If I can't take the Bible literally in Rev 7:1 and Rev 20:8, how can I take Gen 1:26-27 & Gen 2:7 literally

Question

7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.
Genesis 2:7 (New King James Version)


How come some Christians interpret this literally and ignore the evidence of Evolution?

If Rev 7:1 and Rev 20:8 aren't supposed to be literal in saying the Earth has four corners, is it possible that Genesis 2:7 isn't supposed to be literal either?

Answer 1

Christians are very fond of insisting that some verses are literal and others are allegory. Different Christians have different ideas on which verses are which, so that you can scarcely find two that completely agree on anything the Bible says. This is why we have 34,000 denominations all vying for your attention and money.

If we assume that the creation story is not literal, what about the resurrection story of Jesus? Was that just an allegory, too? Why or why not? Was there really a prophet named Balaam, and did his donkey literally talk like a human? If so, then why should the creation story be only an allegory? How about the parting of the Red Sea, the sun standing still, the plagues that God sent to Egypt, the Exodus, the manna from heaven, the fiery chariot, the burning bush, the two bears that killed 42 children for taunting Elijah? What is allegory, what is literal? More importantly, how do Christians make the distinction? What, exactly, is the step-by-step method that they use to determine which scriptures are meant as literal, historical events, and which ones are merely fables meant to convey a moral message? It can't have anything to do with God, because every Christian claims to be filled with the Holy Spirit of God and yet they all disagree! When one says that Genesis is allegory, and another says that it's a literal event, who am I to believe?

Answer 2

The verse in Genesis your talking about is not literal. First off, the Genesis story and concept of creation are true accounts. But as you said saying "the four corners of the Earth" is a figure of speach, like raining cats and dogs. So, "breathed life into his nostrils" is a metaphor to describe that God had a hand in(again a metaphor) in the creation act. That appliies also to "the dust of the ground".

Answer 3

Because the Bible is made up of 66 different books and several different writing styles and purposes.

There is history, which can be taken literally. Most of it has been historically verified outside of the Bible. This is the category of Genesis.

There is also prophecy, parts of which can be taken literally. Some prophecy must also be interpreted, because we simply don't understand, kinda like ancient societies wouldn't understand a computer if we showed it to them. This is where Revelation is.

There are also books of poetry and proverbs, books of wisdom, personal letters, as well as parables, which are stories told to make a point. The stories in parables don't have to be real history in order for the Truth behind them to be valid.

The Bible is too big to try to stuff it into ONE category of pure literalism. That is not to say that one shred of it isn't Truth. There is a distinct difference between Literal Facts and Truth. Check out my answers for that explanation, if you need it.

There are parts that should definitely be taken literally, and other parts that are intended to be metaphorical. If you have wisdom, you can easily spot the difference. If not, you can pray for wisdom and God will grant it to you.

Answer 4

Because we know the difference between metaphors, similes, figures of speech, and literal history. All are contained in the Scriptures. Genesis was written as history and read as such. Have you ever used the term "Sun rise" or "Sun set"? Were you being literal? Of course not. Even someone with an elementary understanding of language arts and literature can tell the difference between figures of speech and writings that convey historical accounts.
We ignore this "evidence" because the overwhelming evidence for creation is crushing it.

Answer 5

Hello friend,
The Bible is it's own best interpreter. If you have trouble understanding what to take literal or symbolic, it's because you're trying to read a spiritual Book with a non-spiritual mind.
You will fail every time. Take a look at 1 Cor. 2:14, but you really should read that whole chapter it'll do you good.
But friend, whenever you take God's Book in hand, do so with reverence, asking God Himself to reveal it to you. Otherwise you just won't understand.
Blessings,
2 Tim. 2:7

Answer 6

Evolution again,huh?Are they not still searching for the missing link in human evolution.I know where it is.
As far as the verses are concerned you may take them literally if you want to.Just do yourself a favor and be ready.The relevant verses in Rev. will come to pass after the rapture.Gen is so far behind us that you need not worry about how God did His work.Interesting reading though,is it not?

Answer 7

Exactly my point to your last post!

Christianity is all about picking & choosing from the bible.

One minute Genesis MUST be taken literally, the next minute Revelations must NOT be taken literally.

One minute the 10 Commanments MUST be obeyed and posted everywhere using tax dollars, the next minute the Old Testament was abolished by Jesus

One minute religion is under attack by people wanting to marry, the next minute divorce is absolutely OK.

*sigh*

Answer 8

Revelation is a series of prophetic predictions and dreams....not events that had taken place such as in Genesis or the rest of the Bible. It is a book of apocalyptic literature....a revelation from Christ to John in a dream.

Answer 9

I am a devout catholic by faith but waht comes to mind is this....


If God created man in His own image, and what the Bible says in genesis is tru, that man came from adam and eve,and they had two sons, and that eve is the only living woman, and that God gave the ten commandments....

Just think.. all of mankind is a product of "INCEST!!!!"

No offense, I believe in God but not in the BS the catholic church is teaching us!

Answer 10

Read something on other dimensions.
From Gods perspective the 3rd dimensions is like us looking at the 2nd dimension.
The earth would appear as flat as a pancake.