Plain Sense (or literal) Interpretation Versus the Allegorical (or symbolic)
Interpretation of the Bible
Quick Index To Topics On This Page
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Some terms and
Definitions for sake of discussion
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2 Plus 2 Always Equals 4
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What It Takes To
Understand the Word of God
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LCM's Perspective On
Interpretation
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You Can Have It One
Way Or Another, But Not Both
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The Dangers Of Using The
Allegorical Method
Also see the following related articles:
"That's just your interpretation of the Bible," I have often heard people say
when they hear a Biblical passage quoted in a context or with an application
they do not like. Often some of those engaged in such discussion seem to believe
that God meant for or allows for His Word to mean different things to different
people. But is this so?
In attempt to answer this question, it is import to take a look at some terms
and their meanings. Then, I will discuss the historical origin of
'allegorical interpretation.'
Some terms and
Definitions for sake of discussion
The allegorical method was adopted by increasing number of professing
Christian believers mostly beginning during the forth century when Christianity
became Romanized. The allegorical method enabled individuals to interpret the
word of God according their cultural norms and personally preferred
interpretations.
The plain sense (or literal) method of interpretation is more concerned about the what the
scripture meant when it was first written. The allegorical method is more
concerned about what the scripture means to each individual--i.e., understanding
is determined soley by the reader.
2 Plus 2
Always Equals 4
The Bible teaches that is it not good enough for a person to merely read the
Bible, or listen to it being taught by someone, and then interpret it according to their
own preferences and interpretational whims.
20Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any
private [Of one's own self] interpretation. 21For the prophecy came
not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by
the Holy Ghost. (2 Peter 1:20-21)
The Bible itself teaches that each passage in the word of God is intended to
convey a single absolute truth. That truth may have several applications, but the truth
conveyed is to mean the same thing to each and every person. Just as the expressed
equation of 2+2=4, or the statement, "You are visiting LCM's website" is to mean
the same thing to each person who understands it, so is God's word. A person may be adding
duck, dogs, or dandelions, but adding two of them to two more of them will always equal
four of them.
It is not an individual's prerogative to interpret the Holy Bible
in a way that particularly suits them and their lifestyle. Each are challenged
instead to discover what God meant when His Spirit inspired the "holy men of
God" to write down His word--regardless of whether what they read suits them or
not.
What It Takes To
Understand the Word of God
God not only inspired the word, He also gives understanding by inspiration
to those who desire to truly know Him and His word.
27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and
ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things,
and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. (1 John
2:27)
I can personally testify to the fact that I did not--and could
not--understand the deeper things of God's word until I was born again by God's grace
and simple faith in Jesus Christ according to the gospel.
The consequence for not following these simple rules of interpretation can be
profoundly bad.
16 As also in all his [i.e. the Apostle Paul] epistles,
speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which
they
that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto
their own destruction. (2 Peter 3:16)
To interpret the word of God as God has
instructed can impart wisdom and life to the heart and mind that is receptive to faith and truth.
To do otherwise can only result in destruction in the end.
LCM's Perspective On Interpretation
The author and founder of LCM takes the Bible at its
plain sense. That means that I take the Bible's meaning at face value of each phrase and
context. Some may frown on this as a blind faith approach used by unlearned fundamental
fanatics. But among others, Sir Isaac Newton interpreted the Bible in the plain
sense, and also
foresaw a time when people would return to the literal method and turn away from the
allegorical one. (Sir Isaac Newton's
statement to that effect is presented on LCM's home page. We also present the statement made by Dr. Robert Jastrow,
internationally known astronomer, concerning the value of contributions made by
theologians to science and those that are scientifically minded.)
You Can Have It One
Way Or Another, But Not Both
To take the Christian Bible at its plain sense means that
expressions and context of each passage are to be understood by its simple face
value translation. It also means that any biblical passages that in the plain
sense indicate a symbolic or spiritual meaning by word and context are to be
understood accordingly--not literally.
However, if one uses the allegorical method of interpretation,
passages that are truly symbolic or spiritual in context and application may at
times be interpreted literally instead--depending upon the predisposition of the
individual making the interpretation.
As some may see, a reader of the Bible must either be open to
believing that nothing they read in Bible means what it actually says, or
believe that it means exactly what it says and nothing else.
The Dangers Of Using The
Allegorical Method
It is error if that which the Bible truly deems
to be literal is interpreted symbolically. It is equally erroneous if that which
the Bible truly deems to be symbolic or spiritual is interpreted literally.
Consequently, I believe the only sure and accurate method is to read the
Bible and take it at its plain sense. It is from this perspective that I and
millions of other believers view the person of Jesus Christ, His work, and His
teaching on how believers are to live today.
Click here to
learn more about Him from the plain sense perspective of the Bible.
The Webmaster of LCM
February 02, 2004
Also see the following related articles:
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