2007-06-11 16:05:44 · 23 answers · asked by keri gee 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
First of all, you can't ask Christians. We are not all of one voice on this issue. You are aware that there are dozens and more branches of Christianity, right? Some are conservative, fundamental, and others are liberal, open.
In any case, the reason that Christias say it needs to be without error (which is different from being taken literally) is that is the Word of God. Would you have God speaking erroneously?
Again, there are degrees of belief here, but the consensus is that everything in the Bible was divinely inspired and therefore reflects the true Word of God. Therefore it does not contain errors.
Now, the taken literally part, Christians are all over the place here. Some believe that if it was divinely inspired then it must be taken literally. Others (Catholics) for example, see it is divinely inspired, but we have to search for the meaning, understand the context, etc.
And that should just about cover that.
2007-06-11 18:13:51 · answer #1 · answered by honest answer 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The problem is that we have to be careful to try and take the Bible as it was _intended_ to be understood. There are many passages in the Bible that are obviously intended to be understood literally. There are also many passages that are obviously intended to be understood figuratively. (Note: because a passage is figurative does not mean that it is not true!) The problems really start for those passages that are not _obviously_ intended to be understood one way or the other. Generally, the rule of thumb for these passages is that if it makes sense to understand a passage (in its context!) literally, then take it that way. And then there is the curve ball in the fact that some passages are _intended_ by God to have more than one meaning... fun eh? :)
The second part of your question is straight forward. If it contained errors, if it did not communicate exactly and precisely what God intended to communicate, then it could not be Truth. The very best that we could say at that point is that 'it contains some measure of truth,' but we could not say that 'it _is_ truth.' And if it only contains truth, what means would we have to determine the truth from the error within it?
2007-06-11 23:37:39 · answer #2 · answered by rwc377 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it depends on the christian denomination you want to follow. not all Christians take the word literally. The Bible is without error, but i believe that some translations are a lot more accurate than others. obviously the language translations play a major role in error, as well as new words.
2007-06-11 23:13:49 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Of course there are errors in the Bible-typological errors. Also not everything in the Bible is taken literally by Christians. Especially the book of revelations.
2007-06-11 23:11:48 · answer #4 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Can understanding of all minds be the same? Can every mental picture be the same?
Bible on first reading gives a meaning and it gives another meaning on second reading. After each reading our understanding changes with experience of life. It may take a whole life time to understand the true essence of Bible "The words of God".
We are all humans with plenty of flaws, hence to understand something which is flawless is only by grace of God or by an enligthen Master.
2007-06-13 00:17:32 · answer #5 · answered by M.L.M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not every passage in the Bible can be taken literally, The Bible speaks the truth. The Bible is the word of God, sometime we may don't understand something, that does not mean it can't or not true.
2007-06-11 23:10:06 · answer #6 · answered by dimitri 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Bible parables,stories, referenceings meaning is 'ambiguous.
In the Bible , Satan talked with GOD, once? or twice? here is a excerpt from Job showing Satan 's way of thinking. Scripture is written so those with understanding can relate.
GOD gives understanding. .. ".. freely."Satan should not interpet Scriptures, yet does eventully , causeing different meanings to evade Satan.
Job 2:4
4 "Skin for skin!" Satan replied. "A man will give all he has for his own life.
5 But stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face."
Ambiguous:
2 : capable of being understood in two or more possible senses or ways
2007-06-11 23:19:32 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only carnal minds take the Bible literally! God's followers know the true meaning of most verses in the Holy Book.
you better believe it is true and without error! God does not lie.
2007-06-11 23:14:03 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
It is because we strive for form and a rigid backbone of religion. It is because we can only see what we know is there. Most Christians always have doubts about their own faith at least once in their life, and the Bible, taken literally, is an outlet for them to run to when they run out of faith. Christians want to see their Lord so badly but they cannot see him until death, so until they wait they read the Bible and look for guidance and what better guidance than literal disection.
2007-06-11 23:10:31 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
If it is taken literally there can really only be one interpretation of it. If it is taken symbolically then the interpretations are countless. The Bible clearly teaches that there is only one true interpretation of it, though there may be many applications. Second half of your question is obvious - If there are errors then it is not true.
2007-06-11 23:10:49 · answer #10 · answered by oldguy63 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋