Literally the bible?

Question

where does it say in the bible that it must be taken literally?

will mainstream christians be saved if they don't take the bible literally? if they will be saved anyway-- why take it literally then?

Answer 1

Many people take the addition at the end of Revelation (which just happened to end up the last book of the Bible) which says not to add or take away anything from this book to mean that you have to take the whole Bible literally. Actually, it was probably just a note to scribes who would copy the manuscript down in the future.

Answer 2

Nowhere does the Bible say that. In any case, the Bible is not a book, but a collection of books. So even if one book said that, it would be meaningless unless it specified which books are to be considered part of the Bible. But no book of the Bible contains a table of contents of the Bible.

In other words, the Bible does not tell us what's in the Bible. Something outside the Bible tells us what belongs in it. Like it or not, that something is the Church. And the Church does not tell us that we must take the entire Bible literally. Some parts, yes, because they are obviously intended to be taken that way. Others are obviously poems, or prayers, or stories, and not meant to be taken literally.

Answer 3

The Bible is not meant to be taken literally. There are many metaphors and parables in the Bible. Hell, for example, is described as darkness, flames, etc. It is not a literally place with flames that we know of. Or when Jesus says that the kingdom of God is like a mustard seed. If you take it literally, then you are wrong.

Answer 4

There are some things that need to be taken literally like the ten commandments and things like that. But Jesus also spoke in parables which is why it is important to read the word and ask for revelation of the word so you can get a better understanding of what Jesus meant. Just like the communion I am sure that the blood they drank was not the real blood of Jesus but it symbolized His blood and it was done in rememberance of who He is was and is.

Answer 5

If you don't take the bible literally, then why even believe that you can be saved?

Answer 6

The bible was written to pass down the word of God and the teachings of his son to generations that weren't there first-hand to witness the events.

I can tell the same story as my friend, and discrepancies can exist between the two stories because we're both relating our experience from our own unique perspectives. That doesn't mean the stories are untrue.

Quit reading the bible to search for holes in it, and read it for the story behind it...the love of our Creator for those that he created.

Then you'll get the true meaning of the bible.

Take care.

Answer 7

Uh, HELLO! Jesus spoke in parables and metaphors, and many of the stories are SYMBOLIC of something! You honestly think the Garden of Eden is a real place, God wiped out everything with a giant flood, tortured Job, and would let Hell on Earth like in Revelations?! If you believe that as fact, then you are simply ignorant and need to learn to think for yourself.

Answer 8

Here is my answer: There were multiple Authors of the Bible, and many edits done. Who does all the saving here, and who writes the rules of saving , and why are the rules so subjective that folks go to war and kill each other over who is going to be " saved"?

Answer 9

If the Bible were written today, it would no doubt have a disclaimer being a Lawyer's world and all.

Answer 10

Anyone who is saved will be led by the Lord to take the Bible literally, so, I'd question the belief of the one that refuses to do so.