How do you know when you should use the bible literally and when to use it metaphorically?
On one hand, Christians argue that the bible isn't to be taken literally. But on the other they quote scripture and say it's the word of God and should be taken literally. Who is right?
Why don't we just say that the bible is a work of fiction and should only be used as a reference?
I think common sense is not a good guideline because we have varying amounts of "sense" in addition to what what makes perfect sense to one may not make any sense at all to someone equally gifted. For instance most everyone in my family can draw. They say it’s common sense – you draw what your eyes see. I don’t “see” what they “see”. I worked in IT for over 15 years – it’s common sense – pure logic.
Rule #1
One VERY important rule of thumb is that the Bible has no contradictions. This rule obviously presumes the bible is
the Word of God. If your interpretation is conflicting with other parts of the Bible – then obviously the people who wrote it were not guided by the Holy Spirit or… it *is* the Word of God and you are mistaken in your interpretation. There are no two ways about it.
That is an important clue. A literal interpretation, if conflicting, may be figurative (metaphoric) And of course, vice-versa.
Rule #2
The Bible will TELL you if it is a vision or a parable.
In Daniel 7, Daniel had visions and they could have been recorded as they were. However a spirit being revealed the meaning of the visions to him.
15As for me, Daniel, my spirit was grieved and anxious within me, and the visions of my head alarmed and agitated me.
16I came near to one of those who stood there and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of the things.
17These four great beasts are four kings who shall arise out of the earth.
18But the saints of the Most High [God] shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.(F)
etc. etc. etc.
This happens again when John saw visions while exiled on the Island of Patmos where he wrote Revelations. (The Revealing)
Revelation 17 (I use the amplified version to “amplify” the understanding)
7But the angel said to me, Why do you wonder? I will explain to you the [secret symbolic meaning of the] mystery of the woman, as well as of the beast having the seven heads and ten horns that carries her.
8The beast that you saw [once] was, but [now] is no more, and he is going to come up out of the Abyss (the bottomless pit) and proceed to go to perdition. And the inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been recorded in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world will be astonished when they look at the beast, because he [once] was, but [now] is no more, and he is [yet] to come.(D)
etc. etc. etc.
15And [the angel further] said to me, The waters that you observed, where the harlot is seated, are races and multitudes and nations and dialects (languages).
16And the ten horns that you saw, they and the beast will [be the very ones to] hate the harlot (the idolatrous woman); they will make her cheerless (bereaved, desolate), and they will strip her and eat up her flesh and utterly consume her with fire.
17For God has put it into their hearts to carry out His own purpose by acting in harmony in surrendering their royal power and authority to the beast, until the prophetic words (intentions and promises) of God shall be fulfilled.
18And the woman that you saw is herself the great city which dominates and controls the rulers and the leaders of the earth.
SO AGAIN THE BIBLE EXPLAINS THE VISION
We also use the CONTENT as we were taught in grade school
In the Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man, it is understood to be a parable and not a true story because of the context in which it was written. The other “stories” before and after are called Parables.
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
But probably the most unpopular reason that is difficult to discern many things about the Word Of God is the following:
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
MATTHEW 13:10 – 14 (AMPLIFIED VERSION)
10Then the disciples came to Him and said, Why do You speak to them in parables?
11And He replied to them, To you it has been given to know the secrets and mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.
12For whoever has [spiritual knowledge], to him will more be given and he will [c]be furnished richly so that he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
13This is the reason that I speak to them in parables: because [d]having the power of seeing, they do not see; and [e]having the power of hearing, they do not hear, nor do they grasp and understand.
14In them indeed is [f]the process of fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah, which says: You shall indeed hear and hear but never grasp and understand; and you shall indeed look and look but never see and perceive.
THIS IS A HARD PILL TO SWALLOW… IF YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND.. AND ALSO CHOOSE AN ANTOGONISTIC AND DOUBTFUL STANCE, AS OPPOSED TO ONE MORE OPEN-MINDED, MAYBE YOU NEVER WILL.
One has to consider that if there really was an all powerful Creator, then it is reasonable to assume that you might not understand many things clearly all at once. Just beyond the mental capacity of a mere mortal. However if you feel you are up to challenging a supernatural entity – have at it. As a betting man I’d have to place my bets on the logic and reasoning and “truth” as explained by a supernatural entity as opposed to many of the equally unbelievable theories proposed by non-believers.
So Rule #3
If you choose to find the fallacies and strive to disprove the Word Of God, you are really thwarting your efforts to understand and really wasting your time.
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March 29 2009 11:19 am | Bible
fourthlinectr on 29 Mar 2009 at 4:38 pm #
It was written a long time ago, by people very unlike you and me.
You tell me, should we take this literally, or like a story from our Grandpa to learn from?
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heathenfidel on 29 Mar 2009 at 4:48 pm #
I think the rule is that the parts you like are to be taken literally, and the parts you don't like are just metaphorical or symbolic.
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Too D to F on 29 Mar 2009 at 5:03 pm #
OT = metaphor, NT = mostly literal.
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bleh on 29 Mar 2009 at 5:13 pm #
it should be used! to sit on when people get old and cant see over the wheel
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Mr. Peter on 29 Mar 2009 at 5:35 pm #
All the stuff like talking animals and walking on water and burning bushes you take metaphorically because there's no way that ACTUALLY happened.
And the historical stuff you look into but take a little more literally
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Dionyus on 29 Mar 2009 at 6:11 pm #
Study the greek and egyptian myths they borrowed it from and other related subjects, astrology, shamanism, esoteric symbolism, etc. etc. you know that stuff the Church doesn't want you to know anything about.
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Concerned Reptoid on 29 Mar 2009 at 6:28 pm #
as kindling = literal
as a book = metaphor
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experience
emmettripley on 29 Mar 2009 at 6:39 pm #
Yeah, english is the only language where everything is taken literally, and a lot of people are too stupid to take a clue. Noah's Arc Hint Hint Wink Wink.
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DesertDayDream on 29 Mar 2009 at 7:22 pm #
Just read the bible using common sense.
Just like when you read anything else, you know if something is to be taken literally by the context. It is really not that complicated.It is when people take it out of context that things get messed up. All we can do is read it and study it ourselves. We should use teachers and such as study tools but not take them as the authority.
Give God's word the last word.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
….and consider that the long suffering of our Lord is salvation – as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all of his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the scriptures.
2nd Peter 3:15-16
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Cactus12 on 29 Mar 2009 at 7:33 pm #
Usually the Bible does the answering itself, you just need to cross reference various scriptures. Eg Genesis 3:1 – serpent is mentioned, many think this is figurative or just a story but if you cross reference with Revelation 12:9 'So down the great dragon was hurled, the original serpent, the one called Devil and Satan' it clearly tells us who the original serpent is.
But here it states that the Devil or Satan is a dragon, hurled down from heaven – this is symbolic or figurative to help us understand the make up of Satan.
It takes a while to be able to understand what is and what isn't symbolic but it's worth it because you get to understand God better and his will. A detailed Bible study would help you – see http://www.watchtower.org you can ask for a free study there.
The Bible as a work of fiction? See 2Timothy2:16 'All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial' – it can't be fiction if God's thoughts and purposes are in there.
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james on 29 Mar 2009 at 7:58 pm #
…dietrich bonhoeffer once said that one should have access to the figurative unless they are able to understand and believe in the literal…
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Kate on 29 Mar 2009 at 8:10 pm #
And here is why we have over 1000 Christian denominations….. I wish we had the answer to this question.
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http://www.bible-reviews.com on 29 Mar 2009 at 8:22 pm #
DesertDa gave a good answer. The practical ("safe") approach is to take everything literally unless the immediate context clearly indicates that it is metaphorical.
However, there *is* some leeway here, particularly for Christians. Let's take an example mentioned above: Noah's Ark.
Now, *I* interpret that literally (VERY literally). I believe it is a historical account.
Some other Christian might take the position that it is a "morality tale" – and allegory.
For *both* of us, it is important to remember that our Christianity does not depend on believing the biblical account of Noah. To me, it seems more reasonable to believe all Scripture (otherwise, how justify believing in *any* Scripture?) Others feel that accounts – such as Noah's Ark – that are not *necessary* doctrines of Christianity can be viewed as literal or not – as seems most sensible or appropriate to the reader.
SO, as long as biblical accounts concerning *necessary* Christian doctrine are understood literally (when context does not indicate otherwise), really we're *both* "right" – or, to put it better, we are both *sufficiently* correct.
2) Why don't we just say that the bible is a work of fiction and should only be used as a reference?
Because we know that this is not the case. There is some fiction included, of course: for example, the symbolic prophetic visions (people really had these visions, but the events described in those visions clearly did not happen in reality). However, there are far too many biblical events verified by history and archaeology to allow anyone to claim that it is purely a work of fiction.
Jim, http://www.bible-reviews.com
References :
papa_de_q on 29 Mar 2009 at 9:08 pm #
I think common sense is not a good guideline because we have varying amounts of "sense" in addition to what what makes perfect sense to one may not make any sense at all to someone equally gifted. For instance most everyone in my family can draw. They say it’s common sense – you draw what your eyes see. I don’t “see” what they “see”. I worked in IT for over 15 years – it’s common sense – pure logic.
Rule #1
One VERY important rule of thumb is that the Bible has no contradictions. This rule obviously presumes the bible is
the Word of God. If your interpretation is conflicting with other parts of the Bible – then obviously the people who wrote it were not guided by the Holy Spirit or… it *is* the Word of God and you are mistaken in your interpretation. There are no two ways about it.
That is an important clue. A literal interpretation, if conflicting, may be figurative (metaphoric) And of course, vice-versa.
Rule #2
The Bible will TELL you if it is a vision or a parable.
In Daniel 7, Daniel had visions and they could have been recorded as they were. However a spirit being revealed the meaning of the visions to him.
15As for me, Daniel, my spirit was grieved and anxious within me, and the visions of my head alarmed and agitated me.
16I came near to one of those who stood there and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of the things.
17These four great beasts are four kings who shall arise out of the earth.
18But the saints of the Most High [God] shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.(F)
etc. etc. etc.
This happens again when John saw visions while exiled on the Island of Patmos where he wrote Revelations. (The Revealing)
Revelation 17 (I use the amplified version to “amplify” the understanding)
7But the angel said to me, Why do you wonder? I will explain to you the [secret symbolic meaning of the] mystery of the woman, as well as of the beast having the seven heads and ten horns that carries her.
8The beast that you saw [once] was, but [now] is no more, and he is going to come up out of the Abyss (the bottomless pit) and proceed to go to perdition. And the inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been recorded in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world will be astonished when they look at the beast, because he [once] was, but [now] is no more, and he is [yet] to come.(D)
etc. etc. etc.
15And [the angel further] said to me, The waters that you observed, where the harlot is seated, are races and multitudes and nations and dialects (languages).
16And the ten horns that you saw, they and the beast will [be the very ones to] hate the harlot (the idolatrous woman); they will make her cheerless (bereaved, desolate), and they will strip her and eat up her flesh and utterly consume her with fire.
17For God has put it into their hearts to carry out His own purpose by acting in harmony in surrendering their royal power and authority to the beast, until the prophetic words (intentions and promises) of God shall be fulfilled.
18And the woman that you saw is herself the great city which dominates and controls the rulers and the leaders of the earth.
SO AGAIN THE BIBLE EXPLAINS THE VISION
We also use the CONTENT as we were taught in grade school
In the Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man, it is understood to be a parable and not a true story because of the context in which it was written. The other “stories” before and after are called Parables.
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
But probably the most unpopular reason that is difficult to discern many things about the Word Of God is the following:
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
MATTHEW 13:10 – 14 (AMPLIFIED VERSION)
10Then the disciples came to Him and said, Why do You speak to them in parables?
11And He replied to them, To you it has been given to know the secrets and mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.
12For whoever has [spiritual knowledge], to him will more be given and he will [c]be furnished richly so that he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
13This is the reason that I speak to them in parables: because [d]having the power of seeing, they do not see; and [e]having the power of hearing, they do not hear, nor do they grasp and understand.
14In them indeed is [f]the process of fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah, which says: You shall indeed hear and hear but never grasp and understand; and you shall indeed look and look but never see and perceive.
THIS IS A HARD PILL TO SWALLOW… IF YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND.. AND ALSO CHOOSE AN ANTOGONISTIC AND DOUBTFUL STANCE, AS OPPOSED TO ONE MORE OPEN-MINDED, MAYBE YOU NEVER WILL.
One has to consider that if there really was an all powerful Creator, then it is reasonable to assume that you might not understand many things clearly all at once. Just beyond the mental capacity of a mere mortal. However if you feel you are up to challenging a supernatural entity – have at it. As a betting man I’d have to place my bets on the logic and reasoning and “truth” as explained by a supernatural entity as opposed to many of the equally unbelievable theories proposed by non-believers.
So Rule #3
If you choose to find the fallacies and strive to disprove the Word Of God, you are really thwarting your efforts to understand and really wasting your time.
References :