Video: Empty Speculations and Froth: The Reformers and Allegorical Reading—Fall 2016 Lund Lecture

Provan shifts the focus from the “literal” reading of Scripture toward more allegorical or spiritual interpretive modalities. He contends that while a literal reading has its place, it is insufficient for capturing the full theological depth of biblical texts. The spiritual reading opens space for the text to speak into Christian life and theology, allowing for layers of meaning not strictly tied to historical-grammatical details. Provan argues that allegorical reading, rightly practiced, complements rather than supplants the literal, helping believers see how Scripture connects to Christ, the church, and the life of faith.

Provan is careful, however, to guard against arbitrary allegorizing. He emphasizes that spiritual readings must remain tethered to the text, tradition, and coherent theological guardrails. He reflects on how spiritual readings were practiced historically (especially in the patristic and medieval traditions) and how they can (and must) be disciplined today to avoid fanciful or eisegetical readings. In doing so, he encourages interpreters to recover spiritual reading not as a free-for-all, but as a faithful dimension of biblical interpretation that enriches our theological imagination and spiritual formation.

Timestamps

• Shift from literal to spiritual/allegorical reading 2:05
• Limits of literal interpretation 8:40
• Historical practice of allegorical reading in tradition 14:30
• Guardrails and theological constraints on allegory 21:55
• Christological and ecclesial application of spiritual reading 28:45
• Balancing literal and spiritual — a complementary approach 34:20
• Recovering disciplined allegory in modern interpretation 40:10