The allegorical interpretation method of biblical interpretation has been popular throughout church history, but it has some significant flaws. Here is an overview of what the allegorical method is and why it can be problematic:
What is the Allegorical Interpretation Method?
The allegorical method sees the Bible, particularly the Old Testament, as having hidden or secret meanings beyond the surface-level meaning of the text. Allegorists believe that biblical texts have multiple layers of meaning, and they seek to uncover deeper, allegorical truths behind the literal words on the page.
With this approach, interpreters ignore or downplay the plain, original meaning of a text. Instead, they assign symbolic meanings that are detached from the author’s intent. Allegorical interpreters see parables, symbols, and types everywhere in Scripture.
For example, an allegorical interpreter might argue that the two spies Rahab hid in Jericho actually represent the church hiding the Word of God. Or they may say the scarlet cord Rahab hung from her window symbolizes the blood of Christ covering believers. The text itself gives no indication that it should be interpreted this way.
The allegorical method imports foreign meanings into the text rather than drawing meaning out of the text through careful exegesis. It relies more on the creativity and imagination of the interpreter than the objective meaning of Scripture.
Examples of Problems with Allegorical Interpretation
Here are some examples of how allegorical interpreters twist the meaning of biblical texts:
- Some say Abraham’s two wives, Sarah and Hagar, represent the Old and New Covenants. But Genesis portrays them as historical people, not symbols of abstract concepts.
- Some argue the twelve gems on the high priest’s breastpiece represent the twelve apostles. But Exodus depicts them as literal gems with no symbolic significance.
- Some allegorists interpret the Song of Solomon as describing Christ’s love for the church. But the book portrays the real romance between Solomon and his bride.
- Origen argued that the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37) should be interpreted allegorically. The man attacked represents Adam. Jerusalem represents paradise. Jericho represents the moon. The robbers represent the hostile powers. The priest represents the Law. The Levite represents the Prophets. The Samaritan represents Christ. The inn represents the church. But Jesus told this parable to illustrate practical neighborly love.
As these examples demonstrate, allegorical interpreters invest unwarranted meaning into texts while missing the plain meaning. They twist Scripture to say things the original authors never intended.
Problems with the Allegorical Method
Here are some of the main problems with using the allegorical interpretation method:
- It ignores authorial intent – Allegorical interpreters downplay the human author’s original meaning. But sound interpretation starts by understanding what the divinely inspired human writers meant to communicate.
- It ignores context – Allegorists extract meanings without considering the historical, cultural, and literary context surrounding each passage. This leads to decontextualized interpretations.
- It is subjective – Allegorical interpretations rely more on the imagination of the reader than the objectivity of the text. Different readers can assign wildly different hidden meanings.
- It misses the plain meaning – Allegorists look beyond the obvious meaning of words and passages to find secret meanings, when the plain meaning is what is most important.
- It mishandles biblical genres – Allegorical interpreters will even give prophetic, poetic, and apocalyptic texts allegorical treatments, instead of recognizing their distinctive genres and interpreting them accordingly.
- It introduces foreign ideas – Allegorists import ideas completely foreign to the text based on their own subjective inclinations.
- It allows distortion – Since allegorical interpretations are unrestrained by the text itself, passages can be twisted to say whatever the interpreter desires.
- It leads to false doctrine – Church history shows how allegorical methods can lead to unbiblical views, like the Roman Catholic veneration of saints and relics.
In summary, allegorical interpretation arbitrarily disregards the rules of sound hermeneutics. It imposes external ideas onto Scripture and enables twisting of meaning. This method provides no controls or restraints on the interpreter’s imagination.
What the Bible Says About Interpretation
The Bible itself argues against allegorical methods and provides principles for sound interpretation. Here is a sampling of biblical guidelines for proper biblical interpretation:
- “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)
- “Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation.” (2 Peter 1:20)
- “And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.” (1 Corinthians 2:13)
- “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
These verses argue for carefully handling Scripture according to its original meaning – not allegorizing. The Bible is God’s Word and must be interpreted reasonably according to authorial intent, literary context, and accepted genres – not imaginative hidden meanings.
Better Alternative Interpretation Methods
Rather than allegorical interpretation, evangelical scholars advocate grammatical-historical interpretation. This method seeks the plain meaning of a text based on grammar, historical background, literary context, and scriptural harmony. It recognizes literal and figurative language, acknowleding genres like poetry, prophecy, apocalyptic, and parables.
Grammatical-historical interpretation handles each passage on its own terms, based on authorial intent. It relies on the text itself rather than creative imagination. It understands the Bible in its historical setting and traces the progress of revelation across redemptive history. And it interprets passages in light of the whole counsel of Scripture.
God inspired the biblical authors to communicate His truth. Therefore, the most faithful approach is to interpret Scripture by its explicit statements and its literary context – not by allegorizing meanings alien to the text. The plain, grammatical-historical sense is the normative interpretation.
Sound hermeneutics require understanding the original context, word meanings, literary forms, and historical background. The Bible is best interpreted literally unless the genre demands figurative language. The wise approach is to let Scripture interpret Scripture, not allegorizing imaginative meanings into texts.
The allegorical method imposes external ideas onto the text and ignores the passage’s intent. But faithful interpreters must be controlled by Scripture itself – God’s inerrant, sufficient, and authoritative Word – not unrestrained imagination. Scripture’s inherent meaning must guide all interpretation and doctrinal formulation.