“The medieval theory of levels of meaning in the biblical text, with all its undoubted defects, flourished because it is true, while the modern theory of a single meaning, with all its demonstrable virtues is false. Until the historical-critical method becomes critical of its own theoretical foundations and develops a hermeneutical theory adequate to the nature of the text which it is interpreting, it will remain restricted-as it deserves to be-to the guild and the academy, where the question of truth can endlessly be deferred. “

It is most commonly thought that the medieval method of exegesis was one which was hopelessly re-interpretive.  Now, the story goes, we know better and can get back to the one true meaning of the text.  This article makes a refreshing argument to the contrary.

The Superiority of Pre-Critical Exegesis from Theology Today