I believe in God, and believe in Jesus Christ as not just a great teacher but an incarnation of God. However, I think that the Bible is full of many things, including truth, but also fables, personal accounts, writers' opinions, mythology, etc. I am an intellectual and analytical and cannot, no matter how hard I try, take the Bible as literal truth and instruction, and I don't believe that God intended it as such (a fable or myth can be God-breathed and useful for teaching, correction, etc.).
I feel a call to be Christian and would like your opinion as to whether you think this is possible. I take the Bible seriously, but not literally, reading it in the context of history, other texts, and my own interpretations. I don't think God would want me to sacrifice my brain to believe in Him. (I'm not implying Christians are stupid - I am remembering years in Bible studies when my questions were discouraged, I was told to stop reading non-Christian books, punished for my "doubt," etc.)
2006-09-05 07:40:31 · 49 answers · asked by LisaT 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
While Paul claimed those who wrote the Bible were inspired by God, there is no point where the Bible itself states that all things written in it are to be considered literally true. Jesus himself was fond of teaching in parables that While that is often the most straightforward interpretation, the belief that the Bible is always to be interpreted literally is an interpretation in itself.
2006-09-05 08:42:21 · answer #1 · answered by Mad Scientist Matt 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't make the decisions, but I believe you can be a Christian without taking the Bible literally. I don't believe and I don't think most true Biblical scholars (not locked in to a particular denomination's method of interpretation) believe that the entire Bible is meant to be taken literal. Song of Solomon is poetic and should be read as such. So are the Psalms. Some parts are written as documentary and should be interpreted as such and some use metaphor and other means of descriptive language. I do think that if you spend some time looking at some apologetics writers you will find that many things you thought were just myth may have actually taken place.
2006-09-05 07:48:27 · answer #2 · answered by BigRichGuy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well... many people misunderstand these things. For instance, Jesus taught using parables, or analogies to get across a point. Now, if i take those parable literally and not as intended, then i err. However, I LITERALLY believe Jesus DID teach, and DID use parables. Also, we as humans don't know everything... there are parts that are baffling... if i believe that Jesus is God, and did die on a cross (historically accurate text), and that He rose on the third day back to life to show us that we need not fear death, and He being God that created everything, I think we can safely assume that God can pretty much do anything He'd like.
There's a lot more to it than "this or that", there is a myriad of observations and perspectives. To answer your question; Yes you can be a Christian because of the belief in the central theme of the Gospel; Jesus died for us sinners. But when you start disecting which sections you believe and which you don't, make sure you know what it is you're disecting... Because to err is human, you know. ;)
2006-09-05 07:48:17 · answer #3 · answered by punkdrunkard 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
YES. I also follow this theory of taking the Bible not literally.
You will happy to know that famed theologian C.S. Lewis also did not take the Bible word for word.
For one thing, it's been translated. Translating something always leaves or adds something to the original text so we've never read the original words. Also, there were many words brand spanking new around the time of King James like the word Dragon. Also, notice how Jesus asks Peter if he loves him three times in relation to feed my sheep. In the Greek, that's three different words that mean different kinds of love, but we don't get that with our Bible we just get the English version.
And Jesus used parables-fiction stories-to convey truth all the time.
You will be surprised that some things in the Bible do line up historically as far as rulers and types of peoples mentioned in the Bible.
Actually, "giants" can work in the Bible. You have to remember that the average man was much shorter in Old Testament times. A man about Shaq's height would be a "giant" to a 4 foot man.
2006-09-05 07:47:23 · answer #4 · answered by T 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The Bible is inerrant in history, doctrine and ethics. You will not find any contradictions or errors in these areas. It does not contain mythology or fables, and the KJV has remained true to the original translations that it was copied from. There are parables, metaphors, similes and other alliterations, but where it is clear that is history, it is to be understood as such.
Jesus took the Bible literally, as did the apostles. When you start to pick and choose what you want to believe and what you want to consider "fable" or "myth" you are on dangerous ground. Apparently, you were not taught well in your Bible studies. We are to love God with all our heart, soul and mind. Christianity is a thinking faith. If I were teaching you, I would encourage your questions and provide you with an answer.
God intends us to take His word seriously and literally, unless it is obvious that is a parable, metaphor, simile or an alteration.
2006-09-05 07:56:32 · answer #5 · answered by BrotherMichael 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would suggest a course in hermeneutics - biblical interpretation. Most passages are literal, but not all. The bible is filled with parables and all types of stories. However, orthodox Christianity has believed that what the Bible says is true. You don't have to check your brains out at the door whne you become a Christian. Get into a healthy, Bible-based church and you'll see that there are many answers in the Bible for our questions. I wish you the best as you experience the best life in the world! God Bless
2006-09-05 07:47:48 · answer #6 · answered by pastor 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Notice all the carefree answers here? You did pose this questions to Christians, I noticed, but non-Christians replied.
These are the same ones that are telling you that the Bible is full of lies, fables, silliness. Would a Christian talk this way? Would a Christian try to lead you away from the Bible?
If you are feeling a call to follow Jesus, then that is good news. If you feel that you are not ready to follow the Bible, then pray about it and the time will come to you.
Your best bet is to attend a short informal bible study at church. You can get the REAL take on deciphering the Bible's scriptures from the pastor, priest, minister there.
God's peace to you
2006-09-05 07:54:58 · answer #7 · answered by joe_on_drums 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I used to be in the same boat as you. Remember me? I was the one that always wore the scuba gear. Nah, not really, but I did used to believe the same thing you believe. Many people don't understand that you can define Christians any way you want. My definition of a Christian is certainly different than anybody else's. It's pretty tough to believe the Bible literally when faced with mountains of contradictions and mythic stories of existence. You're on the right track. At least you think critically... most Christians I know refuse to do so.
2006-09-05 07:48:53 · answer #8 · answered by Landon H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you ignore the Bible altogether and walk away from this religious nonsense, you will be a happier and safer person overall.
I don't think that Bible believers have any idea how troubled their minds are. When someone totally ignores all of the horrors and atrocities, or twists them into meaning something nice, then they are deeply mentally troubled. The Bible should be banned from public circulation.
Most people agree that the Bible should be restricted to adults only. Why corrupt young minds with the violence, killing, murders and hatred contained in the Bible.
The more I review this horror publication, the more I feel that it should be permanently banned from circulation. Clearly many religious adults have below average intelligence and also very naive gullible minds, and they should be protected as well from Bible horrors.
Bible Thumpers always use quotes they like, but horrific quotes become “That was the old Bible, or we’ve changed the meaning, or wrong interpretation, or we’ve changed the context, or the quotes are out of context, excuse after excuse.”
Mathew 5:29-30 God encouraged self-mutilation.
Isaiah 13:15-18 God allowed women raped and little children slaughtered.
Genesis 6:11-17 and 7:11-24 God is the greatest mass murder in history.
Luke 14:26 God wants you to hate your family.
Rubbish like the above quotes should be banned from public circulation.
2006-09-05 07:49:01 · answer #9 · answered by Brenda's World 4 · 0⤊ 4⤋
Yes, absolutely. It's Jesus choice to persuade you to believe Him. How you are currently interpreting the Bible is entirely a function of Jesus influence in your life. It will probably change over time. But Jesus won't.
When you study the Bible, be sure to look up what was written in the original texts. This will help a lot, as our English translations are not always conveying the intent of what was written.
2006-09-05 07:50:26 · answer #10 · answered by Bruce 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋