Biblical Hermeneutics and Interpretative Criteria in St. Augustine

Abstract

This paper treats the two kinds of exegetical criteria, for selecting literal or figurative interpretation, found both in Augustine's De Genesi contra Manichaeos (c. 388-9) and De doctrina christiana (c. 396-7), and discusses the quality of biblical hermeneutics in the latter. First of all, a blasphemy-criterion in De Genesi contra Manichaeos is considered to be included in a more ample absurdity-criterion. Next as the consequence of analyzing Poland J. Teske's paper, although a criterion in De Genesi contra Manichaeos and criteria in De doctrina christiana do not conflict with each other, the latter criteria as ‘the love of God and neighbors' and ‘the understanding of God and neighbors’ are found to be conspicuous. Third, the particularity of the latter criteria is verified to be based on his idea that the Bible includes simple teachings for the double love and against human cupidity. Finally, the criteria of De doctrina christiana are regarded as the spiritual realities of an ecclesial community, and Augustine's aim of biblical interpretation in the community is thought of to provide the believers with the opportunity of love as the transaction of soul toward sapientia.