I am posting this here because it applies here, but I have also posted this on the 'Can we agree' thread.
hi Philis,
Well, I think by now the answer would seem to be a clear 'no'. I hope that you don't misunderstand my intention and knowledge of the Scriptures. Certianly there are contained within the Scriptures between the, "Let there be..." to "Now the dwelling of men is with God..." allegory, simile and metaphor. After all, Jesus even told his disciples that there was a purpose in his speaking to Israel in parables. However, that was also fulfillment of a prophecy in which we were told that the Messiah would speak to the people in parables. Because God has already made it abundantly clear to Israel what He expected, Jesus then came to them and spoke in parables so that still most of them, certainly those who couldn't believe or accept the plain truth, would still not understand. He tells his disciples that that was the very reason he spoke to them in parables.
However, just because we agree that the Scriptures do use allegory, simile, metaphor and parable doesn't mean that everything spoken is of that nature. Most of, some greater than 90%, of God's word, His written revelation to mankind is true and factual. Now, everyone agrees, I'm sure if they've studied basic english, that a simile or metaphor is a linguistic tool that makes a point or truth known by using some word or phrase that is understood in it's similarity to the point or truth.
When the Scriptures say that 'they will rise up as on eagle's wings,' it is understood that we will be lifted up with similar equality to what is known as one of the most powerful animal forces that flies higher than any other bird in all of God's creation.
Now, dictionary.com defines allegory as: The representation of abstract ideas or principles by characters, figures, or events in narrative, dramatic, or pictorial form.
So, here's the question: What is the abstract idea, or the prinicple that is represented in God's narrative of the creation whereby He causes to be written that each day consisted of an evening and a morning? Let's agree that God did not intend for us to understand that the day was actually an evening and a morning, but that phrase represented an abstract idea or principle that He wanted to convey. What is that abstract idea or principle?
You see, I'm not willing to accept the argument that because in some other place God uses allegory, simile, metaphor or parable, that He must therefore be doing that in this place unless you can explain to me how such an allegory, simile, mataphor or parable applies to what He has caused to be written in this place.
I mean, yes, I can read Jesus' parables and see the underlying message of that parable and Jesus even explains a few of them for his disciples. Yes, I can read that we are lifted up as on the wings of eagles and clearly understand what picture and understanding that metaphor paints for the reader. But I don't see the allegorical or metaphorical meaning of the statement, "and there was evening and morning the first day." I can't find any record of such a literary device ever being used in all of mankinds writings.
I can find thousands of references in song and writing where someone might speak of the downtrodden and lonely being lifted up as on the wings of eagles, but I can't find any explanation by which I can understand this allegory or metaphor that says, 'and there was evening and morning the first day.'
Help me please. Show me any, any absolutely any literary use in any other written matter that has ever been penned in all the days of the world where someone used this allegory and explain what it means other than the description of a day. Just one. That's all I ask. If any of you are so set that this single phrase is obviously an allegory, then show me one single use of it in all of history.
God bless you.
In Christ, Ted
