifestation of divine life in history of revelation

manifestation of divine life in final revelation

document of final revelation

message of revelation