Looking for correct word

[Annie39]

I’m looking for a word and thought someone here might know it. I have heard it used by a couple of Catholic Apologists. It means that a passage of scripture could have many meanings at once. The word begins with “poly”. I believe that I have heard the word when the apologists were referring to the woman in the apocalypse. Does anyone here know which word I am looking for?

Thank you,
Annie

 

[FCEGM]

I’m looking for a word and thought someone here might know it. I have heard it used by a couple of Catholic Apologists. It means that a passage of scripture could have many meanings at once. The word begins with “poly”. I believe that I have heard the word when the apologists were referring to the woman in the apocalypse. Does anyone here know which word I am looking for?

Thank you,
Annie

Polyvalent?

 

[Annie39]

Polyvalent?

Yes, that is the word. Thank you.

Annie

 

[Nita]

I don’t know of any word starting with “poly” for what you describe.

By any chance, could the word be “typology”? In Scripture, an event, vision, prophecy, …may have more than one application or meaning. When this happens, the initial event/person/… is called a “type”. You mentioned in particular, the “woman” in Revelation. There are at least three applications for the “woman” that I can think of off hand: 1) Mary . . 2) Old Covenant People - Jews . . 3) New Covenant people - Church

Fr. John Hardon’s “Modern Catholic Dictionary” gives the following definition:
Types, Scriptural: A biblical person, thing, action, or event that foreshadows new truths, new actions, or new events. …

 

[DavidFilmer]

Polyvalent?

Hmmm. I know that word from chemistry, and apparently it is also used in biology, but I can’t readily find a dictionary that defines it in a theological (or eschatological) context.

What does it mean in this context? Can you use it in a sentence?

Thanks!

 

[Annie39]

Hmmm. I know that word from chemistry, and apparently it is also used in biology, but I can’t readily find a dictionary that defines it in a theological (or eschatological) context.

What does it mean in this context? Can you use it in a sentence?

Thanks!

One of the Apologists whom I heard use the word is Scott Hahn. I’m thinking that the word was adopted for apologetics. I think that it fits. The reason that I wanted to find that word is that I would like to ask Dr. Hahn if it could be applied to another part of scripture in the OT. He is a busy man so of course I don’t know if he will reply. He has replied to me before so maybe again.

Annie

 

[FCEGM]

Hmmm. I know that word from chemistry, and apparently it is also used in biology, but I can’t readily find a dictionary that defines it in a theological (or eschatological) context.

What does it mean in this context? Can you use it in a sentence?

Thanks!

David, although the word is used primarily in chemistry it seems it can be adapted for use in theology and biblical exegesis. This article addressing the senses of Scripture employs the word:

trinity-pres.net/essays/metaphor-is-message_aquinas.pdf

The passage Annie is speaking of would definitely fall into the polyvalent category.