if everything in the Bible is to be taken at face value, why is it some stuff is taken literally, and some is not? isn't it like being a little bit pregnant? it either is, or it isn't?
2006-10-13 08:42:30 · 6 answers · asked by kelleygaither2000 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Depends on what part of the bible you're talking about.
Revelation is full of symbolism.
Jesus used many parables to teach.
The bible has many hyperboles (eye of needle)
On the other hand when It says to love our enemies, Worship Jehovah, Jesus is God's Only Begotten Son,
We can believe these as literal.
2006-10-13 11:37:56 · answer #1 · answered by TeeM 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Bible was written by many different people. Some wrote lyricly, others wrote poetry. The Bible is the story(stories) of God interacting with humans (plural). Their individual perceptions and cultures are going to come out in their writing. That's only common sense.
We're actually warned over and over again against symbology. Symbols either distract us from our true purpose or take the place of God.
I'm kind of guessing that you haven't read most of what's actually in the Bible. It just sounds that way.
I believe that everything can be taken literally. Sometimes it might not seem that way at first.
Peace and God's love to you.
2006-10-13 15:54:38 · answer #2 · answered by luvwinz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One of the great things about the Bible is that is has so much meaning and depth - being a reflection of the awesome Creator that authored it, and who authored life itself. Many events and characters from the Old Testament, for instance, foreshadow (or symbolize) future people and events. You don't have to have either symbolism or literal meaning...you can have both. Also, some of the writings are clearly in allegorical fashion - meant to communicate truth in a poetic way. Jesus often spoke in parables and was communicating certain things through these parables that had less to do with the actual story and more to do with the meaning of the story. The Holy Spirit reveals the wisdomof God's word...that is why it is not by intellectual pursuit that we discover God...it is through relationship and revelation!
2006-10-13 15:48:57 · answer #3 · answered by whitehorse456 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ya really can't lump this into an "all christian" comment. There are only a handful of denominations who would take a bible which has been translated, retranslated and then interpreted for us to be literally absolute. Ya kinda gotta have sympathy for them because they really don't understand what they're doing.
2006-10-13 15:46:38 · answer #4 · answered by Max Marie, OFS 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
not real sure what ya mean here
2006-10-13 15:48:09 · answer #5 · answered by lpxerounderground 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sorry, but I don't have a clue what your talking about...
2006-10-13 15:46:07 · answer #6 · answered by Kerilyn 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋