There are good theological reasons to reject making…
““There are good theological reasons to reject making authorial intention the goal of the interpretation of Scripture. First, we must recognize that what has traditionally been considered authoritative for the church is Scripture, not the intentions, real or imagined, of the original authors. Yes, Christian interpreters throughout history have talked about what Paul or some other biblical writer may have meant to say, but that has traditionally not been taken to limit the meaning of the text to that intention. Thus, even if the psalmist intended to speak of David or some other king of ancient Israel, the church has always considered it legitimate to interpret the psalm as referring also—or even only or supremely—to Christ. Even if the human authors did not intend to affirm the Trinity in the first century, the church may legitimately interpret Scripture in Trinitarian terms. The church has traditionally not located the site of inspiration to be in the mind of the human author but in the text of Scripture itself. The shift to concentrating on the intentions of the human author is something that only happened in the modern era, with the rise of historical criticism.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The meaning of Scripture is found in the text itself, not in the author’s personal intent; the church can read beyond original intentions to theological truths.
In simple terms: Scripture’s authority lies in its words, not the writers’ minds.
Key Takeaway
Interpret text on its own terms, not author intent.
Themes
theology
interpretation
authority
tradition
historical criticism
Mood
thoughtful
reflective
Type
theological
academic
When to use this quote
- sermon preparation
- Bible study groups
- academic coursework
- faith counseling
Key Concepts
canonical criticism
Trinitarian reading
hermeneutics
Questions to Reflect On
- How does the church’s tradition shape meaning?
- What risks arise when we prioritize author intent?
A Different Perspective
Modern focus on author intent can overlook the communal and doctrinal role of the church.