why do some people take the bible so literally when a lot of it is obviously written in parables and metaphors

Question

not to mention translation issues, and the fact that its centuries old. we dont even speak the same way as our parents do, and thats only a few decades.

p.s. i never said it was wrong or that jesus didnt exist. a little defensive are we?

Answer 1

it depends on the denomination,

remember the old deal, birds of a feather flock together,

the mindset of people, tend to direct where they go. For example, some need to go where they are told what the bible says, others read it for themselves, study and learn.

some things in the bible can not be literal, "I am the bread of life" but spiritual. Some is physical, "if you see your brother hungry, give him something to eat".

tragically, it takes maturity to know when something is one thing for another. Some don't ever seem to take that final step.

Answer 2

There have been some good answers posted already. As has been pointed out it is easier to let someone else tell you what is meant than to actually do the thinking for yourself. It comes from the human herd/pack/clan mentality stored in our genetic memories, among other factors.
Part of it is because they are taught so at an early age, and early learning is hard to overcome. An observation: most children of devoted religious types (any religion) often rebel once they leave home. They settle down as they age and by middle to old age they are as religious as their parents ever were, and passing it on to thier own children.
Another factor is that our ancestors though in creative imagery. As we evolve we think more and more in abstract concepts. Add to that the wider range of concepts, thoughts and ideas available to modern peoples and you create a sea of choices and ways of thinking that scares the snot out of those seeking comfort. Thus they cling to the words they believe in and miss the meaning. They are hanging on to a tree so tightly in the hurricane that they miss the forest around them, the earth under their feet, and the sky above. Clinging to the small details they miss the "Big Picture".
People also want to find absolution, this draws many to religion. By selective reading they can justify things that the spirit of the story/parable would condemn and still assure themselves of salvation. It is a way to ease their conscious when they are going to do something they know is wrong. A psychological defense mechanism that enables them to do what they want or what they're told without the guilt they'd normally feel. This is why there have been things like the Crusades, the Inquisition, and the 9/11 attacks. Yes, it's not a solely Christian thing, it's a human thing. Until humans learn to accept each other without prejudice and accept responsibility and accountability for their own actions and choices it will continue "status quo". Sad but true.
Mostly it comes down to fear. Fear of not being accepted by their peers, fear of leaving their group and being alone, fear of seeking other groups with other ways and being rejected, fear of not being rewarded for their good deeds, fear of not being forgiven for their bad ones, fear of death being the end, fear of not knowing the Truth, fear of knowing the Truth, and fear of fear so they clump together in their groups and accept the most ridiculous things as fact in exchange for the illusion of "safety in numbers". The belief that if enough people believe, it must be true. And since the world is flat and the sun revolves around it, we know how accurate that belief must be. :P
There are lots of other factors as well, but that should give some ideas. I'lll end this before Yahoo runs out of storage. :P

Answer 3

Very little is parable and metaphor. When it is, it usually straight out says so.

The real problem is why do so many people think it's all metaphor? Nothing could be further from metaphor than the Torah, for example.

Edit: Scott, please read the Bible for yourself and then come back and tell me where Jesus said he would return in Paul's lifetime. It does not say that. If you can't think of a gift for your Christian friends who think it does, try getting them Bibles.

Answer 4

Because we have a bad habit of making things more difficult than they really are. This is why there is so many misinterpretations of the Bible. For instance, some claim that when Jesus shared the bread and the wine in remembrance of him as "symbolic" of his body and blood. Somehow they get cannibalism out of that. Even though it clearly says this "symbolizes" my body and blood. People also make their own interpretations of certain Bible verses without keeping it the original text. It's a crying shame, but unfortunately a reality. GOD BLESS!!

Answer 5

You can make the Bible say just about AnyThing.
Takes Time to Learn How to Discern "What GOD Said", takes Help too! (Holy Spirit)

Have ya ever Heard a Rumor?
All kinds of Thougts can go through your Mind (Think "assume")---- untill you finally get to The Truth of the Matter, your really just Guessing.

We have alot of Help Down Here "guessin" and assuming"---the devils (invisible bad angels) are 24-7.

Answer 6

Whether you believe in the book or not, your reasoning is seriously flawed.

I may just need another cup of coffee because I really can't even gather up the energy to take on such intellectual stupidity. If nothing else, to keep yourself from looking this foolish again, find LOGICAL reasons to dislike it.

I don't suspect these names will register any type of meaning to you, but just in case;

Aristotle - Plato - Shakespeare - Socrates - Kierkegaard

But just for gins, see if any of these have something in common (sorry I don't have pictures for you).

Could it be that they all used language we don't use?
Could it be they spoke in metaphors?
Could it be they used parables?

Answer 7

Well, that's a strange question, considering that the Bible expressly states what is a parable within the very text.

Ezekiel says "I will tell you a parable of my love ...", while it is said of Jesus, "And he spoke in parables and said ..."

When there is a metaphor (such as is found in the book of Revelations), it explains it. Pharoah had a dream, and Joseph interpreted it.

Jesus telling the parable literally happened. Just as the fairy tales of Hans Christian Anderson and others were literally written by them. But you don't say that Hans Christian Anderson didn't exist just because his stories were fiction!

I'm just wondering if you treat the rest of your life as inconsistently as you treat the Bible?

It's amazing how when you actually meet Someone, you can no longer deny His existence.

One additional comment: Paul never said that Jesus would return in his lifetime. Get your facts straight before you go attacking things you obviously know nothing about! DUH!

Answer 8

Not all of it is parable or metaphor. And where it is metaphor, it is clearly metaphor.
Parables were Jesus way of illlustrating a truth.
So there are parts which are definitely literal as with history.

Answer 9

The belief comes from God working in our lives. The bible is not meant to be easy and God revels his truths over time and careful stdy.

We are study all of bible and compare all verses..
1Co 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.


We must remember Christ spoke in parable for a reason
Mar 4:34 But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.

2Pe 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.


2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

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Answer 10

Its interesting isnt it? When i talk to many of my Christian friends, i will point out interesting things. For instance Paul said that Jesus would return in his life time, and my Christian friends dismiss this, saying that he didnt "mean" his lifetime, its a metaphor. Then when i say "why do you think homosexuality is wrong" they say "cause it says so in the bible." Or when i ask about Adam and Eve, they take it literally. Seems they pick and choose what is a metaphor and what is to be taken literally...odd.