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From a podcast by Presv. Jeannie Constantinou*
Patristic interpretation refers to the ways the early Church Fathers read, explained, and applied Scripture within the life of the Church. These techniques show that biblical interpretation was not limited to historical facts or literal wording, but also included spiritual preparation, attention to context, recognition of literary style, and the search for Christ-centered meaning throughout the whole Bible. Here are fifteen techniques Presv. Jeannie identifies in studying the Scripture: Scripture Emerges from the Church's Life
The New Testament was not handed down as a finished book but grew organically out of the Church's worship, preaching, and apostolic memory—"Scripture in Tradition" rather than Scripture separate from it. The earliest Christians relied solely on the Old Testament (in its Greek Septuagint form) as "Scripture," while the apostles' own writings and oral teaching were circulated and read aloud in local congregations but not yet called "Bible". St. Paul's first letters (c. 50-51 AD, likely Galatians or 1 Thessalonians) began this process, and the last books, including John's Gospel, his epistles, and Revelation, appeared by the end of the first century. |
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