Allegorical Interpretation of Scriptures

[Mart30000]

I have a basic question on the allegorical interpretation or method. I'm trying to understand it better. I'm a little confused.

This method takes the scriptures to get their symbolic or spiritual meaning, right?

But does it recognize the historical/literal meaning? Granted, we can combine the method of seeking historical/literal meaning and symbolic/spiritual meaning.

But my question is: would it be true or false to claim that the allegorical interpretation both recognizes the literal and the symbolic together? Or it is just true to claim that the allegorical interpretation by itself recognizes the symbolic/spiritual meaning? (What's more accurate?)

Thanks for all help!

 

[Shiranui117]

Allegory CAN either dismiss or even reject the historical/literal meaning, though it doesn't have to; Origen of Alexandria is an example of a man who interpreted many passages of Scripture allegorically, while not denying the truth of the history.

Typology is like allegory in that it interprets the passage metaphorically/symbolically/spiritually, but it differs from allegory in that it explicitly affirms the history (unlike allegory which can either affirm or reject the historical/literal interpretation), and simply draws parallels between the story (or elements thereof) and the "antitype," or what the typology is attempting to support. in other words, the Hebrews' crossing of the Red Sea is seen as a typology of baptism. Baptism is the antitype. The crossing of the Red Sea actually happened, but it's also a type/symbol/foreshadowing of baptism.

Does that make sense?

 

[Mart30000]

Yeah, that is what I thought. Thank you.

There are different versions, naturally.

But would you say that the allegorical method per se ignores the historical/literal? Is the latter optional?

So that's my question: is the latter optional or not?

 

[Shiranui117]

It definitely places far more emphasis on the metaphorical/symbolic/spiritual meaning as opposed to the literal/historical. Allegory doesn't have to ignore/reject the literal/historical. It can, but it doesn't have to. Does that answer your question?

 

[Mart30000]

I understand. Thank you!