How do we know which parts of the Bible are to be taken literally, and which ones are symbolic?

Question

I have a strong's concordance. I just have always had a dufficult time going off of man's interpretation alone. There are too many different interpretations. Some take it literally, some take it symbolically. And in honesty, I find that this is a rather important issue.

The concordance is great for comparing scriptures, some things it gives a clearer view of, yet with some things it still leaves too many questions in the open.

Answer 1

The Golden Rule of Hermeneutics is this: "If the plain sense makes common sense, seek no other sense."

Hermeneutics is the science of interpretation, especially of the Scriptures.

Answer 2

That is a very important question. Glad you asked it. The Bible is a collection of literature. What is interesting to me is that there is little argument or debate over other peices of literature in history and whether or not they are meant literally or figuratively. That's because there are laws of interpretation that are applied to every peice of literature such as contextualization, rules of language and grammer, cultural elements, etc. to determine how the author intended the reader to take it. The truth is, those same principles are applied easily the peices of literature that make up the Bible, and it becomes quite clear what is meant figuratively and literally. I've studied quite a bit in this area and have found the Bible to be far less confusing than many would like us to believe. The reason that people like to claim that it is impossible to know what should be taken literally is that many people despise the notion that they would be expected to sumbit their lives to a higher authority, even if that meant ultimate happiness and a peace of mind. It isn't that it's impossible to know the difference in the Bible. The real hang up is spiritual, not intellectual.

Answer 3

Literalism and symbolism are NOT the only considerations when it comes to reading and/or studying the Bible (or any inspired text for that matter).

Remember that the Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew. The New Testament Greek.

The Hebrew language is probably one of the top 'intuitive' languages around. Meaning, the use/meaning of a word can have many meanings; and/or that it's meanings depends on many factors. From my understanding of Jewish tradition, that any inspired writings can have at least seven different levels of interpretation--and even more.

Like many older languages, Greek is also a very intuitive language.

If you just stick to the (original or new) english translations, and therefore believe what others have and/or are telling you, then I suspect that you will continue to find difficulty in knowing what is or shouldn't be taken literally or symbolically in the Bible--or even in your own perceptions and understandings of your experiences in your own life.

If you (and others) are serious about knowing these things, get your hands on a Strong's Concordance (I believe there's one online) and study these things out for yourself.

Regards,

Answer 4

See what I mean about some of these clowns who can't simply answer the question, anyway I think it depends on the person because we all take in information and process it on a very personal level. As silly as it may sound when I first read the passage "if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain be thou cast into the ocean, it will be done and nothing will be impossible to you" I thought that should be taken literally. You are a thoughtful person I am sure you will find what you believe should be taken literally and otherwise.

Answer 5

Bubbles, the learn of the Bible is seen a discipline, like Chemistry, arithmetic, etc. to appreciate the Bible that is mandatory to income very tricky, understanding each time a definite era is placed, and countless different issues. that isn't any longer something that Joe, the neighbor around the corner, or Pepe, the cobbler can do. that is why, the Bible has many factors and foot notes from those people who learn the Bible to furnish the ultimate interpretation

Answer 6

It tells you when it's symbolic, and when it is symbolic, it's in the form of a vision or a dream (Revelation 1:1, Daniel 8:1).

All of Revelation is a vision, Jesus used illistrations to make a point, Daniel had a lot of visions. Things like Adam and Eve, Noah and the flood, Sodom and Gomorrah are real.

Incidently, you need to be careful of somethings, because you're reading a translation. For instance, many people get the 7 day's thing wrong. Each day is a section, and with it being dark at first and then day coming, means more understanding of what's going on. We are actually still in the seventh day (Matthew 12:8), and the 7 days are all said to in 'a day' (Genesis 2:4). It's like saying in the 'day of Noah' or 'back in the day'.

Revelation 1:1
...And he sent forth his angel and presented [it] in signs...

Daniel 8:1
...there was a vision that appeared to me, even me, Daniel...

Matthew 12:8
For Lord of the sabbath is what the Son of man is.”

Genesis 2:4
This is a history of the heavens and the earth in the time of their being created, in the day that Jehovah God made earth and heaven.

Answer 7

Basically, the entire Bible with the exception of the book of Revelation is too be taken literally and is can be understood with study. Revelation was a prophetic vision given to John and is written in symbolic and figurative language. It can still be understood but takes more study than the rest of the Bible.

The Bible was written to be understood.

"Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. " 2 Timothy 2:7

"And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life." 1 John 5:20

"And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 3:15

If a child that has learned the scriptures can understand it, why can't an adult?

Answer 8

what is bible? It is: Verbum Dei formaliter scriptum ipso Deo peculiari Autore.

In bible we have different litteral styles:

Apocalyptic (those are to NOT to be taken literally):
- BOok Revelation
- Daniel

Prophetical (sometimes could be taken literally, when they talk about God´s law or love):
- Isaias
- Jeremias and so on.

Wisdom Books (they are mostly to be taken literally, but not always)
- Proverbs
- Ecclesiastes and so on.

Gospels: (we have a mix of styles, but there are some symbols)
- Mathew
- Mark
- Luke
-John

Historical (they are mostly to be taken literally, but not always):
- Book of Kings
- Acts of apostles and so on.

Epistles (They are mostly to be taken literally):
- St Paul´s and so on

According to Catholic Teology, to know the right interpretation of a symbolic text, you should look at the way Jesus and/or Apostles used it. For example: The Mose´s serpent and Jesus.

Answer 9

Listen, it does not matter. Ask God to help you to understand the scriptures. Many times I have read passages for the fourth or fifth time and each time I saw something different in what I read. Just do not worship the WORD and forget to worship God.

The Ol' Hippie Jesus Freak
Grace and Peace
Peg

Answer 10

Common sense is your best guide to this, however, people have been trying to figure out an answer to your question for as long as the Bible has been around. I don't know the answer, but one for thought is that the Old Testament is simply a history and the New Testament shows us how other people solved their spiritual questions and is a guide to help us solve ours in light of our own times and beliefs and with regard to how Jesus handle circumstances in His time..