O papel do leitor e da leitora diante do texto bíblico: uma análise do processo interpretativo

Abstract

This Final Paper seeks to understand the triangular involvement between author, text and reader in the case of the texts of the Christian Bible. The biblical authors seek to transmit a message they understand to be in accordance with the precepts of God. The comprehension of this authors’ intention depends not only on the text itself, but also on the reader who seeks this intention based on their contemporaneous context, which is distant from the author’s context. To impede this interpretation from becoming unilateral and absolute, or aleatory and relativiste, it is necessary to obtain more clarity about the dynamic of this triangular process between author, text and reader. This study remits to literature that is pertinent to the biblical hermeneutic issue, mainly from the reformed tradition, in a bibliographic and descriptive research. The first chapter is dedicated to the biblical authors and their purposes, understanding that they reflect the will of the divine Author. The second chapter focuses on the biblical text as a proposal with a purpose, being a vehicle of communication between author and reader, both with faith in the Author. The third chapter concentrates on the reader as an interpretative co-author who seeks to make an updated interpretation, and, at the same time, coherent with the original purpose of the human authors, understood as a reflection of the message of the Author. The study concludes that the reader has a hermeneutic responsibility with regard to the text and its authors, in an interpretative co-authorship, seeking to align themselves to the message of the Author. To enter this triangular process, there is no need to be a reader trained in theology; however, it [theology] serves to better clarify the dynamics of the process, its chances and its challenges.