Could God be adressing his people metaphorically so that everyonne would interpret it differently and if God is adressing us literally then the Bible seems full of disasters and catastrophies as the "parted sea" and the sun shining from the west instead of the east or the day becoming dark...etc.
2006-11-03 17:24:34 · 21 answers · asked by fuschiafish 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It pays here to remember that the Bible is a complex set of individual books, spanning a range of literary genre and purpose: history, civil and religious law, poetry, biography, prophecy, etc. One interpretative lens isn't adequate.
The best approach in my opinion is to know what type of literature you're reading, and to consider the author's purpose: the Psalms are highly figurative in places, but recount history in others, so weave in and out of the literal/figurative: ultimately, their purpose is to declare God's glory in song. The Proverbs, to encapsulate wisdom in poetic form (highly metaphorical). Then you have more literal books, like the Gospels, i.e., the biographies of Jesus, or the New Testament epistles to the eary Christian churches, both types of writing meant to be taken quite literally. Of course, a book like the Revelation is highly symbolic.
When the Bible is reporting history (people, places, events), take it as such; when it's using poetry as its communication medium, look for more embedded truth, etc. Allegorizing everything, and coming to individual interpretations, runs contrary to a religious text that is making specific truth claims; on the other hand, forcing a wooden literal interpretation on every word of the scriptures leads to some contradictory and irrational conclusions (the psalmist declares that God will cover you with his wings, but we should not then conclude that He is a chicken).
As for recordings of the miraculous, I see no problem. If I can swallow "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth," I shouldn't choke at the comparative child's play of the parting of a sea, etc. A Creator who brought the laws of physics into existence certainly can intervene by temporarily suspending or altering them them for specific purposes. After all, that's exactly why Christ performed miracles: to establish his bona fides as that Creator who actually could suspend the natural order at will.
2006-11-03 17:58:01 · answer #1 · answered by Winsome 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As is, actually. Where it makes a metaphor, it underlines a principle or teaches a concept. Some is addressing to you directly. Some is history and some is teaching. Some is just accounts and some is more than that. Some of it says the same thing over and over. Repetitio est mater docere. Or, repetition is the mother of learning.
So read it as is. Like you would read any book, whether it's fiction or not. The truth transpires from the context. Analyze it, don't be afraid.
2006-11-04 02:10:10 · answer #2 · answered by Pivoine 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Am I to take your question literally, or metaphorically? But seriously, God created speech and communication, and if I told you a pregnant lady I knew was big as a whale, would you even consider the possibility I meant it literally? Jesus said "If anyone wishes to do His (God's) will, he shall know..." So then it comes down to an issue of the heart. If your heart is right before God, you will come to understand what God meant in His Word, the Holy Scriptures.
2006-11-04 01:34:44 · answer #3 · answered by wefmeister 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Both ways. Only a person who is seeking the truth would ask a question like this. It's a good thing you are. The Parables are metaphoric for a reason. This way Jesus could rebuke the non-belivers and not die before He was supposed to.
The Old Testament, or most of it, is literal as it deals with history,
The rest which is Gospel is written that way to make you think.
2006-11-04 01:33:36 · answer #4 · answered by David S 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Understanding Such Writings do require a Certain Translator!
(i.e. The Holy Spirit)
2006-11-04 01:28:15 · answer #5 · answered by J. Charles 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
How about as neither but rather of great literature. The King James version of the bible was a great stabilizing influence on the English language. So were the works of Shakespeare. Try reading it a private relaxing setting. You may find you enjoy it much better.
2006-11-04 01:31:57 · answer #6 · answered by Sid B 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Literally, every word of God is truth. It is written by men inspired by God. John 1:4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. John 1:5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
2006-11-04 01:36:00 · answer #7 · answered by Faerie loue 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Read it literally from the point of view of Nomadic and semi-nomadic people would think of it.
Until you reach the GARDEN of EDEN STORY. That is the story of the creation of one branch of humanity that we call Israelites.If ADAM and EVE were actually the First Humans made on Earth where did the other tribes come from that the met Outside of the GARDEN . When the were exiled from it. and who made them . And also how long had they existed before then.
From there its the story of the Descendants of the Israelites.Until the coming of Jesus and their rejection of him as their true Messiah.
2006-11-04 01:43:16 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
ive studied the bible in several settings with various objectives each time, some theological, some from a strict literary point-of-view, however, being a not very devout catholic, but a self-proclaimed somewhat decent person, i think that the bible really is meant to teach us how to live a good life as opposed to dictating when we can and cant breath. i think youre supposed to interpret it your own way, and learn from the teachings; again, this is my personal opinion, but i dont think it was meant to be taken verbatim.
2006-11-04 01:36:08 · answer #9 · answered by peachead88 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
most of it is metaphorical, especially the stories. But when you read the new testament, i think most of it should be taken literally because most of what Jesus says is directed towards us, and they aren't stories/analogies. They're actually commands.
2006-11-04 01:27:37 · answer #10 · answered by Jeffrey W 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋