Is the Bible literal or figurative

  • Welcome to Christian Forums, a Christian Forum that recognizes that all Christians are a work in progress.

    You will need to register to be able to join in fellowship with Christians all over the world.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

CoreIssue

Well-Known Member
Oct 15, 2018
10,032
2,023
113
USA
christiantalkzone.net
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
An example:

?

This is a symbol, figurative of something.

But I hope we all understand it's literal meaning and application.

!

Same here.

cryingsmiley.gif

Same here.

My point being many things that are symbolic or figurative have meanings that we instantly understand literally.
 

ScottA

Well-Known Member
Feb 24, 2011
11,744
5,597
113
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
In linguistics rules of grammar a figurative phrase with a known literal meaning is considered literal.
And that is where you turn for the answer?

Sorry, but linguistic rules are not God.

The words, the ink, and literally the whole wide world...is a "creation", an "image." What do the linguistic rules say about those?

Jesus clarified this whole matter, saying in no uncertain terms, "The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life." And then He addressed the fools and blind who gave greater reverence to what was given than He who gave it, saying: "Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift?"

...The scriptures are not Christ, they point to Christ. They are not what is real, God is real. They are "created" "images" "in the likeness of" things on high. They are from God, but nothing merely manifest in the world is "literal" as the world defines literal.
 
Last edited:

CoreIssue

Well-Known Member
Oct 15, 2018
10,032
2,023
113
USA
christiantalkzone.net
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
And that is where you turn for the answer?

Sorry, but linguistic rules are not God.

The words, the ink, and literally the whole wide world...is a "creation", an "image." What do the linguistic rules say about those?

Jesus clarified this whole matter, saying in no uncertain terms, "The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life." And then He addressed the fools and blind who gave greater reverence to what was given than He who gave it, saying: "Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift?"

...The scriptures are not Christ, they point to Christ. They are not the is real, God is real. They are "created" "images" "in the likeness of" things on high. They are from God, but nothing merely manifest in the world is "literal" as the world defines literal.
So we need a prophet like you to understand.

This is how you quote a verse.

This shoots down your claim.

2 Peter 1:20 New International Version (NIV)
20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things.
 

ScottA

Well-Known Member
Feb 24, 2011
11,744
5,597
113
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
So we need a prophet like you to understand.

This is how you quote a verse.

This shoots down your claim.

2 Peter 1:20 New International Version (NIV)
20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things.
No, it means that the scriptures right along with all language, has intentionally been confounded by God to insure that it is only revealed by His means and choosing, whether by prophet, or by the Holy Spirit directly.

As for quoting scripture...no, that would just be the way you quote it as the common practice of men. Which is fine, but certainly does not set the standard. It was the prophets, Jesus, and the apostles who set the standard...and they did not quote it like you.
 

Enoch111

Well-Known Member
May 27, 2018
17,688
15,996
113
Alberta
Faith
Christian
Country
Canada
It was the prophets, Jesus, and the apostles who set the standard...and they did not quote it like you.
I'm not sure what that "like you" means, but Christ was constantly asking His opponents "Have ye not read...?" That implied reading the Scriptures in their plain literal sense. At the same time it is the Holy Spirit who must clarify the meaning of Scripture.

The apostles were also literally quoting Scriptures and applying then to the topics at hand. And again, the Holy Spirit was clarifying the meanings through them.
 

CoreIssue

Well-Known Member
Oct 15, 2018
10,032
2,023
113
USA
christiantalkzone.net
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
No, it means that the scriptures right along with all language, has intentionally been confounded by God to insure that it is only revealed by His means and choosing, whether by prophet, or by the Holy Spirit directly.

As for quoting scripture...no, that would just be the way you quote it as the common practice of men. Which is fine, but certainly does not set the standard. It was the prophets, Jesus, and the apostles who set the standard...and they did not quote it like you.
No, they literally quoted the words of the Scriptures, which you do not you do not.

The days of the apostles and prophets of a biblical level are over. We have the written word in our possession with nothing to be added.

Anyone who attempts to add has a warning for them in Revelation. One that you should read.

You do not seem to realize others have gifts of the Holy Spirit. And that others have been saved a lot longer than you. And have been studying a lot longer than you.

So they are your elders that biblically demand you to respect them. But you not.

You hold yourself up as God's anointed, which you are not.
 

CoreIssue

Well-Known Member
Oct 15, 2018
10,032
2,023
113
USA
christiantalkzone.net
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
I'm not sure what that "like you" means, but Christ was constantly asking His opponents "Have ye not read...?" That implied reading the Scriptures in their plain literal sense. At the same time it is the Holy Spirit who must clarify the meaning of Scripture.

The apostles were also literally quoting Scriptures and applying then to the topics at hand. And again, the Holy Spirit was clarifying the meanings through them.
On this we are in harmony.
 

MetalMike

Active Member
May 21, 2019
95
140
33
Seattle Area
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
I'm not sure what that "like you" means, but Christ was constantly asking His opponents "Have ye not read...?" That implied reading the Scriptures in their plain literal sense. At the same time it is the Holy Spirit who must clarify the meaning of Scripture.

The apostles were also literally quoting Scriptures and applying then to the topics at hand. And again, the Holy Spirit was clarifying the meanings through them.

I'm completely on board with what you posted here. The only figurative thing in the Bible are the parables, which was done deliberately by Jesus to make His points.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Enoch111

CoreIssue

Well-Known Member
Oct 15, 2018
10,032
2,023
113
USA
christiantalkzone.net
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
@ScottA

You still have not explained by what you interpret Scripture.
I'm completely on board with what you posted here. The only figurative thing in the Bible are the parables, which was done deliberately by Jesus to make His points.
There are other figurative but the Bible also always gives their meaning. Such as the Dragon being Satan.