Allegory is a great tool for illustrating a truth. Allegory is not evidence for that truth.

Another way to say it is that allegory is designed to bring truth home. It is not designed to defend truth.

To merely preach allegory is to preach without evidence and defence for the truth you are preaching.

Onesimus

An article published in the Biblical Builder recently (vol. 43, issue 3, pp. 18-19) illustrates the point.

The author uses the story of Paul sending Onesimus back to where he belonged as an allegory of the local church and its members. The allegory was good and the author drew many helpful and valid parallels (and I believe some invalid parallels).

But the allegory was just that. An allegory. It had no authority. It was merely a teaching tool. It would have been just as authoritative to use an allegory from a Disney movie.

The authority is in the word

As Fundamentalist Bible-believers, we understand that the authority is always in the word of God itself. Using a passage as an allegory of an unrelated truth is easily misleading because it implies authority for the truth we are addressing when in fact, there is none. That is not what the passage is saying.

For instance, the story of Onesimus is not about the believer’s relationship to the church. Not in any way. You can exegete it until you’re blue in the face and that’s not the point of the letter. Not even close.

That’s why I’d prefer the preacher to take his allegory from Disney.

The truth is assumed

The problem with using allegory in teaching a truth is that the truth must either be assumed, or taught in an abbreviated form.

For instance, in the article on Onesimus, the underlying truths are stated and a few proof texts are given, but there is almost no actual teaching from the text of the verses that actually deal with that truth.

Such treatment of the word, on a systematic basis, will lead to anaemic Christianity because it teaches people what the preacher believes, but provides little or no authority from the text of the word.

In other words, it’s just a guy giving his opinions.

Conclusion

Those who take God’s word seriously must evaluate their preaching methods. Do I use God’s word to preach my message? Or do I preach God’s word and its message?

There is a place for using allegories in preaching. But we must clarify either that we are assuming a truth we’ve recently carefully taught from another passage or we must take the time to carefully teach the truth in the message itself.

That said, since allegory is not primarily a teaching or admonishing tool (Colossians 1:28), I believe its place in preaching is limited.

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About Jason Harris

Dr Jason Harris is a writer, pastor, and academic. He has authored multiple books, articles, and papers including his book Theological Meditations on the Gospel. Jason has a PhD from James Cook University as well as degrees in theology, music, accounting, and research. Jason has lived in Cairns, Australia since 2007 and serves as pastor at CrossPoint Church. You can contact Jason at jason@jasonharris.com.au.

8 Comments

  1. RoSeZ 8 October, 2009 at 7:09 am - Reply

    That’s it – not writing an article…lol Remember the 5 births of Christ? =P

  2. Jason Harris 8 October, 2009 at 10:01 am - Reply

    I think you should still write it, but just ask a few people to look at it and point out any concerns. That way you can minister through your gifts and you can grow as well. =)

  3. RoSeZ 8 October, 2009 at 10:42 am - Reply

    Aww, but that’s just harder! =P Actually 1st draft has been submitted to my pastor and my dad… would that count as ”a few”? lol And do you remember the 5 births? =P

  4. Jason Harris 8 October, 2009 at 11:39 am - Reply

    How could I forget…

  5. RoSeZ 8 October, 2009 at 11:51 am - Reply

    Lol, that would be kinda what your post was about too, right? Oh dear! =P

  6. Jason Harris 8 October, 2009 at 6:38 pm - Reply

    No, I did not have that in mind. Actually, I don’t even think that would fit in this category. Not sure what category it would fit into…

  7. RoSeZ 8 October, 2009 at 7:17 pm - Reply

    Heresy? lol, my bad. You did realise it wasn’t mine, right? lol

  8. Alen 10 October, 2009 at 10:06 pm - Reply

    This reminds me of the whole Song of Solomon sermon..I couldn’t agree more with what thou hast said :)

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