When did Christians go from interpreting the Bible literally to taking it metaphorically?

The transition from interpreting the Bible primarily literally to embracing more metaphorical or symbolic interpretations has been a gradual and ongoing process throughout the history of Christianity. It's important to recognize that the approach to interpreting scripture has varied among different Christian traditions, theologians, and time periods. Here's a brief overview of key factors and periods that have influenced this transition:

1. Early Christian Era (1st to 4th century AD): In the early centuries of Christianity, there was a diversity of interpretive approaches among Christian communities. While some early Christian writers, such as Origen of Alexandria, employed allegorical interpretations of scripture, others leaned towards more literal readings. However, allegorical interpretations were common, particularly in the Alexandrian tradition.

2. Patristic Era (4th to 8th century AD): During this period, influential theologians such as Augustine of Hippo developed sophisticated interpretive methods that combined literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical (spiritual) senses of scripture. Augustine emphasized the importance of understanding the deeper spiritual meaning of biblical texts alongside their literal sense.

3. Medieval Period (5th to 15th century AD): The medieval period saw the dominance of allegorical interpretations, particularly within the Western Christian tradition. The allegorical method was prevalent in theological works, sermons, and art, where biblical stories were often understood as symbolic representations of theological truths.

4. Renaissance and Reformation (14th to 17th century AD): The Renaissance and Reformation movements brought about shifts in biblical interpretation. The Renaissance revival of classical learning led to a renewed interest in the historical and literary context of scripture. The Protestant Reformation emphasized the authority of scripture and encouraged a return to the literal sense of the Bible, particularly through the principle of sola scriptura (scripture alone).

5. Enlightenment and Modern Era (17th century AD onwards): The Enlightenment period ushered in an era of rationalism, scepticism, and scientific inquiry. This intellectual climate prompted critical scrutiny of biblical texts and challenged traditional interpretations. Scholars began to employ historical-critical methods to study the Bible, focusing on understanding the original historical and cultural context of the texts.

6. Contemporary Era (20th century AD onwards): In the 20th and 21st centuries, various approaches to biblical interpretation have emerged within Christian scholarship. These include literary, narrative, feminist, liberationist, and postcolonial readings, among others. These approaches often explore the diverse layers of meaning in scripture, including metaphorical and symbolic dimensions, alongside historical and literary analysis.

Overall, the transition from primarily literal to more metaphorical or symbolic interpretations of the Bible has been influenced by historical, cultural, theological, and intellectual factors across different periods in Christian history.