Quote:
Originally Posted by zeek
As an alternative to the historical-factual method of interpretation that Tomes seems to be advocating, why not consider an historical-metaphorical reading such as Marcus Borg describes as follows?
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I think the issue that has been raised is the abuse done as a result of creating bogus teachings based solely on wild allegories. We have to remember that a literal reading of the Bible was used to abuse the saints at the time of Paul. The Judaizers, which he referred to as the concision, were pushing for all the converted saints to embrace the OT laws. Paul pointed out, through the use of the Hagar analogy in Galatians, that the law had its place and was useful in the same way a nanny is useful in raising a kid. But in the end, the goal is maturity, at some point you no longer need a nanny. Through this allegory he pointed out that there is a circumcision of the heart which is much more effective than what he called the concision.
Likewise, at the time of Ruth a literal translation of the Bible created a conundrum. Was Ruth a Moabitess and therefore marrying her would mar your inheritance. Or, as Boaz pointed out, was she the widow of an Israelite, and according to the law the next of kin was to marry her? Boaz judged according to the heart. This to me is much more effective principle than outlawing the use of allegories or calling literalists purveyors of the dead word.
The heart of the NT is salvation, and mercy and love. That to me is sufficient to debunk the erroneous and self serving teachings of the LSM.