For Catholics on Old Testament Scripture. What do you think?

Question

Old testament stories are not to be taken literally sorry to tell you (I am a Catholic.) They are representations for lessons you should be learning by reading them. for example: JONAH AND THE WHALE I take from the story, If you stay strong and keep relying on God he will help you. Most catholics take from the story, wow how did that guy live in the whales stomach for so long? Think about that people. I want you opinions, not personal attacks towards me.

God didnt write the Bible. Authors of Genesis wrote the bible so the uneducated of the Middle Eastern world could comprehend how God created everything. Now the educated people of the 21st century, we must find the deeper meaning.

First off there are tons of accounts of jesus existing throughout the known world at the time. AND another tidbit for the people that take OT literally, Adam and Eve (the first humans) have a son who goes into the neighboring town and marries. Explain that to me please.

Answer 1

David are you for real? I've seen your posts before at least attempt to use some reason with a well thought out answer instead of something bigoted and not worth writing.

The question is valid simply because the entire bible with so many different writers and so many different styles of writing is not entirely in a "literal" form. Nievah for example anyone look it up on a map and actually see where it is? It isn't by the sea folks.

I am Catholic and thank the Lord Jesus for it

Answer 2

Well, some Bible scholars agree with you, although Church doctrine doesn't specifically agree or disagree with you on this point. Another good example is Tobit.
But here's the thing- Just because they didn't actually happen, (and we can't KNOW that they didn't, so you have to give respect to the people that do believe it actually happened. ) doesn't mean that they aren't the inspired word of God. Jesus taught in parables. The prodigal son was not a real person. Jesus told the story to make a point. Why not the Holy Spirit as well? The Jews call the first five books Torah, or the the law. while Leviticus is Laws, Genesis and Exodus are stories. God uses stories to make points.

Answer 3

A very learned man once told me in order to understand the Bible one must take the Bible as literally as possible until you cannot.
It is true that behind these literal Bible stories there does lie lessons to be learned. Why then can't you take the Bible stories literally and at the same time learn a lesson?

Answer 4

The official position of the church on the Bible is simply that it is the inspired written word of God, totally without error, and that it contains exactly what God intended it to contain.

Various scholarly opinions exist as to whether certain BOOKS or SECTIONS of books are allegorical or not, but with a few key exceptions, those opinions are not official, and are NOT BINDING on anyone.

For example, I believe that Jonah was a real person, that he DIED inside that fish, and the fish spit out his corpse on the shores near Ninevah, in plain view of a number of local Ninevites.

When they went over to see what the commotion was all about, God spectacularly raised Jonah from the corruption of a grisly death, in their very sight.

Since the Ninevites worshipped a false god, who was half man and half fish, this type of a display should have had a profound effect on them, and it did.

They all decided to listen to Jonah's message, they repented, and their destruction was subsequently delayed (not cancelled).

My "take" is much more in keeping with the literal meaning of the scripture, but it's just my opinion, and so long as it doesn't go against the OFFICIAL teachings of the church, there's no problem.

And as confusing as it might seem, one priest's, or one bishop's, or even one pope's opinion on things is not necessarily official! We Catholics have 2,000 years worth of opinions to consider, on such matters.

So your take on this is different, and that's OK, because there are thousands of different "takes" on biblical stories like this one.

As the old joke goes ...

First guy: "When I die and go to heaven, I'm going to find Jonah, and get him to tell me exactly what happened, in the belly of that fish."

Second guy: "But what if Jonah ISN'T in heaven?

First guy again: "Than YOU ask him!"

If you're truly serious about your faith, send for my free Catholic Resource CD.

It will explain our redemption in Christ, the whole purpose and meaning of the Mass, and of Catholicism, in a way that will change your life forever.

Answer 5

I'm not Catholic, but I take most of the OT stories literally, like Jonah and thte whale

Answer 6

I couldnt tell there is Doug was serious with that answer or not - Johah died and was brought back to life - did you get that from a dream??? what is your evidence for anything like that - it is dangerous and just bad Christianity to be adding to stories just so they fit into what you would like to believe - why is it not possible for God to keep Johah alive in that fish just the way the story is told - Jesus even references that story and doesnt say anything like Jonah dieing - b/c you seem to think it is impossible doesnt make it impossible for God

Answer 7

I do take them literally, but yes, there is more to the story. It's not told for entertainment. I used to be Catholic.

God Bless and Merry Christmas.

Answer 8

that's fine take them as you wish.

Though dont expect me to take stories from the NT of Jesus healing people, walking across water, virgin birth, and many others as literal either.

Answer 9

Yes, you dont want to miss the forest for the trees. Catholics arent the only ones who miss the messages. It takes the Holy Spirit to get most of them correctly.

BLessings
David.