How is one to know what parts of the Bible are to be taken literally and what is to be taken figuratively?

Question

I grew up in a Christian home and church and could never get good answers.

Answer 1

If your eye causes you to sin pluck it out=take it figuratively
Do to others as you would have them do to you=take it literally

Answer 2

There is a problem with your question. Your terminology is incorrect. The Bible is a book. A collection of various types of literature. Therefore, interpreting literature is done so, LITERALLY. I know what you MEAN when you use that word, but it ACTUALLY means, to interpret a writing according to the rules of it's genre.

With this said, you must interpret the entire Bible by the rules of the genre for which ever book you are studying. If you are reading Psalms, you must use the rules of poetry; if John, the rules of epistles (letters); if Revelation, then you must use the rules for Apocrifal literature. You can not interpret a story in the local newspaper the same way that you would a Dean Koonz navel. There are different litterary rules for each genre.

First, identify the genre of the book you wish to study.

Second, learn the rules for interpretation of this genre.

Third, you MUST study the history, culture, beliefs and superstitions of the a) writer of the book and b)the audience to who the book was written. You do this in order to find what the original author was trying to say to his original audience. A handy language guide is important, too.

Finally, strive to avoid reading today's culture into the original message.

This is the reason poeple erroneously say that you can make the Bible say anything that you want it to. Well, yes you can if you take it out of context and do not follow the rules.

Just my thoughts,

Tempest Twilight

Answer 3

Q: "Which areas of the bible could be taken actually?" A: It relies upon on what type of literature you chanced on those areas. Q: "can i take john14:14 actually or is that a no no?" A: particular, you may take it actually -- as a strategies through fact the context would desire to enable for its meaning. Q: "Why is it some areas of the bible are meant to be interpreted in a literal sense the place as some others at the instant are not (like the full leviticus gay factor as an occasion)?" A: they are distinctive literature written interior distinctive cultural settings. Q: " How do you recognize which of them are meant to be taken actually?" A: some are glaring; some at the instant are not. you acquire to be continuously in settlement with the context -- instant and distant. All areas could agree; otherwise, there's a prefer for extra learn.

Answer 4

This discussion mostly depends upon how one understands what the original author was trying to say and how he was trying to communicate it. The genre of the literature for instance will provide insight in whether the author is trying to communicate literally or figuratively (ie. epistles vs. poetry). The book of Revelation is a conundrum to many because commentators really do disagree over whether it is a figurative explanation or a literal depiction of the future. I personally think one needs to carefully approach the different books with an understanding of how the original author was trying to communicate his message.

Answer 5

Well the most important part of the bible I would say is literal.

Jesus said

love thy God with all your heart mind and soul

Love thy neighbor

Love thy enemy.

Can't see how that can be taken figuratively

This is the focus we should have There might be some specifics but if you follow these commandments given by Jesus you are in good shape.

even if you don't believe these are 3 wonderful rules to live by

Answer 6

The Words Jesus spoke are literal, they are with power, however, only a good heart can understand the Words, and as soon as you get a true understanding the devil will try to take away the true meaning of the Words. The devil will mix lies with truth in order to deceive you.

Judge the act by it's fruit, is it good or bad, use all the teachings of Jesus Christ as your guide of good and bad.

Answer 7

Paul said that everybody should work it out for themselves. Please don't listen to people's opinions, it will course you great harm and you will loose trust in God by doing that. Rather read something, pray about it and ask God for your own interpretation. Example : The Bible says, No man should lie, with another man, the way he lies with a woman" My x pastor told me, because of that, you can not be gay and Christian, I am gay and the way I lie with a man is very different from the way I lie with a woman.

Answer 8

All of the bible must be taken figuratively NEVER taken literally

Answer 9

Good question, and this is by no means a complete answer ... but I often find with religious language in general, that if we take it literally, we are not taking it seriously enough.

It is fitting to approach such material as we do art, and to ask ourselves "how does this work," "what does this put one in touch with".

To ask instead, "Is it right or wrong," is actually not adequate to its intent and purpose.
.

Answer 10

The consensus that I see seems to be:

The bits that:
1) not scientifically proved incorrect.
2) that you want to believe

are to be taken literally.

The rest if figurative.


For some it seems like requirement 1 is optional too!

Answer 11

All of it is figurative. Unless it helps you to say some part is literal. That's the beauty of religion. Scriptures that need humans to explain and interpret them don't sound like god's revelation of truth to me.