interpreting the Bible: literally or metaphorically?

Question

assuming it truly is the Word of God (not saying it is, assuming it is) should people interpret the Bible literally or metaphorically?

literally is the most natural, logical choice. but just because logic works for worldly matters does this mean it that it definitely will work for infinitely complex premises such as God true meaning?

a case could be made for metaphorical interpretations too -- Jesus himself communicated with the people through parables, a form of metaphor. during the times much of the Bible was written, allegories (another form of metaphor) was a very common form of communication. we all know that the Bible contains contradictions (if we were to interpret literally), does that mean a metaphorical interpretation is the correct one? we all know passages such as this are meant to be metaphorically interpreted:

"ye are the salt of the earth"

for all we know, maybe they all are meant to be metaphorically interpreted. your thoughts?

all are welcome to post, including non Christians, but please don't post obnoxious anti-Christian messages. i respect your religion, please respect mine.

Answer 1

there are no literal rules ... it has to be revealed by the Spirit ...

Answer 2

Adamantly both. Obviously we are not salt. Or at least, I don't think so...?(hmmm, mayhaps research should be done on the subject- lol)

But there were parables and other forms of metaphors. I believe that most of the new testament is literal. At least, say, the letters from Paul to the churchs, but Revelations and the parables can be interpreted in a wide variety.

I think the decision to take it as literal or metaphorical is based person-to-person. I've known some people who thought the entire old testament was parables, but I do not believe that... Reflectively, I think it is a matter of your mental perception and your standing with God as to how you interpret literal verses metaphorical.

Hope this helped?

Answer 3

The way I see it, the Bible is to be interpreted both ways, keeping in mind that there are signs on when to interpret it metaphorically. Since we petty much know that we are not literal 'salt', we may surmise that the metaphor is made. And neither is Jesus the door, the bread, the vine, or that we ought to be eating his blood. The Spirit of God is not water. Jesus wasn't going to give the woman actual water at Jacob's Well in John 4.

But I would say that there are two things this discussion is leaving out:
1) The Holy Spirit to guide us to understanding,
2) Commentators to help us figure out what is being said.

Most of the Christians I know including myself read only in English. We rely on Concordances and Lexicons in order to help us figure a word out. Commentators have already been trained in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. So they can bring it out if it needs to be.

Answer 4

I believe the Bible contains several different writing styles which means there are parts to be interpreted literally and parts to be interpreted metaphorically. The study of context reveals which way these portions are to be interpreted, but few seem to bother which such study which is what causes most of the confusion.

Answer 5

Northstar had a good answer. The rule I generally follow is this:
1) Interpret it literally unless
2) a) It is *clearly* metaphorical
2) b) A literal interpretation results in an unresolvable contradiction within the text itself (I know of no cases of this)
2) c) A literal interpretation disagrees with what we *know* of the world (my only example: the sun created on the fourth "day")

Of course, this is just a guideline I use personally, and is not meant to be any deeply insightful well-educated system. It works for me.

Jim, http://www.life-after-harry-potter.com

Answer 6

I think that you can do both. I did a study a while back about the old and new testaments and alot of the writings, especially in the old testament are litteral. Some of it was even used as a blueprint per se' to cultivate the lands in Isreal. In the New testament, I think there are alot of metaphors used to explain alot of things but remember that we're talking about 2000 years ago. Alot of those metaphors have turned out to be fact when researchers started digging. Either way, its all good....What we learn from it could only do good.

Answer 7

Interpret the Bible according to the ordinary rules of written communication. If it is written straight forward, then take it literally. If it is an obvious metaphore take it that way. You are expected to have some common sense.

Answer 8

To interpret either way fully would be a mistake. I don't think it was meant to be followed like a rule book. The bible is a guideline containing truths, but mixed with the truths are exaggerations to give more power to the message.

The bible was written by man....men are fallible, ergo the bible is flawed. Religion is all about an "idea." The bible helps you with that "idea."

Answer 9

This dude Bonhoeffer who was like totally a deep thinking Christian and he was like there is a literal meaning and an interpreted meaning for things in the bible...

...but he was like, if you're not willing to understand (or in some cases even do) the literal things in the bible then you've no right to the interpreted things

Answer 10

All you have to do is check history before the Bible
The story (Christ, or a being of miraculous powers), has been told numerous times. Even with freaky coincidences. The Bible was not written until 70 years after his death. Not until 300 years later was it ratified to it's current form by the Romans. Historians at the time made no mention of this great being. I think Christ would be appalled at what has happened in his name (Inquisition, dark ages, crusades).

I personally believe this isn't what he stood for.

Answer 11

There were many occasions in the gospels where Jesus had to correct others for interpreting His teachings literally. Like when Nicodemus asked how could we be born again a second time. If Jesus said not to interpret Him literally then woe to him who does not believe Jesus.