Do you take the Holy Bible literally, or is it a bunch of allegories?

Question

Last night a co-worker asked me "wasn't there a guy in the old testament who lived to be, like a thousand years old or something?' And indeed there is a story of one whose age approached this number. Do you believe this really happened? And then there was Job, who also lived very long for a human. Do you take that story literally?
The conversation with my co-worker got me thinking about the idea that Genesis and other stories in the Bible could be seen as allegorical, and are not to be taken literally. I think that is a view shared by many Christians these days. But then, I also have a big problem with that too. If you believe in Christ's virgin birth, His physical resurrection, and His performing of miracles (including making a dead person come back to life), which I do, then I ask you, what is so unbelievable about a person living more than 900 years? Compared to Christ's life and miracles, that's nothing!
Do you take the Bible literally? Or not? What do you think?

Answer 1

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Answer 2

Well you have to undertand that Biblical History esepcially in large amounts of the Old Testament there are three factors.

The three factors are HISTORY, THEOLOGY, and ARTISTIC value. So when ever a story is told all three of these factors weigh in and and influence one another.

I am a Christian. I believe in the Bible 100%. The man who lived 900 years certainly could have lived 900 years anything is possible with God. However, if you read the text carefully you may see a Theological point being made by the book of Genesis. But then again that does not neccesarily mean that it is completely false, it is rooted in a historical reality.

Concerning Job. Does it matter if Job was a real character or not? The point of the story of Job is to reveal TRUTH about God. Jesus used made up stories known as parables to reveal truth. I do not know if Job is an actual story or not but if people say that it isn't that doesn't neccearily invalidate my faith.

Answer 3

I believe that the Bible is literally true and that the King James 1611 authorized version is the preserved Bible. The answer tothe question about the ages is also found in the Bible. We just cant figure it out why they lived that long while we are living 50 to 70 and few lived to be 100. God said that His Spirit will not thrive with man because the thought of our heart is evil continually. From there God reduced life span to 120. Man is cutting it down to half.

You are right that we cannot believe on one part as the truth and the other as allegorical or figurative. We have to embrace the whole as either the truth or not the truth. Jesus, during the temptation of Satan after His baptism, went back to the Word and said "it is written".....

Answer 4

I think its good every now and then for us to think about our faith, to examine it: what we believe, why, what we don't believe. Helps to keep us on our toes.

You have a good point that a person living 900 years is a possibility not too far fetched when also taking into account the miracles of Jesus. So often people will say, "I don't believe a person could live that long," or something similar, but then say they have no problem believing that Jesus raised the dead and healed the blind. Kinda contradictory and silly.

Whether the stories of the old testament are historical facts I don't know for sure, if someone demanded scientific evidence. But then again, those stories are meant to teach us about Jesus. That's the whole point of the bible anyway: to teach us Jesus.

Answer 5

In the past few months I have struggled with my faith. I'm in eighth grade. I have decided to be confirmed this year after much careful thought. Here is what I believe about what you asked. Some of the stories are metaphoric. For example the Tower of Babel and Creation stories are told in many different forms throughout the world. The Native Americans had their own versions and so did many other peoples. I think that the lessons are true but not all the stories. Of course some are true, just not all. In the New Testament however, I believe that it is all true. Not only have historians found proof of Jesus's life but it is in the Bible and I believe fullheartedly. I hope that this helps answer your question.
Your friend,
Jcd (you sent me a message about the other question you asked.)

Answer 6

I take the Bible literal where it is literal, and figurative where it is figurative.

The Genesis account is literal, and I believe these things did happen. Same with the accounts of Christ.

There are parables, such as the ones Jesus taught, and things like the Song of Solomon which have figurative meanings in them.

If you want to see some info on the Genesis accounts, you should check this site out, it might answer some questions about the long lifespans, etc; http://www.answersingenesis.org/ There is a "Get Answers" section that I have found very useful.

I hope this helps, and God bless!

Answer 7

I take the Bible old and new testaments for fact because for arguments sake it is a book from God then it wouldn't be false. I think that if you believe one part of the Bible then you have to believe it all. The ancient Jewish Calendar was 350 or so days long for a year. With that being said they would have written translated with that in mind. I know it's hard to believe but billions of people believe in the people from the Bible, Torah, or Koran so to say that's just by chance or there isn't any fact behind it would crazy, No one debates if Abraham, Jacob, Moses, David, or Jesus lived why question everything else so harshly

Answer 8

I think regarding the bible you have to read between the lines and consider this has been revised by several MEN. Not to mention that not one female seem to have ever had a voice in the re-writings. Why, because women were casted out as evil. Eve made Adam eat the apple yada yada yada. Sorry legend, myth, or whatever. Men and women think for themselves, and especially back in those times. Men didn't listen to anything women said. I dint take it literally because it is a story that I cannot prove nor can anyone else. I think you have to have an open mind about all religions or you are ignorant to everything else out there.

Answer 9

To really do justice in answering your question it would take volumes. But in a nut shell I'll try.

People in Old Testament time up to around the time of Abraham lived to be almost 1000 years old because it earth was newer then it is today. It was closer to creation, which was perfect in all ways, and therefore people lived longer because everything was still pure. No pollution, no disease, no sicknesses, no plagues or famines. Just people living long lives in order to populate the earth as God commanded. God did eventually put a limit on the lifespan of a single person.

The entire Bible can be taken literally AND figuratively. The ladder preferred.

Answer 10

I'm an athiest but I have studied the bible and I think it is allegories mixed with some historical facts and truth. There is proof that some of the people actually existed, the towns existed, etc.

I believe that most Christians these days believe that the bible is all allegories except for most of the new testament.

Answer 11

Do you believe God can do anything? That nothing is impossible with Him? If you do, then you would believe that the Bible is His word and to be taken literally. There is a lot of symbolism in the Bible, but as for those people living that long, yes! There came a point when God said the lives of men and women would be shortened. I believe God could move a mountain right in front of my eyes if He wanted to. God is powerful and all knowing and is in control. And His word is alive and active just as Hebrews 4 says. Amazing!