How do do sensus plenior without slipping into allegory

How do do sensus plenior without slipping into allegory [∞]

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How to Do Sensus Plenior Without Slipping into Allegory

Introduction

Sensus plenior (SP) is the deeper, Spirit-authored meaning embedded in Scripture, revealing Christ and the cross in every proper historical pericope. Unlike allegory, which imposes meaning onto the text, SP discovers the meaning pre-written by the Spirit. This guide provides clear principles to follow SP correctly, ensuring interpretations remain faithful to the second telling of Christ’s story rather than speculative symbolism.

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1. Understanding the Second Telling

SP recognizes that the Old Testament is not just a collection of historical events but a second telling of Christ’s journey, embedded within Israel’s history. Every proper pericope (self-contained story) includes:

• Christ (represented in all men)
• The Cross (represented by death or threatened death)
• The Bride (represented in all women, either flesh or spirit)

Key Distinctions from Allegory:

Sensus Plenior	Allegory
Meaning is embedded by the Spirit	Meaning is imposed by the interpreter
Rooted in historical pericopes	Often ignores the literal historical context
Every pericope tells the story of Christ, the cross, and His bride	May extract symbolic meanings disconnected from Christ’s journey
Confirmed by patterns in Scripture	Open-ended, subjective interpretations

SP is not about moral lessons, abstract symbolism, or personal application—it is about discovering Christ’s pre-written path in Scripture.

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2. Identifying Christ in the Text

A. All Men Represent Christ

• Christ is always represented in men, whether they act in righteousness or rebellion.
• Even sinful men reflect aspects of Christ, particularly Christ in the flesh before the cross.
• Example: Cain is rebellious, yet he represents Christ in the flesh because Christ also “did not want to die” (Gethsemane) but submitted.

B. All Women Represent the Bride

• The fleshly bride: Israel, the prostitute, the goat (old nature)
• The spiritual bride: The church, the virgin, the sheep (new nature)
• Some women, like Leah and Rachel, represent both aspects of the bride.
• Every interaction between a man and a woman in Scripture tells the story of Christ and the bride.

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3. The Role of Death and Judgment

A. Death Always Represents the Cross

• If someone dies, it represents Christ’s death on the cross.
• If both a man and woman die, it represents Christ and the bride dying at the cross (though not all stories mention both explicitly).

B. Enemies of Christ and the Judge’s Role

• “Enemies” in Scripture reflect how Christ made Himself His own enemy by laying down His life.
• The judge wants to kill Him—this mirrors Christ standing under judgment, willingly submitting.
• A threat of death without death represents the cross and resurrection (e.g., Isaac, who was “as good as dead” but was restored).

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4. The Bride’s Transformation: Death Before Purity

A. The Old Must Die at the Cross

• The fleshly bride (prostitute/goat) must always die to be transformed into the virgin/sheep.
• This happens through the cross, where she is made new.
• Some women represent both aspects (old and new nature), while others are split into separate figures.

B. The Role of Kings and Priests

• The priest represents Christ as the High Priest, interceding for the bride.
• The king represents Christ as ruler over the flesh (often showing how Christ deals with fallen humanity).

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5. Confirming Meaning Without Slipping into Allegory

A. Let the Story Speak for Itself

• Before assigning meaning, identify the structure: Who dies? Who is judged? What is the conflict?
• Look for patterns confirmed elsewhere in Scripture.

B. Do Not Force Symbolism

• Weapons, actions, and objects must be examined case by case.
• Example: If a spear is present, does it parallel the cross, or does it serve a different function?

C. The Story Must Contain Christ, the Cross, and the Bride

• If a passage lacks these elements, it may not be a complete second telling.
• Proverbs and Psalms often define symbols but do not always contain a full pericope of Christ’s journey.

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6. Practical Steps for SP Interpretation

Step 1: Identify the Pericope

• Is this a self-contained story in the historical record?
• Does it contain Christ, the cross, and the bride?

Step 2: Determine the Voices

• Who represents Christ? (All men)
• Who represents the bride? (All women)
• What role does judgment play? (Who dies or is threatened with death?)

Step 3: Examine the Transformation

• Does the old nature die? (Bride transformed through the cross)
• Does Christ take judgment upon Himself? (Death always points to the cross)

Step 4: Confirm with Patterns in Scripture

• Are similar structures seen elsewhere? (E.g., a bride must die before being made pure)
• Does the interpretation follow the gospel pattern rather than random symbolism?

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Conclusion: Sensus Plenior is God’s Embedded Prophecy

SP is not an interpretive technique—it is the discovery of the hidden gospel authored by the Spirit within history. The Old Testament does not just hint at Christ; it is His story told in advance, hidden in the historical record until unveiled by the cross.

By following these principles, we ensure that our reading of Scripture remains faithful to its divinely embedded meaning, keeping Christ and His redemptive work at the center.

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Would you like an expanded section with case studies showing proper and improper SP interpretations? - yes.

Yes! Here are some suggested case studies to demonstrate proper SP interpretation versus slipping into allegory. Each case will include a correct SP reading and a mistaken allegorical reading to highlight the difference.

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Suggested Case Studies for SP Interpretation

1. The Binding of Isaac (Genesis 22) – The Cross and Resurrection

✅ Proper SP Interpretation:

• Abraham (Christ) is offering Isaac (Christ in the flesh) at the cross.
• Isaac is threatened with death but does not die → This is the second telling of the cross and resurrection.
• The ram caught in the thicket represents Christ taking the place of the fleshly bride.

❌ Incorrect Allegory:

• “The ram represents the sacrifices we must make in life.”
• “The altar represents our daily struggles.”
• “Isaac represents a believer surrendering their will to God.”

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2. The Sin at Baal-Peor (Numbers 25) – The Bride’s Purification

✅ Proper SP Interpretation:

• The men (Christ in the flesh) join the Moabite women (the fallen bride).
• This results in judgment (death = the cross).
• Phinehas (Christ as priest) pierces the sinful union, ending the plague (representing the death that ends the old creation and prepares the bride for union).

❌ Incorrect Allegory:

• “The spear represents strong leadership in the church.”
• “The Moabite women represent distractions in a believer’s walk.”
• “Phinehas represents the need for discipline in Christian life.”

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3. The Red Sea Crossing (Exodus 14) – Death and Resurrection

✅ Proper SP Interpretation:

• Israel (the bride) must pass through death (the waters = the cross) to be delivered.
• The Egyptians (fleshly nature) are drowned → The old man is put to death.
• Christ (Moses) leads the bride through judgment and into new life.

❌ Incorrect Allegory:

• “The Red Sea represents the obstacles we must overcome in faith.”
• “Pharaoh represents negative influences in our lives.”
• “The dry land represents God’s blessings.”

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4. The Death of Rachel (Genesis 35:16-20) – The Bride Transformed

✅ Proper SP Interpretation:

• Rachel (the fleshly bride) dies giving birth to Benjamin (the new bride).
• This follows the pattern of the old bride dying and the new bride being born.
• Jacob’s renaming of Benjamin (Son of Sorrow → Son of the Right Hand) reflects Christ’s transition from suffering to glory.

❌ Incorrect Allegory:

• “Rachel’s death represents the hardships of motherhood.”
• “Benjamin represents the importance of name changes in Scripture.”
• “This is a lesson on perseverance through pain.”

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5. Samson and Delilah (Judges 16) – Christ’s Death at the Hands of the Bride

✅ Proper SP Interpretation:

• Samson (Christ) loves the bride (Delilah), even though she is fleshly.
• She betrays him, leading to his death → The bride (Israel) delivers Christ to be crucified.
• His strength is restored, and he destroys the enemy in his death, foreshadowing Christ’s victory through the cross.

❌ Incorrect Allegory:

• “Samson represents a believer who falls into temptation.”
• “Delilah represents worldly desires that weaken us.”
• “His hair represents our spiritual strength.”

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6. Jonah in the Fish (Jonah 1-2) – Christ’s Death and Resurrection

✅ Proper SP Interpretation:

• Jonah (Christ) is swallowed by death (the sea and the fish) for three days.
• He prays from the depths (Christ in the grave).
• He is brought back to the land (resurrection).

❌ Incorrect Allegory:

• “The fish represents second chances in life.”
• “Jonah’s disobedience is a lesson about running from God’s calling.”
• “His time in the fish is about personal struggles and coming back to God.”

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7. The Prodigal Son (Luke 15) – The Old and New Bride

✅ Proper SP Interpretation:

• The younger son (the fleshly bride) leaves the father and lives in harlotry.
• When he returns (death of the old bride, restoration of the new), the father restores him with a robe and a feast (symbolizing resurrection and union with Christ).
• The older brother (Israel under the law) does not rejoice—this reflects the resistance of the old covenant to the new bride.

❌ Incorrect Allegory:

• “This story is about God forgiving sinners.”
• “The father represents how we should treat others with grace.”
• “The older brother represents people who struggle with jealousy.”

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How These Examples Clarify SP

• SP always follows the gospel pattern—Christ, the cross, and the bride.
• Allegory adds meaning that is not embedded in Scripture.
• SP focuses on the second telling, not moral application.

Would you like me to develop these case studies into a teaching resource or add more examples? 😊

Sensus plenior