Freethought & Rationalism Archive

WindBelow · 03-07-2005, 01:05 PM

I've read before that theologians have seven ways of interpretating the passages in the Bible. I wanted to know if this is so, could you post a list if possible.

Toto · 03-07-2005, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WindBelow

I've read before that theologians have seven ways of interpretating the passages in the Bible. I wanted to know if this is so, could you post a list if possible.

This has little to do with standard Biblical criticism, which has multiple ways of interpreting the Bible.

I think you are referring to Rosicrucian occultism:

Quote:

The Bible, once childishly clear and simple to the child mind, becomes a master volume to the searching student of the mystic and the occult; it becomes a computation of anatomy, numbers, parables, and symbols and, at that, is written in a recondite and secret manner. It becomes a book for which there are seven ways of interpretation. It is said of these seven interpretations that: the first three may be given by word of mouth, the fourth can only be sensed but not expressed; and the three highest can be understood only by the highest Adepts.

edit: here is one list of 7, but I can't be sure it matches the one referred to above:

Quote:

We believe the Holy Bible to be God's revelation to man, and that to understand it we need to realize it has seven interpretations-the factual, the scientific, the symbolic, the metaphysical, the mystical, the esoteric, and the absolute.

Sensei Meela · 03-07-2005, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WindBelow

I've read before that theologians have seven ways of interpretating the passages in the Bible. I wanted to know if this is so, could you post a list if possible.

AFAIK, Rabbinic Judaism holds four levels of understanding in Scripture:

Peshat: the "plain" meaning
Remez: philosophical, allegorical meaning
Derash: Talmudic, aggadic meaning
Sod: mystical, theosophical meaning

I've read of three others that are not as widely held, but I can't find them at the moment.

03-07-2005, 01:05 PM	#1
WindBelow Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Mister B, Sicily Posts: 74	Seven ways of interpretation I've read before that theologians have seven ways of interpretating the passages in the Bible. I wanted to know if this is so, could you post a list if possible.

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