Scriptura Scripturae interpres

[C. Matthew McMahon]

What is meant by Scriptura Scripturae interpres in contrast to the Analogy of Faith?

Do you think they mean the same thing, or is there a nuance that makes them different concepts?

{MODERATOR EDIT: Latin fixed }

[Edited on 8/10/2005 by fredtgreco]

 

[SolaScriptura]

It is possible that they essentially mean the same thing. Perhaps the subtle distinction that I have in my own mind is not accurate and if so then I welcome critique to change it.

I see the Analogy of Faith as being more doctrinal in nature, that is there is a "systematic" overarching doctrine on some topic and then it gets applied to a particular text and that text is to be interpreted in the light of the teaching of the rest of scripture.
When I hear "Scripture interprets Scripture" I think more textually. That is, if you want the answer to, (let's just say) who the suffering servant of Isaiah 52:13-53:12 is, then you take them to the NT passages in the gospels.
Perhaps I'm off base though.

 

[Contra_Mundum]

Ben,
I think you've well said. The two mutually supporting pillars of biblical hermeneutics are the Analogy of Scripture and the Analogy of Faith (or, perhaps better the Faith). The first principle highlights the fact that the less clear portions of Scripture are explained (in the ultimate sense) by the clearer portions. The second principle states that all doctrine of Scripture is non-contradictory. You cannot come up with a doctrine of eternal punishment from one passage, and from another a doctrine of anihilation.

 

[DTK]

Originally posted by webmaster
What is meant by Scriptura Scripturae interpres in contrast to the Analogy of Faith?

Do you think they mean the same thing, or is there a nuance that makes them different concepts?

{MODERATOR EDIT: Latin fixed }

[Edited on 8/10/2005 by fredtgreco]

Yes, I think there is a nuanced difference between the two, and we are helped here by Richard A. Muller's work, Dictionary of Latin and Greek Theological Terms. On p. 33 he offers the following nuanced difference between the two, the analogia Scripturae (for all practical purposes) representing Scriptura Scripturae interpres, Scriptura seipsam interpretatur, Scriptura Scripturam interpretatur, Scriptura sui interpres ...

analogia fidei: the analogy of faith; the use of a general sense of the meaning of Scripture, constructed from the clear or unambiguous loci (q.v., locus), as the basis for interpreting unclear or ambiguous texts. As distinct from the more basic analogia Scripturae (q.v.), the analogia fidei presupposes a sense of the theological meaning of Scripture.

analogia Scripturae: anaology of Scripture; the interpretation of unclear, difficult, or ambiguous passages of Scripture by comparison with clear and unambiguous passages that refer to the same teaching or event.

DTK