Do you believe that the writings in the Bible are literal or figurative?

Question

Do you think that the stories are just lessons or do you believe that it is a historical record?

Answer 1

The parables --- from both the Tanakh, and New Testament -- are figurative. Object lessons for us to learn from.

The proverbs --- which are found throughout the Bible --- are bits of wisdom, to guide us in our life.

The historical records. These are literal. If somebody did something, somewhere, it did happen. [There is only one major event in the Tanakh, for which there appears to be no supporting archeological evidence --- The Exodus from Egypt. This probably is a result of looking in the wrong place. (There are some very interesting artifacts in the territorial water of Saudia Arabia, which have implications about the crossing of the Red Sea. There also is some tantilizing evidence in the Arabian desert, that has implictions about them wandering for forty years.) ]

Those historical records are also meant as object lessons. Whilst one can debate whether or not 1 Chronicles 4:10 deserves the attention it has received, it is an object lesson --- to pray to God for help in overcoming evil, and to not cause pain to others --- in how to live.

That leaves Revelation, and the related prophecies about the end of the world.
Are they understandable? At present time, not really.
Are they literal descriptions? Possibly.
Are they figurative descriptions? Yes.
Object lessons in how god expects us to behave? Yes.

What Revelation 20 means by its usage of 1,000 years is unclear. It probably is a literal 1000 yers, the only question as to being when, and how it occurs.

Answer 2

This is a question that is very good. Let me give you an example. 50 years ago, 100 years ago, critics were claiming the Bible was just fairy tails because the places and things had no proof. But much has been discovered since then to prove the places and history are correct. A lot of people like to pick and chose what they want as truth. I will and do believe that the Word of God is worthy to be taken literal. It pulls no punches and tells things like it is.

Answer 3

I use to think that old testament was all figurative and New trstament half and half, but still good lessons to follow.

Now, to my own amazement, I think there is more facts in the Old Testament than what I use to think (even in the Genesis, imagine that!)

On a christian talkshow, the specialist interviewed was saying that OT could not be litteral, because it would mean that the earth is only 7000 years-old and we have proof that the earth is a lot older than that.

I agree. The Earth is older but maybe the human race with a soul (as a lot of people believe us to be) is really only 7000 years-old...
In that case, Genesis is still figurative, but a lot closer to reality than the historic version, who didn't focus on the Soul part, believe.
(This doesn't mean that I refute science: can two realities co-habit?)

Answer 4

I believe they happened with out a doubt. The history recorded in the Bible is accurate. Over the years the Bible was mocked for recording civilizations that critics said did not exist yet as archeology carries on its work it continues to verify the accuracy of the Bible

Answer 5

---I believe the stories for the most part. Of course, some of the stories are very obviously figurative. But I believe the story about Jonah was literal.
---One day I thought to myself, "there is no way that 2 of every kind of animal could fit on the ark, even with how big it was." Then, in bed that night, as I was thinking about a whole different subject, God spoke to me. He said, "If I can make a camel go through the eye of a needle, I can make all the animals fit on the ark."
---Luke 18:25 - 27 says:
Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." 26Those who heard this asked, "Who then can be saved?" 27Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."

Answer 6

The Bible is a literal book, the stories are real.
There are many symbolism in the Bible but the literal way to interpret an allegory is as an allegory, the literal way to interpret a simile is as a simile, etc.

Answer 7

Literal

Answer 8

Definitely a combination of the two. I'd like to go on record as saying "Adam and Eve were figurative. It's OK to believe in the obvious theory of evolution!"

Answer 9

The stories are literal. They were similar to diaries. In the Old Testament, the task of recording everything was assigned to select people from among the children of Israel - the offspring of Abraham, who had a covenant with God. Much of the difficulty in understanding it is the result of translation problems. The early people wrote in a language evolved from pictographs. For example, when one reads "God slew the enemy", it could mean He simply withdrew His protection and they met with catastrophe. Also, there was a clear distinction between "killing" evil people and "murdering" innocent ones. The fact that it has been divinely preserved for thousands of years is nothing short of miraculous and a testament to the importance God placed in those records. The Dead Sea Scrolls, found in the early 20th century proved the integrity of the Torah; it had not been changedf at all. They dared not alter what God wanted them to record.The New Testament is a compilation of letters written to various groups of early Christians (churches) living in cities/towns mostly under Roman rule. They banded together against immense persecution. The disciples who actually hung around with Jesus Christ were the advisors to the fledgling assemblies. Most of the New Testament was written by the Apostle Paul, who was previoiusly the most zealous persecutor of early Christians under his birth name, Saul of Tarsus, until Christ appeared to him and turned his life around. Much of it was written from prisons, as Christianity was considered a crime at that time.The letters were written to instruct followers who were having issues trying to understand God and their newfound salvation. The Word of God is "Spirit inspired and Spirit revealed". Always ask Him for understanding before reading it. Anyone who says the stories are figurative - simple morality lessons - doesn't get it and probably doesn't have a PERSONAL relationship with the Lord. If you do things His way, He opens your eyes to truth.

Answer 10

The Bible contains alot of things. Some history, some poetry, some parables, some wisdom.
The most important thing the Bible contains is the choice between life and death.
Choose life!