The bishop had previously spoken for the literal interpretation of the Resurrection of our Saviour. I am a Bible-literalist. I believe (only reading from your summary) that, OF COURSE, the bishop is much closer to a biblical description than “sitting on soft clouds” and all that mystical stuff that came from paintings on Catholic Church ceilings, etc., etc., . . .
I like the fact that you do seem to ponder with the Lord.
I was reminded when we pray to the Lord we are talking to him, and when we read the scriptures the Lord is talking to us!
I like to borrow a concept from Orson Scott Card title "Revelation is pure, but words are translation"
So when we read the words in a humble matter are able to receive from the Lord the his understanding that he wants us to know.
I am sure you have experience passagesyou have read before and than seem to take on new meaning in your life.
It seems as we grow in the Word the Lord is able to impart more knowledge to us!
Once the doctrinal interpretation is known and obeyed (where some obedience is invoked), the very same verse may yield a dozen spiritual applications.
I believe that one should seek the correct doctrinal interpretation first. Also the Christians should not confuse doctrine with spiritual application, or turn application in to doctrine.