Figural Interpretation of Christian Scripture

1 credits · Divinity School

The Christian Bible was traditionally read in multiple senses. In modernity, the Bible became understood as properly having only one sense, the plain or literal sense. Moreover, this literal sense was increasingly conflated with its historical referent(s). In recent years, however, figural reading of the Bible has made a comeback, both in theory and practice. This course will explore the classical tradition of figural interpretation and its contemporary revival. The Tabernacle Narrative in Exodus 25–31; 35–40 will serve as an extended example. The primary goal is to equip ministerial students with greater understanding and skill in using the Bible in their teaching and preaching. The course also seeks to widen the hermeneutical and methodological range of doctoral students preparing to engage in academic research and scholarship.