You make some really good points in your post, dear brother ZNPaaneah. Back in the section of dear brother Nigel's article entitled "Some Caveats", a good working definition of "allegorizing" was provided (emphasis mine in the quotation below):
Quote:
|
"One scholar defines, 'allegorizing [as] the interpretive practice of turning into allegory what was not intended to be allegory.'”
|
Allegorizing is "the interpretive practice of turning into allegory what was not intended to be allegory." I find that to be a very helpful definition because it simultaneously allows an allegorical interpretation of portions of Scripture which were originally written as allegories while it also causes me to be cautious about allegorizing the historical accounts and the plain teachings recorded in the Bible.
There is the one lone use of the Greek word for "allegory" in Galatians 4:24, so the point seems to be that allegorizing historical passages and plain teachings should be kept to a minimum. In 1 Cor. 10:6 & 11, Paul makes it very clear that the historical accounts of the children of Israel in the desert were written as warnings for us, for our instruction. Warnings and instruction are the types of things we want to draw from the Bible's historical accounts and plain teachings. These warnings and instructions should be readily discerned by all who love God and fear Him. May we turn and become like little children in all simplicity, not looking to an elite "Allegorizer of the Age" to provide us a steady stream of hidden esoteric teachings. As Nigel's article clearly mentions and as you also pointed out, a too heavy use of allegorizing allows for the introduction of many ungodly teachings and practices amongst God's people.
I really like your closing words: "So I think the thing to realize is that in the end, if the teaching originates from and is based on some allegory, it is a teaching without a solid foundation." Amen and amen!
Dear Lord, save us from going beyond what is written. Save us from desiring special teachings that puff us up and make us feel superior to our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Save us from all man-made systems of error. Dear Lord, have mercy on us all.
Much love to you all in Christ.