Which parts of the Bible can I take literal, which parts parabolic, and which parts metagorical?

Question

And which parts ambimorphic, and which parts spontiginous?

Please provide answers in your expertise; I need to get a handle on this, and sort it all out.

Replies from church people appreciated.

WHEN I SAID REPLIES FROM CHURCH PEOPLE APPRECIATED, I DIDN'T MEAN IT; NOW THAT I'VE SEEN A FEW.

Answer 1

It's weird that none of the religious people yet have realized that other than the words "Literal" and "Parabolic" none of these things you ask about are words. And Parabolic doesn't even mean anything in this context. I suspect another game of "Poke the Fundies" afoot.

Answer 2

I read the other answers and agree.

First it must be said 2 Timothy 3: 15 tells, 'All scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work.'
and Paul said in Acts 17: 2,3 that "he reasoned with them from the Scriptures. explaining and proving by references that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead."

Usually you can tell by the context whether a scripture is literal or not, prophecy or not, or a story for teaching.

Jesus, when talking to people often told stories that were not literal but used to teach a point he wanted to make clearer. After, he told what the story meant.

Proverbs is written in riddles to make the reader think and develope decernment.--Prov. 1: 5,6

Genesis is largely literal covering untold years. It does contain the first prophecy though. Chapter 3 verses 14-15 is God's prophecy to Satan.

There are also dreams that have meaning. An Egyptian king dreaming of skinny animals eating fat animals was a dream. The meaning, as only Joseph knew from God, was a great famine and a warning of how to survive.

Prophecies like Jesus' in Matthew ch.24 have two fulfillments, both literal and later day. He said this in about 33 CE. The literal fulfillment was in about 68 CE till 70 CE when the Roman armies came to the temple in the battles but for a reason unknown even today, withdrew. Those who paid attention to what Jesus said ran for the mountains. They were then safe, both from the robbers along the route and from Romans who returned to level the temple and everyone in it in 70 CE.

Prophecies also have a later fulfillment as today we live in the last days of this wicked system of things. The same warnings to identify that time are the same only magnified.

Now, my fingers are tired. I hope this has been of help in your search.

Answer 3

when reading the bible one must invoke the Holy Spirit since it is divinely inspired to aid in understanding
one must also take into account the literary form used at the time, the message being made as as a whole not in part
One must also use common sense to decipher literal and symbolic meanings

Answer 4

You take on what you need from the bible. Not all verses or scriptures mean a whole lot too me, however there are few that I need at times to get me through.

Answer 5

Since the bible has hundreds of errors (and dozens of internal contradictions), there is no part that you can safely take literally, or indeed should take at all.

Answer 6

I do not feel like writing an essay, you just need to go to a bible study, and find out for yourself! Just don't forget to pray for guidance.

Answer 7

Yes he is.

You said "Replies from church people appreciated" and that's the funniest thing I've heard all day.

Kudos to skalite5.

.

Answer 8

Is skalite5 the only one on here that's paying attention?

Answer 9

It all depends on what you want the Bible to say "THIS TIME".

Answer 10

Give me a scripture, and I will tell you.