Were the Bible's stories originally meant to be interpreted literally?

Question

The Bible's many stories are reminiscent, in a sense, of a good children's book. Through characters and plot, they teach important lessons - be kind, don't kill, don't steal, and many more elaborate ones. Arguments have been made in support of the Bible's metaphorical nature; others maintain it spells the literal truth.

I realize this is a loaded question, one that's likely to "stir the pot". My intent is to, fairly, collect various points of view. But it's also more than that. We all have unfounded points of view that are based on the opinions of those around us, various dogmas, a strong desire for things to be a certain way - or even based on nothing at all.

So, it's important to base our points of view on a well grounded argument, and this is the second part to my question. Can you provide a good argument, based not on "so-and-so said", or personal belief, or desire - but evidence, be it physical, historical, or other? Can you show that your argument stands on its own?

Answer 1

The Bible is literally a book of verses. As poetry, it is not designed to be read as a newspaper or history book. The Bible requires readers who have imagination, who can feel and visualize and delight in the magic of words. Such skill is most natural in children. Therefore Christ urged his followers to be as children, i.e., open to the transcendence of imagination.

Answer 2

There is a difference between believing and a literal interpretation of the Bible and believing every single phrase has a literal meaning. Figures of speech, spiritual language, abstract concepts, etc are still expressed in the Bible, even if you take it literally. God made man in His image in that man is a spiritual being. Monkeys and apes are not. That is not taking the Bible as less than literal. Literal accounts can still have less than totally literal language. I could write a literal autobiography of my life and refer to someone looking "like a pencil." That doesn't mean they literally have the appearance of a pencil, but the narrative is still literal. The use of bilateral symetry and other anatomical templates in both man and apes means nothing but that God is brilliant enough to find a highly useful and widely applicable basic body structure for some of His creation. I have often considered the pre-Fall world, and have come to the conclusion that the second law of thermodynamics, which is usually equated with imperfection when people consider the Fall, is necesary for the world to work properly. Thus, some degredation had to occur in the pre-Fall world. Biblically, there is no hard evidence that the pre-Fall world had to be perfect. More than likely, it was simply the best. However, I would say that biology was changed with the Curse. Not the laws, but the implementation. Cells and their DNA were changed to allow for what we now know of disease, , and suffering. In fact, we're not even assured that was impossible in that environment. Usually, when the Bible speaks of coming after the Fall, we assert that the verse is speaking about spiritual , and we assume that physical was also tied to it. Now, there probably hadn't been any physical by the point of the Fall, but there's no guarantee that there couldn't have been. God most likely designed the world initially with it in motion to fall when it was time. Thus, it can still be taken literally quite easily.

Answer 3

Interpreted literally, no.
Truth, in a way, yes.

I read the new testament all in the summer during my middle school years, and only just recently have I really stepped back to realize how the parables and advice in the bible reflects upon the real world. I watch and see consequences for events that happened in a significant length of time away, and then I find ways to connect them, its sort of fun.

It is really hard to point to any evidence because I don't think anyone would understand, but if you watch and read the news on a ~daily basis, the evidence just builds and grows.

Perhaps the most scary example of recent memory is news of a guy struck by lightining in broad daylight while selling religious material (search for "Religious Book Seller Struck By Lightning"). When I heard of this, I remember the bible saying how you cannot serve god and money at the same time:

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." -Matthew 6:24

proof? I let everyone be the judge, but I found it very very weird.

Answer 4

First of all you must realize that the Word of God (what we call the Bible) is a living word, God is the author and men of old were inspired by HIM to write HIS word. A person has to be living in the spirit in order to even begin to understand it, that is why we have so many different translations of the true word of God. Yes all of the stories of the Bible are true and they should be taken as read. BUT, the parables are just what they seem to be(stories with a meaning), they were told by Jesus to the Jews because the Jews needed a sign and so the parables were easier for his people to understand. I hope this was able to bring some light to you, I am trying to keep it short which is really hard to do, but I am also assuming that you are honestly looking for the truth, not just an argument.

Answer 5

The Bible was written at a time when the majority of the population was illiterate. That is why it is written in a descriptive story like way to get the point across.
To believe is to have faith. The only type of faith is to have faith like a child. Faith without question. Your children know that you love them they believe that you do and they believe that you will always be there for them their devotion to you is pure and clean and honest. This is the type of unquestioning faith you should strive to have with God. Don't question or analyze the Bible just believe it. Read it with love not questions. If you question and look too analytically you will be disappointed, just like the child that grows up too fast in a dysfunctional home and is disappointed with his not so perfect home.
Just my opinion.
I grew up lucky, I knew my parents loved me and I know God does too.
God Bless you.

Answer 6

First one needs to understand that the original Bible was changed significantly by king Constantine and his click of scribes in 324 AD to control the citizens for his own idea. It was easy to do back then because only the higher ups in the church and government had copies and women didn't read. He took out everything to do with karma, reincarnation, and no one goes to hell eternally and vegetarianism. He added Paul's teachings who never even met Jesus. The original New testament is to be taken as actual happenings. Straight forward Truth. No guessing games. For The Gospel of The Nazireiens google gospelofthenazirenes.com following the original teachings of Jesus will set you free. I am so happy I found the Truth.

Answer 7

I believe the bible is to be taken literally. How do we get our history? Stories passed down from generation to generation

We know Jesus lived, died and rose again. We know He assenced into heaven. There were a lot of witnesses. We believe just like we do our parents who gave us historical family history.

We believe because we tried God and He never let us down.

There is no such thing as an atheist. They just lost their faith. They will be restored with love and care by other Christians. I don't take them seriously. God bless

Answer 8

This is a question that isn't new,but,that doesn't mean it shouldn't be asked! I don't think that Scripture was meant to be taken as literal fact(men have been trying to do that for millenia)& you're right,there is everywhere,the elemnet of the fantastical thoughout.I'm not sure that I know where you are coming from here,but,the discourse I believe,isr elevantI'm Wiccan though,so I'm probably not the best judge!

Answer 9

Only being able to read english and the age of the book makes it difficult to really give a well informed answer. You'd need to read the original Hebrew documents to give a truly honest response and that just isn't going to happen.

Answer 10

Bible should be not be interpreted literally but the spirit of wisdom for every sentence or paragraph made.