The real Bible is a sealed book, an apocryphon, a book not to be opened (mentally) until its time has come

The real Bible is a sealed book, an apocryphon, a book not to be opened (mentally) until its time has come

Northrop Frye, a renowned literary critic and scholar, often explored the idea of the Bible as a sealed book, an apocryphon, a text that should not be opened mentally until its time has come. Frye believed that the Bible contained layers of meaning and symbolism that could only be fully understood when the reader was spiritually prepared to receive its message.

Frye's concept of the Bible as a sealed book is rooted in his understanding of the Bible as a work of literature that transcends its historical and cultural context. He believed that the Bible was a text that spoke to universal truths and themes that were relevant to all people, regardless of their religious beliefs. In this sense, Frye saw the Bible as a timeless and eternal text that could only be fully appreciated when approached with an open mind and a receptive spirit.

Frye also viewed the Bible as an apocryphon, a book of hidden or secret knowledge that could only be revealed to those who were ready to receive it. He believed that the Bible contained profound truths and insights that could transform the reader's understanding of themselves and the world around them. Frye saw the Bible as a text that could awaken the reader to new ways of thinking and being, leading them to a deeper understanding of themselves and their place in the universe.

For Frye, the idea of the Bible as a sealed book was not meant to discourage readers from engaging with the text, but rather to encourage them to approach it with humility, reverence, and an open heart. He believed that the Bible had the power to transform and enlighten those who were willing to engage with it in a spirit of openness and receptivity.