What is it about?
This paper explores how St. Maximus the Confessor interpreted the Scriptures. In particular, it looks at how he uses the anagogical sense in Ambiguum 10. A criterion is proposed for evaluation the validity of such interpretations (called here "formal continuity"), and several examples of Maximus' exegesis are evaluated according to that criterion.
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Why is it important?
Insofar as the criterion of "formal continuity" is accepted, and insofar as it is satisfied in a given piece of exegesis, it becomes an objective means for confirming what is revealed in the Bible at a level deeper than the literal sense.
Perspectives
People today often dismiss the scriptural interpretations of the church fathers as subjective or irresponsible; as though they were importing "spiritual" meaning that has nothing to do with the scripture itself. This paper pushes back, showing how spiritual exegesis is not only ancient in its pedigree, but entirely valid in its exercise, at least when certain parameters are maintained.
David Hottinger
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Parting the Waters: the Anagogical Sense in Maximus’ Ambiguum 10, Scrinium, November 2024, Brill,
DOI: 10.1163/18177565-bja10118.
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