Christian Cyclopedia

Term drawn from Ro. 12:6: “[Let us prophesy] according to the proportion [Gk. analogia] of faith.” J. Gerhard,* Locus I, chap. xxv (De interpretatione scripturae sacrae), par. 531 (532): “All interpretation of Scripture should be analogous to [the] faith [fidei analoga]. This canon is set forth Ro 12:6; this [passage] means that the interpretation of Scripture should be undertaken and properly done [conformari] in such a way that it harmonizes [consentiat] with the whole [perpetua] thought set forth in Scripture concerning each article of the heavenly doctrine.… The articles of faith which the apostle here [cf. 2 Ti 3:15] means by [“faith”], which all must know in order to be saved, are taught in Scripture in clear and plain [perspicuis] words.… In interpreting Scripture, nothing whatever is to be propounded [proferendum] in conflict with this rule* of faith.” This allows for apparent contradictions, e.g., with regard to predestination (see Predestination, I).

The view that restricts the analogy of faith to that which man finds harmonious and noncontradictory led to a broader use of Scripture and failure of free* Luth. confs. in Am. early in the 20th c.

See also Exegesis, 7; Hermeneutics; Humani generis; Scriptura scripturam interpretatur.