2007-03-01 06:55:30 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
That depends, are you trying to make yourself look good or make someone else look evil???
2007-03-01 07:00:14 · answer #1 · answered by ? 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's hard to know every single time, all though some seem pretty obvious to me...but you also have to throw in the mix that there are many things in the Bible which are both literal AND metaphorical. The sacrificial lamb, for example, was a literal practice, but it also has some very symbolic and metaphorical meanings to it that make it matter.
2007-03-01 07:03:48 · answer #2 · answered by daisyk 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to read the chapter or book in its entirety.The Bible is self-definingFor example:"I am the door" is clearly a metaphor.The Ten Commandments are literal because they are affirmed throughout the entire Bible.
2007-03-01 07:03:28 · answer #3 · answered by kitz 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
before everything, maximum Christians deny that part of the Bible. and human beings who settle for it have self assurance that it grow to be a cultural ingredient, and not suited for our circumstances ( besides the undeniable fact that it won't of been for those circumstances the two). and whilst they do say the Bible shouldn't meant to be taken actually are because of fact they see the morals in the back of the memories (in case you're taking out the fantasy and aspects that are patently cultural and stupid memories) . why might they say that section is misguided? might you assert that "Pinocchio' is misguided in basic terms because of fact it wasn't traditionally real yet had a ethical in the back of it?
2016-11-26 22:29:24 · answer #4 · answered by samas 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Weird, awkward parts: Metaphor
Anything homophobic: Literal
2007-03-01 07:00:06 · answer #5 · answered by WWTSD? 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
OT is literal. NT is literal. Except where Jesus told parables. Those are labeld as such in the Bible. But even with the parables, the moral lesson is to be taken literal.
2007-03-01 07:01:05 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Usually the parts that say things like "the kingdom is heaven is like...." or "God can be compared to...." are metaphors.
The parts that say thngs like "God created the heavens and the earth" and "God has raised Jesus from the dead" are to be taken literally.
Most people with reasonable intelligence and a fair mind can tell which is which.
2007-03-01 07:01:49 · answer #7 · answered by dewcoons 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why does this question get asked so much?
Take it all as metaphor if you like as long as it brings you to Jesus Christ.
2007-03-01 07:11:13 · answer #8 · answered by rbarc 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When a verse says "as like", "like", "as though' these words in sentences means it is metaphoric.
2007-03-01 07:04:36 · answer #9 · answered by Mofabolist 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think "The End" or "Finis" are meant literally. Also all prepositions and proper nouns.
2007-03-01 07:00:16 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
My answer: It is all a metaphor, none of it is literal.
Christian answer: It is all literal, none of it is a metaphor.
(I say we have to have ways of comparing things, or what's a meta phor?) :)
.
2007-03-01 07:00:13 · answer #11 · answered by Chickyn in a Handbasket 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋