What does the story in scripture mean? An often asked question that is clearly answered in Chapter 3 of the new AC. The answer involves that spiritual senses of Sacred Scripture. There are three spiritual senses:1] The allegorical sense. Events portrayed can be more easily understood when we recognize their significance in Christ. The AC suggests as an example the crossing of the Red Sea. It is a sign or type of Christ's victory over sin and also of Christian Baptism.2] The moral sense. In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul teaches that the events in Scripture are offered to us "for our instruction" (10:11).3] The anagogical sense. We see in events and judge them upon the basis of their eternal signficance. Our Church is a sign to us of the heavenly Jerusalem.Ultimately the interpretation of Sacred Scripture is subject to the judgements of the Magisterium [definition: The teaching office of the pope, and bishops in communion with him, guided by the Holy Spirit. The pope and bishops are the authoritative teachers in the Church. page 519]
