Is everything that's in the bible meant to be taken literally or can some of it be taken metaphorically?

Answer 1

When Jesus speaks of a beam in someone's eye, it's fairly obvious that he is using hyperbolic humor to drive home a point. When it says in Genesis that a mist watered the ground, this seems to be an ordinary event, and therefore, barring some other odd detail in the text, it ought to be taken as such.

A good course in biblical interpretation would be immensely helpful, especially for our atheist friends and other skeptics. They may elect to retain their skepticism, but at least they would have better legs upon which to stand when claiming to know what a text means. Some have done this, and became atheists, for example, in seminary. I recall reading recently that one R&S regular became an atheist in seminary when he was translating First John from the koine Greek.

Hope this helps!
Tom

Answer 2

We must accept that the Bible must be taken as the Truth. The Bible has many writters, whith many syles. Some of which are crafted as song and prayer (Psalms), wisdom (Proverbs), prohetic poetry (Revelations) and others as a didctation of events (Acts). However it is interpreted the essence of the writtings remain true...

To answer any inquiring minds, yes, Genesis is a factual account of the creation of the world and the fall of man. If the events with Adam, Eve and Satan were a metaphor then that would mean that sin (and susequently death) was present in the world proir to Adam. But it is written that God created the world and He saw that it was good (good - being pure and worthy of God's approval. Yet anything with sin and death can not be worthy of God. Did God miss this then when He said it was good?) I believe not. The world was paradise before the fall. When Jesus came, He did so to save us from this original sin. Jesus also says that the Word (the Bilble) is true. Not an interpreted story but the Truth. If these accounts in the Bible were not true, then Jesus died for a lie, and as a result, all of God's power and wisdom would be redered impotent...

Sadly science has attempted to explain the origin and events of the evolution of this world with no real proof to support their theories. If you honestly seek to learn the Truth, you will find that the evidence science has uncovered supports the idea of a personal creator or inteligent designer. The Bible also remains to be the stongest source of historically reliable information - withstanding the scrutiny of skeptics and scholars for over the past two thousand years...

We must learn to understand the Word in it's correct context and not take bits and pieces to construct a book that seems to be contradictory. By studying the history of God's people up to and after the arrival of Christ, you may come to understand how some commands were given to certain people for specific reasons that God had intended...

It is dangerous to intereprent some passages as metaphorical just becuse the intent escapes us or we aren't fond of what God is asking of us. We need to be open to whatever direction the Truth may lead us. Remember, when we ask questions, just because we may not like an answer, doesn't mean it isn't true...

Answer 3

So now that you read alot of crappy uneducated answers...

Here's a Bible college student to help you out!

The Bible is exactly what it says it is! The majority of the Bible is literal, and if you read the chapters/books in context with the surrounding material you can usually distinguish whether is it metaphorical to make a point or actually literal.

For instance, yes, Israel DID cross the Red Sea while God, through Moses, made a dry path for them.

No, there was no prodigal son. That story was meant to make a point (but if you read the surrounding information you know it was a parable, therefore not literal).

Answer 4

The Bible would desire to be studied taking into consideration here:- one million) Context - many of the writings are historic, some are awareness or poetry. historic writings would be taken actually. awareness and poetry have lots symbolism. 2) subculture - A word would have a literal meaning, or it might desire to have a meaning dictated by making use of the subculture of the time. a sought after occasion is the be conscious "depraved". Taken actually, it skill evil. Taken interior the context of subculture, it skill sturdy. area of Jewish subculture is emphasis by making use of exaggeration. 3) Translation blunders - each and every so often it isn't any longer user-friendly to place across the precise meaning of a be conscious or word in yet another language. for occasion, the Hebrew be conscious "Shalom" is frequently translated as Peace. despite if, it additionally skill completeness, well being, prosperity etc. 4) Transcription blunders - definite, some inaccuracies have crept into the Bible. despite if, those are minor (such as incorrectly recording the age of somebody, or the area between 2 places). this would not detract from the same old accuracy of the Bible because of the fact the inspired be responsive to God. in case you examine each and all the guidelines interior the previous testomony, you will see that the reason for any such punishment became so as that folk feared doing incorrect. a guy or woman first learns good from incorrect from their father and mom. If the youngster rebels and assaults their father and mom, what variety of an person will they alter into? honestly, no longer one that would advance the respect of a rustic. the strict rules have been so Israel would be seen as a righteous usa. despite if, Israel fell wanting God's standards many, many situations. we at the instant are in a time of grace. rather of the youngster being positioned to dying, there is the prospect for repentance and forgiveness. despite if, you will desire to comprehend that for the period of on the instant's society a baby would desire to nonetheless be punished for attacking their father and mom.

Answer 5

The historical aspect of the Bible can be taken literally. Things like Jesus' teachings on heaven and hell are sometimes representative since we don't have the capacity to understand the immenseness of it all. Prophecies of the end times were, in my belief, written as accurately as they could, not understanding what they were seeing. (Remember that three thousand years the image of a helicopter would have been incredibly bazaar! How could they try to describe that?)
Jesus' teachings of what our life with God is supposed to be like while on this planet were very direct and tended to use metaphors as examples. Paul understood better than anyone and does an excellent job in his letters to help us understand.

That is a huge general question that is much easier to answer if more specific passages are asked about.

Answer 6

Dear the seal,

The application and truths of the Bible are to be taken literally, but when interpretting the Bible you must take into account various factors such as: the context, who the message was being addressed to...

Jesus often used a lot of imagery and alluded to things that would have made a lot more sense to a Jewish culture. For example he told people to be the salt of the earth. Does he want people to literally be salt (off course not... but in that day salt was used to flavor meat as well as to preserve it) and he was saying to those who believe and follow him- be that for the other people-- be different and show them how i can preserve their lives...

i think if you are truly interested in how to determine what parts of the Bible are to be taken literally and metaphorically you might want to consider reading some Hermenutics books which will teach you basic principles of Bible Interpretation...

Hope that helps. Please do email if you want titles for some good books that teach on how to interpret the Bible.

Kindly,

Nickster

Answer 7

Not everything in the bible is to be taken literally. Some of the stories are just to make points
e.g. Noah's arc

Answer 8

Everything in the Bible is there to teach you someting. Somethings are specific, literal examples. Other things are stories, poems, and even songs.

Start your study with a prayer, and you will be able to discern how, and what, God wants you to learn.

Answer 9

If you want to impart deep spiritual truths you must present stories in metaphor to bypass the human mind and go to the subconscious mind. The most profound truth is taught that way. Some are too blind or immature to see this.

Answer 10

What do YOU understand by "...This IS my Body....this IS my Blood"? (MT 26:27; MK 14:22-23; LK 22:19-20). According to Martin Luther, it is only THE DEVIL that has changed the meaning from "this IS" to "this symbolizes" or "this represents".