Étudier la Bible au Moyen Âge

Medieval exegesis combines a 'confessing' and a 'scientific' approach. One of the manifestations of this is the importance of textual criticism, especially in the 13th century. Hermeneutical reflection also contributes to this: the fundamental concepts, those of literal meaning, allegory, symbol or fable, are therefore examined carefully. The role of tropology (different from moral interpretation) is highlighted in this work; applying the data of scriptural accounts to the current situation of man, community or individual, it can be considered as the most permanent element of medieval exegesis. In this way, it seems that this one has much to bring to the contemporary work on the Bible, work conceived without solution of continuity in the understanding of Word considered as never ceasing to be addressed to man.