how does it matter
hoe might it matter if you read the bible literaly or "historicaly." - seeking truth that events actually occurred?
yichel
yichel
To read it as historical narrative is to read it literally anyway! There is no difference but if you read it as historical allegory or as literature not based in reality but fiction that plays a difference. There are several schools of thought on the Bible:
First, it is the Word of God, God breathed into men the truth of which is immutable and transcends time. In light of this the Bible can be interpreted in two ways. One is word for word literal and without error. Second is contextually and without error. I am in the second’s camp. Literalism leads to legalism and Jesus hated this most of all. It divorces the Spirit of what God wants (a relationship with man), as opposed to the minutia of rules and regulations (that did not work in the first place because man just did not get it nor was he capable of following the rules).
Second, it is a nice compilation of stories meant to teach and entertain. Written by men to explain their world and to leave a record of them selves.
Third, it is an unrelated group of writings bearing no significance other than it is written in ancient times about people and places we know little about. It is a work of literature nothing more.
The Bible clearly has a theme, the Revelation of Grace and Redemption through Jesus Christ the Messiah. It is God reveling Himself to man in a personal and up close way generating a personal God and a relationship with him!
First, it is the Word of God, God breathed into men the truth of which is immutable and transcends time. In light of this the Bible can be interpreted in two ways. One is word for word literal and without error. Second is contextually and without error. I am in the second’s camp. Literalism leads to legalism and Jesus hated this most of all. It divorces the Spirit of what God wants (a relationship with man), as opposed to the minutia of rules and regulations (that did not work in the first place because man just did not get it nor was he capable of following the rules).
Second, it is a nice compilation of stories meant to teach and entertain. Written by men to explain their world and to leave a record of them selves.
Third, it is an unrelated group of writings bearing no significance other than it is written in ancient times about people and places we know little about. It is a work of literature nothing more.
The Bible clearly has a theme, the Revelation of Grace and Redemption through Jesus Christ the Messiah. It is God reveling Himself to man in a personal and up close way generating a personal God and a relationship with him!
about 1 year ago
I agree. The Bible is the truth. You can not take it a verse out of context and get true meaning but must look at the whole context. And it is not fiction or stories written to teach us. The stories in the Bible are fact. God uses the Bible, His word, to teach us about him and to bring us to a personal relationship with Jesus who is our Lord and Savior. Without him we are lost.
about 1 year ago
I suppose that if one reads the Bible only literally, he will expect to see the physical Kingdom of God descending on a cloud, a gift for humanity's benefit. If one reads it with a mind open to metaphor and analogy ["I have many things to tell you, but you cannot hear them now."], one may conclude that God will send directions about how humans can direct their efforts to create the Kingdom of God.
So there would be a difference in whether one reads figuratively or literally. And in fact, that difference in approach and its resultant differing understandings has caused great division and sectarianism.
So there would be a difference in whether one reads figuratively or literally. And in fact, that difference in approach and its resultant differing understandings has caused great division and sectarianism.
11 months ago
