Spiritual Versus Literal Interpretation

Spiritual (Allegorical) Interpretation Versus The Literal Interpretation of God’s Word

The “Deeper Life” movement that came about in the 1960’s “Jesus Movement” has spread to virtually all segments of Christianity. It’s adherents loudly and proudly proclaim that by interpreting the Bible “spiritually” (actually, this term is a misnomer for it has nothing to do with the being spiritual or with the Holy Ghost, and the correct term to use would be “allegory”), they have uncovered great spiritual truths in the Bible never known before. Adherents to this mode of interpreting the Bible view anyone who does not utilize this mode of interpretation as being “carnally-minded.” Thus they exhibit an attitude of superiority over all others who interpret the Bible literally. As noted above, the word “allegory” and not “spiritual” is a better and more accurate description of this mode of interpretation since the Holy Ghost has nothing to do with it since it involves freewheeling the scriptures. This mode of interpretation allows scriptures to be taken out of context and be misapplied in order to arrive at a so-called esoteric or allegorized interpretation that really has nothing to do with what the scriptures are actually, literally saying. Although this mode of interpretation became popular in the 1960s Jesus Movement, it actually has its roots in the Gnosticism of the 2nd century A.D. Those holding to this mode of interpreting the Bible tend to shun the word “allegory” and prefer to call this mode “the spiritual interpretation” in order to give the false impression that the Holy Ghost revealed hidden truths by means of allegorizing the Bible. We shall see later that this is not the case. Now, what do “allegory” and “spiritual” mean?

Allegory is defined as “a figurative treatment of one subject under the guise of another; a symbolic narrative.” Spiritual is defined as “of spirit or the soul; of sacred things or matters; of or belonging to the church.” Those holding to the allegorical mode of interpretation teach that the entire written Word of God is to be understood as an allegory, rather than literally. Even literal places and events in the Bible are to be understood as allegory and not literal. Adherents of this view do not have room for a literal interpretation of literal places or events as recorded in the Bible. Now, out of fairness, it must be said that many events recorded in the Bible, especially in the Old Testament did indeed picture a future event, but that future event was literal as well and not allegorical (Col. 2:17; Heb. 10:1). Take for example, Abraham’s attempted sacrifice of Isaac (Gen. 22:1-13). Not only was this to reveal to Abraham the depths of his faith in God, but it was also a picture-prophecy of God sacrificing His only-begotten Son for our sins. This event literally happened and as a picture-prophecy, had its fulfillment in God literally sacrificing His only begotten Son on the cross (Jn. 3:16). Another example is that of Jonah in the belly of the great fish for 3 days and nights (Jonah 1:17). This was a literal event, and was also a picture-prophecy of Christ being dead for 3 days and nights before being resurrected (Matt. 12:40). Again, both events literally occurred. To say that the entire Bible is to be interpreted allegorically is wrong and paves the way for further error and heresy, for error and heresy can only produce more error and heresy; they cannot produce truth. By insisting on an allegorical interpretation of the Bible, those adhering to this false mode of interpretation are attempting to turn New Testament Christianity into another “mystery religion” which were commonplace among pagans. So-called “Esoteric Christianity” is one such example of this attempt. As noted earlier, the modern movement to interpret the Bible allegorically began in the 60’s and 70s with the Jesus Movement. The youth of that time were dissatisfied with their churches and sought after

something deeper and more meaningful. As a result, many became atheistic or agnostic. Others joined the various Eastern religious cults, and yet others turned to their Bibles and sought a deeper understanding of God’s Word. This paved the way for satan to introduce in the guise of a “deeper life,” the allegorical method of interpreting the Bible. In this way, satan can nullify the literal truths in the Bible and replace them with his own falsehoods by reinterpreting the Bible as allegory, thus making it mean what he wants it to mean, rather than what it actualy means. Thus elements of ancient Gnosticism were reintroduced in the guise of a deeper understanding of God’s Word. Those holding to an allegorical interpretation of the Bible point to a variety of scriptures and use them as proof-texts for the claim that God intended for His Word to be interpreted allegorically, and as we shall see, many of these verses have been taken out of context or redefined so as to give the appearance of supporting the false allegorical mode of interpretation. Below is a list of the primary verses of scripture that are commonly used as proof-text in support of interpreting the Bible allegorically, and these will be examined in the order that they are listed: Isaiah 55:8, 9 Jn. 4:24 Jn. 6:63 Rom. 7:6 Rom 8:5-8 1Cor. 1:17; 2:4-14 2Cor. 3:6, 14-16 At this point, in order to understand why Romans 7:6 through 2Corinthians 3:6, 14-17 are used to support the allegorical mode of interpretation, it is necessary to point out that in order for these scriptures to be used, a major redefining of the terms has

taken place in order to force these verses to appear to support allegorically interpreting the Bible. “Carnal, law, letter, wisdom of words, man’s wisdom, wisdom of men, natural man” have all been redefined to mean the “literal mode of interpretation” of God’s Word and make it appear that those who interpret the Bible literally are carnal, rather than spiritually minded. On the other hand, “Spirit” and “spiritual” have been redefined to mean the allegorical mode of interpretation and the obvious intent is to convey the erroneous idea that those who are spiritual interpret the Bible allegorically, thus we have a improper attempt to make the Bible conform to that false mode of interpretation, and amounts to improper, if not outright dishonest handling of God’s Word. Isaiah 55:8, 9: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” God’s sovereignty and omniscience are shown by this statement. Verse 8 in Hebrew actually reads, “My purposes (intentions) and directions are higher than your purposes (intentions) and directions, says YHWH.” The verse simply means that while God may certainly be known by men, He is still incomprehensible in the total nature of His Person and purposes. He therefore reveals Himself to men by His Word which shall not return in vain (verse 11). This verse has absolutely nothing to do with interpreting the Bible allegorically.

John 4:24: “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” This verse is a favorite proof-text of those who insist on interpreting the Bible allegorically. The reasoning behind using this verse is that since God is a Spirit, He uses spiritual

(allegorical) language instead of speaking literally. Those worshipping Him must do so with allegorical understanding and truth conveyed by the allegory. The truth of the matter is that the first four words in this verse are describing God’s nature or being. He is spirit, not flesh and blood. The rest of the verse merely tells us that worship of God must be led and directed by the Holy Ghost, and must be based on truth as contained in the inspired, written Word of God, and not according to man’s doctrines or philosophies (compare with Joshua 24:4). This verse has nothing to do with interpreting the Bible allegorically. John 6:63: “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life.” In the last part of this verse, “spirit” has been redefined by adherents of interpreting the Bible allegorically to mean “spiritual” (allegorical). Jesus said His words are “spirit,” not spiritual (allegorical). Making “spirit” mean “spiritual” (allegorical) makes Jesus say something Hi didn’t say. What Jesus was saying in this verse is that, “the words that I speak unto you, they are LIFE-GIVING and they are in fact, LIFE.” Plainly stated, His words give and sustain our spiritual man, that new nature within us. When we no longer feed our spiritual man the Word of God by studying it and applying it, we starve the spiritual man and eventually the old nature begins to manifest itself and takes control. This verse has nothing to do with interpreting God’s Word allegorically. Romans 7:6: “But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.” This is another favorite scripture appealed as a proof-text for interpreting the Bible allegorically. Allegorists tell us that Paul was contrasting two modes of interpretation – the literal with the allegorical, with the allegorical mode the one to be used. “The

letter” is said to be the literal interpretation, and “newness of spirit” is said to refer to the allegorical mode of interpretation. However, the contrast is NOT between two modes of interpretation as they would have us believe, but between two methods of divine dealing: one through the Mosaic Law, and the other through the Holy Ghost. “Letter” does not mean “literal interpretation,” but is a Paulism for the Mosaic Law Code, just as he used “spirit” in Romans 2:29 and 2Corinthians 3:6 to refer to the relationships and powers of new life in Jesus Christ. This same contrast is also seen in 2Cor. 3 and will be dealt with later. As we have seen, this verse has nothing to do with interpreting the Bible allegorically, and again we have seen words redefined in an effort to make this verse appear to support interpreting the Bible allegorically. Romans 8:5-8: “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” In these verses redefining of words has once again taken place in order to force them to support interpreting the Bible allegorically, for “carnally minded” and “carnal” are redefined to mean “literal minded” and “literal” respectively, thus labeling those who interpret the Bible literally “carnally minded” and “carnal” whereas those who interpret the Bible allegorically are the spiritual (Greek: minding the Spirit) ones. Using this line of thought, this makes those of us who interpret the Bible literally to be at enmity, that is, in a state of war against God, and those who are minding the Spirit (spiritual) are the ones who interpret the Bible allegorically. In truth, these verses really teach noting of the sort, for “carnally minded” DOES NOT mean taking God’s Word literally, as they would have us believe. In fact, to be “carnally

minded” is to have one’s life dominated by the sin nature (flesh), and “spiritually minded” DOES NOT mean to view God’s Word allegorically, but to be controlled by the Holy Ghost and the new nature. Christians who are dominated by the sin nature cannot please God because they haven’t crucified their flesh so that they can be totally controlled by the Holy Ghost. Again, the context contrasts life in the Spirit (controlled by the Holy Ghost) with life controlled by the sin nature. And is NOT a contrast between interpreting the Bible allegorically and literally as allegorists would have us believe. 1Corinthians 1:17: “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be of none effect.” Here it is claimed that “wisdom of words” refers to the literal interpretation of the Bible, as well as referring back to the Bible’s original languages. Allegorists have demonstrated an aversion for appealing to the Hebrew, Aramaic and Koine Greek languages to clarify the meaning of words, hence clarifying the meaning of a scripture. They have this aversion since appealing to the Bible’s original languages has no place in interpreting the Bible allegorically and has been used to refute the allegorical interpretation. Actually, Paul was saying nothing of the sort, but was saying that he did not use eloquent speech, but simple every day language to preach the Gospel. In other words, he did not use university level terminology to preach the Gospel, but used simple, down to earth language that everyone could understand (See 1Cor. 2:1, 4, 13). It has often been noted that those who hold to an allegorical interpretation have contempt for any who refer back to the Bible’s original languages because they view it as being “carnally minded,” and they also know that the Bible’s original languages destroy their allegorical interpretations. 1Corinthains 2:4-14: “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the

Spirit and of power. That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to naught. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory. Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, ‘EYE HATH NOT SEEN, NOR EAR HEARD, NEITHER HAVE ENTERED INTO THE HEART OF MAN, THE THINGS WHICH GOD HATH PREPARED FOR THEM THAT LOVE HIM.’ But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so the things of God knoweth no man , but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they ar spiritually discerned.” In the use of this context of verses, we once again have words that have been redefined by those who allegorize the Bible. In verses 4&5 “man’s wisdom” is redefined to mean the literal interpretation of the Bible based upon man’s wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. In verse 6 “wisdom of the world” is also redefined to mean the literal interpretation, and in verse 7 “we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery” and “hidden wisdom are interpreted to mean that the “mystery” is the allegorical mode of interpretation. Verses 8&9 are likewise interpreted to mean that the Holy Ghost reveals the allegorical interpretation. The clause “comparing spiritual things (Greek: matters) with spiritual” at the last part of verse 13 is interpreted to mean “comparing spiritual

things with allegorical words.” Now, I will say that those who use the allegorical mode of interpretation are correct in explaining that the language of the Holy Ghost is spiritual, ie., life-giving. The language of the Holy Ghost breaks down all barriers and reaches into the hearts of men. Although the Holy Ghost can and does use allegory to accomplish this (see the parables of Jesus for example), this verse is not saying that allegory is THE language of the Holy Ghost as allegorists would have us believe. It merely means that the Holy Ghost uses words that pierce the hearts of men. In verse 14 “natural man” is defined to mean “the literally minded man” and “spiritual is again redefined to mean “allegorically.” In truth, “natural man” refers to the unsaved man – someone who has never been born again of the Spirit and Word of God (Jn. 3:3-7; Eph. 5:26). In an effort to get around this fact, those who adhere on the allegorical mode of interpretation claim that “carnal mind” and “natural man” are synonymous. This, of course is in error, for “carnal” refers to the Christian who has not completely died out to self, and is thus dominated by the sin nature. “Natural man” means just that. He has not experienced the New Birth and remains in his sinful, unregenerated state, so in truth, this context of verses doesn’t support the allegorical mode of interpretation. 2Corinthians 3:6, 14-16: “Who hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life…But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same veil untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which veil is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart. Nonetheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away.” In this context of verses, “letter” is again redefined to mean the literal interpretation, and these verses are forced to teach that those who interpret the Bible literally are “spiritually blind” for it

is claimed that the Holy Ghost reveals the allegorical interpretation of scripture. They further claim that the literal interpretation of scripture kills the spiritual nature, whereas interpreting scripture allegorically gives it life. Just as we saw at Romans 7:6, they claim that in these verses Paul is contrasting the literal interpretation of scripture with the allegorical with the allegorical mode being preferred as the superior one. Yes, Paul is indeed making a contrast, but it is of two methods of divine dealing just as at Romans 7:6. He is contrasting the Old Covenant (Mosaic Law) with the New Covenant and showing that the New Covenant is superior to the Old. The Old Covenant was through Moses, but the New Covenant is through the Holy Ghost and is therefore superior. As mentioned previously, “letter” is a Paulism meaning the Mosaic Law just as “spirit” is used by Paul to relate the powers and relationships of the new life in Christ. Those who insisted that the Law of Moses was still in force were blind to the fact that it had been fulfilled and taken out of the way by Jesus Christ and replaced with the new and better covenant. Because the Law was taken out of the way, we do not have to observe feast days, ceremonial washings, or offer up animal sacrifices as sin offerings. We are free from these things because they were fulfilled in Christ. That’s why 2Corinthians 3:17 says, “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit is, there is liberty.” So this context of verses really doesn’t support the allegorical mode of interpretation at all. Those who insist on interpreting the Bible allegorically delight in denouncing those who interpret the Bible literally as “modern day Pharisees” which is far from the truth. It has been observed that those who interpret scripture allegorically do not pay attention to context, nor do they consider what other verses in other parts of the Bible say on the same subject they are allegorizing to mean something different, and in

doing so, they contradict the Word of God, as well as adding to and taking from God’s Word. Consider these examples: 1.

2.

I have actually heard allegorists teach that “the messenger” of Malachi 3:1 is NOT John the Baptist, but is actually the Holy Ghost. They claim that it is a “doctrine of men” to teach that this foretold messenger was John. Note too, that Isaiah 40:3 is a prophecy of the same thing. Now, how can it be a “doctrine of men” to teach that this messenger was John the Baptist when Jesus Himself said that it was (Matt. 11:7-11)? How can it be a “doctrine of men” when the Gospel writers, who wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost declared that this messenger was John the Baptist (2Pet. 1:20-21; Mark 1:2; Lk. 3:1-6)? How can it be a “doctrine of men” when Zecharias, the father of John, being filled with the Holy Ghost and speaking under His direction said it referred to John (Lk. 1:67-79)? John the Baptist admitted that he was the one prophesied (Jn. 1:23). The four living creatures seen by the prophet Ezekiel by the river Chebar at Ezekiel 1 are claimed by the allegorists to represent the born again, Sppirit filled Christian. However, the allegorists overlook the fact that Ezekiel himself identifies the four living creatures as “Cherubs” (which is an order of angelic being) at Ezekiel 10:15, 20. That these four living creatures do not represent the born again, Spirit filled Christian is further established by John the Revelator who describes these very same beings joining the 24 elders (the Church) in praising God.

There are many other examples I could give demonstrating the fallacy of allegorizing the Bible, but I hope these two examples will suffice. Tjose who allegorize the Bible in their zeal to glean hidden truths from the scriptures have actually disregarded what the Bible truly says in favor of their own esoteric interpretations. They do not follow proper principles of

interpretation and engage in scripture free-wheeling. They have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge (Romans 10:2), and have actually been blinded by the god of this world and deceived into following practices of ancient pagan mystery religions, and have resorted to improper, if not outright dishonest practices such as redefining words and engaging in term-switching to force the Bible to support their mode of interpretation.