JOHN LOCKE: FROM EPISTEMOLOGY TO BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION

Abstract

The purpose of this text is to articulate John Locke’s epistemology with his biblical interpretation. We intend to mobilize the concepts of reason, belief, revelation, and miracle in the Essay Concerning Human Understanding with some of his other texts focusing on biblical hermeneutics. Our working hypothesis is that there is no methodological difference between his work on epistemological interpretation and that on biblical exegesis. The procedure is strictly the same. To provide greater argumentative completeness, the text contains two parts. In the first, we will analyze the concepts of reason, faith, and revelation, present in his Essay. In the second, we will think about Locke’s recommendations in A Paraphrase for reading the sacred texts. Finally, we will examine the problem of miracles, especially in Miracles. We understand that the reading of the Essay is propaedeutic to decipher sacred texts. We hope that the present work may collaborate with Lockean studies in Brazil, particularly those concerning the epistemology of belief.