Bible Question:
Boy, This really got off on the wrong track. I believe events described in the Bible are reality, one hundered percent.I'm not trying to debate that and that's not what I meant by the question. Let me try to make it more clear. As all Bible scholars would agree, information in scripture is often presented in an allegorical fashion, such as Jesus using parables to teach a lesson, rather than just stating the purpose out straight. Much other information in the Bible is also allegorical, such as the picture of a bride representing God's people and the groomm representing Christ. My question is this: "Why does God choose to present information in scripture through the use of allegory?" I'd like some feedback I can share with my Bible study group. Thanks, Carrie Husarcik |
Bible Answer: Greetings Carrie! It is not generally accepted that the Bible uses allegory. Allegories usually involve detailed stories where every single detail symbolizes something. Scripture certainly uses parables, but parables differ from allegories in that parables only teach one point. However, to answer your question, read: Matt. 13:10-17, Mark 4:10-12, and Luke 8:9-10. The Bible Knowledge Commentary says of the Matt. 13:10-17 passage: *********************************** The disciples immediately noticed a change in Jesus’ method of teaching. They came and asked Him directly why He was speaking in parables. The Lord gave three reasons. First, He was communicating through parables in order to continue to reveal truth to His disciples (Matt. 13:11-12a). The Lord said He was making known to them the secrets of the kingdom of heaven. The word “secrets” is translated “mysteries” in other Bible versions and in most of its other NIV occurrences. This term in the New Testament referred to truths not revealed in the Old Testament but which now were made known to those instructed. Why did Matthew frequently use the term “kingdom of heaven” whereas Mark, Luke, and John used only “kingdom of God” and never “kingdom of heaven”? Some scholars answer that “heaven” was a softened reference to God by Jews who, out of reverence, avoided saying the word “God.” However, Matthew did occasionally write “kingdom of God” (12:28; 19:24; 21:31, 43). And he used the word “God” almost 50 times. A distinction seems intended: The “kingdom of God” never includes unsaved people, but the “kingdom of heaven” includes both saved people and also others who profess to be Christians but are not. This is seen in the Parable of the Wheat and Weeds (see comments on 13:24-30, 36-43), the Parable of the Mustard Seed (see comments on vv. 31-35), and the Parable of the Net (see comments on vv. 47-52). Significantly Jesus did not speak of any “mysteries” concerning the kingdom of heaven until the nation had made its decision concerning Him. That decision was made by the leaders when they attributed His divine power to Satan (9:34; 12:22-37). Now Jesus unveiled certain additional facts not given in the Old Testament about His reign on earth. Many Old Testament prophets had predicted that the Messiah would deliver the nation Israel and establish His kingdom on the earth. Jesus came and offered the kingdom (4:17), but the nation rejected Him (12:24). In view of that rejection what would happen to God’s kingdom? The “secrets” of the kingdom now reveal that an entire Age would intervene between Israel’s rejection of the King and her later acceptance of Him. Second, Jesus spoke in parables to hide the truth from unbelievers. The secrets of the kingdom would be given to the disciples, but would be hidden from the religious leaders who rejected Him (13:11b, but not to them). In fact, even what they had previously known would no longer be clear to them (v. 12). Jesus’ parabolic instruction thus carried with it a judgmental aspect. By using parables in public, Jesus could preach to as many individuals as before, but He could then draw the disciples aside and explain to them fully the meaning of His words. Third, He spoke in parables in order to fulfill Isaiah 6:9-10. As Isaiah began his ministry, God told him that people would not comprehend his message. Jesus experienced the same kind of response. He preached the Word of God and many people saw but they did not truly perceive; they heard but did not . . . understand (Matt. 13:13-15). By contrast, the disciples were blessed because they were privileged to see (understand) and hear these truths (v. 16), truths that people in Old Testament times longed to know (v. 17; cf. 1 Peter 1:10-11). Jesus’ disciples heard the same truths as the national leaders, but their response was entirely different. The disciples saw and believed; the leaders saw and rejected. Since the leaders turned from the light they had been given, God gave them no additional light. *********************************** I hope this helps! Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |