Seems to me pretty unlikely that most of the events actually transpired, and more likely that a buddy of aesop thought he'd write some stories too.
2007-03-07 07:08:00 · 24 answers · asked by bastardo 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
good call Ichthyic, I've heard a number of christians say they DONT think it should be taken literally, but then you wonder which parts..
2007-03-07 07:15:02 · update #1
Carefull about deadmanwalking there, hes the one you pastor warned you about..
2007-03-07 07:18:10 · update #2
Of course you don't need to take the whole thing literally. In fact most Christians don't. The Catholic Church itself says that much of the OT is allegorical.
I don't really see how you can pick and choose what to believe though. What makes this chapter here worth believing and this here not? I myself am atheist, not like a lot of people on here willing to rip into people over religion, I just don't understand the pick and choose style. Why not just come up with all your own beliefs, as that's what you're pretty much doing anyway?
2007-03-07 07:14:22 · answer #1 · answered by Tim 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I take it literally with the hidden mysteries and the allegory as things to find out precept upon precept, line upon line and here a little and there a little. The Bible is written in stages like we have different stages in life so does the Bible. Sometimes I have found three stages to verses or 2 finished happenings and 1 future happening. Archeology seems to be proving that the events actually did transpire. Jesus said "the stones would cry out." Something on His earth will honor, worship and acknowledge Him even if He must make the stones cry out. What a wonderful Lord I worship!
2007-03-07 15:18:10 · answer #2 · answered by Jeancommunicates 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
That's the problem with religion, some things are metaphorical and others are literal. The Bible never states which is a metaphor and what is not. But as a Christian you must be able to follow the basic rules and as Jesus said-"look under a rock and I am there..." meaning that you need only to commune with him. The New Testament should be your guide but also, it is up to you to determine your relationship with God. Not someone else's interpretation.
2007-03-07 15:13:04 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Since the bible is an interpretation of a translation, it's a bit dodgey to take it literally. But many people do. It is their choice. You really shouldn't fault them for that.
As a Catholic I find it funny when Protestants (who take the bible literally) get all in a dither about the use of the term "father" for priests. Because the bible says "call no man father."
Matthew Chapter 23 verse 9.
Here's the King James Version:
And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
Ok. If you're going to get literal. NO MAN includes the man who raised you.
Along the same lines, that paragraph also says call no man teacher and call no man leader. But they have no problem with that.
From the American Standard Version:
8"But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers.
9"Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.
10"Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ.
Why take only one out of three sentences literally? And only semi-literally at that.
2007-03-07 15:17:55 · answer #4 · answered by Max Marie, OFS 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
This is why prayer is so important when reading the bible. I believe the bible was deliberately written the way it was so the true believers would find GOD. You should take note of each lesson that was written about. By the way, everything the bible has foretold has come to pass. You shouldn't make fun. Thank you and may GOD bless.
2007-03-07 15:12:14 · answer #5 · answered by cookie 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, not all Christians take the Bible literally. Catholics, for instance, understand that much of it is meant to be taken as an allegory.
2007-03-07 15:13:18 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
most people use the parables as Jesus taught and attach common sense and you will have the answer,thats just like when the whale supposedly swallowed Jonah that was literal to show disobedience and states in Matthew that Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days just as He(Jesus) was in the tomb for three days there are some parts i have noticed that are teachings through parables and teachings through actions causing us to stretch our faith,faith w/o works is dead
2007-03-07 15:39:32 · answer #7 · answered by loveChrist 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Bible is a book of lets say 'riddles' or parables or secrets for Gods chosen ,only the true children of God can understand its meanings. Yes it must be taken literally if you can understand the true meaning. All is not what it seems in the Bible.
2007-03-07 15:11:38 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Nope ... there's allegory, apocalyptic writing and poetry ... these use images to convey messages, but not necessarily conveying concrete events. The history elements in the Bible are to be taken literally (as though they happened).
2007-03-07 15:16:24 · answer #9 · answered by Dino 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The thing about the bible is that was written by men. Men can make mistakes. It is the words of God that matter. So, even though the word of God is perfect, men aren't. I'm not saying I don't believe in the bible, I do. But I do believe that men can make mistakes when writing what God wanted them to write. Men are fallible, that's just the way it is. God isn't.
2007-03-07 15:12:08 · answer #10 · answered by odd duck 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋