http://www.sblogs.com/153/2006/06/22/what-is-literal-what-is-allegory/ Mon, 25 Jan 2010 19:06:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 http://www.sblogs.com/153/2006/06/22/what-is-literal-what-is-allegory/comment-page-1/#comment-23 Paul Sun, 09 Jul 2006 11:16:35 +0000 http://www.sblogs.com/153/2006/06/22/what-is-literal-what-is-allegory/#comment-23 > Granted that language attributing body parts to God is anthrpomorphic. The point from Aquinas that I quoted covers far more than just body parts. Aquinas is saying that, when appropriate, we must discern what is the actual literal meaning of something that is metaphoric. > And, "may my right hand wither" is covenant curse language. He's swearing an oath that he is going going to forget Jerusalem. If it is "covenant curse language", I do not see how that changes anything relating to this issue. > But, it's pretty clear in Psalm 137 that the author of the Psalm is rejoicing over the future destruction of Edom. It's an image of someone waging war against Edom, and killing the children, too. I don't think there is anything in Psalm 137 that shows the author rejoicing over the future destruction of Edom. The theme is appropriate retribution for sins actually committed. So the author refers to the Edomites' city being razed, and their children killed. But since the Israelites were not destroyed as a whole, neither does the destruction of the Edomites as a whole come up as any kind of issue. > You're interpretation may be valid as allergory, but it's not the literal interpretation. I never claimed it was a literal interpretation. It is, however, based on the literal interpretation. And I am certainly not claiming that I am making an allegorical interpretation, I am making a fuller spriritual interpretation, based on the literal interpretation -- just as the fourfold way described in the Cathechism says that we should interpret. > Granted that language attributing body parts to God is anthrpomorphic.
The point from Aquinas that I quoted covers far more than just body parts. Aquinas is saying that, when appropriate, we must discern what is the actual literal meaning of something that is metaphoric.
> And, “may my right hand wither” is covenant curse language. He’s swearing an oath that he is going going to forget Jerusalem.
If it is “covenant curse language”, I do not see how that changes anything relating to this issue.
> But, it’s pretty clear in Psalm 137 that the author of the Psalm is rejoicing over the future destruction of Edom. It’s an image of someone waging war against Edom, and killing the children, too.
I don’t think there is anything in Psalm 137 that shows the author rejoicing over the future destruction of Edom. The theme is appropriate retribution for sins actually committed. So the author refers to the Edomites’ city being razed, and their children killed. But since the Israelites were not destroyed as a whole, neither does the destruction of the Edomites as a whole come up as any kind of issue.
> You’re interpretation may be valid as allergory, but it’s not the literal interpretation.
I never claimed it was a literal interpretation. It is, however, based on the literal interpretation. And I am certainly not claiming that I am making an allegorical interpretation, I am making a fuller spriritual interpretation, based on the literal interpretation — just as the fourfold way described in the Cathechism says that we should interpret.

]]> http://www.sblogs.com/153/2006/06/22/what-is-literal-what-is-allegory/comment-page-1/#comment-24 Bill Mild Thu, 22 Jun 2006 20:51:41 +0000 http://www.sblogs.com/153/2006/06/22/what-is-literal-what-is-allegory/#comment-24 Well, okay. Granted that language attributing body parts to God is anthrpomorphic. And, "may my right hand wither" is covenant curse language. He's swearing an oath that he is going going to forget Jerusalem. But, it's pretty clear in Psalm 137 that the author of the Psalm is rejoicing over the future destruction of Edom. It's an image of someone waging war against Edom, and killing the children, too. No necessarily, striking every little kid on a rock, but general slaughter of children is the intent of the imagery. I still think you have stepped away from what the original author intended. You're interpretation may be valid as allergory, but it's not the literal interpretation. Blessings, Well, okay. Granted that language attributing body parts to God is anthrpomorphic. And, “may my right hand wither” is covenant curse language. He’s swearing an oath that he is going going to forget Jerusalem. But, it’s pretty clear in Psalm 137 that the author of the Psalm is rejoicing over the future destruction of Edom. It’s an image of someone waging war against Edom, and killing the children, too. No necessarily, striking every little kid on a rock, but general slaughter of children is the intent of the imagery. I still think you have stepped away from what the original author intended.
You’re interpretation may be valid as allergory, but it’s not the literal interpretation.
Blessings,

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