Allegorical and/or Metaphorical. Does everyone remain in doubt and confused or is there a way to determine specifically when you are reading an Allegory or a Metaphore? Is there someone in the Christian hiarchy who has the final say or is it an individual interpretation by each Christian?
2007-12-23 07:37:51 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It is down to individual interpretation. Those who have the wrong interpretation are probably not looking at the big picture. Radical example: The twelve places in the Bible where the phrase "there is no God" appears.
2007-12-23 07:41:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well, the final say rests within the Bible, not in a man or a denomination.
The historical, grammatical, literal method of interpretation is the only one that works out when the interpretations are applied to historical events concerning the Bible and daily life. Although allegory is the most used method used by the catholic church-there is very little of it in the Bible. Most all metaphors are very obvious and are signified by words or phrases like: such as, in the likeness of, as it were, appeared to be, and so on. An example-
2 Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying
Acts 2:2 (HCSB)
There was no wind there-just a sound that made one think a violent wind was present.
There is an old rule of thumb-'if something makes sense in the plain sense then do not seek any other sense'. Too often people try to "read into" the Bible something that is just not there. It says what it means, and it means what it says. When there is metaphor and or symbolism used, the text itself will clue you to it in the immediate verses surrounding the symbol or metaphor.
2007-12-23 15:55:56 · answer #2 · answered by Higgy Baby 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately, there are a few major denominations that teach that the interpretation of scripture is solely up to the individual. These main branches have split up to the point that we have around 30,000 denominations now. Most of these folks will say that we are to pray to God for guidance while reading the Bible, and that is scripturally accurate, but what we generally don't realize is that the Holy Spirit is still filtered through ourselves, through our own experiences and outlooks. This is one of the major reasons we have such little unity within the Church. This is one of the main reasons we have so many different denominations.
There are some very clear metaphors in the Bible. Specifically, visions (see the books of Daniel and Revelation) are not meant to be taken literally. But there are also some things that are not so clear. I personally leave most interpretation up to the authority at my church. I haven't studied Greek and Hebrew for years upon years. I didn't go through theology classes when I was in college. I did not attend seminary. I am not ordained, but I can say that my pastor and vicar are, and have done all these things. I find it much more helpful to leave the more difficult things up to them, and ultimately, up to the higher authority within my church. It just makes a lot more sense that way.
Peace,
Drew
2007-12-23 15:53:06 · answer #3 · answered by That Guy Drew 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The context usually gives an answer. Jesus spoke to the crowds in stories. The apostles asked him why he did that? (Matt. 13:10-11)
Always what is written is for our instructions. By looking in other sections of the Bible we find the answers. The beasts of Revelations stand for earthly governments as the dreams interpreted by Joseph and Daniel show.
Prophesies have a literal and a greater fulfillment usually. At Matthew ch.24, Jesus gave his people signs that they could tell they were in the last days before destruction. The literal fulfillment was Jerusalem's destruction in 70CE. The greater fulfillment is today. The end of this corrupt system--political, secular, and false religious parts.
All the things have happened across history. But, never in such magnitude globally. People of good hearts can't see the depravity of men getting much worse, but it does.
All this terror is a cause for joy though. What is to replace it will be terrific! A government ruled by Christ, powered by his Father, which can and will solve the earth's problems man has never seriously tried and will never. Earth will be restored to paradise conditions. The people will be returned to perfection--no disease or death. Revelations 21:3-4 will happen. No more cause for pain or tears, death will be a memory.
2007-12-23 16:03:38 · answer #4 · answered by grnlow 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, nothing in particular. A healthy dose of common sense goes a long way, though.
Occasionally the Catholic Church will spell out what a particular passage in the Bible doesn't mean; it isn't very common and it is almost never telling what a passage means, its saying what it doesn't mean. Of course, if you aren't Catholic, this likely holds no water for you and it doesn't really matter. That's all I personally know about, maybe someone else will be able to help you. I don't think that there's any other source besides a pastor(whom can always be wrong), unless I've never heard of it.
2007-12-23 15:43:12 · answer #5 · answered by d_and_n5000 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Most of the Bible is Metaphorical but other books and sections are open to individual or congregational interpretation. The Book of Revelations has been interpreted 1,000 different ways and every one is probably wrong.
2007-12-23 15:43:07 · answer #6 · answered by Son of David 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you are a Christian, there are no questions in your heart regarding God's word. There is no Christian "hiararchy". A Christian would also know that. God has the final say on all things, and his Word is His inspired word, and it is by faith that all Christians believe. Find a bible you can understand and read it taking it at face value.
Remember, the people of biblical times were just like us. Simple folks, some with more education than others, but Jesus spoke to them all in terms that the generations can understand. Pray for wisdom to understand His word, and you WILL receive wisdom.
God's message is simple. Too many people try to make it difficult to try to hold you to their "church". Why? So you will contribute on Sunday morning, what else? After all, the preacher went to college to make his living at "teaching" you, right? Without you in church, where on earth would he earn his living???????
God bless you. Stick to the New Testament and find out what Jesus wants you to know to live the kind of life He expects of you. That is all you need to know after you become a Christian. All this "churchy" stuff........the Bible makes no reference at all to "churches". I would think because us stupid humans have to "belong" to organizations so some preacher can stand up there and tell us what "he" has been taught in some college what "he" thinks we ought to know, instead of us using our own brain, praying and honoring God with the kind of works he expects and he describes in the New Testament.
Good luck .
2007-12-23 15:49:01 · answer #7 · answered by Registered Nurse 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I guess only the original writers know for sure what they meant. If it were actually the word of God, then I would think there would not be so much confusion over its interpretation. That's why I'm an agnostic leaning toward atheism.
2007-12-23 15:44:43 · answer #8 · answered by mtc005 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately, since the Reformation, there's no authority to decide how people interpret the Bible.
The Reformation itself took place because the Pope was mininterpreting it. So, the situation today is anybody's guess.
2007-12-23 15:58:42 · answer #9 · answered by chris_muriel007 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You will honestly grow old worrying about this, I recommend going to McDonald's and enjoying two Big Mac meals, Supersized, and a hot apple pie for desert. If you're REALLY stressed over it, you might try adding a fresh scoop of vanilla Ice Cream over it, that always hits the spot for me!
2007-12-23 15:43:16 · answer #10 · answered by Richard S 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋