The Bible is a sacred text in many religious traditions, including Judaism and Christianity. It is considered by many to be the word of God, and is often taken literally by believers. However, there is also a tradition of interpreting the Bible allegorically, which involves looking beyond the literal meaning of the text and interpreting it as a symbolic representation of deeper truths. The interpretation of the Bible as allegorical rather than literal is a common perspective among many religious scholars and theologians. This interpretation is based on the idea that the stories and teachings found in the Bible are meant to be understood on a symbolic or metaphorical level, rather than as a literal account of historical events. This perspective allows for a more flexible and open-ended approach to interpreting the Bible, and can provide a deeper understanding of its underlying meanings and messages.
One of the key arguments for interpreting the Bible allegorically is that it contains many passages that are difficult to understand or reconcile with modern scientific knowledge. For example, the creation story in Genesis describes the earth being created in six days, while scientific evidence suggests that the earth is much older. This has led some theologians to argue that the six days in the creation story should be understood symbolically, rather than literally.
Another argument for interpreting the Bible allegorically is that many of its passages are written in figurative language, such as parables and metaphors. For instance, Jesus often used parables to teach lessons, such as the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37). In this parable, Jesus tells the story of a man who is robbed and left for dead on the side of the road. A priest and a Levite pass by without helping, but a Samaritan, a member of a group that was considered to be outcasts by the Jews, stops to help the man. The parable is meant to teach the importance of showing compassion to others, even to those who are different from us.
Additionally, the Bible contains many passages that are open to multiple interpretations. For example, the book of Revelation is filled with vivid imagery, including beasts, dragons, and plagues. Some people interpret this literally, as a prophecy of the end of the world, while others see it as a symbolic representation of the struggles and triumphs of the Christian community.
Another reason to interpret the Bible allegorically is that many of its stories and passages were written in a particular historical context, and may not be applicable to our modern world. For example, the Old Testament contains many laws and commandments that were specific to the ancient Israelite community, such as the prohibition on eating pork (Leviticus 11:7) or wearing clothes made from two different types of fabric (Leviticus 19:19). These laws may not have the same relevance to us today, and may be better understood as symbolic expressions of a particular way of life, rather than as universal rules that must be followed.
Overall, the Bible is a complex and multifaceted text that can be interpreted in many different ways. While some people may choose to take it literally, others may find more meaning in interpreting it allegorically, looking beyond the surface level of the text to uncover deeper truths and lessons. I think the Bible should be interpreted within the context of meditation and doing so offers a far deeper truth than trying to bend and hammers the words into a literal story.
Take the word “pitch” for example. The word pitch is used an abnormally high number of times starting with the construction of Noah’s Ark. The word "pitch" can refer to a number of different things, depending on the context. Here are a few common definitions of the word "pitch":
- In chemistry, pitch is a term used to refer to a type of sticky, black substance, often made from tar or resin. This is the literal and incorrect interpretation of the word as in the story of Noah’s Ark god instructs Noah to seal the ark with pitch.
- In music, pitch refers to the highness or lowness of a sound. High pitch sounds have a higher frequency than low pitch sounds. This is the definition of pitch I think the author intended and refers to chanting OM during meditation.
The word "pitch" has a wide range of meanings and can be used in many different contexts. In this blog I use the secondary and hidden meanings of certain words apply more to the context of meditation than any other.
