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    Alexander of Hales: On the Significations and Exposition of the Holy Scriptures
    Alexander of Hales: On the Significations and Exposition of the Holy Scriptures
    Alexander of Hales: On the Significations and Exposition of the Holy Scriptures
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    Alexander of Hales: On the Significations and Exposition of the Holy Scriptures

    By Franciscan Institute Publications

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    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.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherFranciscan Institute Publications
    Release dateOct 18, 2018
    ISBN9781576594308
    Alexander of Hales: On the Significations and Exposition of the Holy Scriptures

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      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),

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