The Parable of the Good Samaritan: Two Theological Readings in the Victorian Church of England

Abstract

Taking seriously the reality that theological interpretation of Scripture is not a monolithic enterprise but rather a varied discussion, this paper outlines two historical contributions to the theological reading of Scripture in the Victorian Church of England. By examining the way Richard Chenevix Trench and John Keble interpret the parable of the good Samaritan, this essay shows that though both figures interpret Scripture in order to understand what it says about God, they diverge in their approach over questions of providence and ecclesial authority. The paper argues that for Trench, providence expands the scope of Scripture’s meaning but for Keble it leads to specific interpretive outcomes. Essentially, while Trench sees Scripture to be the product of divine providence, Keble sees providence to have shaped the consensus of the early Church.