Methods

• Allegorical Interpretation — The principles and limits of allegorical (mystical) interpretation of Scripture — a true sense intended by the Holy Spirit, grounded in the historical sense
• Exegetical Method: Literal and Moral Exposition — Lapide's exegetical approach combining literal and moral exposition, enriched with allegories, typology, and patristic examples
• Lapide's Exegetical Method — Cornelius a Lapide's stated methodology: tracking down the historical sense first, reconciling Hebrew with the Vulgate, presenting the mystical sense from the Fathers, proceeding with brevity
• Literal Sense of Scripture — The primacy of the literal/historical sense as the foundation upon which all other senses must rest, and the difficulty of attaining even this one sense correctly
• Moses and Christ: Typological Parallels — The elaborate typological correspondence between Moses and Christ in nineteen parallels, showing Moses as the express sign and type of the Messiah
• Spiritual Interpretation of Scripture — The principle that Scripture has a spiritual sense beyond the letter, requiring divine revelation to be understood, with Christ as the hidden key to all Scripture
• The Four Senses of Scripture — The doctrine that Scripture expresses at least four meanings in a single phrase: literal/historical, allegorical, tropological (moral), and anagogical
• Typology — The reading of Old Testament persons and events as prefigurations (types) of New Testament or ecclesial realities — Moses as a type of the bishop, Nazirites as types of religious