The relation between content and style, the functional nature of style, the “balance” between inventio and elocutio —these adumbrate a method of interpretative criticism that has its roots in classical antiquity. But the “balance” concerns more than style. It extends to, or shall we say begins with, the content itself wherein the author manifests his world view, his philosophy of man, his hierarchy of values, and, in the Christian era, his reason-faith relationship. An evaluation of style requires, therefore, a previous evaluation of content.