Application of New Epistemological Theories for the Interpretation of the Biblical Text
https://doi.org/10.31802/2658-4476-2019-3-3-213-225
Abstract
The article discusses the possibility of applying new epistemological theories developed by researchers such as Ch. S. Pierce, A. Tarsky, K. Popper, W. V. O. Quine, for the interpretation of the biblical text. In the Modern period, the idea that the Bible contains only one «true» meaning — the idea of the empirical author of a biblical text — was established. In the present situatuin, which can conventionally be called postmodernism, the idea has spread that the text of Scripture can contain an unlimited number of meanings which can be simultaneously opposed to each other, and none of them has the right to claim exclusivity and to be ultimate truth. This situation created a certain stagnation in modern biblical scholarship. As this article proves, it is possible to get out of such a situation of «interpretative anarchy» if we apply the principles developed in modern epistemology of science to biblical hermeneutic theories. Particular attention is paid to the possibility of implementing the theory of growth of scientific knowledge, proposed by K. Popper. The article proves that the use of this model in the analysis of variety of different interpretational strategies developed by Biblical scholars allows to eliminate unscientific interpretations, as well as to create an opportunity for competitive discussion between the most plausible hypotheses, which in turn should stimulate the growth of scientific knowledge in modern Biblical studies.
About the Author
A. Andreev
St. Tikhon's Orthodox University for the Humanities
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Priest Alexei Andreev, MA in Theology, Teacher of the Department of Biblical Studies of the Faculty of Theology
6, building 1, Likhov lane, Moscow 127051
References
1. Andreev A. V. (2012) “Biblejskaja nauka v ramkah paradigm moderna i postmoderna” [“Biblical Studies within the Paradigms of Modernity and Postmodernity”]. Cerkov’ i vremja, no. 2/59, pp. 51–77 (in Russian).
2. Andreev A. (2014) “Predposylki vozniknovenija akademicheskoj bibleistiki: Biblija i ejo interpretacija v epohu Renessansa” [“Background of Academic Biblical Studies: The Bible and its Interpretation in the Renaissance”]. Cerkov’ i vremja, no. 3/68, pp. 65–95 (in Russian).
3. Blohina N. A. (2015) “Paradoks analiza i paradoksal’nost’ analiticheskoj filosofii” [“Paradox of Analysis and the Paradox of Analytical Philosophy”]. Voprosy filosofii, no. 3, pp. 168–196 (in Russian).
4. Eсo U. (2003) Iskusstvo i krasota v Srednevekovoj estetike [Art and Beauty in Medieval Aesthetics]. Saint-Petersburg: Aletejja (in Russian).
5. Emel’janov A. (2015) Vvedenie v Chetveroevangelie [Introduction to the Four Gospels]. Moscow: PSTGU (in Russian).
6. Girshman M. (2002) Evrejskaja i hristianskaja interpretacii Biblii v pozdnej Antichnosti [Jewish and Christian Biblical Interpretation in the Late Antiquity]. Moscow: Mosty kul’tury/Gesharim (in Russian).
7. Handelmann S. (1982) The Slayers of Moses: The Emergence of Rabbinic Interpretation in Modern Literary Theory. Albany: State University of New York Press.
8. Hanson R. (1959) Allegory and Event. A Study of the Sources and Significance of Origen’s Interpretation of Scripture. London: SCM Press.
9. Men’ A. (1997) Biblija i istorija ejo tolkovanij [The Bible and the History of Its Interpretation]. Minsk: Izd. Belorusskogo Egzarhata (in Russian).
10. Nesterova O. E. (2008) “Problemy interpretacii uchenija Origena o trjoh smyslah Svjzshhennogo Pisanija v sovremennoj nauchnoj literature” [“The Problems of Interpreting the Teachings of Origen on the Three Meanings of the Holy Scriptures in Modern Scientific Literature”], Rannehristianskaja i vizantijskaja ekzegetika. Moscow: IMLI RAN, pp. 26–67 (in Russian).
11. Nesterova O. E. (2008) “Tipologicheskaja egzegeza v ‘Tractatus Mysteriorum’ Ilarija Piktavijskogo” [“Typological Exegesis in the ‘Tractatus Mysteriorum’ of Hilary of Poitiers”]. Rannehristianskaja i vizantijskaja ekzegetika. Moscow: IMLI RAN, pp. 68–118 (in Russian).
12. Osborn R. (2009) Germenevticheskaja spiral’. Obshhee vvedenie v biblejskoe tolkovanie [The Hermeneutical Spiral: A Comprehensive introduction to Biblical Interpretation]. Odessa: Evro-Aziatskaja Akkreditacionnaja Associacija (in Russian).
13. Popper K. (1983) “Fakty, normy i istina: dal’nejshaja kritika reljativizma” [“Facts, Standards and Truth: A Further Criticism of Relativism”] in Logika i rost nauchnogo znanija. Izbrannye raboty [Logic and the Growth of Scientific Knowledge. Featured Works]. Moscow: Progress, pp. 379–413 (in Russian).
14. Popper K. (1983) “Predpolozhenija i oproverzhenija. Rost nauchnogo znanija” [“Conjectures and Refutations. The Growth of Scientific Knowledge”] in Logika i rost nauchnogo znanija. Izbrannye raboty [Logic and the Growth of Scientific Knowledge. Featured Works]. Moscow: Progress, pp. 240–324 (in Russian).
15. Savrej V. Ja. (2011) Aleksandrijskaja shkola v istorii filosofsko-bogoslovskoj mysli [Alexandrian School in the History of Philosophical and Theological Thought]. Moscow: KomKniga (in Russian).
16. Sidorov A. I. (2008) “Osnovnye tendencii razvitija i harakternye cherty drevnehristianskoj i vizantijskoj ekzegezy” [“The Main Development Trends and Characteristics Features of the Ancient Christian and Byzantine Exegesis”]. Rannehristianskaja i vizantijskaja ekzegetika. Moscow: IMLI RAN, pp. 3–25 (in Russian).
17. Stylianopulos T. (2008) Novyj Zavet: pravoslavnaja perspektiva [The New Testament: An Orthodox Perspective]. Moscow: Biblejsko-bogoslovskij institut sv. ap. Andreja (in Russian).
18. Thiselton A. C. (2011) Germenevtika [Hermeneutics]. Cherkassy: Kollokvium (in Russian).
19. Vanhoozer K. (2007) Iskusstvo ponimanija teksta. Literaturovedcheskaja etika i tolkovanie Pisanija [The Art of Understanding the Text. Literary Ethics and Interpretation of Scripture]. Cherkassy: Kollokvium (in Russian).
20. Wright N. T. (2007) Avtoritet Pisanija i vlast’ Boga [The authority of Scripture and the Power of God]. Cherkassy: Kollokvium (in Russian).
Review
For citations:
Andreev A. Application of New Epistemological Theories for the Interpretation of the Biblical Text. Bible and Christian Antiquity. 2019;(3):213-225. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.31802/2658-4476-2019-3-3-213-225
Views:
17
JATS XML
Email this article 