Literal/Historical Sense
Before every deeper meaning stands the plain sense the text intends
The literal or historical sense is the plain meaning intended by a biblical text, regarded as the foundation of interpretation. The Antiochene school, including Theodore of Mopsuestia and John Chrysostom, especially stressed attention to the text's straightforward, historical meaning. While later tradition recognized additional spiritual senses, the literal sense was widely held to ground them, so that deeper readings rest upon what the words plainly say.
How it traveled
- Dialogue with TryphoRome · 165explains
- On the Resurrection of the Flesh.— · 220explains
- The Church History of EusebiusCaesarea · 339explains
- The Homilies of St. John Chrysostom on the Gospel of St. JohnConstantinople (Istanbul) · 407explains
- The Letters of St. JeromeBethlehem · 420explains
- On Christian DoctrineHippo Regius · 430explains
- The Harmony of the GospelsHippo Regius · 430explains
- Expositions on the Book of PsalmsHippo Regius · 430explains
- The ConfessionsHippo Regius · 430explains
- City of GodHippo Regius · 430explains
- Reply to Faustus the ManichæanHippo Regius · 430explains
- Lectures or Tractates on the Gospel According to St. JohnHippo Regius · 430explains
- Letters of St. AugustinHippo Regius · 430applies
- On the Profit of BelievingHippo Regius · 430explains
- Treatise on the Work of the Six Days (qq[65]-74)Paris · 1274explains
- Treatise on Sacred Doctrine (Q[1])Paris · 1274explains
- Discussion: Second PartWittenberg · 1546explains
- ExordiumWittenberg · 1546explains
- The great christian doctrine of original sin defendedNorthampton, Massachusetts · 1758applies
Key passages(20)
Discussion: Second Part · Martin Luther
On the Resurrection of the Flesh. · Anti-marcion
Treatise on Sacred Doctrine (Q[1]) · Thomas Aquinas
Treatise on Sacred Doctrine (Q[1]) · Thomas Aquinas
Against Heresies: Book V · Irenaeus of Lyons
City of God · Augustine of Hippo
Discussion: Second Part · Martin Luther
Discussion: Second Part · Martin Luther
On Christian Doctrine · Augustine of Hippo
On Christian Doctrine · Augustine of Hippo
On the Resurrection of the Flesh. · Anti-marcion
On the Resurrection of the Flesh. · Anti-marcion
On the Resurrection of the Flesh. · Anti-marcion
The Church History of Eusebius · Eusebius of Caesarea
The Conferences of John Cassian. Part I. Containing Conferences I-X · John Cassian
A Treatise on the Soul and its Origin · Augustine of Hippo
A Treatise on the Soul and its Origin · Augustine of Hippo
Book Second. of the Knowledge of God the Redeemer, in Christ, as First Manifested to the Fathers, Under the Law, and Thereafter to Us Under the Gospel · John Calvin
Christian Knowledge · Jonathan Edwards