Is it possible to be a Christian and not take the Bible literally?

Question

I think to many Christians use the Bible as a cruch.

Answer 1

The Bible is written with a literal sense and an internal sense. The literal sense is really not there to support worldly history or worldly timelines. The literal sense supports, contains and protects the interior sense of the Word.

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Answer 2

It is not only possible to be a Christian and not take the Bible literally, it is necessary not to take some the Bible literally to be a good Christian.
Some parts are historical, they would be meant literally. Some parts are poetry and have to understood and interpreted as poetry. Some are "apocalyptic" literature and filled with symbolic language that has to be interpreted to understand it.
For example, when we say "it rained cats and dogs" we do not mean that cats and dogs fell from the sky. In reading the Bible you have to know what the expressions and language meant to the people when it was written.

Answer 3

One the Bible was designed to be understood by those that believed in God and had them in his heart. many who try to read it can't see past the punishment God dealt out and see him as nothing more than an angry God.
Second is everyone on this planet have a different outlook and sense of understanding - once you have God in your life he shows you things to understand. Many try to use the Bible to preach but it is there to guide Christians to be the best Christians they can be. It tells us what to believe when we are able to handle it. Some use it to judge unbelievers and that just isn't what it is used for. Now if you ask a christian is doing this or that a sin then you can bet we are to quote what we understand. But we were not placed here to tell you how to live - that is why we have free will - A true christian will not tell you that your going to hell because that's for God to decide. a true christian will offer knowledge and point you in the right direction and teach you if you so desire. It is important for you and others to understand that Christians use the Bible to aid them in answering questions this is in no way forcing our beliefs on anyone.

Answer 4

I don't think so. The vast majority who claim to be Christian are not. I have seen some polls long ago (before 1990), which may still be close to right. The Independent Baptist believed that about 8-10% of those who thought they were Christian actually were. Some more moderate churches placed that number up to about 25%. Even at best, we are still looking at about 3/4 of the church going to hell. That is not good for everyone else. Just exactly what was used as a litmus test-I do not know. Any way you look at it-it is not good.

Answer 5

I agree

most people take things in the Bible too literally

I'm a Christian and I believe in the Bible, but I don't take it too literally

I see it as a guide by which Christians should live by

I guess it's all a matter of choice, it's either you become a fanatical Christian who takes the Bible word by word, or a Christian who is guided by the Bible and lives with his/her faith as the main motivation for his/her religion

I choose to become the latter

Answer 6

True Bible believing, born again Christians take the Bible "literally". God is not a liar. He never intended for any of His Word to NOT be taken literally.

Answer 7

Yes, but literal in meaning it is all the true Word of God. Many of the prophecies are symbolic, two such are defined in Daniel 8:15 (understanding of vision) and in Revelation 17:7 (mystery of woman and beast revealed).

This is why it is silly that some demominations have attempted to interpret and understand the prophecies of the latter days in a literal sense, when they are clearly revealed as symbolic and require interpretation by God. They were written as a means of knowledge as to when one lives in accordance with the events to come. When one happens it will be revealed to those who are able to understand but not before.

Answer 8

The Bible is to be interpreted by the individual reader. Do I think that the Red Sea was parted? No not literally. Great object lesson though.

Answer 9

The text of the Bible can convey many different meanings, depending upon how one looks at.

Gnostic Christianity views it as allegory. If it is historically factual is a virtue, but essentially irrelevant.

Fundamental Christianity requires it to be understood according to the "plain literal meaning."

Contemporary Liberal Christianity tends to view as a series of lessons that one should apply to one's life.

Answer 10

Very possible. The bible contradicts itself quite often. That doesn't mean I have to deny god. I believe in God and such. I however also believe in evolution. Things don't need to be black and white. The bible is a story written by humans. We are fallible.