If the bible is so important for us to live by, why all the symbolism?

Question

If it truly means your life, the one given to us by God, shouldn't he be more direct. It's like a huge riddle he created for us to figure out before we die. Isn't symbolism more of a literary tool mostly used in fiction?

Answer 1

Good question!

Imagine if instruction manuals for electronic devices were written in the same manner. It would take so much longer to set up a stereo if you had to decode the symbolism of the book. Why not simplify it and make it easier to follow if it was such an important book?

I think the bible was meant to be nothing more than a great story for people to read & take a LITTLE something from it into their own lives.... I don't think it was meant to have this HUGE cult following.... and i use the word cult because it's a fictional novel that has amassed a large fanbase. Any other work of fiction, be it a movie, book, television show, etc.... that doesn't appeal to everyone, but does gather a large fanbase they would call it a "cult following."

Like the rocky horror picture show... It wasn't mainstream popular when it was released in the mid-70's but there was an underground "cult" following.... Hence the term "cult classic".... The bible is the ultimate "cult classic" with a bunch of fanboys/girls who after all these thousands of years are STILL raving about this book. "You have GOT TO read this book!!" It's incredible.... If they just would stop taking it so literally & see it for what it truly is.......an epic story...... things would be so much better.

Answer 2

It's not such a riddle. To generalize it completely as symbolic is to miss the things which are literal in it. The phrase in the Bible is to "Rightly divide the word of God", and "Study to show thyself approved".

So please, if you want to understand it, don't generalize so much!

What you have probably been noticing is that there are times when the Bible is not showing you precise details. I would counter that it does, you just have to understand what you are looking at. And then there is the complexity of not being written in English. So trying to understand the Bible without a Concordance, and being new to it, without commentary, and without a good Bible teacher is a very difficult thing to do!

So here, I'll give you something. This pastor is a bible teacher that has been around for quite a while. He goes through the entire Bible, in my opinion he is pretty good, a little legalistic at times but all in all he's pretty good.

http://twft.com/?page=C2000

Here's a verse as to why it is good to listen:
Romans 10:17
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

It's all about trusting Jesus! You can e-mail me if you have any more questions specific to what the Bible says. I like to do that for people, okay? ( :

Answer 3

You are intelligent so perhaps you can see that there are several reasons?

One reason is to weed out those not desiring strongly God's righteousness, but prefer establishing their own. The word of God is veiled for the unbelievers.

Another reason, in my opinion, is that I think God wants to give us a mental challenge, have fun. If the Bible only was a rule book combined with facts, where would the fun in that be. Not only that -- the unbelievers would have no excuse to follow their own hearts.

The symbolism used in the Bible is fairly obvious. What was written beforehand becomes the key to the symbols.

Answer 4

The bible is fiction created in the minds of more than one man. Even the symbolism is idiotic.

Forget that book filled with bigotry and lies and look to God.

Answer 5

Hi Nicole:

I have answered this so many times my fingers know where the keys are!
The bible as sent by God was not written for everyone at all times. It took thousands of years and many different writers with their currant experiences to fill it's pages with knowledge and incite.
People obeyed and were blessed. They disobeyed and were destroyed. Or went hungry.
God proved himself to the Jews time and again and he forgave them. And still they wait..............unbeleiving.
Yes, symbolism is used to cut clear anyone who wont believe. Knowledge belongs to the faithful, not the cynic.
Revelation is a great example of Jesus loyalty to us. Written many years after he ascended, to and by John, he criticized some of the Church's, and praised others. Like a FATHER FROM HEAVEN, STILL DIRECTING HIS PEOPLE........TODAY.

Answer 6

The bible was never intended to be the center point of the religion. It was supposed to be INSPIRED by God not written by God. It was a way to bring Christians together to organized them since before it was put together. They wrote what they knew about and we have interpreted it over time to what we need it to say.

Answer 7

Some books are written as poetry and there is some use of poetic language. Some words can be figurative, but for the purpose of communicating emotions. (e.g. Songs of Solomon, Psalms)

Some books are written as prophecy and not all the words are to be taken as literal, but some words can be taken as figurative. The books of prophecy are used to hide a meaning from some people, but to reveal them to others. (e.g. Daniel, Revelations)

Some books are written as history and are to be taken in the plain sense they are written. (e.g. Genesis, Exodus, The Gospels, Acts)

Some books are written as law and are to be taken in the plain sense they are written. (e.g. Leviticus, Deuteronomy)

Answer 8

Profound truth usually arrives via symbolism. What else would we do with our time but ponder the meaning of life?

Answer 9

It is symbolism in modern times, but in the days when it was written, much of things considered symbolism were literal.

Answer 10

Good question Nicole.

Love and blessings Don