Literal interpretation of Biblical verses goes hand in hand with total belief and unquestioning acceptance of the Living Word. When we interpret Scripture through the exclusive lens of the Almighty God, there is that empowerment and enabling of the Holy Spirit. Through this God-ordained process, our faith is incrementally bolstered as we mature spiritually. There is hardly any room for unproductive arguments but a willingness to embrace the truth, which gladdens the soul.
When we digest the Word of God in literal form with a child-like faith, it translates into an unwavering allegiance to one Master. We can only love and serve this One – no one else matters! When there is a robust belief in the Living Word, doubts that bring on fear are thrown aside. The literal approach to understanding Holy Writ brings joy and peace when the soul is continually refreshed by promises that can never be broken. It does feel like having a nourishing meal with fresh servings that are unadulterated. The steak is real beef, the fish is fresh from the sea, and the wine is from an award-winning winery!
Sad to say, there is an antithesis to this God-given process. There the many who take Biblical verses allegorically. It amounts to reducing the truth, making it a mere figure of speech. The uncalled-for watering down of truths is tantamount to partial belief, which is as good as unbelief!
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
For the Word of God to be effective, the supremacy of the Heavenly Father must be acknowledged. He is the literal author of the Living Word. What He tells His children is literal, nothing like a complicated question on a weekend quiz show.
“For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints” (1 Corinthians 14:33).
The allegorical approach shoves God to one side and perhaps out of the picture. Sound doctrine is being made to rub shoulders with man-made incantations. How can the promises of the Living God tango with that which reeks of the fallen nature? How can the Bread of Life party with the brew which spells condemnation?
This is as good as ingesting adulterated food and beverage!
Once earthly philosophy and doctrines of the flesh gel with the Bread of Life, confusion sets in. Allegories allow for a myriad of interpretations which are indeed a form of rebellion against the truth. It becomes an unsavory cut-and-paste procedure that fans the flames of confusion. Straightforward teaching becomes so twisted; not only does it become difficult to understand, but worst of all, it opens the floodgates which usher in the torrent of meaningless arguments and disputes. It only brings laughter to the author of confusion!
“Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation!” (Philippians 3:2).
Allegorizing verses in the Bible is indeed a form of mutilation. This is when words of comfort and assurance lose their efficacy in the tide of unbelief. It only gets worse when individuals are so confused to the point that severely undermines their faith in the Lord. They would swiftly embark on an apostate journey and be easy pickings for the father of lies. It could even make them lose heart amidst the confusion; the next thing on their minds would be other alternatives!
Allegories that dilute the truth can be a tool of manipulation by men and women who heed the call of the enemy’s minions. This has gone on for a very, very long time. During the days of the early church fathers, this heinous trend began with additives from the realm of godless philosophers. The powers that be of the day used this adulterated teaching to oppress the masses while amassing wealth and power. The Roman Catholic church is a notable culprit, and things probably got a whole lot worse with the current pope!
Not just the Catholic church but even movements like the New Apostolic Reformation sound this destructive drumbeat.
Over-spiritualization, in tandem with mindless intellectualization, dominates the current-day adulteration regimen. It merely amounts to nothing more than wholesale trickery; the masses willingly embrace this heap of half-truths because they see it from the intellect of their fallen nature. The people that peddle these concepts are said to be experts in the field of theology – holders of more than a mouthful of earthly credentials. Question is – do they know the Lord?
“Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the traditions of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ” (Colossians 2:8).
It is high time to seek wisdom from above and turn our ears away from contentious literature, websites, and podcasts. Nothing will be gained from these sources that suppress the truth. They only bring heartache and frustration when encouragement becomes discouragement.
But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law, for they are unprofitable and useless” (Titus 3:9).
The stuff that does not profit the soul sows the seeds of doubt. The adversary would pounce on this weak spot and make the most out of it, especially in the times we live in.
They who prefer half-baked allegories to the literal truth have indeed been responsible for mammoth misinterpretations that are in play at this moment. Treating the nation of Israel as nonexistent because of an anti-literal view has been the basis of Replacement Theology. Proponents of this dogma insist that God has forsaken the Jews and the worldly church has taken their place as a chosen race.
This is totally not sound Biblical doctrine.
Because of numerous allegories, the prophetic truth has been brutally discounted. The Blasted Hope has replaced the Blessed Hope. The frightening and genuinely challenging times many live in find no solace in allegories that distort the truth. People that buy into them have no peace; confusing allegories plus increasingly negative narratives are an uncalled-for double whammy where their state of mental health is concerned.
The Bread of Life has to be taken at face value because everything stated is literal. It is this approach that prevents the eye-covering wool from the evil one. We are educated and encouraged through this process. We are therefore set free from the bondage which stems from the fallen nature by the unbridled truth in the Living Word.
Yours in Christ
Edwin
Contact me at edwinuk13@gmail.com