The Scripture and the Four Senses

Not well versed in Sacred Scripture? Don't worry. Start reading using the four senses.

Reading the Sacred Scriptures during high school religion class felt like a daunting (and arduous) task. Growing up at a time when rote learning was on the decline, yet still prevalent in some classrooms, I found myself grappling with the text alongside my peers. My teacher's approach was straightforward: read the Bible, interpret it as best as we could manage, and memorize it for the inevitable test (egad!).

Unfortunately, this method did little to instill an appreciation for the Holy Scriptures. The archaic language felt disconnected from my daily life, and as a rebellious teenager - a hybrid between a wannabe punk and grunge girl of the 1990s (don't judge) - influenced by the Riot Grrl Movement, I questioned the seemingly patriarchal views entrenched in the Bible.

But as I matured and reconnected with my Filipino Catholic upbringing, I embarked on a journey to nurture my spiritual side and rediscover my faith.

Approaching the Scriptures with fresh eyes, I began to appreciate the literary craftsmanship of authors like Samuel, King Solomon, and Mark, spanning over two millennia.

I also adopted a new approach to reading the Bible, exploring it through four different lenses: the literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical. These perspectives provided me with a deeper understanding of the text and empowered me to interpret it in a modern context that resonated with my Catholic beliefs.

The literal sense of reading the Bible involves interpreting the text exactly as it is written, focusing on the facts such as the who, what, where, why, and how. While this approach provides important details, it alone may not fully capture the deeper meaning behind the text. The other senses—allegorical, moral, and anagogical—allow readers to explore the essence of the Scriptures and uncover their deeper significance (Pearson Religious Group, 2022). These additional layers of interpretation help illuminate the spiritual and moral truths embedded within the text, enriching our understanding and application of its teachings in our modern lives. And ultimately, in the anagogical sense, engage us to look for the signs that would lead us to everlasting life.

To begin interpreting the Sacred Scriptures with my grade 8 students, I tasked them with a close reading exercise to interpret passages from the Book of Proverbs, specifically the Proverb of Solomon. Each verse was assigned to a team of a maximum of three students to interpret. This served as a valuable introduction to the wisdom contained in the text that will guide my students in referencing and applying these teachings to their daily lives as we move forward to more religious teachings.

Proverbs is a timeless collection of wisdom that offers practical advice on living in accordance with God's foresight. It's also an excellent starting point for novice readers, as it serves as a guide for moral and ethical living. This resource serves as a valuable foundation as we transition into exploring the nine Catholic Social Justice Principles. My objective is to inspire my students to apply these principles in their community, fostering a sense of social responsibility and empathy toward those around them.

Sources:

Pearson Religion Team. (2022). Growing in Faith Growing in Christ. Pearson.