Honest question for Christians say the bible is meant to be completely literal: What do you think of these commandments from Jesus?
Matthew:5:29 If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30.And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
Luke 18:22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
Do you think we should literally gouge out our eyes if we see a sexy person with them? Should we really sell everything we have? If so, why do none of the literalists I've ever met or heard of do these things? Shouldn't we have a bunch of Christians with empty eye cavaties wandering the streets homeless and possesionless?
2007-02-17 04:43:46 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The reason I ask is that literalists say the bible is all literal, that's why they believe the Earth was really created in 6 days. If you are someone who takes some as metaphor you aren't one of those people.
2007-02-17 04:50:28 · update #1
when i read the bible, I pray at the same time for the Holy Spirit to reveal to me what He want me to get out of that scripture, while there is a large portion of the Bible that I take literal, I also realize that the Bible was written by different people in a different time, and while inspired by God they also put their personality into the writing.
the key word here is inspired, not dictated.
when Jesus was talking to the rich young ruler, He was talking to him, because he knew that he loved being rich.
many bible historians believe that this young man was Barnabas who later traveled with Paul.
2007-02-17 04:53:34 · answer #1 · answered by Hannah's Grandpa 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Bible isn't literal and was never meant to be. Some parts are literal and some are allegorical. Case in point: Jesus taught in parables - the parable of the ten virgins isn't about virgins or about lamps or a wedding. Those are allegoric..
I suspect that most people who tend to think the whole bible is literal are also the ones who tend to take the scriptures out of context.
2007-02-17 12:49:58 · answer #2 · answered by Spud55 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are metaphors, but you must take it as literal as possible. Some go to extreme with their metaphors. Also the Bible literally answers many metaphors.
Precept upon precept, line upon line, here a little and there a little and still no one can truthfully say they understand thoroughly the entire Bible.
Jack Van Impe, Ed Hindson, Elmer Towns are great theologians, but none would admit thorough understanding.
2007-02-17 13:02:48 · answer #3 · answered by Jeancommunicates 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some things are meant to be taken literally but not everything .....Jesus said we are salt and light....You don't see a bunch of salt shakers walking around. You really need to study the Bible to find out what is taken literally and what is not.
2007-02-17 12:54:02 · answer #4 · answered by Jan P 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The literal way to understand an alegory is as an alegory. Literalism in no way sugests that you can't write or interpret symbolism. Some people still eat like a horse.
2007-02-17 12:48:41 · answer #5 · answered by oldguy63 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
some stuff yes some stuff no...the gouging of the eyes.... i havent done.. but i have read the verse... in my bible it was cut off your hand tho... ne ways like in revelations when paul sees the apacalyps... and the stars are falling from the sky and stuff... well stars are millions of light years away in space... not up in the sky... they cant fall down... he prabably saw a bunch of missiles.... but missiles werent around yet so he had to describe it how he could... u know that type of stuff
2007-02-17 14:36:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only people who have never actually read the bible are silly enough to say that they take it all literally.
Actually they are kind of funny defending an idea just because they have been told that it is true, with no real knowledge to back up their ideas.
love and blessings Don
2007-02-17 12:47:57 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes of course !
It's a great teaching of peace, love, tolerance and forgiveness.
I really like the part where the 42 children are torn apart.
2007-02-17 14:26:48 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christians try to twist the words to get whatever meaning they want. This is usually easy for them to do, because they've never learned to think sensibly or logically.
2007-02-17 13:01:52 · answer #9 · answered by Billybww 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The word was 'it is better to do it', not actually do it. If it is done it is a surety thats for sure. If you are a thief and your hand is cut off you surely wouldn't be a thief anymore with that hand. If you can 'sacrifice' it it will save you. don't use your 'hand' for this purpose. its easy to grasp. just ponder it.
2007-02-17 12:57:32 · answer #10 · answered by brys' 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋