Why do so many people take the Bible literally?

Question

I am not saying that the Bible is not a great book, and indeed there is much wisdom in it. However, this is a text that was written, translated, and re-translated over a period of several thousand years. Over this period of time there are errors in how they are copied. There are also nuances in words that disappear in translation. Why do many people simply state that because it is in the Bible, it is the Truth? The Truth that is in the Bible is held in its timeless wisdom about our relationship to God. It is NOT a scientifically accurate book-- I have heard people tell me that the limited descriptions of the monsters, "Leviathan" and "Behemoth" are accurate descriptions of DINOSAURS! I understand that people beleive that the Bible is the Word of God-- but how can you take poetry (the Psalms, Song of Solomon, etc.) literally? How about the parts that contradict each other (ie the two creation accounts in Genesis-- how can the world be created twice?). Why do people believe this?

Just to mention-- for those of you wondering, I HAVE studied this subject extensively. I earned a B.A. in Religious Studies several years ago (as well as a B.S. in Biology). Also the two creation accounts: Genesis 1:1-2:1 and Genesis 2:4-2:25. They are two distinct stories.

Again, I am not diputing the wisdom found in the Bible-- I am disputing the literal interpretation of the text.

Answer 1

There's a place in our town where people gather on a Sunday afternoon to discuss the bible. They all take the bible literally. They use short verses to justify themselves, and hide the rest of the scripture that unmasks them. When they come to a point of reckoning, they fight to the teeth before the "Holy Bible".

Well it requires more experience, wider travels, higher studies, more reading and introspection before one gets to understand that the bible is a reflection of the soul of humanity; a guide, but not a dictum.

Answer 2

Sounds as though you are looking for a way NOT to believe the bible is literal. It is easier to NOT believe because there's a lot of scary stuff in there and those who hear but turn away have much to fear. I guess it's just easier for the here-and-now to just pretend it's not true. No, not pretend, but really believe it's not true! Yeah!

You've listened to anti-bible believers and have picked up on their beliefs and now you think they are facts. Like "the text was written, translated, and retranslated ... there are errors in how they were copied". You state this as though it were a fact. What's your source, the Da Vinci Code? LOL

You are technically correct, there have been occasional type-o's but check your facts -- there are THOUSANDS of copies of the translated documents and the error rate when comparing relatively till. There have been no significant context differences found from the earliest documents available. Yes they have been copied and copied, and occasionally have copying errors. But they have NOT been translated and retranslated (sounds as though you are trying to say they were translated, then that translation was translated, then that translation was translated) ... that's not true. There have been numerous translations, but all originate from the original copies of Greek and Hebrew text.

And stop believing everything you hear. Check the facts. And I don't mean go asking until you find someone to agree. That's just being lazy.

Check them in a scientific way.

May God bless you and help you to seek and find the truth.

Answer 3

Actually, the oldest scrolls that have ever been found, of the Bible are the most recent discovery, they have been studied extensively and remarkably the translations that we had before needed very little correcting.

There is a museum of Arts and Sciences in Orlando Fla that has a current exhibition of the ancient texts and it is online. You can learn lots more about the bible.

It's a matter of personal faith how literally you take it. I know I personally find great power in the words written there. Power to change lives heal the sick and the brokenhearted.

Answer 4

We are taught that the Bible is inerrant and infallible... it is part of our belief system... I know it sounds crazy but the way I see it... if we are wrong then we've lost very little... but just think, what if we are right??? then Atheists are screwed...

PS - I don't know where you are getting two creation accounts in Genesis... my bible only has one

PPS - how do you know it isn't science that is wrong?? Do you actually believe that all scientists tell the truth? Do you actually believe that no scientist has his/her own political agenda and is trying to deceive the masses? At least the Bible doesn't change... it's there and will always be the same

Answer 5

You're right about the retranslation part and did you know this guy CHOSE the books/chapters and words to put in the bible so it isn't the whole thing also did you know that there are books of new testement and old testement that aren't found yet
As for that question about the parts that contradict each other maybe it was just a story that was written down??

Answer 6

I think that what you are missing here is that you insist on taking the term "literally", as Christians use it, in a literal way.

Most fundamentalists use the "plan meaning rule" for interpreting the Bible. That is, the author probably meant what he said, not what you wanted him to say.

Yes, you have to compare old manuscripts with each other to spot any possible scribal errors (already done for the NIV and the NASB), and you need to examine the historical and cultural context to get the author's meaning. But once you take all of that into consideration, the meaning that you get is the meaning that you are stuck with. Don't like what Paul said? Too bad, he said it, like it or not. Don't like Peter's opinions? Once again, too bad, Peter said it, like it or not.

Answer 7

Who made the bible? I think those theories were just based on the ancient prophets of Christianity!The scriptures was printed from generation to generation!Humans point of view varies and imperfect with different interpretation! There is nothing to lose with you if you believe because that is you faith and the burden is within your conscience If you believe it or not!Bible is the greatest weapons against all odds that gives to others peace of mind and contentment in life ,so it has the biggest role to maintain man's humanity even there are conflicts but the main objective is there is GOD!

Answer 8

The Bible is the word of God and is historically accurate. The Bible is written figuratively and literally not just literally and Jesus spoke in parables thus insuring the timelessness of the scripts. God asks us for faith and we are saved by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ that he came to earth to pay the ultimate price for our sins. We are saved by the actions of Jesus Christ not by the Bible. We must trust and have faith in God that the Bible is the word of God and can help us with our relationship with our
Savior, Jesus Christ. I repeat, we are saved and placed in a state of salvation by Jesus Christ not the Bible. The Bible is the word of God but not our Savior. Faith plays a large role in it.

Addendum: Indeed I just read the Genesis passages you reference and there is no dual creation stories, there is no discrepancies in the passages. Perhaps when you studied the Bible with the eyes of mans science instead of the faith of salvation you were mislead by your own prejudices. Jesus did say let those who have ears to hear, hear. Perhaps you do not have ears.

Answer 9

first. it is NOT the original bible. - far too many man made changes - for a simple reason i dont actually believe it to be the BOOK of GOD. secondly, even if it were the book of God...u must accept the errors to be a bit "unGodly". id say 50-50 for that...

now the question - WHY do ppl. believe it to be one.? - brainwashing is one point.
ppl. dont really care to find out.
or they just blindly follow the "Jesus loves Us" trick.

Answer 10

Because the word of God is THE absolute truth of God, his love letter to us. Since when was religion scientifically true, its all about supernatural events by the one and only God Christ Jesus.