Compare and contrast the hermeneutics of Alexandria and Antioch.
The hermeneutics of Alexandria was the product of Greek philosophy and Hebrew religion under the influence of a Philo, an Alexandrian Jew, who was a contemporary of Jesus. He claimed that Greek philosophy was developed from Moses’ writings of the Pentateuch. He believed the harmony of the doctrine of divine revelation (Old Testament) and the discoveries of the speculative thought (Greek Philosophy). Philo developed the set of rules for interpreting the scriptures either in allegory or literal meaning. For him the scripture can not be interpreted literally when: 1). The statement is unworthy of God, 2). There is any contradiction, and 3). Allegory is obvious. On the other hand the scripture can be interpreted both allegorically and literally when: 1). A word is repeated, and 2). If a word is superfluous. Moreover, if synonyms are used, an allegorical meaning is intended and unusual expressions imply something mystical.
The school of Antiochenes is the traditional interpretation based on its literal or historical meaning. But they saw and gave deeper meaning on the historical or literal interpretation than the Scripture and thus reject the hidden meanings or allegory because they believe the hidden meaning can be comprehended by the Gnostics alone. This school of interpretation gives more importance to linguistic details such as particles, moods, prepositions, and terminology (Theodore of Mopsuestia). This school also accepted the whole Bible in its literal interpretation as guide for conduct and rejects the dogmatism and allegory (Chrysostom).
The primary goal of interpretation of the Bible is to make sense to the readers in their own context and setting. The interpreters and writers of the Bible made interpretation sense and meaningful in their times of specific cultural context and setting. Today we live in different world of thoughts and perspectives of those original interpreters. Hence, different problems, worldviews, understanding, and approaches so one can not just reject school of Alexandria and give more importance to Antiochene School and vice versa rather we must integrate both school of interpretations and make sense to our present context and its related issues. For me, the interpretation of the Bible should not base exclusively on either one but must synthesize both of them in order to fit to the contemporary world and its related needs and issues.
Ashulo Seb
