Why do some Christians say that the whole Bible is to be taken Literally word for word?

Question

As a piece of literature, it contains metaphors and allegories. When the flood came down, the bible says that the doors in the sky let out the rain. Clearly this is a metaphor, as there are NO doors in the sky.

If there is one metaphor, we have to admit that we must look at the whole bible and decide for ourselves what is allegorical, and what is literal. Those who claim that the whole bible being the word of god is completely literal, are really making fools of themselves. How can they take in literally? How do can they take even the garden of Eden literally?

Dear Almack,

I made no such claim as you say in your second paragraph. Please read my question again.

Answer 1

I agree with you absolutely. It can't be taken literally. It's a book of proverbs and myths. As such it has its own value, but in no way should it be taken as absolute truth word for word.

Answer 2

As stated before its all about context just like in modern literature you can tell when something is written as allegorical versus when something is to be taken literal. Also just because something is metaphor does not effect its validity or its truth.

Based upon your post its seems like you're begging the statement "Since the Bible contains metaphors and allegories one can never be sure when something is to be taken literal versus allegorical" Now this statement is the heart of bad hermeneutics and is bad literary critique regardless of the work that is being discussed.

Before you call another foolish you should be careful in ascertaining the wisdom of your own remarks.

Answer 3

ok wait a minute yall, i'm a Christian and that i've got experience sufficient to question some issues in the Bible. might everyone in thier superb strategies, Christian or no longer, take this verse litererally only by way of fact somebody says you will desire to or you're no longer a Christian. 38.Numbers 22:28 Then the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and he or she mentioned to Balaam, “What have I carried out to you, which you have struck me those thrice?” Numbers 22:27-29 (in Context) Numbers 22 (complete financial ruin) Donkey's do no longer talk. If somebody is taking this actually the two they don't have experience sufficient to question if it particularly is a metaphor or image used to make a element. There are different issues int he Bible that may not have the ability to be taken actually by way of fact it particularly is meant to be a metaphor or symbolic. Die annoying, non versatile, holier than thou Christians who get indignant over something and each little thing are those whocontinual human beings removed from Christ. if that they had positioned aside thier "Christian lack of self belief" long sufficient to actual handle others like human beings, in the call of Christ, we would have much less self proclaimed athiest around here. supply me a thumbs down in case you p.c. to, yet there are Atheist who do have self belief in Christ yet won't attend a church or have something to do with a Bible by way of fact of severe minded judgmental Christians.

Answer 4

Why do some Christians say that the whole Bible is not to be taken Literally word for word, but then take any part of it literally?

If I read a book that claimed to be true and had egregious errors, I'm pretty sure I would ignore the whole book, and not decide that some parts of it are true anyway.

Answer 5

True that!
I am a Christian who believes in a word for word inspiration but understand what you are saying...
I take the Bible seriously and clap my hands with the trees of the field at your great question!!!!

Bravo!

Some say, "I take the Bible literally" and make it an issue of pride. Do you know many people who say that?

Also, some churches take what is called a "spiritual" interpretation of the Bible....everything is allegory! (RCA, CRC, PCUSA, etc). In that case, I take a literal interpretation of the Bible...comparatively speaking. Ex-Jesus raised Lazarus.

Answer 6

Oddly, it is an effort to learn facts and truth, but going to the exact wrong source to find it.

For most of the life of the Christian Church, the bible was a component of faith, but not the entire faith. It was tempered by experience, reason, and tradition.

Unfortunately, the Church leaders were not always focusing on promoting a religion of love, but instead consolidating their own power, which resulted in the protestant reformation. In order to find authority outside the church, the primacy of the Bible was asserted. Modern day fundamentalists have carried this to an extreme. Often times they have turned the Bible into an idol for worship.

And as you point out, the point of the stories is lost. Imagine if we took Aesop's fables and tried to prove that a boy actually pulled the thorn from a lion's paw, rather than learning the deeper messages: anger can come from pain, relieving pain can lead to gratitude, and often it is remembered for a long time.

Answer 7

Matthew 5:18 "For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled."

Jesus speaks of punctuation and precise letters of God's Word have a profound importance to Him. Were it not for the jots and tittles of the Hebrew language, the Word of God would have a totally different message, or worse, make no sense at all.

The Word is inspired by God, Who deemed to have it written out in literal form. Thus, the literal interpretation of God's Word seems vital to studying it.

Answer 8

Societally speaking, our desire to think, reason, and take personal responsibility has long been in decline. Believing the Bible - literally word for word - frees you from having to think or reason, and by encouraging you to put everything in God's hands it also frees you from personal responsibility. It's really pretty sad.

Bright blessings.
)O(

Answer 9

The BIble is our manual of how to live life. When you buy a automobile, it has an owners manual. God values us more than a car. He gives us the "Book of Life" his direction on how to live life. It is Divine and real. Do not be confused, lied to, decieved, or led astray by the antichrsit who wants you to question Gods truth.

Answer 10

You answered your own question.

The Bible can be taken many ways but most importantly spiritually.

But you went to far as to show ignorance about the garden of Eden. It too should be taken many ways.

They ate (assimilated or consumed knowledge) from the tree of knowledge of good and evil (Satan).

That's why God said;

Gen 3:22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

We all must eat (assimilate or consume knowledge) of the tree of life (Jesus Christ), to live for ever.