Let’s revist this topic for the sake of some of the newcomers in here... who seem to be keen to avoid it. SecondSon for example.

Here’s the question guys:

How do you personally decide what is, and what isn’t, literal in the bible?


PS: An upvote for anyone finding my last thread on this topic and linking it for reference 🙂

Originally posted by @divegeester
Let’s revist this topic for the sake of some of the newcomers in here... who seem to be keen to avoid it. SecondSon for example.

Here’s the question guys:

[b]How do you personally decide what is, and what isn’t, literal in the bible?


PS: An upvote for anyone finding my last thread on this topic and linking it for reference 🙂[/b]

Originally posted by @romans1009
Yes, the “up votes” are so very important.

Originally posted by @divegeester
Let’s revist this topic for the sake of some of the newcomers in here... who seem to be keen to avoid it. SecondSon for example.

Here’s the question guys:

[b]How do you personally decide what is, and what isn’t, literal in the bible?


PS: An upvote for anyone finding my last thread on this topic and linking it for reference 🙂[/b]

Originally posted by @js357
It seems to me that if one sees no justification or need to rephrase a Bible passage using an introductory phrase like “in other words...”, then it is to be taken literally, as is.

Originally posted by @divegeester
Do you include, for example, all the parables of Jesus? Are they literal?

Originally posted by @rajk999
I would say Yes. A parable is a story with both an earthly and a spiritual meaning. The earthly one is true and literal, as well as the spiritual one.

Originally posted by @divegeester
Do you believe there was a real, actual lost coin, a real lost sheep, an actual buried pearl, some actual wise and foolish builders? Etc...

Originally posted by @divegeester
Do you include, for example, all the parables of Jesus? Are they literal?

Originally posted by @rajk999
They are all real-life events to which people can relate.
coins get lost, so do sheep, pearls and treasure gets buried.
The point is the earthly meaning sets the stage for the spiritual one.

Originally posted by @js357
Do you see a justification or need to rephrase, say, the parable of the talents? If you do, then I suggest that there is no obligation for you to take it literally.

It’s interesting that this parable, and possibly others, includes an “in other words” of its own. It is:

“For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But fro ...[text shortened]... bligation to take the story of the talents literally, although it doesn’t imply it shouldn’t be.

Let’s not miss what I’m asking here which is how does one decide what is real or what isn’t.

Originally posted by @divegeester
Let’s not miss what I’m asking here which is how does one decide what is real or what isn’t.

Originally posted by @secondson
God decides, then one agrees with God.

Or one doesn't, then that one fails to learn the truth.

Originally posted by @rajk999
Translated :
The pastor decides. Then if one agrees with the pastor its like agreeing with God.
Or one doesn't, then that one fails to learn the truth