Christians: If parts of the bible are metaphorical, how do you know which parts are not?

Answer 1

That question has proven one of the greatest puzzles for me since I was very young, but it seems that anything which doesn't seem right meets the requirements for metaphorical. If you can't see the event happening these days, even right now, then I would say that it is best interpreted as metaphorical.

The human mind has always been a little too powerful (if you know what I mean), and I doubt that it was any different at any time in biblical history. Sometimes dreams and fantasies seem absolutely real to the subject.

Answer 2

First, you'll have to gain understanding of the Bible as a whole. Scriptures back each other in different parts of the Bible. So, when you read the book as a complete work you such be able to identify what is metaphorical and what isn't. You'll also gain a better understanding of all the symbolism by researching the meanings of the words in their original language. This is going to take a lot of time and dedication on you part, but I can assure you it is worth the sacrife. Once you learn the truth about the Bible you'll realize how wonderful God really is.

(Psalm 107:8) . . .O let people give thanks to God Jehovah for his loving-kindness And for his wonderful works to the sons of men.

Answer 3

The simple answer is that they would say that whatever protects their belief from questions that put it into doubt. (more on this down the page, but would you jump off a bridge to save a screwdriver?)

I don't think you can answer that question well enough to really satisfy anyone else - its another point that boils down to opinion, something everyone has, but few people share across all subject matter. That's both the beauty and the tragedy of man in a nutshell.

If someone is not threatened by that question, they allowed themselves to be defined by their belief to the extent that they are helpful. If someone is threatened, they will find a passage to support their belief and attack you for asking the question.

Cognitive Dissonance - look it up. That is the reason for anger, fundamentalism and zealotry while at the same time explains the hypocrisy and hubris coming from the exact same people.

Its basically an effort to avoid guilt and to avoid having to admit a type of imperfection in themselves - the ability to admit fault is not something everyone has. Some people are very ego driven and some people aren't.

However, I think there are much more important questions to consider.

Answer 4

It amazes me that people are saying you have to decide for yourself which parts are real and which parts are metaphorical, while so many insist that it's the actual word of God and that everyone needs to believe the whole thing because it's the basis of all morality and ethics. If you get to pick and choose which parts are "real" and which parts are just a story to illustrate a point, how is that an ethical religion? Furthermore, how can you possibly have believe the "real" parts with no doubt whatsoever, when you admit, even to yourself, that other parts of the book are just metaphors?

Boggles the mind.

)O(

Answer 5

That's an awesome question. I haven't found an answer that I'm fully satisfied with myself.

But there are 3 things that believers are supposed to do to gain enlightenment.

1) Pray - God will open our eyes and reveal things in His time. If you come to a scripture you don't understand, or don't know how to interpret, pray about it. God often leads us to enlightenment.

2) Study - People have been studying this for a very long time (2000 years for the New Testament stuff), and by reading what very smart people have concluded helps us understand. Just like people studying to become engineers don't learn it all on their own, Christians aren't expected to start from scratch and learn it all on our own either.

3) Fellowship - Christians are called together to study and worship together. Pray together, and study together, and listen to other perspectives.

I've been doing that, and feel my faith is much deeper and thorough than it ever has been.

Answer 6

For this answer, we turn the the Body of Christ, the Church (Ekklesia) - and the writings of the Apostolic Fathers. Scripture is the property of the Church....the Church gave us the Holy Scriptures, not the other way around. The Church and the Apostolic Fathers are often the arbiter of Scripture. St. Thomas (Aquinas) said we should take the literal interpretation first and foremost...but to never look past the allegorical.

The Councils (the first seven at least) of the Undivided Church prior to the Great Schism of 1054 A.D. are also places where we go for answers.

We have no right to bring new and different interpretations to Scripture without consulting the Fathers of the Church. That is the essence of Holy Tradition.

Answer 7

when I was a baby Christian I wondered the same thing. I started going to church because sometimes we need help understanding these metaphors. I lack wisdom. Some Christians through study and church have brought the wisdom out of the bible. I suggest going to church and prayer.

Answer 8

They don't. For thousands of years now religious people have been treating the bible as a buffet, choosing what they will and will not believe on any given day.
Now with the publication of the book Misquoting Jesus, over 80% of the bible has now been proven to be false and made up by translators and scribes.
I wonder just what religious fanatics are going to be left to believe in soon.

Answer 9

The bible is fantasy and fiction. How come nothing you read in the bible could logically happen today? It is all mysticism. The bible was designed to be a form of social control and to scare people into following Christianity.

Answer 10

I can only speak for myself... but the Bible will say something is a dream, vision, parable, or metaphor so if it says that it's not literal, then it isn't. If it says it is, then it is.