Hermeneutics

Reading the Bible through the centuries

A short history of interpretation

The same verses have been read in very different ways from one era to the next. From the Jewish teachers to the Reformers, by way of Paul, Origen and the medieval monks, this course presents the main ways of interpreting Scripture and what they teach us about reading it today.

4 lessons≈ 12 min readFree
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Course outline

  1. Reading with the Jewish teachers

    Long before the Christians, Israel learned to read, explain and debate its Scriptures. The first habits of interpretation come from there.

    3 min read

  2. Jesus and Paul, reading in the light of Christ

    The first Christians reread the Jewish Scriptures with a new key, the person of Jesus. This changes the way ancient texts are understood.

    3 min read

  3. Allegory and the rule of faith

    From the early Fathers to the theologians of the Middle Ages, the Church looks for a “deeper” meaning in Scripture, while also setting itself safeguards.

    3 min read

  4. Back to the sources, humanists and Reformers

    In the sixteenth century, scholars want to reread the Bible in its original languages and according to its literal sense. This movement changes the way of interpreting for good.

    3 min read

Adapted from Alexandre Hérault's master's thesis, “A Historical Study of the Concept of Canon” (Continental Theological Seminary, 2013).