Does anyone know?
2007-10-15 19:34:50 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
People believe different things.
Myself? Literal in parts, symbollic in parts.
2007-10-15 19:37:33 · answer #1 · answered by Triddy 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It is literal and symbolic, how can you literally cut off your hand if it offend thee? Somethings are just common sense, and others are not. Not everyone can interpret the bible. The first thing when reading text is to remember SCRIPTURE INTERPRETS SCRIPTURE. So if it seems literal it may not be because there is another verse that doesn't agree with it. Therefore making your theory of literal or not, unmistakeably identifiable. One big example is Jesus, people say he was not God in the flesh. They give scripture but than I have scripture that can disprove it. Now if you give me let's say the verse where Jesus says the Father is greater than I. Than I give you the verse in John where Jesus is talking to Philip. Where Jesus says, not word for word, If you have seen me than you have seen the Father. Now how can you deny that Jesus was God in the flesh? One scripture is taken literal and the other is I guess you could say symbolic.
2007-10-16 02:44:33 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use logic.
The Bible is an object containing pages and paper.
We can interpret its content in a literal or symbolic or allegorical way.
Unfortunately many people seem to take the parts that should be read or interpreted as allegory as literal and vice versa!
2007-10-16 02:55:22 · answer #3 · answered by JeeVee 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's literal except in clear cases of symbolic prophecy and such. There's also a lot of symbolism hidden within the literal truth. Hint: look for images and symbols of Jesus and His sacrifice all throughout the Old Testament.
2007-10-16 02:42:14 · answer #4 · answered by Free Ranger 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the context of what is being written. The Bible is really an anthology of many parts and many books that was constructed by numerous authors over several centuries, united by purpose, vision and message. You have to read the sections as they were originally written and usually you need the help of a commentary book for that.
2007-10-16 02:49:03 · answer #5 · answered by mrglass08 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Is any book literal from front to back or symbollic? I'm sure someone knows but they are not telling for obv reasons!
2007-10-16 02:44:49 · answer #6 · answered by magpiesmn 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, it is literal from front to back and it is symbolic.
2007-10-16 02:46:08 · answer #7 · answered by Molly 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Bible is man made literature meant to instill discipline and behavioral modifications in it's faithful THROUGH example. One problem. The ignorance of those who thought themselves as having been given superior intelligence by this "God." Even the God comes off LACKING in proper behaviors, attitudes and rules it is suppose to have given his "chosen."
The Bible is man's futile attempt at PSYCHOLOGY 101, while at the same time subjugating the masses.
2007-10-16 02:44:44 · answer #8 · answered by Theban 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
not one thing is literal... often prophetic.. more confusing than Nostradamus... it's like a record over heard by the human race of the spiritual war going on for thousands of years... approximately 3330 years.. it has two sides and both are recorded... unfortunately only one side is preached.. it's always the wrong side... because truth surfaces in other medium... science, music, fairy tales .. history and so on...
2007-10-16 03:02:14 · answer #9 · answered by Gyspy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I take the literal/grammatical/approach in the exposition of the bible.
You take it literally unless it doesn't make sense.
I.e. In revelations it says 'eyes of fire' it means judging or judgment
2007-10-16 02:41:49 · answer #10 · answered by K in Him 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋