Does something get relabelled as allegory if it doesn't come true?
There is quite bit to this question.
Note that in the Book of Jonah, he laments that he was in the belly of the great fish “forever.” He was not. But, as I recall, the term ”forever” is used over 50 times with regard to events that were clearly not “for all time.” Like an impatient person might complain that they have been “waiting forever” to be picked up at the mall.
Also note that in Matthew 12….. “Jesus spoke of Jonah’s ordeal as a real historical event. He used it as a typological metaphor for His own crucifixion and resurrection: ‘As Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth…’....” In this case some would hold that it is purely metaphor and others would hold that it was also a real event.
Also, Jude 1:7 describes the destruction of Sodom and uses the term “… punishment of eternal fire.” Well, Sodom is not burning today so what does this mean? The term “eternal fire” can be seen in reference to God Himself as an eternal fire. This raises another interpretation topic…. There is a difference between the action of “punishing for eternity” and the term “eternal punishment.”
Some hold to the idea that there may be a one time “punishment” but that punishment lasts for “eternity.” This is very different from the ongoing action of “punishing” for eternity.
Then there is the problem of understanding. Jesus spoke in parables for a number of reasons, one was to conceal a meaning to some and reveal a meaning to others. But that may be a subject for another time.
If the meaning is not clear and no one can agree to what it might be, it's pretty much meaningless.
I would not share that view but I can understand how you may find it “meaningless.”
So do you believe Jonah spent 3 days in the belly of a fish, or not?
Well, first of all, my post was referring to biblical interpretation ..... the understanding of allegory, metaphor and the use of parables.
Before we go to that, there are a couple of loose ends ....
You did not respond when I asked you to explain the significance of your comment that Marcion thought the God of the OT was not reconcilable with Jesus. You made the comment as if it was of some importance but then you declined to explain what you thought that about Marcion's supposed beliefs.... or even why they were of any significance.
You also made another claim, allegation or ? …here it is…:
“That's funny. You're view's in conflict with those Christians who believe the rapture will happen any day now....”
I asked you to explain where the “conflict” was. You did not respond. I do not know what "view" you think I might have nor do I understand why you allege that my "view" is in conflict with "... those Christians..."
Over to you.....
The tax collector said: “Lord Jesus, have mercy on me, a sinner.” Jesus said he went home “justified.”
