Honest question to people who interperet the bible literally - Please help?

Question

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Some Christians find the bible is word for word truth (or close to it). Others find many parts of it to be simply metaphors or stories (like Genesis, or Noah).

For those who take the bible literally, do you find that Christians who do not are blasphemous, or simply have a different opinion? Is it a big deal or no big deal? Your thoughts please.

AND PLEASE, I'M NOT ASKING IF THE BIBLE IS TRUE OR NOT...IM ASKING YOUR OPINION OF CHRISTIANS WHO DO NOT TAKE THE ENTIRE BOOK LITERALLY.

Ownager: I'm agnostic. You're not too bright yourself it seems.

Answer 1

Hi Doug(Doug)
I don't find it blasphemous unless they deny the Spirit is God.

It's not up to me to judge

Answer 2

The bible is word for word truth, but some stories are written in parables because we understand them better. Just because they are not to be taken literally doesn't mean they are not true. When it says to cut off the hand that sinned or gouch out the eye that sinned, Jesus did not mean to go ahead and mutilate yourself. We would all be blind and without limbs. He simply meant, that sin is so bad that in order not to sin we'd have to do that. That's why He came. When I sit my child down and explain something at their age level, making up a story so they will understand, did I lie? No, I simply put it on their level. The point of the story remains the same as with the bible. It is truth from beginning to end.

Answer 3

I don't think it's reasonable to say that the entire Bible is either literal or symbolic. There are very literal parts, and very symbolic parts. To get the full picture you have to read all of it, not just a few specific verses that "contradict" themselves.

"All scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16,17

So no, I don't agree with anyone who cries "All literal" or "All symbolic". It's a combination that becomes apparent after much study and research. And yes, looking at the context helps :0)

Answer 4

The way I learn to take the Bible first I pray and ask the Lord for guidance and direction, knowledge and understanding, and the wisdom to know that it is being led by Him. I found for me to understand is ask the One who is the source. Because the Bible as people say is inspired. Shouldn't one go directly to the source. The Lord delights in one who ask not just for personal objects, but one who also ask for personal understanding.
My thoughts to how others take the Bible is I just can't understand it. I mean some read it and feel revenge, God's wrath, and some negative feeling. Myself when I read it I try to feel the Spirit behind the words. To open ones mind and feel deeply each word and just read as if you read anything else and let the Lord show you, to me is wonderful. I feel such love with the words. Not just the violence that is in some stories,...
It is really ashamed that such a loving nature has brought forth such chaos, makes you wonder......whats behind it all that brings out every emotion,....its real for sure

Answer 5

Jesus taught by telling earthly stories with heavenly/spiritual meanings. He also used similies and metaphors. If you surface read The Bible, sure you'll get a good read and some good advice. That's not what God created it for. Those who truly seek God, will get much more than a surface read out of it.

It takes MORE than a logical mind to understand what's in it. You also have to be humble and have a teachable spirit.

I think people who refuse to know God or don't care about Him should not discuss Him. Or say anything negative about Him. Or to hinder others who seek knowledge. It's one thing not to believe, but to lack fear, and to blaspheme that's taking it to another level.

Answer 6

I'm not a "Christian," nor do I take the bible "literally"...lol...but I just can't resist.

Technically speaking, it's not even possible to take the bible literally. This is primarily because the bible is full of contradictions, and of course it's not possible to hold two or more mutually exclusive beliefs at the same time, unless one is simply insane. The fundies will naturally answer, in the first instance, that the bible is NOT full of contradictions, and in the second instance, that it is, but they're put there to try our faith - which only defines "faith" as "belief in insane propositions."

The fundies, though, are quite right to insist on acceptance of the whole shooting match, even though it's logically unacceptable, rather than hedging on interpretations and suggesting that this or that passage should be taken allegorically. The Church maintained its hegemony for nigh 2 millenia by forbidding all argument.

Answer 7

Jesus spoke in illustrations (parables), thus weeding out people who were not right hearted and sincere. However, for people who love God, these parables become fascinating truth and are full of meaning. As for the accounts of the Hebrew scriptures, Genesis -Malachi, these are history, prophetic poetry, prophecy. They are written for specific purposes, one of those being to build our faith.

Matthew 13:10-17: "So the disciples came up and said to him: “Why is it you speak to them by the use of illustrations?” 11 In reply he said: “To YOU it is granted to understand the sacred secrets of the kingdom of the heavens, but to those people it is not granted. 12 For whoever has, more will be given him and he will be made to abound; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 13 This is why I speak to them by the use of illustrations, because, looking, they look in vain, and hearing, they hear in vain, neither do they get the sense of it; 14 and toward them the prophecy of Isaiah is having fulfillment, which says, ‘By hearing, YOU will hear but by no means get the sense of it; and, looking, YOU will look but by no means see. 15 For the heart of this people has grown unreceptive, and with their ears they have heard without response, and they have shut their eyes; that they might never see with their eyes and hear with their ears and get the sense of it with their hearts and turn back, and I heal them.’
16 “However, happy are YOUR eyes because they behold, and YOUR ears because they hear. 17 For I truly say to YOU, Many prophets and righteous men desired to see the things YOU are beholding and did not see them, and to hear the things YOU are hearing and did not hear them."

1 Corinthians 10:11: "Now these things went on befalling them as examples, and they were written for a warning to us upon whom the ends of the systems of things have arrived."

It is very important to study the Bible intently and diligently in order to understand it fully. There is a coherent theme from Genesis 1:1 throughtout the entire Bible, to Revelation 22:21.

2 Timothy 3:16 & 17: "All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work."

Answer 8

Well, people who think some of the bible is a "fairy story" make me nervous...You never know which parts they don't believe in and which parts they do. Personally, it would be better for me if they were "on Fire" or "out cold" at least I would know where they stood.

15I know your [record of] works and what you are doing; you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot!

16So, because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth!

Answer 9

I believe what the bible says is true, those things really happened and give us confidence in the fact that Jehovah will fulfill his word completely

Answer 10

I don't take the bible literally. But I can tell you that you're probably 30 years old and you're still reading fairy tales. Good job! Get dressed by yourself this morning?