Do you believe in the literal word of the Bible?

Answer 1

Not when it's meant to be spiritual like Revelations.

Answer 2

People need to take certains things into consideration when reading the bible. In some instances, Jesus used hyperboles in statements such as the following, "And if your hand should cause you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter into life crippled, than to have two hands and go to hell, into the fire that cannot be put out...."
Mark 9:43
Hyperboles were used to exaggerate a point to make a point, a common element of communication in those days. Our society use similar forms of communication these days with statements such as, "What's up? That's bad! Cool! The eagle flys on Friday," etc. The folks back then also knew when a hyperbole was not being used. An example would be when Jesus told his disciples, "I tell you most solemnly, if you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you will not have life in you....For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink." John 6:53-55 A few passages later John writes that many of Jesus' followers stated that "This in intolerable language. How could anyone accept it?" John 6:60 If one reads on Jesus explains the truth of his statement with, "It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh has nothing to offer. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life." John 6:63.
Years ago I took a college course my Freshman year called "The Bible As Literature." The course was taught on a public secular campus by some grouchy professor who didn't want to hear any preaching in her classroom. My point being that this woman only used her opinions in regards to literary devices and style of writing. A couple of people I knew to be Christians couldn't take what the professor had to say and quit the course after two or three days of class. On the other hand, this course helped me out a lot to understand the Holy Scriptures. One doesn't have to be a theologian to understand the bible but one should study up on background, culture, history, and forms of communication to avoid any misinterpretations. There's a lot to this loaded question and I really don't have the time to write an essay to argue my point. There are way too many examples to point reference to. I'm writing this off the cuff if you know what I mean. ;-)

Answer 3

Surely a book that claims to be from God, that explains both the meaning of world conditions and the purpose of life, and that shows how our problems will be solved is worthy of consideration. The Bible itself says it is from God, mankind’s Creator, Jehovah God! (Ps. 83:18; Ex.6:3)

2 Tim. 3:16, 17: “All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work.”

There fore, the Bible enables us to understand the purpose of life. It answers such questions as: Where did life come from? (Acts 17:24-26) Why are we here? Is it just to live a few years, get what we can out of life, and then die?—Gen. 1:27, 28; Rom. 5:12; John 17:3; Ps. 37:11; Ps. 40:8.
Also the Bible shows how we can have the very things that lovers of righteousness desire most. It tells us where to find wholesome associates who truly love one another (John 13:35), what can give assurance that we will have sufficient food for ourselves and our families (Matt. 6:31-33; Prov. 19:15; Eph. 4:28), how we can be happy in spite of difficult conditions that surround us.—Ps. 1:1, 2; 34:8; Luke 11:28; Acts 20:35.

It explains that God’s Kingdom, his government, will remove the present wicked system (Dan. 2:44), and under its rule mankind will be able to enjoy perfect health and eternal life.—Rev. 21:3, 4; compare Isaiah 33:24.

Afterall, many world leaders acknowledge that mankind is on the brink of disaster. So, the Bible foretold these conditions long ago; it explains their meaning and what the outcome will be. (2 Tim. 3:1-5; Luke 21:25-31) It tells what we must do in order to survive the impending world destruction, with the opportunity to gain eternal life under righteous conditions here on earth.—Zeph. 2:3; John 17:3; Ps. 37:10, 11, 29.

Answer 4

The bible does not say that it is the literal "word of God". So why should I "believe" that.

Answer 5

No, I'm an atheist. I would treat the Bible as a book of fables (a story with no factional background that shouldn't be taken literally, but has a leeson or morals that should be followed)

Answer 6

Try reading the book of revelation literally. Come on, Jesus is a sacrificial lamb in that part of the bible. Do you really think he is a 7 horned lamb instead of human? No, because it is a symbol.

Answer 7

no, broken telephone, but I think it has some interesting lessons, like fables and fairy tales there is some truth some where but not literally, back then they had no TV, radio, media. Can you imaging if in 3000 years from now people see the movies made today and take that literally, will Jack Black become God (lol)

Answer 8

yes I do - there is no other interpretation. Literal makes sense.
Allegories and symbolisms are meaningless and vague.

Our Holy Bible is the Word of God - the Quran is the word of Mohammad and his companions only.

Answer 9

Every word is literally true yet not every word is true literally.
This is how we understand it. all of scripture is true as to its intended meaning. But that meaning is brought out through analogy, apocalyptic language, etc. So when we speak of God gathering us under His wings we don't take that as if God has wings like a chicken but that He tenderly cares for us as a chicken does its chicks.

Answer 10

No.

I have a question for you:

do you believe in the literal word of "The Little Mermaid", "Cinderella", "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves", "Beauty and the Beast", etc.?

Answer 11

Word for word 100% true glaring contradictions and all.