To Catholics?

Question

Catholics why can't we take the bible literally? Is there anywheres in the bible that saids we can't?

Answer 1

If you take the Bible literally, it conflicts with scientific evidence.

Answer 2

The Catholic Church teaches that the bible is the infallible word of God, but you need to understand a few things...

First of all...the Bible NEVER states it is the sole authority of the faith! It only says scripture is " useful" for teaching and correcting.

Second, and reference to scripture contained in the Bible can only refer to the Hebrew Scriptures ( the Old Testament)...becasue at the time the Christian Scriptures ( New Testament) were written, THE BIBLE DIDN'T EXIST! It was assembled by the Catholic Church several hundred years after Christ's ascension.

Answer 3

there's nowhere that says we have to. Why assume it? And counter-examples to literalism. E.g. Philip the deacon asks the Ethiopian euchuch 'do you understand what you are reading?' and the eunuch replies 'how can I, unless someone guides me?' Also, the Bible itself says that the Church is the pillar and foundation of truth. It seems clear that if something requires guidance by another, it cannot be taken literally.

Also, parts of the Bible contradict each other. Anyone who takes the Bible 'literally' has to accept either the contradictions, or the necessity of an authoritative interpretive agency. I don't think God intended the Bible to be taken as an incoherent self-contradictory book; that's why He instituted an authoritative interpretive organ.

Answer 4

The Bible is a library of smaller books; each book entails it's own genre, message, literary style, etc - and it's own message.

When reading a book, you must read it in the proper context. Is it fiction or non-fiction? Also, you must consider the message the author is trying to rely in the telling of whatever it is you are reading.

It is the Divine Author's message that counts. You must read the various books of the Bible in their proper context if you are to derive the proper message. There is straight non-fiction in the Bible. There is poetry. There are "sayings". There is historical-fiction, etc.

The best example of what I am speaking of is the newspaper: The front page headline might read "Man gunned down in front of bank during robbery last night.

Flip the paper ove to the sports section and that line might read, "Base runner gunned down at home plate by shortstop at last nights ballgame."

You cannot deny that you have taken the sports head line figuratively, while you took the standard headline literally.

Now imagine this same newspaper is found in a time capsule thousands of years in the future. Those readers, unfamiliar with the game of baseball will probably assume (incorrectly) that it was a violent deadly game, assuming they (incorrectly) interpret the sports head line literaly.

Like a newspaper, some of the Bible is meant to be take literally, some of it figuratively.

When reading anything, especially te Bible, you have to take into account the meaning the author wants to convey to the reader. This automatically rules out personal interpretation.

Answer 5

It is common knowledge that many aspects of the Bible are meant to be taken metaphorically. Why would a book be written that is meant to be taken both literally and metaphorically? How would we know which parts to take literally and which parts to take metaphorically? Common sense would tell us that the entire Bible is meant to be taken metaphorically. I believe we can learn better from the stories of the Bible if we do not attempt to accept them as literal accounts of history and look at them as fables and life lessons to learn from.

Answer 6

Catholics prefer the term "allegory". Basically that means that it does not mean what it says. Therefore, they are fairly free to interpret how they wish. If they were to interpret literally-they would have no support for Mary's sinless birth (immaculate conception) or her mother Ann. Or, purgatory, or confession, and so on. This is why church tradition is so very important to a Catholic. Tradition is "actually" their scripture.

Answer 7

Obviously John S doesn't have a clue...

It's always amazing to me that those anti-catholics consistently tell me what I believe. Geesh.

I wonder why they don't take it literally?
Matthew


1.. Jesus recommends that to avoid sin we cut off our hands and pluck out our eyes. This advice is given immediately after he says that anyone who looks with lust at any women commits adultery. 5:29-30

2.. Jesus advises his followers to mutilate themselves by cutting off their hands and plucking out their eyes. He says it's better to be "maimed" than to suffer "everlasting fire." 18:8-9

Jesus said sell all your poscession bible literalists, when will you do so?
Luke 14:33 In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple. (NIV)

Luke 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. (KJV)

Answer 8

The Catholic Church teaches:

In order to discover the sacred authors' intention, the reader must take into account
+ The conditions of their time and culture
+ The literary genres in use at that time (not all genres are meant to be taken literally)
+ The modes of feeling, speaking, and narrating then current.

"For the fact is that truth is differently presented and expressed in the various types of historical writing, in prophetical and poetical texts, and in other forms of literary expression."

"Sacred Scripture must be read and interpreted in the light of the same Spirit by whom it was written."

The Church indicates three criteria for interpreting Scripture in accordance with the Spirit who inspired it:

+ Be especially attentive "to the content and unity of the whole Scripture." Different as the books which comprise it may be, Scripture is a unity by reason of the unity of God's plan, of which Christ Jesus is the center and heart, open since his Passover.

+ Read the Scripture within "the living Tradition of the whole Church." According to a saying of the Fathers, Sacred Scripture is written principally in the Church's heart rather than in documents and records.

+ Be attentive to the analogy of faith. By "analogy of faith" we mean the coherence of the truths of faith among themselves and within the whole plan of Revelation.

Many people take one phrase out of the entire unity of the Scripture and force it to mean something totally un-Christian.

With love in Christ.

Answer 9

I have found that the Truth is the Truth on all levels.