Allegory and Christ in Erasmus's A Threefold Exposition of Psalm 22

Abstract

This paper examines how Erasmus develops a new form of “allegory” - distinct from the traditional Quadriga - to explicate both the Christological and moral significance in the Psalms. Through his advocacy of Philosophia Christi, Erasmus emphasizes the significance of Christ's teachings for Christian pietas and thereby introduces figurative exegesis into the allegorical interpretation of the Psalms. Building upon this foundation, in his interpretation of Psalm 22, he aligns the “threefold exposition” concerning Christ, the Church, and Christians with the term accommodare. This term exhibits a bidirectional nature, encompassing both Christ's “accommodation” and humanity's “conformity to Christ”, which correspond respectively to the text’s Christological and moral interpretations. Furthermore, Erasmus argues that allegory simultaneously connects Christology and moral theology through this bidirectional nature of accommodare, with “Christ’s love” serving as the pivotal point of connection. This interconnection influenced his dualistic Biblical hermeneutical structure: allegory becomes the conduit linking the letter and the spirit, literal and spiritual senses, and the visible and invisible realms.