Discerning Allegory vs New Doctrine in Scripture

The distinction between allegory and new doctrine in Scripture is crucial for understanding the biblical text and its application to Christian life. An allegory is a figure of speech where one thing represents another, often conveying a deeper meaning beyond the literal interpretation ^[1].

In the biblical context, allegories and parables are used interchangeably, although some sources distinguish between them. For instance, a parable is described as "a placing beside; a comparison" ^[4]. The Bible contains numerous examples of allegories and parables, such as Nathan's narrative to David (2 Sam. 12:1-4) and the allegory of the vine in Psalm 80 ^[2].

The apostle Paul uses allegory in Galatians 4:24, interpreting the story of Isaac and Ishmael as an allegory. This demonstrates that the biblical authors themselves employed allegorical interpretations of historical events to convey spiritual truths ^{[1, 2]}. However, the use of allegory raises questions about how to distinguish between the original meaning of a text and its allegorical interpretation.

The challenge lies in determining when a biblical passage is meant to be taken literally and when it is allegorical. Some passages, like Jesus' parables, are clearly intended to be allegorical, as they are comparisons between earthly and heavenly things ^[4]. However, other passages may be more ambiguous, requiring careful interpretation to discern their intended meaning.

The interpretation of allegory is closely tied to the issue of new doctrine. The New Testament writers often cited the Old Testament, but not always in a straightforward manner. For example, when Luke refers to Exodus 3:6, he quotes from "Moses at the bush," indicating that he is referencing a specific section of Scripture rather than a precise verse ^[3]. This flexible approach to quoting Scripture raises questions about how to understand the relationship between the Old and New Testaments.

In the context of Christian doctrine, it is essential to distinguish between allegorical interpretations and new doctrine introduced by the New Testament writers. The apostle Paul warns against being "carried about with divers and strange doctrines" ^[5]. This warning highlights the importance of discerning between legitimate allegorical interpretations and novel teachings that may not be grounded in Scripture.

Ministers of the gospel are called to proclaim the New Testament with clarity, avoiding the obscurity that characterized the Old Testament dispensation ^[8]. According to Matthew Henry, the gospel is a more clear dispensation than the law, and ministers should not obscure or darken the things they should make plain ^[8]. This emphasis on clarity underscores the need for careful interpretation and discernment when approaching allegorical passages.

The preacher's task, as described by John Gill, involves seeking out "acceptable words" that convey right ideas to the minds of men ^[6]. This requires a deep understanding of Scripture and the ability to distinguish between allegory and new doctrine. By carefully examining the biblical text and its interpretation, Christians can gain a deeper understanding of the distinction between allegory and new doctrine, ensuring that their faith is grounded in the teachings of Scripture.

The biblical text itself provides guidance on this issue. For instance, the writer of Hebrews emphasizes the importance of not being carried away by diverse and strange teachings, highlighting the need for a unified doctrine ^[5]. Similarly, the apostle Paul warns against teaching "another doctrine" that differs from the biblical teachings ^[7].

Sources

Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Allegory — a figure of speech, which has been defined by Bishop Marsh, in accordance with its etymology as, "a representation of one thing which is intended to excite the representation of another thing." ("A figurative representation containing a meaning other than and in addition to the literal." "A fable or parable; is a short allegory with one definite moral."--Encyc. Brit.) In every allegory there is a twofold sense--the immediate or historic, which is understood from the words, and the ultimate, which is concerned with the things signified by the words. The alle”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Allegory — Used only in Gal. 4:24, where the apostle refers to the history of Isaac the free-born, and Ishmael the slave-born, and makes use of it allegorically. Every parable is an allegory. Nathan (2 Sam. 12:1-4) addresses David in an allegorical narrative. In the eightieth Psalm there is a beautiful allegory: "Thou broughtest a vine out of Egypt," etc. In Eccl. 12:2-6, there is a striking allegorical description of old age.”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Quotations — From the Old Testament in the New, which are very numerous, are not made according to any uniform method. When the New Testament was written, the Old was not divided, as it now is, into chapters and verses, and hence such peculiarities as these: When Luke (20:37) refers to Ex. 3:6, he quotes from "Moses at the bush", i.e., the section containing the record of Moses at the bush. So also Mark (2:26) refers to 1 Sam. 21:1-6, in the words, "in the days of Abiathar;" and Paul (Rom. 11:2) refers to 1 Kings ch. 17-19, in the words, "in Elias", i.e., in the port”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Parable — (Gr. parabole), a placing beside; a comparison; equivalent to the Heb. mashal, a similitude. In the Old Testament this is used to denote (1) a proverb (1 Sam. 10:12; 24:13; 2 Chr. 7:20), (2) a prophetic utterance (Num. 23:7; Ezek. 20:49), (3) an enigmatic saying (Ps. 78:2; Prov. 1:6). In the New Testament, (1) a proverb (Mark 7:17; Luke 4:23), (2) a typical emblem (Heb. 9:9; 11:19), (3) a similitude or allegory (Matt. 15:15; 24:32; Mark 3:23; Luke 5:36; 14:7); (4) ordinarily, in a more restricted sense, a comparison of earthly with heavenly things, "an eart”
Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 13:9: Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines,.... The word "divers" may denote the variety and multitude of other doctrines; referring either to the various rites and ceremonies of the law, or to the traditions of the elders, or to the several doctrines of men, whether Jews or Gentiles; whereas the doctrine of the Scriptures, of Christ, and his apostles, is but one; it is uniform, and all of a piece; and so may likewise denote the disagreement of other doctrines with the perfections of God, the person and offices of Christ, the Scriptures of truth, the anal”
Ecclesiastes (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ecclesiastes 12:10: The preacher sought to find out acceptable words,.... Not mere words, fine and florid ones, the words which man's wisdom teacheth, an elegant style, or eloquent language; not but that it is proper for a preacher to seek out and use words suitable and apt to convey right ideas to the minds of men of what he says; but doctrines are rather here meant, "words of desire", "delight", and "pleasure" (d), as the phrase may be rendered; even of God's good will and pleasure, so Alshech; for the same word is sometimes used of God in this book and elsewhere: see Ecc 3:1; a”
1 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Timothy 6:3: If any man teach otherwise,.... Or another doctrine, as the Syriac version renders it; a doctrine different from what the apostle had now taught, concerning the duty of servants to their masters; as did the false teachers, who despised dominion or government; not only civil government, and so spoke evil of rulers and magistrates; and church government, and therefore reviled the apostles, elders, and pastors of churches; but family government, and encouraged disobedience to parents and masters; see Pe2 2:10 or teach another doctrine, from that of the Bible, of Chris”
2 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Corinthians 3:12: In these verses the apostle draws two inferences from what he had said about the Old and New Testament: - I. Concerning the duty of the ministers of the gospel to use great plainness or clearness of speech. They ought not, like Moses, to put a veil upon their faces, or obscure and darken those things which they should make plain. The gospel is a more clear dispensation than the law; the things of God are revealed in the New Testament, not in types and shadows, and ministers are much to blame if they do not set spiritual things, and gospel-truth and grace, ”

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