Re: Hey guys, I've finally found the antichrist!!

Well, if it is just a severe case of crankiness, I'm sure you'll be able to find a cure for it on this site!!

But seriously (ahem), ok, you were wrong about Hosea, and I was wrong about Gomer. It has been a while since I read this publication in hard copy, and realistically I can't be expected to recall every detail from some 50+ of his publications. So he thinks she was an allegory for Israel's faithlessness. I've checked a few of my 'authorities', and I can report that excellent scholars are roughly evenly divided over the correct interpretation of this marriage. 

Personally, I prefer an actual Gomer, but I don't have any strong feelings either way. An historical Gomer does not preclude an allegorical interpretation of a physical reality, as alluded to in my last post. In fact, it's practically demanded if this story is to make any sense. But even if we accept that she was pure allegory, I do not expect the heavens to fall in on the historical portions of Scripture anytime soon.

There is a world of difference between the writings of a prophet and, say, a chronicler. Context and comparative exegesis have to play a significant role in our understanding and interpretation of often difficult passages. Just because I recommend Chas Alexander to enquirers doesn't necessarily mean that I have to agree with him on every single point of interpretation. We are allowed to differ on the minutiae - after all, we are all blessed with our own critical faculties, and there's no prohibition on using them.

How do you read the Song of Songs for example? Erotic poetry or allegorical depiction of God's love for His people? If exclusively the former, what is a piece of dubious literature doing in the OT?