mike3 <mike4ty4@yahoo.com>
Re: Literal interpretation?
Hi.
Why is it that, if not all, some, Christians like to treat the Bible as
essentially literal, even though this leads to numerous contradictions
with science in say, the creation stories, or other things like the
"apocalyptic" visions of the "end time" where it is alleged that
strange beasts with many heads will take a romp around the world, that
the oceans will literally turn to blood and dry up, that this and that,
etc. will happen, or that Hell is a literal place full of literal hot
flames?
Hello,
Genuine Christians let the context etc, determine what is literal and
what is symbolic or parables etc.
Also, the Bible is in harmony with true science concerning the
creation account in Genesis, or any other scientific matters. What
part(s) do you allege to be a contradiction?
Concerning "strange beasts with many heads" etc, much of that comes
from the book of Revelation, which even itself tells us that it is not
all literal. Re 1:1,
"A revelation by Jesus Christ, which God gave him, to show his slaves
the things that must shortly take place. And he sent forth his angel
and presented [it] in signs through him to his slave John," (NWT)
Notice that it was presented to him "in signs", thus was not intended
to be taken all literal. (that "in signs" in a correct translation,
see the popular reference work "Vine's Greek Dictionary")
Concerning 'hellfire', the Bible does not teach of such a literal
place. It is a symbolic place. For proof, you can see that for
yourself. Many use the "lake of fire" at Re 20:14 to mean that
'hellfire' place. So notice what is tossed into that supposed literal
fire. One thing is "death". Can "death" be picked up, or burned with a
literal fire? No, and neither is that "fire" mentioned in that verse
literal. It even tells us in that same verse what it represents. That
"lake of fire" is symbolic of the "second death". (if you are
interested in what that "second death" is, just ask)
Sincerely, James
**If you wish to have a discussion with me, please use email since I
do not follow ng threads
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