Theologically I agree with you...although, inwardly we cannot be sure who truly believe in Jesus, and truly is following the will of His father. That is quite complicated. Jesus Himself said, just because they say to Me 'Lord, Lord', it does not mean they really are believers.
Literally and theologically speaking.
You're confusing some concepts. Probably a lot of it came from The Church. For example:
1. Transubstantiation: The hardcore belief "bread/wine is jesus christ" believed by the
Roman Catholic Church.
2. Consubstantiation: The Luther came in and said something more like the bread and wine are united to be the body and blood of jesus christ instead of becoming.
Similarly, they both Roman and Lutheran use the same scriptures from the same book for the same concept.
But here is the problem you have (and other protestants to)
It's not the terminology. It's not what's literally written in the text.
Christianity is the joining of brothers and sisters (not brothers, sisters, and Bahai) in Christ because in christ (the BODY of the Church), the Mass of people, Christ his
literal spirit is made present.
This cannot happen if you don't have the literal life, death, and resurrection. When a Baptist goes to Church (since people hate catholics), in the church I used to go to, we'd come in and chit chat. We would commune with people of like mind. We have our socializing, catching up, this is all part of the church-the body of christ. I can't imagine Christ being so serious that he couldn't drink with his disciples.
After bible study and everyone gather for sermon, the pastor acts a brother to give the word to the congregation.
This union of people, giving the word, once a month communion, eating in fellowship thereafter, bible study, and all of that, these are
literal events.
They are Connected to Literal events in the bible. It's a literal event with symbolic meaning. The symbolism enlightens the individual to mirror the literal event so he can experience that event itself.
To say the bible is symbolism, is saying god is symbolic. I don't know how Jews and Muslims see it, but if you told a Catholic or a Baptist that what they experience whether it be joining together to bring christ present with like believers or the actual bible, that it was symbolic, they'd be insulted-I'll just say that.
Logically though, no one else other than the Author can tell us, what He meant. Did the Author meant literally or spiritually? Why, why not... only the Author of the Book Himself can tell us, what was in His mind.
It is literal because we are literal people-flesh and bone. Christianity can be broken down literally. The symbolism you speak of is metaphors and linguistics. Spirituality is a literal event combined with a spiritual message. I mean, JW, for example, may be in denial that they are like Catholics, but they do know their beliefs aren't based on symbolism no more than....
anyway, you see how I go straight back to the people?
Christ is about the
people and
the father not prophets and not the son. If you do not understand the message through christ (his body), you won't understand christ and as a result, won't understand his father.
Suppose you write a book, with 1000 pages. Different people may have different interpretations of what you mean, and what messages you intend to convey in your book. Who else other than yourself can truly say, what you mean!? Just because a people claim to be your fan, is not a proof, they understand your writings perfectly, does it?
All religions have the people-component. As you witness all on this thread, Hinduis still come together in all their differences and still worship
god. There are no if, ands, or buts.
When Catholics come to one Mass (group of people), they have differing beliefs and interpretations. But again, that one unity that makes everyone Christian Catholic or not is communion. Being part of the brothers and sisters of christ.
This is all Literal.
I mean, is god symbolic to you?
