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Separating Symbolism from Scriptural Doctrine in Biblical Interpretation

Biblical interpretation often requires distinguishing between symbolic language and explicit doctrinal statements to accurately understand the text's intended meaning. This distinction is crucial because the Bible employs various literary forms, including parables, metaphors, and types, alongside direct theological assertions [3].

A doctrine, in a theological sense, refers to a set of beliefs or teachings, often systematically articulated. The Scriptures are considered the written form of divine revelation, preserving and propagating truth [4]. These doctrines are not merely records of revelation but are themselves the revelation [4]. For instance, the "doctrine of Christ" encompasses the core teachings about Jesus, which, while having simpler "principles" or "milk" for new believers, are not to be abandoned but built upon [9]. Similarly, the "doctrine of wisdom" in the Apocryphal book of Wisdom of Solomon is presented in two parts: its moral and intellectual aspects, and its historical manifestations [1].

Symbolism, on the other hand, involves the use of signs, figures, or representations to convey deeper meanings. A "sign" can be a miraculous event or a distinguishing mark [12]. Parables, for example, are comparisons or similitudes that illustrate one subject by another, sometimes even encompassing short proverbs or enigmatic maxims [3]. The New Testament uses the Greek word parabole broadly for such illustrations [3].

The distinction between doctrine and symbolism is evident in how biblical authors and later interpreters approach certain concepts. For example, the outward rite of circumcision was intended as a symbol of separation unto holy devotedness to God. When this inner reality is absent, the outward symbol loses its significance [7]. Similarly, Jewish ritual washings and John's baptism served as precursors or "analogues" to Christian baptism, suggesting a symbolic continuity and development in understanding [10]. The "doctrine of baptisms" in Hebrews 6:2, for instance, refers to both Jewish and Christian practices, indicating a progression from symbolic purifications to the Christian sacrament [10].

Interpreters are cautioned against being "carried about with divers and strange doctrines" that deviate from the unified truth found in Christ [8, 13]. These "strange" doctrines are foreign to the truth and differ from the consistent faith taught by those in authority [13]. This emphasis on doctrinal consistency underscores the need to discern core teachings from potentially misleading interpretations of symbolic elements.

The process of interpretation itself involves "comparing spiritual things with spiritual" [6]. This means expounding Spirit-inspired Old Testament Scripture by comparing it with the Gospel revealed by the same Spirit, and conversely, illustrating Gospel mysteries by comparing them with Old Testament types [6]. This method, advocated by figures like Grotius and Chrysostom, highlights how symbols and types in earlier revelation find their fulfillment and clearer meaning in later, more explicit doctrinal statements [6]. Chrysostom further emphasizes that the Holy Spirit provides "accurate knowledge" of "the deep things of God," indicating that true understanding comes from divine insight rather than human speculation [11].

The Bible itself does not offer a theoretical explanation for the "mystery" of prayer, yet it provides doctrine on its nature and efficacy, along with directions and examples [5]. This suggests that while the underlying mechanics of prayer might remain mysterious, its practical and theological significance is clearly taught as doctrine [5].

The development of Christian thought has often involved clarifying doctrine in light of symbolic language. Early Christian writers and later theologians have sought to articulate core beliefs, often drawing on the symbolic richness of the Old Testament and the direct teachings of the New Testament. The "versions" or translations of the Holy Scriptures are considered important aids to the "right interpretation of the Word," indicating the ongoing effort to accurately convey the original meaning, including the distinction between symbolic representation and doctrinal truth [2].

Sources

  1. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Wisdom, The, Of Solomon — a, book of the Apocrypha, may be divided into two parts, the first, chs. 1-9, containing the doctrine of wisdom in its moral and intellectual aspects: the second, the doctrine of wisdom as shown in history. chs. 10-19. The first part contains the praise of wisdom as the source of immortality, in contrast with the teaching of sensualists; and next the praise of wisdom as the guide of practical and intellectual life, the stay of princes, and the interpreter of the universe. The second part, again, follows the action of wisdom summarily, as pres”
  2. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Version — A translation of the holy Scriptures. This word is not found in the Bible, nevertheless, as frequent references are made in this work to various ancient as well as modern versions, it is fitting that some brief account should be given of the most important of these. These versions are important helps to the right interpretation of the Word. (See SAMARITAN [653]PENTATEUCH.) 1. The Targums. After the return from the Captivity, the Jews, no longer familiar with the old Hebrew, required that their Scriptures should be translated for them into the Chaldaic or Ar”
  3. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Parable — (The word parable is in Greek parable (parabole) which signifies placing beside or together, a comparison, a parable is therefore literally a placing beside, a comparison, a similitude, an illustration of one subject by another.--McClintock and Strong. As used in the New Testament it had a very wide application, being applied sometimes to the shortest proverbs, (1 Samuel 10:12; 24:13; 2 Chronicles 7:20) sometimes to dark prophetic utterances, (Numbers 23:7,18; 24:3; Ezekiel 20:49) sometimes to enigmatic maxims, (Psalms 78:2; Proverbs 1:6) or metaphors expand”
  4. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Revelation — An uncovering, a bringing to light of that which had been previously wholly hidden or only obscurely seen. God has been pleased in various ways and at different times (Heb. 1:1) to make a supernatural revelation of himself and his purposes and plans, which, under the guidance of his Spirit, has been committed to writing. (See WORD OF [532]GOD.) The Scriptures are not merely the "record" of revelation; they are the revelation itself in a written form, in order to the accurate presevation and propagation of the truth. Revelation and inspiration differ. Rev”
  5. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Prayer — The object of this article will be to touch briefly on-- + The doctrine of Scripture as to the nature and efficacy of prayer; + Its directions as to time, place and manner of prayer; + Its types and examples of prayer. + Scripture does not give any theoretical explanation of the mystery which attaches to prayer. The difficulty of understanding real efficacy arises chiefly from two sources: from the belief that man lives under general laws, which in all cases must be fulfilled unalterably; and the opposing belief that he is master of his own destiny, and need ”
  6. 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 2:13: also--We not only know by the Holy Ghost, but we also speak the "things freely given to us of God" (Co1 2:12). which the Holy Ghost teacheth--The old manuscripts read "the Spirit" simply, without "Holy." comparing spiritual things with spiritual--expounding the Spirit-inspired Old Testament Scripture, by comparison with the Gospel which Jesus by the same Spirit revealed [GROTIUS]; and conversely illustrating the Gospel mysteries by comparing them with the Old Testament types [CHRYSOSTOM]. So the Greek word is translated, "comparing" (Co2 10:”
  7. Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 2:28: he is not a Jew which is one outwardly, &c.--In other words, the name of "Jew" and the rite of "circumcision" were designed but as outward symbols of a separation from the irreligious and ungodly world unto holy devotedness in heart and life to the God of salvation. Where this is realized, the signs are full of significance; but where it is not, they are worse than useless. Note, (1) It is a sad mark of depravity when all that is designed and fitted to melt only hardens the heart (Rom 2:4, and compare Pe2 3:9; Ecc 8:11). (2) Amidst all the inequalitie”
  8. 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”
  9. Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 6:1: Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ,.... The Gospel is the doctrine of Christ, and is so called, because Christ, as God, is the author of it; as Mediator, he received it from his Father; as man, he was the preacher of it; and he is also the sum and substance of it: the principles of this doctrine are either the easier parts of the Gospel, called milk in the latter part of the preceding chapter; which are not to be left with dislike and contempt, nor so as to be forgotten, nor so as not to be recurred to at proper times; but so as not to abide in”
  10. Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 6:2: the doctrine of baptisms--paired with "laying on of hands," as the latter followed on Christian baptism, and answers to the rite of confirmation in Episcopal churches. Jewish believers passed, by an easy transition, from Jewish baptismal purifications (Heb 9:10, "washings"), baptism of proselytes, and John's baptism, and legal imposition of hands, to their Christian analogues, baptism, and the subsequent laying on of hands, accompanied by the gift of the Holy Ghost (compare Heb 6:4). Greek, "baptismoi," plural, including Jewish and Christian baptisms, ”
  11. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on 1 & 2 Corinthians: the deep things of God.” For the word “to search” is here indicative not of ignorance, but of accurate knowledge: it is the very same mode of speaking which he used even of God, saying, “He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit.” ( Rom. viii. 27 .) Then having spoken with exactness concerning the knowledge of the Spirit, and having pointed out that it is as fully equal to God’s knowledge, as the knowledge of a man itself to itself; and also, that we have learned all things from it and necessarily from it; he added, “whi”
  12. Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 66:19: And I will set a sign among them,.... Either a miraculous sign, something wonderful, as the word is often used, Exo 4:8, not the effusion of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost, in the presence of men of all nations; or the miracles wrought in the Gentile world by the apostles, in confirmation of the Gospel; but rather the wonderful conversion of the Jews, Isa 66:8, or those wonders, the time of the end of which is inquired, Dan 12:6 or else some distinguishing sign or mark is meant; such an one as was set on Cain, and on those that sighed and mourned for the sins of ”
  13. Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 13:9: about--rather, as oldest manuscripts read, "carried aside"; namely, compare Eph 4:14. divers--differing from the one faith in the one and the same Jesus Christ, as taught by them who had the rule over you (Heb 13:7). strange--foreign to the truth. doctrines--"teachings." established with grace; not with meats--not with observances of Jewish distinctions between clean and unclean meats, to which ascetic Judaizers added in Christian times the rejection of some meats, and the use of others: noticed also by Paul in Co1 8:8, Co1 8:13; Co1 6:13; Rom”
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