Christians: How do you decide which parts of the bible to take literally, and which parts to take symbolically

Question

I mean... it can't all be literal or Jesus is covered in wool and has hooved feet!
Or I guess that "river of living water" flows out of your belly button?

Answer 1

It is spiritually discerned ... and we dont decide.

Answer 2

It says that he has hair that is "white like wool" and I am not sure where you got the hooved feet. Your comment is typical of a lot of comments made by non-Christians: you simply judge without the facts. I have questions about Islam, and other christian dogma, and I take the time to investigate for truth.

Do I believe that God literally created the earth in 6 days (because on the 7th He rested)? Well, research in Science tells me that the earth is millions of years old. Research in the Bible tells me that to God, "a day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years is as a day", so to God, 6 days may have simply been symbolic. More research in the Bible shows me that the story of Genesis can be viewed as not the start of the Universe, but the unfolding of events over thousands of years after a meteor strike.

Bottom line, nothing comes easy in life, least of all the truth.

Answer 3

I check out every word and Know it was written to be literal with the exception of John's Revelation or Apocalypse ,Which was translated in a way those of that day could understand better, Now the symbols used then are different, Example ,"The Trumpets Sounded in those days to call attention to a Speech, Announcement of importance , now we call it a Special News Bulletin.

Answer 4

If you have had an literature training at all, you can tell what is to be taken literally or not. Some people will say, well, don't take that literal, just because it's easier that way... but when I read the Bible it is very easy for me to tell what should be taken literal. It's not something I can easily explain with one "simple" answer.

Answer 5

Simple..what can happen and what can't happen with jesus. Jesus can bring back dead but he wouldn't have the river of living water flowing out your belly button!!!! :) Te He!!! If you need help ask someone at your church. Or check out some nice websites

Answer 6

Because of the scientific progress Bible lost it's relevance so Christians started to take some parts symbolical.

Perhaps in 2000 years they'll find out that you cannot keep adjusting one book all the time.

Answer 7

The book of revelations 89% symbolical in my opinion. The stories and stuff that teaches lessons and the 10 commandments, i think its obvious that you need to take it literally.

Answer 8

you learn about the different types of literature found within the Bible ( it's not a BOOK, but a LIBRARY of books of many different kinds of literature).

and you listen to what the CHURCH, which was established by Jesus Himself teaches about how to understand it all. The Church is the pillar and foundation of truth and as such has the mission not only to spread the Gospel to every nation, but also to correctly teach the meaning.

Answer 9

Because the nature of this world tends toward illusion and delusion, mortal man cannot, by himself, discern the truths in the Scriptures. It is only by the guidance of the Spirit of Truth (or the Holy Spirit) that man is able to see it. Otherwise he is blind as a bat.

Answer 10

I think its pretty obvious. You wouldn't read anything else and ask what should and shouldn't be taken literally or do you really believe when the news paper says "It's going to be a scorcher tomorrow" that everyone will literally be singed?

Answer 11

Ask God to give you wisdom whenever you read it. Believe it or not, He's the best teacher there is! And remember..."the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom".