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January 17, 2026COMMUNIO VIATORUM0 citationsOpen Access

Triplex Usus Lectionis or On Reading the Bible Theologically, Philologically, and Spiritually

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PSPetr Sláma

Key Points

  • To propose and analyze three distinct modes of reading the Bible based on the reader's role and context.
  • Conducted a historical survey of biblical criticism over two and a half centuries.
  • Identified and defined three modes of reading: theological, philological, and spiritual.
  • Explored the interrelationships between these reading modes.
  • Theological reading shapes faith community identities through Bible and tradition.
  • Philological reading analyzes the Bible as a literary text using critical techniques.
  • Spiritual reading is focused on personal guidance and interpretation.

Abstract

This survey, reflecting two and a half centuries of biblical criticism, proposes three distinct modes of reading the Bible, each determined by the reader’s role: theological reading, practiced by conscious members of faith communities whose group and personal identities are shaped by the Bible and tradition; philological reading, employed by scholars using biblical criticism to analyze the Bible as literature; and spiritual reading, undertaken by individuals seeking personal guidance. The varied strategies inherent in these modes, and their interrelationships, are explored.

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Cite This Study

Petr Sláma (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/696b2631d2a12237a93496e5https://doi.org/10.14712/30296374.2025.17
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