Lecture Six: Moral Theology and the Four Senses of Scripture
Study Questions
1. The typological level of meaning in the scripture takes the life of Christ to complete what is incomplete in the life of the people of Israel, to perfect what is imperfect, and to sanctify what is sinful. How does this work, for instance, in the relation between Adam as presented in Genesis and Christ the New Adam that is presented in the Gospels?
2. In which books of the Bible (Old Testament and New Testament) would one be likely to find the moral sense of scripture?
3. How does Veritatis splendor §12 exhibit a use of the typological and moral senses of scripture in its description of Christ as the New Moses?
Suggestions for further reading:
Catechism of the Catholic Church §100-§130 (on Sacred Scripture and its proper interpretation).
Paul M. Quay, The Mystery Hidden for Ages in God (New York: Peter Lang, 1995), esp. chapters 5-6 on the four senses (levels of meaning) in the Scriptures.
Servais Pinckaers. Morality: The Catholic View. South Bend IN: St. Augustine’s Press, 2001.
