FYI, the reason people do not understand how to read Scriptures is because they do not know how to connect the dots, that is, by comparing scripture with scripture. Most of all, they do not understand that Jesus spoke in parables and without a parable He did not speak. A parable is an earthly story with a spiritual / heavenly meaning and by this makes the whole Bible a story book.
So when we read about the story of Matthew 14:29-30, what do we see or what teaching is God trying to tell us? Someone gave his views and I gave mine. Now you come along and give yet another view by quoting postmodern deconstruction method as if this is a more superior way to understand Scripture better than 2 Timothy 3:16.
Now you're telling us or at least me to see, What is wrong with the allegorical interpretation method? As if I am not aware of
1 Corinthians 2:14 which I believe is more superior, because it is the word of God.
To God Be The Glory
Jun2u,
You did not address the matter I raised about the damage done by allegorical interpretation, which you used for Matt 14:29-30.
We know from the context of Matt 14:29-30 that Jesus was talking literally of Jesus walking on the lake and calling Peter to take courage and walk on the water. The context states:
22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
29 “Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
34 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him 36 and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed (Matt 14:22-35 NIV).
You interpreted it allegorically and gave it a different meaning. This is very dangerous because it debunks the plain meaning of the text. I do NOT support allegorical interpretation NOR postmodern deconstruction because neither of these 2 methods addresses the narrative - the plain meaning - of the text. Both approaches give the interpreters liberty to decide on their own meanings and they don't want to accept the intent of the original author in what he wrote, in the case of Matthew or any other author.
You did this by stating that Peter was not in view in the Matt 14 passage. You wrote:
When we do not focus our eyes on Jesus at any time we will always get into trouble and will begin to falter and sink. I believe this is the teaching of
Matthew 14:29-30.
This is inventing your own meaning of what the text states and it gives you, the reader, the opportunity to insert your own meaning and sound spiritual in doing it: 'When we do not focus our eyes on Jesus'. This is found nowhere in the text. It is imposing your own meaning on the text.
Imagine what would happen if I read your post with an allegorical interpretation or postmodern deconstruction - as you have done here?
See: '
The rise of allegorical interpretation' (Bible Study Tools).
Oz
