Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Find your next favorite book
Alexander of Hales: On the Significations and Exposition of the Holy Scriptures
Alexander of Hales: On the Significations and Exposition of the Holy Scriptures
Length:
140 pages
1 hour
Description
Alexander of Hales, called “the irrefutable doctor and prince of theologians” by Pope Alexander IV, taught theology at Paris from ca. 1220-21 until his death in 1245. Upon his conversion to the Order of Friars Minor in 1236, he became the first Franciscan to hold a theology chair at the University of Paris, teaching influential friars such as Odo Rigaldus, William of Middleton, John of Parma, and probably Bonaventure, who called him “my master and father.” This volume contains the first English translation of Alexander's short treatise on biblical interpretation. Probably written in the later 1220s or early 1230s for the use of advanced theology students, On the Significations and Exposition of the Holy Scriptures reveals the hermeneutical methods of the first Franciscan Master, who was renowned for his biblical lectures. Gathering interpretative tools from the works Augustine, Tyconius, Gregory the Great, Jerome, Hugh of St. Victor, Peter Comestor, Aristotle, Boethius and others, the work offers a concise introduction to the art of theological interpretation as practiced in the early university. On the Significations is known to survive in only two manuscripts, and was only authenticated and edited in 2009, by Aleksander Horowski. Yet its influence in the medieval period may have been broader than its survival suggests. Denis the Carthusian, writing about 1434, quotes extensively from it. Now that it has been rediscovered by specialists, Aaron Gies's introduction and extensive notes aim to make the text accessible to any reader interested in medieval ways of reading and interpreting Scripture.
Related to Alexander of Hales
Related Books
Thomas and the Thomists: The Achievement of Thomas Aquinas and his Interpreters by OP Romanus Cessario
Related Podcast Episodes
Related Articles
Book Preview
Alexander of Hales - Franciscan Institute Publications
Alexander of Hales
On the Significations and Exposition of the
Holy Scriptures
Introduction and Translation
by Aaron Gies
Franciscan Institute Publications
St. Bonaventure University
2018
All rights reserved.
No part of the book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, without permission in writing from the publisher.
© 2018 Franciscan Institute Publications,
St. Bonaventure University
Cover Design by Jill M. Smith
Cover photo courtesy of Lambeth Palace Library, London
ISBN 978-1-57659-429-2
E-ISBN 978-1-57659-430-8
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Library of Congress Control Number: 2018952756
Printed and bound in the United States of America.
Franciscan Institute Publications makes every effort
to use environmentally responsible suppliers and materials in the publishing of its
books. This book is printed on acid free, recycled paper that is FSC (Forest Stewardship
Council) certified. It is printed with soy-based ink.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Abbreviations
Introduction
Life and works of Alexander of Hales
Authenticity of the treatise
Literary genre of the treatise
Structure of the treatise
Indications of purpose and use
Alexander as a biblical interpreter
Notes on the translation
Part I. The figurative meanings of scripture
A. Introduction
i. Scripture speaks figuratively [1, 2]
ii. Three reasons the Scriptures veil spiritual truth [3, 4]
B. The figurative devices of the literal sense [5]
i. Parable [6, 7]
ii. Paradigm, i.e. anthropomorphism [8]
iii. Metaphor
a. The elemental spheres as examples [9-14]
b. Theology draws metaphors from all creation [15]
c. The Creator may use all created things as metaphors for good or evil things [16]
iv. Enigma [17]
C. The mystical devices of the spiritual senses [18]
i. Introduction
a. The spiritual senses encompass the four figurative devices [18]
b. Scripture is superior to other disciplines because it signifies both literally and spiritually [19]
c. Scripture must be manifold in form [20]
d. The senses are fitted to Scripture’s saving purpose [23, 24]
ii. History
a. Primary [25]
b. Contains past events securely known by authors [26]
c. Has three genres [27-31]
d. History of the hebrews to be spiritually understood [32]
e. The basis for the other three senses [33]
iii. Allegory: meaning transferred to the articles of faith [34-37]
iv. Tropology: meaning transferred to patterns of behavior [38-41]
v. Anagogy: meaning transferred to eschatological hope [42-45]
vi. Scripture is three in one like the Trinity [46, 47]
vii. Symbolic meaning veils truth from the unworthy [48]
D. Conclusion [49]
Part II. Seven rules by which Scripture’s meaning is altered [50]
A. Rule 1: Properties of Christ are applied to his Body and vice versa [51]
B. Rule 2: The Body may be true or mixed [52]
C. Rule 3: Commands have dispensational meanings [53]
D. Rule 4: The specific applies in general [54]
E. Rule 5: Time expanded or abbreviated by synecdoche or prophetic past [55]
F. Rule 6: Previous events are recapitulated, future ones anticipated [56]
G. Rule 7: Properties of the devil are applied to his body
and vice versa [57]
H. Conclusion
Part III. Reasons for drawing out mystical and allegorical readings [59]
A. Introduction: Theological consideration both nominal and real [60]
B. Consideration of names
i. Interpretation of names [61]
a. Allegorical [61, 62]
b. Tropological [63]
c. Anagogical [64]
d. More tropological examples [65, 66]
ii. Etymology [67]
iii. Surnames or the changing of names by imposition [68-70]
iv. Circumlocution [71-77]
C. Consideration from properties of things [78]
i. Simple and composite natures compared by grace [79]
ii. Consideration from properties of composite natures [80, 81]
a. Quantity
- Indivisible quantity [82, 83]
- Discreet quantities one through ten [84-93]
b. Quality [94, 95]
c. Comparability [96-98]
d. Actuability [101-105]
e. Passibility [106]
f. Place
- In space [107-111]
- In time [112]
- In age [113-115]
g. State [116-122]
h. Disposition or gesture [123-127]
Indices
Scripture
Non-Biblical Sources
ABBREVIATIONS
OLD TESTAMENT
Gen
Ex
Lev
Num
Deut
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Sam
2 Sam
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chron
2 Chron
Ezra
Neh
Tob
Judith
Esther
Job
Ps
Prov
Qoh
Cant
Wis
Sir
Isa
Jer
Lam
Bar
Ez
Dan
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obad
Jonah
Micah
Nah
Hab
Zeph
Haggai
Zech
Mal
1 Macc
2 Macc
NEW TESTAMENT
Matt
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Rom
1 Cor
2 Cor
Gal
Eph
Phil
Col
1 Thes
2 Thess
1 Tim
2 Tim
Titus
Phlm
Hebr
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Rev
INTRODUCTION
On the Significations and Exposition of the Holy Scriptures is a handbook on biblical hermeneutics.¹ That is, it is a short work explaining how to rightly interpret the Scriptures. It was written by Alexander of Hales, (ca. 1183-1245),
You've reached the end of this preview. Sign up to read more!
Page 1 of 1
Reviews
What people think about Alexander of Hales
00 ratings / 0 Reviews