Examines the quality and quantity of the "spiritual understanding" of Scripture that developed during the Christian centuries. De Lubac communicates to the modern reader his own appreciation and knowledge of the irreplaceably creative role that exegesis of the church fathers and of medieval theologians played in the survival and formulating of Christianity.

A presentation of the main themes of de Lubrac's monumental study where he demonstrates that all forms of scriptural exegesis are part of the ongoing reflective life of God and the process by which the human race learns to share its mystery.