Words and Senses By Joshua Evers
Aquinas is one of my top five favorite theologians. He follows a systematic reasoning that makes him so unique. In his Summa Theologica, St. Thomas proposed the question "Whether in Holy scripture a word may have several senses?". This was literally the first sentence of the reading material and it sparked my interest. Although I preferred he explicitly defined what was understood to be "senses", I believe I grasped his intended explanation. To summarize the foundation of his argument, the words in a science have a meaning, and the meanings of these words have meanings themselves. Resuming, Aquinas says the following:
"Therefore that first signification whereby words signify things belongs to the first sense, the historical or literal." (Page 2).
All scripture, when read has a literal/historical meaning. In Hermeneutics, the interpretation of biblical texts, this is what I recognize as the literal sense. In other words, it is what the writer originally intended. For example, Genesis 22 records God commanding Abraham to offer Isaac upon the altar on a mountain in the land of Moriah. This literally happened. When Moses wrote down all that God commanded him, this is what those words meant, simple as that. We are not being deceived into believing that Abraham existed when in reality he didn't.
Further, Aquinas says
"That signification whereby things signified by words have themselves also a signification is called the spiritual sense, which is based on the literal, and presupposes it. "(Page 2). He quickly refers to Hebrews 10:1 which it speaks of the law being a shadow of the true things to come. This is a spiritual sense and in my understanding (His use of the word "sense" still bothers me), possesses a symbolic meaning that glorifies God in some manner. As stated previously, Genesis Ch. 22 records God's command to Abraham to sacrifice his one and only Son whom the LORD promised a covenant through- Isaac. Not only does this show how Abraham was justified by Faith, believing that God could raise Isaac from the dead, which might I mention has never happened at this point in creation. This also serves as a symbol or even shadow, Like Hebrews 10:1 says, to the true form of these realities. You know who else was set out to sacrifice His one and only Son whom a covenant was promised through?? The LORD almighty. In the same way, God had one Son through whom His covenant was promised, except:
In each and every manner, the Gospel is reflected and glorified throughout all of scripture. God had Mercy on Abraham, and yet God Himself took the hard path of following through in sacrificing His one and only Son. Scripture has one literal meaning, but it has many applications and understandings that can be drawn from it and applied to our faith in Christ.
I commented on the posts of Will and Moriah.
"Therefore that first signification whereby words signify things belongs to the first sense, the historical or literal." (Page 2).
All scripture, when read has a literal/historical meaning. In Hermeneutics, the interpretation of biblical texts, this is what I recognize as the literal sense. In other words, it is what the writer originally intended. For example, Genesis 22 records God commanding Abraham to offer Isaac upon the altar on a mountain in the land of Moriah. This literally happened. When Moses wrote down all that God commanded him, this is what those words meant, simple as that. We are not being deceived into believing that Abraham existed when in reality he didn't.
Further, Aquinas says
"That signification whereby things signified by words have themselves also a signification is called the spiritual sense, which is based on the literal, and presupposes it. "(Page 2). He quickly refers to Hebrews 10:1 which it speaks of the law being a shadow of the true things to come. This is a spiritual sense and in my understanding (His use of the word "sense" still bothers me), possesses a symbolic meaning that glorifies God in some manner. As stated previously, Genesis Ch. 22 records God's command to Abraham to sacrifice his one and only Son whom the LORD promised a covenant through- Isaac. Not only does this show how Abraham was justified by Faith, believing that God could raise Isaac from the dead, which might I mention has never happened at this point in creation. This also serves as a symbol or even shadow, Like Hebrews 10:1 says, to the true form of these realities. You know who else was set out to sacrifice His one and only Son whom a covenant was promised through?? The LORD almighty. In the same way, God had one Son through whom His covenant was promised, except:
- Jesus was a perfect and blameless sacrifice, instead of Isaac.
- God actually sacrificed His one and only Son.
- God actually raised Him from the dead.
In each and every manner, the Gospel is reflected and glorified throughout all of scripture. God had Mercy on Abraham, and yet God Himself took the hard path of following through in sacrificing His one and only Son. Scripture has one literal meaning, but it has many applications and understandings that can be drawn from it and applied to our faith in Christ.
I commented on the posts of Will and Moriah.
This is one of the reasons the Bible is set apart from all other books. There is not another book where its meaning can transcend time and cultural barriers. While there are many levels of meaning to scripture, it is important not to isolate a single meaning without the others. You have to look at all levels to get the full context.
ReplyDelete