Allegory
A
n allegory is an extended metaphor in which the characters and/or events are symbols representing other events, ideas, or people. While a typical parable is told in order to teach one important matter, an allegory teaches numerous hidden truths throughout the story. It is a beautiful way of explaining spiritual matters and difficult concepts in easily understood terms and in a relatable context. Interpreting allegory is not the same as allegorical interpretation. The former refers to a type of literature and the latter refers to a type of interpretation. Allegorical interpretation, also called allegorizing, treats a text as an allegory even though it isn’t one. This renders the historical meaning of the Bible and what the author intended meaningless and results in the interpreter reading his or her own ideas into the Scripture. People want to get at the broader theological realities and spiritual truths expressed in biblical allegory, but they are going about it the wrong way when they allegorize Scripture. The first step in interpreting Scripture is determining the type of writing we are
dealing with. Each type has its own guidelines for interpretation. In this instance, once we know we are dealing with an allegory then we must apply the rules for interpreting allegory. How can we tell if we are dealing with an allegory? • There is something in the text or in the cultural background of the original readers that indicates allegory • There are at least two stories—one presented in the straightforward reading of the surface story and one in the way the writer intends the reader to interpret the surface story • Words are used figuratively to make direct comparisons with a plurality of main verbs and mixture of tenses • There are several points of comparison, such as in John 10 where the gate and the good shepherd represent Christ • The story blends factual experience with non-factual experience to emphasize spiritual truths • There may be an accompanying explanation Since allegory is essentially an extended metaphor, the same general rules that
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by steve johnson
