How can Christians take the Bible literally?

Question

I believe it is the word of God, however, it was written in a different time period and culture. For instance, there are scriptures that talk about women covering their heads and being silent in church yet if you go to a majority of churches (in the U.S.) that isn't happening...does that mean the women are sinning? Also, it talks about not defiling your body because it is the temple of the Holy Spirit, yet many men and women have pierced ears and tattoos. To me these and other scriptures, just show us that the Bible is more of a guide to living and being more Christlike...not a literal word-for-word playbook. Any thoughts?

Lillian_ivy...you are judging me. I am actually a Christian and I asked the question to make a point.

Horton hears you!-I totally agree...that was my point in asking the question. Thank you.

Thank you Riegan. It is only because of Christ that I am a good person.

Machaira...good answer...one of the best so far.

Romans 8:28...also a good answer.

Ok Einstein...now look at the scripture you quoted and put it into context. I think just throwing scripture around doesn't answer the question.

Answer 1

I don't know any Christian who does take the Bible literally. I haven't yet seen one walking around without the right eye or hand (or both) as in Matthew 5:29,30. This is hyperbole - "saying over the top" to emphasise a serious point - not to be taken literally. Other things are put in parables (sower and the seed) which is a story about something which can occur naturally, but is intended to convey spiritual or moral truth.
Yet other things in the Bible can be very difficult to understand and a major problem to interpret (2 Peter 3:16). The Bible tells about the living God, and a way of life.

Answer 2

it is a difficult book to understand. But then so is any advanced volume on quantum physics, unless you have studied. The bible says, 'study to show yourself approved". It also mentions that the things within are "spiritually discerned. This means that the Spirit of God will lead you to the understanding. Are you familiar with the Rosetta stone?. If not learn about it. Having the Spirit of God is the same key to understanding the word of God. Do we need to understand all of it? can we understand all of it? can we do it in a month, a year, ten years? is there advice[especially from Paul] that was meant for that time and not ours because of the spiritual and political environment? Look into it and you will see why woman where asked to be silent in the church. Defilement of the temple of the Holy Spirit........ Jesus said it is what comes out of a man that defiles him NOT what goes in, such as piercings or eating pork. If you use it as a guide, you will do well. There are those who want to know much more. Both will be welcomed into the kingdom.

Answer 3

It's a bit of both, but we need the Holy Spirit for discernment. Jesus spoke in parables, the book of Revelation obviously contains some things that are to be taking literally and others that are figurative. The foot washing really happened, but it is also a symbol of becoming humble / serving others. Many churches do this during the Passover season. But much of the bible is also historical fact. These people & places DID exist and the events DID occur.

The things you mention pertain to Jewish law. Christians aren't bound by those laws; we live under the law of grace. That does not give us excuse to intentionally sin; when we have the Holy Spirit living in us, we receive conviction when we sin until we repent of that sin. Christianity is not a trip to the altar - it is a lifestyle. We are all on different levels of spiritual maturity because we are individuals and God deals with us on an individual basis.

Answer 4

the Bible shows or tells how we should live, if it for back then or for now I don't know. But there is alot that is in the Bible that to me would be hard to do today in this life time. I live the best I can do and I serve the Lord the best I can do as well. and I can tell you the way I live is not going by the Bible, some yes but not all. If I am doing wrong then God will correct me and show me where I am or what I am doing wrong. He knows what the world is like today so I really don't think he will hold to much against us if we can't live up to what the Bible says, I am a believer as well..A christian life by the Bible is a hard way to go now days, just do the best we can, serve the Lord the best we can, and have the willing heart...My thoughts..

Answer 5

Firstly, I think that it is wonderful that a fellow Christian is able to step back and focus properly on the words of our written faith. I believe that the Bible was written by people at different times and in differnt place but all have one thing in common: they were all guided by the Holy Spirit. I think that everything must be taken into context. It doesn't really metter whether or not people for the old tesament or not lived until 900 years of age the important thing is that we understand that the God who was able to create Heavens and Earth from nothing is also able to keep someone in life for that long. God is great--Jesus, His Son is our Savior and all the rest becomes futile. Much love in His Name!

Answer 6

It does need to be taken literally, however the rules in it are broken up into moral law and practical law. The verse that speaks of women covering their head in church is in response to the women of Corinth that did not have covered heads which is a sign of being a temple prostitute, same thing with being told for women to have long hair because the temple prostitutes had shaved heads.

However some parts are not culture based. Christ literally died for the sins of the world and literally rose again. we are called to become more Christ like and such. some morality issues are always true, adultery is always bad, idolatry is always bad, homosexuality is always bad, it is always good to be humble, it is always good to have a ready defense, it is always good have a heart of worship.

In short you have to look at the reasons the Biblical authors wrote certain passages and see if it was for a specific reason for that town or if it was a general issue across the church.

Answer 7

About 150 years ago somebody decided that the Bible should only be taken literally. This automatically creates problems because some of the stories conflict with each other. The stories were meant to be used as allegories and metaphors for centuries until the change a little over a century ago.

As to the rest of the Bible, archaeology proves some of it, but disproves other parts. The Bible can be used as a moral guidebook, but so can common sense.

Answer 8

Churches are allowing all kinds of things to happen in them. Christians sin just like other people. It doesn't mean the Bible is wrong, it means people are. Yes, there are some things in the Bible that are symbolic and not to be taken literally. There are things in there that ARE to be taken literally too, though.

I would recommend reading the Bible completely and when picking out verses like you have make sure you understand the context in which they're given.

Jhn 14:26 But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Make sure you're open to the Spirit and allow him to guide you.

Answer 9

I think your right, I don't remember the verse but in the Bible it even says that you should not take it literally but figuratively. To interpret what you believe God is personally telling you when you read a specific verse. some may take it literally but i believe that with this day and time that as far as defiling your body it is very different world than it was when it was written.

Answer 10

I think you've got it right, except for 2 major details:

1. It was written by the hand of man. Man is an imperfect being, how do we know that no mistakes were made?

2. It is well known that scriptures have been both added and subtracted from the bible. If the scriptures were so sacred, why do this?