So is everything in the bible meant to be taken literally or is some of it meant to be taking as symbolic?

Question

How about as parables? Or metophorically speaking? If so what could be taken as literal and what can be seen as symbolic or metaphorical?

Answer 1

if everything is taken literally then you have many ignorant people who disregard anything science has to say because its not in the bible. many things in the bible should be taken as symbolic or a metaphor. Jesus used metaphors to describe hell and heaven. the Creation in genesis is one great big metaphor, a myth used by ancient people to understand something they had no comprehension of. not everything in the bible should be taken as literal truth. if you believe that then you are a respectable christian. if you believe everything in the bible is 100% infallible truth then go stone your children for misbehaving and punish your wives or daughters for not doing what you tell them to. hey if the bible is law then you should follow it right?

Answer 2

The heavy use of symbolism is part of the culture of the prophets who wrote the books in the Bible.

“It may be of interest to contrast the speech of modern and ancient Palestinians with our own. In thought and speech the Oriental is an artist; the Occidental, on the other hand, may be thought of as an architect. When speaking, the Oriental paints a scene whose total effect is true, but the details may be inaccurate; the Occidental tends to draw diagrams accurate in detail.” (Ensign, May 1972, pp. 29–30.)

This is a quote from a great article on symbolism in the scriptures and how to understand it. The full article can be found at: http://www.lds.org/portal/site/LDSOrg/menuitem.b12f9d18fae655bb69095bd3e44916a0/?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=c624ef960417b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1

Answer 3

Except for some historically proven events and locales it has no power if NOT read metaphorically - even the parables, the events and timeline of Jesus "passion" all have metaphorical content. Its about the relationship between the psychological content of one's mind and the experience of reality. All religions are based on insights related to this mind/matter connection. (Buddhism is the most obvious with its 8-Fold Path)

Read Meister Eckhart's sermons as one good source of the power inherent in Christian metaphor.

Answer 4

Most of the Bible was interpreted symbolically until the counter-reformation of the 17th century. There is no historical or theological precedent for interpreting the entire Bible literally.

It is really funny to read commentaries on Scripture written by theologians in the 2nd - 15th centuries, and then compare that to the modern Protestant view. Pick any ancient commentary and read it - even the most mundane elements are interpreted symbolically (such as where Mary and Martha sat in proximity to Jesus). Many early Church Fathers were offended by a literal reading, claiming that it did violence to the true meaning of Scripture.

Answer 5

Wow, it would take me hours to answer this question with the full detail it deserves. Deal is, some things are meant to be taken literally, some like parables and poems shouldn't be taken literally.

My suggestion to you, if you want to know to take literally and what not to, and just how to read the Bible in general, I suggest you study hermeneutics. That big word there pretty much means how one reads and interprets the Bible. I recommend a few products for ya to help ya out with that.

2 books one is "Grasping God's Word", by Duvall and Hayes. It is a seminary level book on Hermeneutics. another one is "How to Read the Bible for All It's Worth" by Fee and Stuart. That one is more for lay people.

Another product that is helpful with this, that just came out as well is a DVD called "Herman Who?" By Todd Freil at http://www.wayofthemasterradio.com

Answer 6

Parables are symbolic. They are to make us think about behavior and beliefs. ie: the prodigal son in comparing a lamb that wanders from the herd and would not the shepherd leave the herd to find the lost lamb to bring it home. In the same manner as the father welcoming home his son, not leaving the other behind but embracing both.

Answer 7

I think the text itself gives you clues, and you need to read sensibly. If something appears to be symbolic, it can be read as such, and if it clearly is to be taken literally, then take it literally. When the Bible text reads, "and walking along the shore, He saw two brothers mending their nets," there is nothing in the text indicating a reason to take it any way other than literally.

Here's a book you can either check out at the library or purchase from amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Basics-Bible-interpretation-Bob-Smith/dp/0849928389/ref=sr_1_2/002-4570238-0052065?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1179957000&sr=1-2

It's pretty good, non-technical, and doesn't cost much.

Hope this helps!
Tom

Answer 8

YES!!! Parables are easy as they are a story that brings out a Truth to the Listener. I suggest that for all the rest of Ur possible questions, pick up a Study Help & use it as U study the Scripture. John

Answer 9

The discipline for understanding Scriptures is called hermeneutics. A fundamental principal of hermeneutics is that Scripture is to be taken literally unless there is a reason to interpret otherwise such as the obvious use of literary genre'.

In Christ
Fr. Joseph

Answer 10

the bible isnt 1 book, its 72 or 66 depending on your denomination.

Revelation cant be taken literal(literally, in the end a mutilated lamb will destroy Satan, and there will be a brown guy with a sword in His mouth)

to me, NT is mostly literal, take it as-is.

OT contains mostly historical records, so its probably mostly literal

except for genesis, thats a crazy allegory