Stories in the Bible, like Adam and Eve, Noah and his Ark, do you believe they really happened ( you know Eve talking to a snake and Noah building a boat big enough for every species on earth) or you do you think most of it is symbolic?
The reason I'm asking is that when I ask a question about the Bible on Y!A at certain hours, when especially non-American christians ( British, Aussies) are on, they believe that those stories are symbolic, meant to teach us something about ourselves through tales....
2006-09-17 14:50:02 · 18 answers · asked by Jmyooooh 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Those stories are purely myths that are 3000 years old. The people who first wrote them down believed them, and to this day a lot of people believe them. But they are clearly myths, and in another couple hundred years, even Christians will finally see that (assuming the Christans and Muslims don't kill us all in a "Holy War").
2006-09-17 14:58:08 · answer #1 · answered by Jim L 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I am not sure just how much of Genesis is literal and how much is figurative. I have a strong faith in God and in the Bible as a whole. However, I am also a scientist. I know what science tells us about Earth's age and history. I believe that Adam and Eve were literal, real people as was Noah. However, there is no scientific evidence to back up the belief that we are descended from just two ancestors nor that they lived only six thousand years ago. There is also not enough water in the world now to have covered it completely as is described in the story of Noah. So, how do I reconcile these apparent contradictions? I don't try. A accept that God created everything that is and that He had his reasons for doing so. Genesis was given to a people who lacked the knowledge to understand how God really created everything. So, He just gave them a symbolic account. Some day, when we can see all of history from beginning to end, we will understand how all of the pieces fit together and then there will be no contradictions. Until then, I will just muddle through to the best of my ability.
2006-09-17 15:32:40 · answer #2 · answered by Glenn Blaylock 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
A lot of both...it will become quite evident, if you spend any time in Revelations. There are many parables in the Bible. Jesus taught in parables.
Most of Noah's adventures can be verified. The Giglamesh incident happened about the same time.. so would be evidence of some great catastrophe. There are findings being made in our very recent history which seem to fortify much of what has been presented in the Bible. Some very undeniable. Other of our historical accounts are being ripped to shreds by new findings..indicating that many things we have learned are in need of revisiting, to make the necessary adjustments to these newer findings.
2006-09-17 15:09:23 · answer #3 · answered by mrcricket1932 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If anything, stories in the Bible are definitely symbolic. They are legendary myths told over generations and generations and then eventually written down once people became literate.
2006-09-17 15:02:10 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
its a question that cant exactly be answered. its all the way people look at it. evelution happend but theres another question that can change your thought process from elelution. like... ok... if evelution doesnt have a set date when the earth began than what was the date of god when everything began. but i think its a symbolic because just like the american flag we believe in america, but with god we believe that there is good, kindness in humanity. believing in hope. its more symbolic than anything.
2006-09-17 14:59:19 · answer #5 · answered by Scarlet5 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, the Bible is supposed to be the Word of God, and the way I read it God doesn't **** around. He says what he means and means what he says. Christians seem to take some parts of the Bible literally and others not; I don't get that. I mean, they crucified that author who recently falsified parts of HIS autobiography; imagine if parts of God's autobiography (which the Bible kinda is) weren't true.
2006-09-17 14:55:48 · answer #6 · answered by Jensenfan 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Santa Claus. Literal or symbolic?
2006-09-17 14:56:43 · answer #7 · answered by southeastside 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The work of unidentified religious zealots. They meant it to be literal.
Too bad the facts get in the way now that we have a better understanding of how things really happened.
2006-09-17 14:54:08 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
In Genesis, God kills every living thing in the flood. It is not literal - the flood never happened. If it is symbolic, the "symbolism" makes god a homicidal maniac. Why would anyone want to "worship" a homicidal maniac?
http://godisimaginary.com/video5.htm
2006-09-17 14:59:52 · answer #9 · answered by godflagusa 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Most assuredly I believe the WORD is to be accepted Literally !
2006-09-17 14:55:53 · answer #10 · answered by Minister 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋