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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | time | Acts 1:3 | Hank | 42775 | ||
Sctt, you say "I beleave the whole bible to be both a narritive and allegorical." I'm unclear on exactly what you mean by your statement, and thus faced with this ambiguity, I'm unsure of how to respond. But I assume -- a thing I generally try to avoid doing -- that you mean that the Bible contains both passages that are to be understood as plain narrative of fact and passages that are to be understood as allegory. If we proceed on the assumption that that is what you mean, let's examine the meaning of the word 'allegory.' From the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary I quote: "Allegory - 1: the expression by means of symbolic fictional figures and actions of truths or generalizations about human existence; also: an instance (as in a story or painting) of such expression. 2: a symbolic representation: emblem." ..... Now I ask you, as concerning the book of Genesis, where does the narrative of fact end and where does the allegory begin, and with what measure do you discern the difference? Does one not have the same license to say that the story of Noah's ark, or of Abraham, or of Joseph and his brothers may be allegory as to say that the story of creation may be allegory? Could we venture over into the New Testament and call the virgin birth allegory, or the redemptive work of Jesus on the cross allegory? Where does one draw the line? What system of exegesis permits interpretation of biblical text to comply with one's extrabiblical theories? --Hank | ||||||
2 | time | Acts 1:3 | Emmaus | 42910 | ||
Hank, Kalos, Scott, Makarios, May I throw into the mix what I find a helful guide regarding how we should approach the relationship between the literal and spiritual sense of scripture? The senses of Scripture "According to an ancient tradition, one can distinguish between two senses of Scripture: the literal and the spiritual, the latter being subdivided into the allegorical, moral and anagogical senses. The profound concordance of the four senses guarantees all its richness to the living reading of Scripture in the Church. The literal sense is the meaning conveyed by the words of Scripture and discovered by exegesis, following the rules of sound interpretation: "All other senses of Sacred Scripture are based on the literal." The spiritual sense. Thanks to the unity of God's plan, not only the text of Scripture but also the realities and events about which it speaks can be signs. 1. The allegorical sense. We can acquire a more profound understanding of events by recognizing their significance in Christ; thus the crossing of the Red Sea is a sign or type of Christ's victory and also of Christian Baptism. 2. The moral sense. The events reported in Scripture ought to lead us to act justly. As St. Paul says, they were written "for our instruction". 3. The anagogical sense (Greek: anagoge, "leading"). We can view realities and events in terms of their eternal significance, leading us toward our true homeland: thus the Church on earth is a sign of the heavenly Jerusalem. A medieval couplet summarizes the significance of the four senses: The Letter speaks of deeds; Allegory to faith; The Moral how to act; Anagogy our destiny." The Catechism Emmaus |
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3 | time | Acts 1:3 | Hank | 42913 | ||
Emmaus: Hello, friend. That's some interesting material indeed; I've never seen it before. Thanks. The hour is late, my body is tired, my brain threatens to go on strike, but tomorrow, Deo volente, I shall ponder this material at greater length. I trust all is well with you and yours, good night, and may God richly bless. --Hank | ||||||