2006-11-21 08:12:41 · 15 answers · asked by poke 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
If one chooses not to believe the bible what does it matter. We are to shape the word of God to please man......I DON'T THINK SO
2006-11-21 08:14:34 · answer #1 · answered by ? 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hi,
Good questions.
You will find these rules of interpretation helpful.
1. Ordinary words ordinary meaning UNLESS the resulting interpretation is absurd or unreasonable. God did not write a comic book.
2. Get the intention of the Author. The writers--who by the way were inspired by God--sometimes use literal or symbolic forms.
Go to rule no. 1.
3. When you find what appears to be contradictory verses, look for the reconciling /or unifying verses. These are usually found near before or after the subject verses. Sometimes though the author would write the reconciling verse much much afterwards.
A good example of this is the question: Where did Cain get his wife--it appears in the early chapters of Genesis that Cain and Abel were the only offsprings of Adam and Eve. But, if you go to chapter 5, there you will see that they had other sons and daughters.
2006-11-21 16:20:23 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it is really an either or thing. Although, I think what you are realizing is that if you get too wrapped up in the literal meaning you are going to miss the layers of deeper symbolic meaning.
2006-11-21 16:21:32 · answer #3 · answered by anabasisx 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. If you take the Bible literally, it leads you into all kinds of contradictions and hypocracies.
How can Lot be a righteous man, a Godly man, when he is willing to let his two young, virgin, daughters be gang-raped, in order that he should be left undisturbed with his two guests?
2006-11-21 16:16:59 · answer #4 · answered by Jem 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Possibly, because if it were taken as symbolism it would be more difficult to criticize it for its scientific inaccuracies. If taken literally, it is clearly fiction.
2006-11-21 16:15:33 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes
2006-11-21 16:14:43 · answer #6 · answered by enlight100 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Holy communion is symbolic of the sacrifice
some things are.. do you remember the locusts John saw? they could be helicopters...he didnt know any other word for them..
2006-11-21 16:18:47 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Bible is the word of GOD.
2006-11-21 16:16:20 · answer #8 · answered by St. Mike 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think so, theres more magic in there than in the whole of Narnia. C'mon, AND magic is suppose to be evil!!!!
2006-11-21 16:16:00 · answer #9 · answered by Lotus Phoenix 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would be far better if it had a page saying "All references to characters....."
2006-11-21 16:15:52 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋