Scholastic Interpretations of Texts

I.  Literal--the prosaic
II. Spiritual--the poetic
     A. Tropological (from Tropus or "way of life") moralistic,
          platitudes or moral lessons.                        	      
     B. Typological (from Typus or figures, image)
      1) allegorical (extended metaphors, figures of speech, simile)
      2) anagogical (mystical understanding, ultimate spiritual	sense)


This was all caught in John Cassian's (c. 360-365) little poem (hermeutical rhyme): 
Littera gest docet,	    	Letter shows what God & People do 
Quid creas allegoria	    	allegory shows where our faith is hid
Moralis quid agas		      moral meaning gives rules of life
Quo tendas anagogia	    	anagogy shows where we end our strife



Example: Psalm 76. "In Judah God is known, his name is great in Israel:"  This refers:
I.  literally to the southern and northern kings: little value
II. spiritually, poetically 	
    A. morally to the heart, mind, and soul of Christian where God is known in 
         prayer and reflection
    B. figuratively 
      1) allegorically to Church and Christ where God is known by revelation
      2) Anagocically, directs Christian to heaven and Last judgement where God's 
          greatness and will shall be known in full.



Interpreting words and texts:  semantics and context.




Following are two examples of a kind of syllogism used to find the truth.   Scholastics took propositions or true statements from authorities.  They sought to reach truthful conclusions about more particular matters from the inferences between connected major and minor premises, as may be seen in these examples.



Omnis est creatura,                     Every man is a creature.

Christus est homo,                   Christ is a man.

Ergo Christus est creatura.         Therefore Christ is a creature.



Nulla imago est substantia,         No image is a substance.

Christus imago Dei,                    Christ is the image of God.

Ergo non est substantia.               Therefore He is not substance.