Christians - Bible Interpretation (Jesus, gospel, creation, churches, experience)

[drummrguy14]

Here's another issue I've been dealing with lately...

In my discussions with my girlfriend, I have discovered just how literally she takes the Bible. She takes it to be 100% fact, not metaphorical, not interpretable...but that it is God's infallable word.

I on the other hand, believe most of it to be metaphorical...I find that more people can be touched by God's word that way, and in doing so draw nearer to Him, so why wouldn't he want that?

I'm interested in hearing some other opinions about this, as well as maybe some advice on how to talk about the Bible with someone who takes it so literally.

thanks!

[Mike182]

Originally Posted by drummrguy14

Here's another issue I've been dealing with lately...

In my discussions with my girlfriend, I have discovered just how literally she takes the Bible. She takes it to be 100% fact, not metaphorical, not interpretable...but that it is God's infallable word.

I on the other hand, believe most of it to be metaphorical...I find that more people can be touched by God's word that way, and in doing so draw nearer to Him, so why wouldn't he want that?

I'm interested in hearing some other opinions about this, as well as maybe some advice on how to talk about the Bible with someone who takes it so literally.

thanks!

the problem i find when reading the bible literally is that you start with adam and eve, you then get cain and abel, and you then get .... .... .... well, a very short humanity

however, some things in the bible must be taken literally, like jesus's sacrifice upon the cross, this is central to the belief

i see jesus as a teacher and a friend - he talks and uses parables, which many people can relate to, and these are metaphores for reality - so if jesus talked in metaphores, why can't the bible be metaphorical in places?

mike

[Victor]

I pick and choose according to Church teaching.

~Victor

[drummrguy14]

Mike182 -

Yes, thank you. I agree with you about Jesus teaching in metaphorical parables, and about creation with Adam and Eve...just to further the discussion, how would you respond to this:
It's God's word. Why would it be in the Bible if it wasn't true?

Thanks for your input

[Aqualung]

"It's not "God's word." It's what God has said to people, that they then wrote down, that was then copied and re-copied, translated and re-translated, until this very day."
That's what I would say.

[michel]

Originally Posted by drummrguy14

Here's another issue I've been dealing with lately...

In my discussions with my girlfriend, I have discovered just how literally she takes the Bible. She takes it to be 100% fact, not metaphorical, not interpretable...but that it is God's infallable word.

I on the other hand, believe most of it to be metaphorical...I find that more people can be touched by God's word that way, and in doing so draw nearer to Him, so why wouldn't he want that?

I'm interested in hearing some other opinions about this, as well as maybe some advice on how to talk about the Bible with someone who takes it so literally.

thanks!

I must admit I take the Bible (especially the O.T) with a very large pinch of salt; at best, I see it as an enbelished and exagerated history book. But hey, if your girlfriend wants to take the whole Bible literally, "power to her". My motto with all such thoughts is 'If it doesn't hurt anyone else............'

I'm interested in hearing some other opinions about this, as well as maybe some advice on how to talk about the Bible with someone who takes it so literally.

Ah, now that is something no one can answer for you; only you can make that decision. As far as I see it, you have two options;
1. Be truthful, and say "look, I respect your views, but you need to understand I don't see things your way........."
2. Sit patiently by and agree with what she says; that depends on how you view 'tact' and honesty in a relationship. In my experience, choosing the latter option means you would be creating a rathger large rod for your own back. better to clear the air........but it is up to you.

[jeffrey]

I'm with michel, again, (wish I could find something to disagree with you about just to brake the monotony! lol!) And remember, that even the NT was wrote, excluding the Gospels and Acts, as letters to address issues in Churches that they where having. This does not take away the importance of them, but you must understand what the issues where to gain the full meaning of the letters. Sometimes they take on a different light, addressing issues in that time frame.

[sdotbrown]

i take the bible literaly. it does not make sense to me to pick and choose parts you like. people always tell me that it has been changed a lot over time, but i know that what is written in my bible is from God

[Scuba Pete]

I take all of the Bible and let God's Spirit guide me into understanding it.

It's like a calculus book... when I read it for the first time, I had no idea how to work the first problem. I needed a GUIDE (aka professor), to help me understand. The lectures helped (preaching) but UNTIL I tried to put it into practice, I still had no idea how to do it. The more I practiced, the better I got at it. As my understanding increased, I could see how others got it wrong just like I used to do.

[Dentonz]

Originally Posted by NetDoc

I take all of the Bible and let God's Spirit guide me into understanding it.

It's like a calculus book... when I read it for the first time, I had no idea how to work the first problem. I needed a GUIDE (aka professor), to help me understand. The lectures helped (preaching) but UNTIL I tried to put it into practice, I still had no idea how to do it. The more I practiced, the better I got at it. As my understanding increased, I could see how others got it wrong just like I used to do.

Amen, finally an answer on this website with a little wisdom. So many people try to 'understand' the Bible by there own knowledge and end up like the majority of the responses you see in forums like this. The Bible clearly states that the carnal mind does not and cannot understand the things of God. The Word of God has to be revealed to you by the Holy Spirit.