Where does it say ...?

Question

Where in the Bible does it say it is to be taken literally? And that it is the only source?

Please only respond if you can answer the question.

I am a believing Christian who can't figure out where my fellow Christians got this information.

so far - all the answers agree with me. I was hoping someone who took it literally would explain

oh - and it is not a Catholic doctrine. We say it need interpretation

Answer 1

The literalist school hangs its hat on 2 Timothy 3:16, which says that all scripture is "God-breathed."

The word there is Theopneustos, which appears nowhere else in all of teh surviving Greek literature. Traditionally, Christians interpreted this to mean that the writers were under the influence of God - breathing into someone literally means to in-spire. thuse Catholics and mainline Christians say the Bible is "inspired" by God where Evangelicals revised that 1500 year tradition and decided it meant literally "transcribed" by God.

The best source for the way to read the Bible, in my opinion, is Margaret Nutting Ralph's "And God Said What?".

Hope that helps!

Answer 2

Some places you don't take the scriptures literally, They are a symbol, a type & a shadow of things to come. The bible also says when The spirit of truth is come he will guide you into ALL TRUTH, Therefore you will be able to see what is a literal scripture or a type & shadow & a Symbol.

Answer 3

as am I. The closest verse i ever found was the one that said the word of god is living and true. I believe the Bible is the God's word and is the Christians main guidebook. but there are some things in there that shouldn't be taken literally.

Answer 4

Basic exegesis will tell you when to read it as literal, metaphoric, hyperbole or symbolic.

As far as being the only source:
Scripture itself tells us that it is God-breathed and from the heart of the Lord:

2 Peter 1:20-21 “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness”

Answer 5

I agree with Trace. There's no need for Christians to try and prove that the world was created in 6 days.

Answer 6

Consider how those people named in the Bible took scripture. See how they read and understood the scriptures.
For instance, Jesus understood that Jonah was a real person, and what happened to him was a real happening. Jesus took scripture literally.

Answer 7

It is to be taken literally where it is literal.In other words Jesus says "As a hen gathers her brood beneath her wings,so would I have protected you". We know Jesus doesn't have chicken wings. But eternal torment, that is mentioned in the same context several times,it is to be taken literally.

Answer 8

i cannot tell you where, and i am almost certian it does not say within The Book itself. it has been a catholic doctorine since around 300 AD though when they consolidated the texts. Believe yourself, and believe the spirit. dont believe everything youre told, even if the person who is telling you believes it completely

Answer 9

"To be taken literally" in relation to what?

It talks about a people, the Jews, do we have to take that too figuratively?

You have to examine each topic and then decide.

Answer 10

Only a sith deals in absolutes!