For people who take the Bible literally??

Question

Do you aply this method of taking things literally only to the Bible, or do you also aply it to things in your daily life?

like, for example: when a person says "i just cried my eyes out", you take him to the doctor? Ot when a person says "LMAO" you truly believe he will remain bottomless the rest of his life?

I'm gonna assume that you don't believe that, and it's probably safe to assume that you also know that all works of literature shouldn't be taken completely literally.

Then why the Bible? If is was a law book, or a scientifical book,then it would have a simple list of rules or facts. Yet, the Bible is filled with beautiful stories that should teach us about morals.

If i take every sentence from Hitler's Mein Kampf literally, i can probably even show he was a loving man. When i read the book as it is written, then it shows what a horrible man Hitler was.

So, what is your reason to take every sentence from the Bible literally?

I don't mean to offend, i'm truly curious.

Answer 1

Bryan G, ARE YOU FOR REAL?!?!

"why not? it's better than taking what children in public schools are taught literally, like free-thinker ideals and open sexuality, or "how to love" or putting a condom on a cucumber
you see, some things are better to take literally than others "

1) would you rather students be taught how to use condoms with a real life model OR should they just be uneducated and engage in RISKY practices with something they're going to do ANYWAY. Trust me, as the product of an "abstinence based" sexual education, I can assure you that abstinence was NOT the norm and that by not being taught about safe sex we had a significant number of pregnancies and I'm sure the halls were teeming with disease.

2) Clearly you are against free thinking because you take your bible so literally that it totally obscures your grasp on REALITY.

Sorry to overlook the question being asked, Mark, but I think that Bryan is a prime example of why literal interpretation can become a dangerous tool.

Answer 2

I personally take it every sentence literally because I have acknowledged the fact that God's word (i.e., the Bible) is inspired by himself and know this because He has given myself and other believers the Holy Spirit which guides (and certainly convicts) me daily! (and I promise you that--you draw near to Him and He will draw near to you!)

What irritates me, however, are those individuals who not only choose not to take the Bible literally, but further take it's very words out of context (e.g., "the Bible supports slavery; oppresses women", etc). Doing so would be similar to taking a page from Mein Kampf that discusses something very neutral or positive in Hitler's life and concluding that the book has nothing to do about his struggles. Furthermore, God's word isn't intended to be used as a great non-fiction literary work is; His word has much depth to it--and those who take it with an open heart will begin to see purpose in each and every scripture.

If (for anybody) there is a struggle in finding meaning in any particular scripture, consult a source that describes it in greater depth and context:
http://bible.crosswalk.com/Commentaries/MatthewHenryComplete/

Answer 3

The Bible only makes sense when taken literally. Culture and context of parables and stories change over time. If they are just based on that then we have no way to decide what any of it means.

The only examples of stories as made up in the Bible are clearly mentioned as being stories and their explanations are given.

Answer 4

Simple. God does not lie. It is a book of science (creation), history (empires), morals (commandments) and prophesy (world wars). People now days have a problem with authority. God has laid down the law but man is too proud. Do you honestly think that if things were done the way God intended that the world would be the way it is today?

Answer 5

I believe in 6 literal days of creation.

I believe that there are literal passages and figurative passages. There are song lyrics and poems and love stories and even cryptic writing (I think Revelation was written in sort of a code to those who were about to be persecuted by the Romans. It has a specific application to them.)

Just like in other literature, you can tell from the context what is literal and what is figurative. Parables are figurative. There are figures of speech. I think when Jesus tells the man to let the dead bury their dead, He is responding to the man saying he wanted to bury his father before he followed Him. "Bury my father" was a figure of speech. I don't believe that his father was dead that particular day, but he wanted to wait until his father died and he could collect his inheritance before he followed Jesus.

I don't take every sentence literally, but I would venture that I take more literally than most folks.

Answer 6

I take the bible as literal and a book of stoies and parables. I also believe that we "all fall short" and thus to deliver us from the weight of our sins, belief in Jesus and the Holy Ghost can deliver us to be "born again" .....Give us a fresh new start.....I needed to have that!

I believe! I have seen miraculous things happen for many people by the power of prayer and believing in His power!

Amen. Love Light and Faith

Answer 7

Like anything else, there are people who do take the Bible literally.

Emotions see more clearly than eyes do.

Of course all Faiths aren`t true, but this is the only logical conclusion that can be drawn from a person that states that, 'Through faith one can know God.'

Answer 8

You meant to offend but any way. The bible is God himself. John 1:1 "In the beginning was the word .....and the word was God." The bible should be taken literally!

Answer 9

There is no Saint on earth.........We are all as Filthy rags here.......we all can not in no way shape or form......do the Bible to the T........all you can do is do the best you can.....Like the Prayer of Serenity
God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I can not change
The courage to change the things I can
And the Wisdom to know the difference


We all need this Wisdom...........Even I

Answer 10

why not? it's better than taking what children in public schools are taught literally, like free-thinker ideals and open sexuality, or "how to love" or putting a condom on a cucumber

you see, some things are better to take literally than others