ABSTRACT
THERE ARE THREE major influences on the idea and use of symbols in the medieval Church: Neo-Platonism, sacramental theology, and the allegorical interpretation of the Scriptures. In this chapter, we start by looking at the Neo-Platonist thought behind the medieval approach to symbolism, and then on in the next section to medieval sacramental theology. Third, it was the way in which the Scriptures were understood literally and allegorically which provided a method for the understanding of the symbols in church buildings (section “The interpretation of scripture”). Some interpreters are then (section “Some interpreters”) shown in action. Other chapters after this one look at various facets of the interpretation in the Middle Ages of the meaning of churches, literally or using symbolism.
