What is the interpretive approach of the School of Alexandria?

Dom. D. Rees says, “The most renowned intellectual institution in the early Christian world was undoubtedly the Catechetical School ( Didascaleion ) of Alexandria, and its primary concern was the study of the Bible, giving its name to an influential tradition of scriptural interpretation … The preoccupation of this school of exegesis was to discover everywhere the spiritual sense underlying the written word of the Scripture.”¹⁶⁷

St. Clement of Alexandria used this kind of exegesis, but it was his student, Origen, who systematized it, established its guiding principles and made it popular in both the East and West, so much so that it was attributed to him. Origen elevated the School of Alexandria to the pinnacle of this approach, and it was influenced by his initiatives and ideas, although it was later freed from his excesses in allegorical interpretation . This approach was significant in that it allowed Christian theology to build a bridge between philosophy and revelation, and provided solutions to many problems in the interpretation of the Old Testament. At the same time, however, we cannot ignore the damage done by its excessive use. Accordingly, this approach met with opposition, and the later fathers of the School called for moderation in its use.

St. Clement of Alexandria is considered one of the earliest Christian theologians (writers) to use allegorical exegesis, justifying its use practically. In his view, the Bible contains hidden meanings in order to inspire us to search and discover the words of salvation which are hidden from the eyes of those who would spurn them. His student Origen adds some further justifications for the use of allegorical exegesis.