Scripture, a Field of Many Foods

On the points about which it means to inform us, the authority of Holy Scripture says some things so plainly and clearly, even to those who are utterly lacking in understanding, that they are not only not veiled in the obscurity of any hidden meaning, but do not even need the help of any explanation. They carry their meaning and sense on the surface of the words and letters. But some things are so hidden and wrapped in mysteries that they offer us an immense field for skill and care in discussing and explaining them. And it is clear that God has ordered it so for many reasons. First, so that the holy mysteries, if they were covered by no veil of spiritual meaning, might not be laid open equally to the knowledge and understanding of everybody, that is, of the profane as well as the faithful, and so that there might be no difference in goodness and prudence between the lazy and the earnest. Next, so that among those who are indeed of the household of faith, since immense differences of intellectual power open out before them, there might be an opportunity of rebuking the sluggishness of the idle and of proving the keenness and diligence of the earnest. [a]

And so Holy Scripture is fittingly compared to a rich and fertile field. It bears and produces much that is good for human food without being cooked by fire. It also produces some things that are found to be unsuitable for human use, or even harmful, unless they have lost all the roughness of their raw state by being tempered and softened by the heat of fire. But some are naturally fit for use in both states, so that even uncooked they are not unpleasant in their raw state, and yet they are made tastier by being cooked and heated by fire. Many more things, too, are produced that are fit only as food for creatures without reason, for cattle, wild animals and birds, but are utterly useless as food for men; while still in their rough state, without being touched by fire at all, they serve the health and life of cattle.

We can clearly see that the same order holds good in that most fruitful garden of the Scriptures of the Spirit. In it some things shine out clear and bright in their literal sense, so that they need no higher interpretation, but furnish abundant food and nourishment to the hearers in the simple sound of the words, as in this passage: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord your God is one Lord”; and: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength.” But there are some that cannot become wholesome food for the inner man without injury and loss to him, unless they are weakened by an allegorical interpretation and softened by the testing fire of the spirit; and he will gain harm rather than profit from receiving them. So it is with this passage: “Let your loins be girded and your lamps burning”; and: “Whoever has no sword, let him sell his coat and buy himself a sword”; and: “Whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” Some very earnest monks, having “indeed a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge,” took this last passage literally. So they made themselves wooden crosses and carried them about constantly on their shoulders, and so became a cause not of building up but of ridicule to all who saw them.

But some passages can be taken suitably and properly in both ways, that is, historically and allegorically, so that either explanation furnishes a healing drink to the soul, as in this passage: “If anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also”; and: “When they persecute you in one city, flee to another”; and: “If you would be perfect, go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” The field produces “grass for the cattle” as well, and all the fields of Scripture are full of this food: plain and simple narratives of history. By these, simple folk, and those who are not capable of perfect and sound understanding, of whom it is said, “You, Lord, will save both man and beast,” may be made stronger and more vigorous for their hard work and the labor of the practical life, according to the state and measure of their capacity.