Dungan - Hermeneutics

D. R. Dungan's Hermeneutics: A Text-Book: Chapter IV.
(1.) This originated in heathenism.--Because of its origin it is called "mythical." It was maintained
that no man could interpret the communications from the deities unless be was en rapport with said
divinities. This gave [58] position and prominence to those men of holy calling. The church adopted as
much of heathenism as was thought best to render Christianity popular with the people; hence the same,
or similar claims, had to be, made for her priests. This was not done all at once but came, like other thing,
which have no authority in, the New Testament, little at a time, until the whole distance was overcome.
(2.) The several reformations that have taken place have removed somewhat this veneration for the
priesthood, but have not entirely removed the mistake; for while we have ceased to regard ourselves as
the subjects of priest-craft, we continue a superstition quite akin to it. A common error remaining is that
God's book is to be miraculously interpreted--that no one is competent to understand these things unless
he has been called and divinely qualified for the task. This about as effectually removes the Bible from
the masses, as the old theory of its interpretation belonging only to the priesthood. It leaves us dependent
upon those highly fortunate ones who have been thus especially endowed for the work. They may be
priests, or not. But in either case they must have been called of God to this work. If this theory were true,
the Bible would be of no value whatever. The inspiration in these interpreters would be sufficient,
without any Bible. Hence the effect of this theory has been to prevent the people from looking to the
Bible for instruction. Regarding themselves as dependent upon inspiration, they have waited for it to
accomplish its work, and break to them the will of God.
(3.) The evil results of this theory might be called legion, for they are many. All kinds of ambitious
pretenders have found security under such claims. If we [59] deny their rights to such espionage over the
great family of God, they are able to beat us back, by their assumptions that it had been given to them
only to understand their prerogatives. Sects and parties have grown from this seed in great abundance.
Men who have wanted a following, have been thus enabled to lead away multitudes of disciples after
them. As these leaders have differed as to the things of God, many of their followers have been led into
doubt and skepticism. If these inspired men can not agree concerning the things which their God wishes
them to do, the common people can not be expected to know anything about it. They know, too, that
where there is contradiction there is falsehood, for it is not possible that truth should disagree with itself.
(4.) If the Bible does not mean what it says, there is no way by which we can know what it does
mean. Indeed, if it is a revelation at all, then it must signify just what such words would mean if found in
another book. If they have any other meaning than that in which they would be understood by the people
to whom they were employed, then they were absolutely misleading. In that case the Bible is not only not
a revelation, but a false light, doing a vast amount of injury by leading simple-hearted people into the
wrong way.
SEC. 29. THE ALLEGORICAL METHOD.
Definition.--This method treats the word of God as if it had only been intended to be a kind of
combination of metaphors--a splendid riddle. Interpreting by this method is not exegesis but eisegesis--
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