Figurative or literal? What's the big deal?

Question

There's an old, on-going debate if the Bible is written in the figurative or literal voice. If it's true that the book has basic points to it, what's the difference? Don't these points hold true either way?

If one believes in that God exists - "God" by definition alone, can already do anything, he's all powerful. Why is a bag of magic tricks needed to prove this (in story form)?

Answer 1

It is written in both - but primarily in the literal voice. However, passages like Jesus' parables are, of course, figurative but are there for our easier understanding.
I think you point is correct, if the message is communicated then the purpose is accomplished.

Answer 2

I look at most of the Bible as literal, but some such as Revelation as more figurative. Is an actual beast of 10 horns going to rise up? God doesn't use a bag of tricks. Jesus used parables in order to relate spiritual things to natural things that people could see and understand.

Answer 3

Great point.

Jews, Christians and Muslims take the Holy Books literally, marerially, physically, when they are spiritual, symbolic books to be taken, not superficially, but on a much deeper level.

Answer 4

That's one of the best question I've ever seen asked. Because you are right it makes no difference whether something is being taught from a literal or figurative perspective, it's all still the same truth. And the same conclusion can be garnered from it.

Answer 5

In Matthew 13, the disciples asked this same question of Jesus in verse 10. He answered, “The knowledge of the secrets of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. This is why I speak to them in parables, ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand’” (Mat. 13:11,13).
When Jesus had the attention of His audience and the people were humble and anxious to hear, Jesus spoke plainly. But, when His audience contained people who were prideful and resistant to His instruction, He used parables that pierced the hearts of those who were open but were lost on the proud.
2 Peter 3:9 teaches that God does not want anyone to perish but, rather, that all would come to repentance. His desire is that all people would turn to Him and seek understanding of the truths of His Word. He promises that if a person seeks after God, He will reveal himself.

Answer 6

It works the other way. As the Book says, "all these things Happened unto them for ensamples, and they are written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come." 1 Cor. 10:11 People have no problem seeing that "the end of the world" could happen just any minute. It's "our admonition" that we can't stand!