Augustine lite

"How to Read the Bible" by Billings and the second book in St Augustine's On Christian Teaching have some noticeable but predictable similarities.  Augustine starts this chapter with a distinction between signs and things.  He states that signs should be "[paid attention to] for what they signify" (pg 30).  They are separate from actual objects that should be taken at face value.  He connects these signs to their most common application, in words. This, in turn, leads to a discussion of scripture and the ignorance of people of read the writing without proper analysis of its symbols.  The idea of misinterpretation is reflected clearly in the other article. Billings argues that "It's not just well-meaning writers but also many biblical scholars who fail to approach the Bible as Christian Scripture."  Like St Augustine,  Billings separates reading scripture while considering its historical context from the more correct, theological and presently applicable means of reading it.  
While St. Augustine separates the different ways to read scripture, he takes the differences as a opportunity to emphasize mindfulness when reading rather than developing a set of strict rules.  He believes reading is about taking many different perspectives, theological and scholarly, into account when making religion personal.  This includes a more spiritual application of the works.  Both, however, believe a harsh difference between "right and wrong" ways to read the Bible, saying that interpretation has become to loose and needs to have decided backing.  
This I feel the article's is a rather narrow view of scripture.  It is essentially saying that there are few ways practice Christianity.  While each specific and contextual meaning of the psalms may be obsolete at this time, understanding the cause of a writing is very important to its message.  The emotions portrayed by something written during or after the Babylonian captivity can be applied to modern times, but must also be understood by contemporary readers.  To understand history makes a person more wise and insightful about the present and future.  It is ignorant to suggest we should feel exactly as readers did a thousand years ago, which seems to be the deeper point within St. Augustine and Billings' writing.  Religion is malleable and should change over time to fit the needs of the people, but history has some bearing on people's emotions naturally.  A hybrid of both scholarly translation and historical interpretation, as well as a personal and poignant meaning is important to get the most out of practicing faith.