Indeed.
and much the reason why I started this thread with the verse ending in
like a unicorn.
Skywalker may remember my original post (on another thread) about Balaam and his talking donkey.
It's also quite clear that a _ horing was a popular activity for Israel.
I know of Origen. And believe me, its quite popular these days to tear apart the Bible. I do think it takes some decision on the readers part of what is allegorical. You can't even depend on an obvious style because of the way these stories were put together.
Right now I'm into a book that I should be through with, because it's only 123 pages long! But the allegory and implications, and essence, are so much more than one thinks! I'm reading "The Jonah Complex" by Andre' Lacocque and Pierre-Emmanuel Lacocque, a father and son.
Let me just share with You part of the preface:
"When we started it was not clear to the biblicist that psychology was not some sort of disguised narcissism. The psychologist, on the other hand, was not sure that theology was not a sophisticated way to kid oneself with empty concepts having no real bearing on humanity and the world. Indeed the dialogue started in part because of that mutual curiosity about the choice of the other. "
And they picked the biblical book of "Jonah", to pick apart
. The unassuming, tongue-in-cheek, understating narrative (again I'm using their words.) A belly of a fish for 3 days? Did you know the name "Jonah" means "Dove"? I also felt this weird prickle of my skin, when they mentioned that the story was told " with disarming simplicity by the "
singer of tales". Alas, it wasn't to be the fabled "singer" that I was searching for (that's a whole 'nother story).
I think this book is right up your alley, Bewildered. It is copyrighted 1981 and I got it for 97 cents at a thrift store
.
For such an interesting book taking me over 6 weeks to get through, is kind of a personal joke. The many references are clear and concise and easy to look up, and it should be easy reading. In fact, the quote I'm using now is from the book. . . . nothing new there.
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I thoroughly enjoy your wit in saying "Appolyptical (spelling?) writings". I get a burst of laughter I can't control and spit my coffee everywhere
. 'Tis True.
My kids (as usual) made some comment to me about people thinking in the 1800's that Jesus the Christ was returning any minute!? I said "You Think?!" (there's that word again
).
I don't mind admitting I have an especially hard time reading the book of Revelation. Number 1, it was supposedly written by a man (John on the Island of Patmos) that supposedly self-claimed that he was Jesus' favorite. How could Jesus have possibly had a favorite?? You go there, and everyone has an opinion. . . . heh, heh. Number 2, as far as allegory goes, when John proclaims this 'vision', it is obvious to me and others that some of his vision has already happened, and some has not happened
yet. Good luck spotting the difference.
With that being said, I think a lot of the books of the Bible come across that way; as past and future, especially as allegory goes. And now I'm repeating myself like the Bible does. Lol.
And this next example is not allegorical,
or a parable.. Or is it? I grew up thinking that the boy David killed the giant Goliath by striking him in the head with a stone shot precisely from his sling shot. Many years later I read that the stone knocked Goliath off of his feet, and David had to grab someones' sword to finish the job,
. How did I miss that?
And then, the fight with the Philistines was
over, just because of a "deal" that a giant and a young boy made? Right.
There's a lot of mystique there. If you read the Bible through a "Greek Lens", what is the pervading style? This
fascinates me.
And what about many of the quotes of Jesus being much like the quotes many years before by the Buddha?
Joseph (what's his name) writes a fascinating book on how to make a hero,
.
The other day Paulette mentioned a Mr. Gaimon (the "writer" of Coraline), and if you Wiki him, this author "joseph" and his book about the hero are mentioned. As "joseph" is also mentioned in this book I'm reading about Jonah! Precisely because Jonah does
not choose the normal route of the hero!
I could go on for hours about this stuff!