Should any of it be taken literally? and if so which parts?
2006-07-13 10:21:56 · 20 answers · asked by locomexican89 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
most christians agree that most of it.
so the parts abour killing women and children? Num 31:7-18
rape? Deut 22 :28,29
value of men and women? Lev 27:1-7
2006-07-13 10:29:02 · update #1
ONly as literally as the stories of the tooth fairy, santa and leprechauns.
2006-07-13 10:25:58 · answer #1 · answered by YDoncha_Blowme 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
In II Peter 2, verses 1 and 2, it says that there are going to be teachers who mock the teaching of Jesus Christ dying for our sins. I Corinthians 15, verses 3 and 4 says Christ died for our sins, he was buried and he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. Now, if the resurrection is just symbolical, then the death must be symbolical. His death was literal. His resurrection is literal. If you don't keep the resurrection, you cannot go to heaven and that is Romans chapter 10, verses 9 and 10. You must accept the literal bodily resurrection of Christ.
Taking the bible literally, it was Sir Isaac Newton and today he's claimed by the scientists of the world to be the greatest mind scientifically to ever exist in history, said just before Christ returns, ministers will mock the idea of a literal Bible. And Sir Anderson who did the 70 weeks of Daniel 9:24 said the same thing. They will mock the literal interpretation of the Holy Word of God. Stick to it and believe what it says literally.
2006-07-13 17:48:47 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be taken as literally as the Iliad.
But just because someone wrote about an invincible man who was dipped in the mythical River Styx doesn't mean it should be taken literally. Likewise, there's no reason to take literally a tale of a man who loses his strength when his hair is chopped off.
If there is a god, I think he'd choose a more reliable method to inform us of his grace and presence than an old book translated and rewritten by men.
Some amusing stories, especially how the chosen of God raped their father after getting his drunk. Definitely twisted Hebrew mythology there.
2006-07-13 17:24:51 · answer #3 · answered by Rev Kev 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The bible communicates to us in different ways. There is a golden rule of interpretation: if the most literal sense makes sense, seek no other sense.
There is metaphor, similie, parable, symbolism, and of course, literalism in the bible.
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father, but by me". Applying the golden rule of interpretation, this is literal.
Jesus said "if your hand offends you, cut it off....if your eye offends you, pluck it out....". Applying the "golden rule of interpretation".....the most literal sense here would make no sense; there would be an awful lot of eyeless, footless people around.
Therefore, it is called "hyperbole"...exaggeration for the purpose of making a point.
Hope these two small examples help you.
2006-07-13 17:28:25 · answer #4 · answered by christian_lady_2001 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you understand what the Bible means, then take it literally.
If you do not understand what the Bible means, then take each part as an object lesson. Some of the lessons tell you what to do. Some of the lessons tell you what not to do.
And get a good study Bible, to learn what the different passages in the Bible do mean.
_The Life Application Study Bible_ is probably the easiest to read/understand.
2006-07-13 18:58:27 · answer #5 · answered by jblake80856 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it was written by witnesses, also metaphorically to describe creation and the apocalypse. Don't take those literally. The Gosples on the other hand were written by close associates of Jesus who recorded everything that happened. Take those literally also the acts of the apostles and the epistles (letters) peace.
2006-07-13 17:26:36 · answer #6 · answered by esero26 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All of the bible should be taken literally, the parts that are parables are noted as such.The old laws of the old testament have been replaced with the ten commandments.
2006-07-13 17:30:37 · answer #7 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only the parts about homosexuals should be taken literally.
2006-07-13 17:25:03 · answer #8 · answered by Dustin Lochart 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh Dustin, they can't see your sarcasm in your text. You and I both know that though it all be fiction, we would be better off listening to the parts about good deeds and morals and discard the parts about punishment for bad deeds. That would at least end the "my god will punish you" fiasco.
2006-07-13 17:42:16 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the bible has many different interpretations. It was written in a different time. In order to understand it you have to read it carefully and apply it to your life and circumstances
2006-07-13 17:27:45 · answer #10 · answered by christine 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋