Why is it some chrisitians don't take the bible "literally"?

Question

I am not a christian but to me it just means that they are apologizing for things that they can't explain.

If it isn't to be taken literally was god lieing.

Furthermore, why do you believe Jesus being the son of god is not metaphoric.. in other words how do you choose what is metaphoric and what is literal

If there was a big 'threat' of people taking it literally don't you think god would have specified that it is to be take metaphorically .. ie included a disclaimer.

I agree some people do things wrong in their own religion, but not because of the 'scriptures' but because of their lack of knowledge thereof.

Answer 1

My personal view is that Christians who don't view a literal interpretation of the Bible are in to compromise of their faith and are trying to please both God and men at the same time. Hey, there's nothing wrong with pleasing God, there's nothing wrong with pleasing men--it's okay, I guess. But the conflict? Doesn't sit well with me.

I believe that God gave us the scriptures to follow and to learn from, not for us to change and modify as we see fit.

Answer 2

'Rend your hearts and not your garments.' 'Circumcize your hearts.' C'mon. I want to SEE someone take those commands literally. Obviously, parts of the Bible are meant to be metaphors; that doesn't make it a lie. Especially considering that the writers were human and eached used their own style of writing. So anyone who doesn't want to rip their heart apart has to work out for himself what is and is not meant to be taken literally. Some of it is obvious, and some is not. Reading the Bible (metaphorically or literally), I see the recurring theme of love. Everything seems to boil down to that, and so together with common sense I use it for a guideline. But I also figure that if I get some things wrong, it doesn't really matter so long as I get the general message right, so I don't worry about it too much.

Answer 3

surely, i'm not sure if human beings doubt if that is genuine, what maximum doubt is the relevance and the accuracy interior the translations. while Constantine desperate to place the bible at the same time, he handed over some books as he felt they weren't correct for the cases and he mandatory the bible to regulate the hundreds and what they have been believing. and that's actuality from historic previous. different the data that archaeologists are looking help that the bible is genuine. inspite of the undeniable fact that, it additionally helps that the data shows that is genuine to the final of the cases. such because of the fact the flood and the Arc on the time substitute into outfitted in a small city in a low valley between intense plains. From the place Noah stood, it gave the effect of the international had flooded because of the fact he purely knew the small area he lived in. in basic terms as Columbus concept the international substitute into flat because of the fact he observed no longer something distinctive from the place he stood. The parting of the crimson sea extremely is the REED see as there wasn't a observe for REED back then to translate. i think of possibly taking a historic previous lesson interior the bible taught by applying a non believer might earnings you in looking the certainty.

Answer 4

To some Christians there is a difference between saying, "The Bible is the word of God," and saying, "The Bible CONTAINS the word of God." Those who read the Bible as containing the word of God point to the overarching narrative of God's relationship to the Jews and the changes wrought by Jesus coming. They also refer to the long tradition of Christian teaching, personal experience, and intellectual reasoning to help interpret the Bible. Because they retain an ongoing dialogue between current times and the Biblical record, this version of Christianity has had somewhat less trouble accepting evolution and humanistic values, such as women's rights, the right to choose, interfaith dialogue, and for some, homosexual membership and leadership.

This form of Christianity has represented the mainstream during a large period of western history. The current Fundamentalist movement grew out of a right wing sect in the last half of the 19th century, and remained small until the mid 1950s. Fundamentalist beliefs, primarily centered on the inerrancy (mistake-proof nature) of the Bible, have been make headway in many Christian denominations ever since.

Answer 5

This lady expressed my sentiments exactly.


''Reading the Bible “plainly” means understanding that literal history is literal history, metaphors are metaphors, poetry is poetry, etc. The Bible is written in many different literary styles and should be read accordingly. This is why we understand that Genesis records actual historical events. It was written as historical narrative.
Reading the Bible plainly/straightforwardly (taking into account literary style, context, authorship, etc.) is the basis for what is called the historical-grammatical method of interpretation which has been used by theologians since the church fathers. This method helps to eliminate improper interpretations of the Bible. ''

Answer 6

The problem with taking the Bible literally, or any religious scripture for that matter, is that it leads to absurd and contradictorary ideas.

Only those people who want to believe in childish absurdities interpret the Bible literally. That is their choice. You don't have to respect it.

Answer 7

That's a great question. I am one of the Christians that does take it literally and it is a huge problem to me to see people choosing the parts of the bible that they will take seriously and what not to take seriously. I think for them it's more of a game of just wanting what pleases them. It seems to me that by saying parts of it aren't as good as other parts, you're sort of discrediting the bible. Great question and I look forward to seeing some people try to explain this one.

Answer 8

I literally believe the Bible is the inspired and infallible word of God!

Answer 9

They have an easy system for choosing what's a metaphor and what's literal. If it's disproven, it becomes a metaphor, so that they don't have to admit they were wrong.

Answer 10

Some see that the Bible was not meant to be taken literally.