Biblical Exegesis is an interpretation of scripture. Gregory’s 4 levels of interpretation:
- Literal: a literal, surface reading of the text. “what things were done”
- Allegorical: included eschatology (the end of things), spiritual truth, reference to Heaven, Christ, and church communities (i.e., all things beyond the concrete). (everything to do with the “body of Christ” and the church and ecclesiastical doctrine)
- Moral: meaning gives us the rule of daily life--compare to one's self--like in story of Jonah--place one's self in Jonah's place.
- Anagogical: (mystical, prophetic, eschatological)--apocalyptic reading concerning revelation/end of times reading
When: Around 600; Rome
“what we should believe” Moral: moral passages gave guidance in action and how people should act/live.
“what we should do" Analogy: “aspects of the heavenly realm”
Gregory greatly influenced by Augustine. Moralia his great exegesis.