If parts of the Bible are just metaphors, how can we know which parts aren't?

Question

Christians often explain away difficult passages in the Bible by "not taking it literally." I get confused, however. How do you know which parts to "take literally" and which not? This means that your very salvation may just have been "metaphorical" and the term "saved" could only refer to you having a nice life here on earth. "Heaven," same thing. Jesus talks about being born again in a figurative sense, why not dying figuratively. My point is that the entire thing could be interpreted differently if we take parts that are traditionally taken "literally" and take them "not literally."

Answer 1

I think that this is the biggest problem with Christianity. If you take the whole bible literally, than you aren’t making any logical sense, but it you take parts of it metaphorically than you have to pick and chose which parts to take seriously.

It’s all pretty self-serving if you ask me.

Answer 2

It should be understood there are different authors in every book of the Bible. It is because of this that there are different literary styles.

The Bible is not 100% accurate but, there are some things to take into consideration before declaring the Bible an invalid source to believe in. You ask a lot of good questions.

There are some problems with the Bible and errors. Please remember, the Old Testament was passed down by oral tradition before the technology of writing was available. Compared to the Quran which existed long after the technology for writing was invented. So, yes there are errors.

Secondly, there are different ways to interpret based upon the "literary forms" of writers. Depending whether it is in a historical context, prophetic, poetry, or some other type of literary form. I believe Jesus Christ IS THE WORD of God. The Bible is written by people inspired by God.

If you took a Bible course and discovered what SCRIPTURAL TYPOLOGY is you would be amazed. If you knew what SALVATION HISTORY was in the Bible you would understand. If you recognized DIVINE AUTHORITY you would know that there has to be someone in authority to reveal the "secret" truths God has given. If you research all those phrases you will begin a journey of discovery that will last a life time.

We have a saying in Catholicism: the New Testament is hidden in the Old and the Old is revealed in the New. There are many mysteries contained in the Bible that I have been amazed at discovering for the past 20 years and there is a whole lot more. St. Jerome said: Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ. The whole Bible is about our SALVATION: Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ fulfilled over 300 prophesies in the Old Testament about the Messiah you can discover 50 of them in cd's IT IS WRITTEN.

WHEN YOU HAVE BEGUN TO DISCOVER THESE THINGS YOU WILL KNOW IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE BEEN WRITTEN BY MAN. Jesus (a historical figure along with others in the Bible that are not fictitional characters) by fulfilling just 50 prophesies makes the odds of doing that 10X135 power! An astronomical figure that could not have been achieved by human means.

The thing that might shock you and others is that SATAN used scripture to tempt Jesus. So, too Satan will use scripture to trip us up from following the true faith. This is why there has to be DIVINE AUTHORITY that passes from the Old Testament to APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION in the New Testament. This is why someone cannot Authoritatively pick up a Bible and correctly interpret it nor can there be millions of interpretors to HOLY SCRIPTURE. There can only be one!

Answer 3

...Here are a couple of principles to keep in mind, as you read the Bible:
...1. If the given sense makes good sense, seek no other sense.
...2. Consider the historical context - who is being written to and by whom? The whole Bible was not written to me, but rather was written for me. For instance, God is not calling for any more arks, like Noah built.
...3. As Christians, we are under the New Covenant, since Jesus died and rose again, thus ending the Old Covenant (for instance, we no longer sacrifice animals - in the OT it was a picture of what Jesus was to do - He became the perfect sacrifice, once for all, the just (Him) for the unjust (us).)
...4. Everything you need to know, about what you need to know, is in the Bible.
...5. Keep in mind that the Bible contains a history of God's dealing with ancient Israel. Although we do not follow much of the Old Testament any more, it still reveals the heart of God on many subjects, and there is much good and practical advice to glean from the OT - like in the first few chapters of Proverbs - the warnings about becoming surety (aka co-signing) for someone else. Romans 15:4 says this, "For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
...6. I think many parts are easy to understand - but Mark Twain said it wasn't the parts that he couldn't understand that bothered him - it was those he could understand that bothered him.
...7. Which passages are those you don't understand?
...I would be glad to help anyone. Email me.
...Whosoever will, may come.

Answer 4

The answer to this question comes in two main parts:

1. You have to look at the context of the passage in the Bible. Basically if it talks about something that cannot literally happen (e.g. The adulteress riding on the back of the dragon), then it is metaphorical. If it is a feazable, then it is most likely literal.

2. More importantly, if you are reading the Bible and earnestly wanting to understand it, then it will be made clear to your heart. That is the important distinction here - if you are reading the Bible with disdain or contempt, why should you understand anything from it?

Answer 5

people who think of extra abstractly understand the metaphors. it is not that technological know-how disproves that serpents won't be able to seek advice from Adam an Eve. EDIT...I never suggested there have been no precis thinkers. I assume people theory much less concretely in the past because of the extra desirable perception in technological know-how.it incredibly is the technological know-how oreinted people right here who make attempt to make exciting of Christians for believing in a Sky Daddy and a serpent who talks and walks. they do exactly no longer choose to get the metaphors. Wishful questioning isn't wish. If fascinated, i will go extra into it.

Answer 6

If you are confused in trying to understand the contents of the Bible, may I suggest in reading other holy or sacred books (for example, the English translation of the Holy Quran).

I have met and heard people who cannot find answer or explanation in the Bible, but can find answer to their questions in the Holy Quran. Nowadays there are several good translation in English of the Holy Quran.

Despite the differences in the teaching of Islam and Christians, there are some similarities. To Muslims, Islam is the completion of the teaching of Jesus. That is why some may find the answer to the question they are seeking in the Bible but cannot find it, they find it in the Quran.

Some similarities in Islam:
1. Islam teaches it's followers to believe that Jesus really exist and Jesus is the messenger of God.

2. Muslims believe in the story of Adam and Eve (but with different understanding. For example, Muslims believe human beings do not carry the burden of the sin committed by Adam & Eve. In fact Muslims do not consider that Adam had committed sin by eating the apple. He was actually tricked by Satan. Hence, he did not intentionally want to eat the forbidden fruit)

3. Muslims believe in end of the worlds; in the existence of heaven and hell.

4. Muslims believe that Jesus will come back to earth near the end of the world.

So, why not try reading the Holy Quran to find out Islam version to your questions.

Answer 7

The Bible wouldn't exist without the Church that compiled it and confirms its' veracity and God-inspired nature.

The traditional 2000 year old collection of Catholic teachings and scholarly works provides sufficient documentation to allow anyone, Catholic or not, to discern the meanings of all but a few very obscure passages.

Why not check out the catechism, along with all the footnotes and citations included at the end of every section?

To do so, go here:

http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm

Answer 8

By their fruits you shall know them. Take The book of Revelations for example. When John said he saw a Dragon, it wasn't literally a true dragon. He used attributes of the dragons appearance and behavior to relate to the Antichrist, who definitely isn't a Dragon but a Human.

Answer 9

Its good to take the Bible literally when ever you can.
I Cr 13;8a
11-30-6

Answer 10

Mixing truth with lies makes the lies believable and harder to spot. Chuck the whole thing out the window and treat yourself to some time at the massage parlor.

Diabole vertses en un veses. Diabole vertses en un veses.