Epiphanius’ View of Scripture: Scripture as Riddle

Epiphanius’ view of scripture: scripture as riddle

For Epiphanius one key to the interpretation of metaphysical reality of scripture, especially when it appears to contradict itself or the received tradition, was viewing it as a riddle. In these riddles, God provided a deeper meaning accessible exclusively to believers of the orthodox faith that their predecessors passed down to them; he believes they will have interpretations identical to his own.

Because of his belief in the ability to find the truth behind these riddles, Epiphanius believes that he is in possession of truth, not fact or belief but absolute truth, to which, in his mind all true faith and belief must conform. For Epiphanius, truth is a trump card, if one possesses the truth, in opposition to the falsehood possessed by others, it is incumbent upon that person to declare the truth and, to seek the destruction of falsehood at all costs.