- Did Jesus actually use his parables to confuse the unworthy, so they would not repent?
- Was Paul talking about secret teachings when he wrote of “milk” for converts and “strong meat” for the spiritually advanced?
- Are there hidden meanings even in the most enigmatic, troubling, or seemingly inconsequential passages in Scripture?
“Yes” answers all three questions, according to some of the Early Fathers of the Church. These, the first flowering of Christian theologians, who lived from around 150-500 AD, developed an entire art of interpreting Scripture allegorically. This gave them access to profound moral and spiritual meanings for terms and concepts throughout the Bible based on symbolism, many now forgotten.
Thousands of these derived from decades of research have been compiled along with meanings from the Bible itself and modern scholars and preachers. They have been distilled into The Word Unveiled: A Spiritual Dictionary of Scripture. While there have been other guides to Biblical symbolism before, some in dictionary form, this one is unique. This is the only directory of symbolism based on the rich intellectual heritage of the Early Fathers: men like Origen, possibly the greatest mind the Church has ever produced and undoubtedly the most prolific; Clement of Alexandria; Jerome, irascible translator of the Bible into Latin, and Augustine, who laid down the scholastic basis of the Middle Ages.
The introduction explains how this method of interpretation is founded on Christ’s parables and some basic principles that permit any believer to search out valuable insights in the text of Scripture. The allegorical method also enables the much-needed reconciliation between faith and reason. Yes, it is possible to believe in God and his Word in the Bible, and accept modern science, too!
Written for ordinary seekers, The Word Unveiled is available in paperback or in Kindle format from Amazon.
The Word Unveiled: A Spiritual Dictionary of Scripture, first edition.
216 pages, including introduction and notes. ISBN 578-67926-4
Sources for the first edition:
- Biblical and Extrabiblical Literature: 14 books and scattered references (over 530 total)
- Writings of the Early Fathers: 51 books consulted (nearly 5,000 citations)
including 40 books or collections from 5 major Fathers:
Clement of Alexandria: 4; Origen: 19; Jerome: 13; Augustine: 4
plus quotations from 11 minor or unorthodox teachers - Books on Aramaic/Hebrew linguistic idioms: 5 (400 references)
- Miscellaneous guides to Biblical symbolism: 8 (nearly 1,000 citations)
- Over 6,800 references from 78 books total to date