I think a lot of it is metaphorical and the writers uses a lot of symbolism so I don't think it should all be taken literally. But if you insist on taking evey word literally why aren't all Christians running marathons? Paul said to run a race and not quit.
2007-10-15 06:38:06 · 29 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
for your information- Paul was not referring to a literal physical race, but a spiritual race which means that we are not to give up on our journey called life, so that we can reach the goal , which is heaven. Paul used a metaphor to show forth truth, that does not make the truth wrong.
2007-10-15 06:43:47 · answer #1 · answered by AdoreHim 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I'm ex-Christian, so I feel... erm, half qualified to answer this question. Hehehe.
The Bible holds a great many truths, but it seems to me that if you take it 100% literally, then you're forcing yourself to stay at the surface, stay purely at the dictionary definition of the words. Without playing around with interpretations... and an interpretation being a meaning that's not the literal dictionary meaning.... how can you find the truths that the Bible can convey?
2007-10-15 13:45:23 · answer #2 · answered by Ruby 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. When the Bible speaks of things which are known to exist, it should be taken literally. When it speaks of things that are not known to exist, it may be taken figuratively or symbolically, but it must always agree with what is already known about God.
The best rule to follow is: Let the Bible interpret the Bible.
An example would be the "Fig Tree". Jesus often spoke of the fig tree. Looking elsewhere in the scriptures we discover that the fig tree is used as a symbol for the Nation of Israel.
"Search the scriptures, for in them you find wisdom."
2007-10-15 13:46:37 · answer #3 · answered by the sower 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
LOL Not A race, THE race. The Bible tells us when it's being literal and when it's being metaphorical. Adam means 'a man' in Hebrew. And 'Eve' is a play on words. What does THAT say about the Garden story?
2007-10-15 13:46:55 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
No. The story of Moses and the Exodus alone contains enough inconsistencies to fill a book (and in fact, it has...Jonathan Kirsch's "Moses: A Life"). There are definitely some historical accuracies in the Bible (the Israelites were carried into Babylon, and in Jesus' time Caesar's picture was engraved on coins, as the Bible suggests). But 100% accuracy? No, not even close.
2007-10-15 13:44:16 · answer #5 · answered by Tut Uncommon 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It should be taken in context 100%. Some things may be symbolic, but that does not mean that they do not matter or that they are not true.
Mathew 1:1 is a prime example. Very first verse in the New Testament.
"An account of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham"
If you take this literally, you would say that David is the father of Jesus and Abraham is the grandfather of Jesus. But in context, knowing Jewish culture and phraseology, they often would skip generations and say things like, "David, the son of Adam", "Moses, the son of Abraham" and so on. So in context the writer is saying that Jesus is the heir of David and his kingdom, while he is also the son of Abraham and is the holder of the covenant which was promised to Abraham.
So in context this verse is meant to be true. Take it out of context and you will say, "Ah! Here it says Jesus in the son of David but elsewhere it says he is the son of Joseph". That is taking it out of context. It is true in context. If you just take one scripture and compare it to another you may see differences, but if you look at it in context you will see how they completely flow together.
2007-10-15 14:19:07 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think most Christians know that some of the riddles or stories are used as examples....they are used to illustrate a point.......a lot of things can only be understood with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Revelations for instance.
But the way to salvation is easy to understand...Believe in God's Son and the sacrifice he made for you on the cross..repent and be baptized for the remission of your sins and receive the Holy Ghost into your heart when he comes to you. All the rest is to teach us how to worship God and how to treat others...the first two commandments....covers it all...
2007-10-15 13:51:37 · answer #7 · answered by dreamdress2 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, if you ever take a Bible study class in a secular university they will tell you some of it symbolism and metaphor, but even without them telling you that it's obvious. That's what makes it a phenomenal Book. It has everything, poetry, prose, drama, suspense, metaphor, simile, hyperbole, songs, parables, narrative, lol, it's an academic's dream.
2007-10-15 13:44:04 · answer #8 · answered by Lucky S 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
No! The books of Daniel and Ezekiel are highly symbolic. Even more so the Book of Revelation.
As for the rest? Let's think here. Jesus said "go in through the narrow door" ... We're all supposed to be looking for a narrow door? And do you really think there's one literal "cramped and narrow road" that leads to salvation?
2007-10-15 13:50:47 · answer #9 · answered by Q&A Queen 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John 1:1
I don't think some people take the Bible seriously enough. The 10 commandments state that "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." Yet every Christmas and Easter you see people getting hyped up over made up characters and ignoring the true meaning of the event. I am positive that God would see Santa Clause and the Easter Bunny as "other gods" put before him and would cause him to anger.
2007-10-15 13:49:51 · answer #10 · answered by redfeather1972 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋