Shouldn't some things in the bible be taken metaphorically and not literally?

Question

Obviously Revelations and Daniel has metaphors. I'm taking about the flood, Adam and Eve, etc

Answer 1

Some things ARE taken metaphorically, like in the book of Daniel where hes talking about a statue that represents the goverments of the world.. and when Daniel was depicting the first beast of the four kings of the earth. it was said "the first one was like a lion, and it had wings of an eagle. I kept on beholding until its wings were plucked out, and it was lifted up from the earth and was made to stand up on two feet just like a man, and there was given to it the heart of a man." (Daniel 7:4) Obviously, that was purely metaphorical :)

Answer 2

That's one of those questions that theologians love to argue over. However I wouldn't put the flood or Adam and Eve into that category because of New Testament passages that clearly show that the writers considered these to be actual events.

Matthew 24:38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

1 Timothy 2:13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

Answer 3

I disagree (with all politeness and respect). Like any conversation you have with someone, unless they tell you they are sharing a metaphor (or a parable) you should take it literally.

Remember that it is a historical account (or prophetic in the last books of course).

Answer 4

Why if its the bible we should look at certain things metaphorically. Yet when interpreting other religions we should choose to mock them as myth taking atheist presumptions and asking proof of parables.

Answer 5

even whilst i grew to become right into a Christian I took it metaphorically. I undergo in innovations analyzing the bit concerning the conversing donkey and grew to become into like "are we actually meant to believe all this got here approximately?!" whilst i grew to become into in faith classification. yet i've got met a regrettably great form of people who sound off Bible verses that help their very own perspectives, and when I ask "properly what approximately this?" they say oh I on no account study that! Or, oh, meaning some thing else! in my opinion you are able to't declare to believe some thing is the be attentive to God and additionally you hold on with it wholeheartedly and not study the excellent difficulty, or study it and not think of roughly it. And that's the two all of the literal be attentive to god or none of it quite is - in case you refuse to think of heavily approximately, say, Leviticus's lists of don'ts, you are able to't additionally write away different issues as "oh, no, you're analyzing it incorrect, it quite skill some thing else." of course maximum life like human beings admit that for sure they might desire to form of in my opinion translate the BIble so as that it quite is sensible by way of fact that's form of a ludicrous e book to take at face fee. yet people who do no longer **** me off, by way of fact they forget approximately approximately each thing they do in comparison to and embody despite condones their lack of expertise and hatred. yet they have the gall to insist that they do no longer look to be being hypocritical.

Answer 6

Yes, most of the stories in fact!! Try Adam and Eve to begin with...

Answer 7

many things in the Bible are metaphoric because it was not meant for everyone to understand without thought and God's inspiration.

Answer 8

Yes, considering how few wise ppl there are and have been, to imagine that Jesus said the OT was about Gods LOve and everyone uses it to justify hate, seems a lot of people have mis-understood.

Answer 9

Very nice thought, but then where does it say which passages should be taken metaphorically and which ones should be taken literally?

Answer 10

Yes that should be how the bible is intended... it should be guidelines not strickt rules of corse im not a christian but still that is how it should be taken and people *cough* christians shouldnt push their religons on other people. Its their own busness what they want to belive in!