Biblical Inacurracies

[AwaketoParadise]

There's the rub. All of creation demands that Genesis not be taken literally. And yet you (and many others) prefer to think that it is God's Work that is lying, and Genesis is literal. Wouldn't it make more sense to say Genesis was intended NOT to be taken literally, and the God isn't a trickster?

The Bible takes Genesis literally, so why shouldn't I? The Bible often quotes from Genesis and clearly refers to the events in Genesis as being literal. So I should go against how the Bible interprets Genesis because it doesn't jive with what science says?

"God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar"

 

[TheGrungeDiva]

The Bible often quotes from Genesis and clearly refers to the events in Genesis as being literal.

Just because the Bible quotes Genesis doesn't mean that Genesis is literal.

Have you ever quoted a line from a movie you saw, or talked about a fiction book you read, or referred to a television show you watch? When you did that, were you implying that you believed that movie, or the book, or the TV show, to be real rather than fiction? Of course not!

It is common to refer to myths and stories to make a point. "You're more like the tortoise than the hare." That refers, of course, the Aesop's fable of the tortoise and the hare, but the person who says that is not saying that he believes the fable to be real, that a turtle and a rabbit actually once had a race and talked about it.

Indeed, the fact that Jesus and Paul refer back to Genesis actually reinforces the idea that both read Genesis as parable and symbolic, not literal.

So I should go against how the Bible interprets Genesis because it doesn't jive with what science says?

No, you should go WITH how the Bible, creation, and most Jews and Christians have interpreted Genesis because otherwise, it implies that God is a trickster and a liar. A trickster, lying god is not one I wish to believe on, let alone worship.

As for me and my house, we shall worship the Lord.

 

[TheGrungeDiva]

"God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar"

Every man who tells you that the world is only 6,000 years old is calling God a liar, because God has told us very clearly that this is not true. You wanna believe God or you wanna believe man?

 

[AwaketoParadise]

Just because the Bible quotes Genesis doesn't mean that Genesis is literal.

Have you ever quoted a line from a movie you saw, or talked about a fiction book you read, or referred to a television show you watch? When you did that, were you implying that you believed that movie, or the book, or the TV show, to be real rather than fiction? Of course not!

It is common to refer to myths and stories to make a point. "You're more like the tortoise than the hare." That refers, of course, the Aesop's fable of the tortoise and the hare, but the person who says that is not saying that he believes the fable to be real, that a turtle and a rabbit actually once had a race and talked about it.

Indeed, the fact that Jesus and Paul refer back to Genesis actually reinforces the idea that both read Genesis as parable and symbolic, not literal.


No, you should go WITH how the Bible, creation, and most Jews and Christians have interpreted Genesis because otherwise, it implies that God is a trickster and a liar. A trickster, lying god is not one I wish to believe on, let alone worship.

As for me and my house, we shall worship the Lord.

The Bible seems to be interpreting the creation account literally in this verse

Exod 20:11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

So Paul is using an example of something that didnt really happen?

1Tim 2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

So Jesus had allegorical ancestor's?

Luke 3:23 And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,
Luke 3:24 Which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Janna, which was the son of Joseph,
Luke 3:25 Which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Amos, which was the son of Naum, which was the son of Esli, which was the son of Nagge,
Luke 3:26 Which was the son of Maath, which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Semei, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Juda,
Luke 3:27 Which was the son of Joanna, which was the son of Rhesa, which was the son of Zorobabel, which was the son of Salathiel, which was the son of Neri,
Luke 3:28 Which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Addi, which was the son of Cosam, which was the son of Elmodam, which was the son of Er,
Luke 3:29 Which was the son of Jose, which was the son of Eliezer, which was the son of Jorim, which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi,
Luke 3:30 Which was the son of Simeon, which was the son of Juda, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Jonan, which was the son of Eliakim,
Luke 3:31 Which was the son of Melea, which was the son of Menan, which was the son of Mattatha, which was the son of Nathan, which was the son of David,
Luke 3:32 Which was the son of Jesse, which was the son of Obed, which was the son of Booz, which was the son of Salmon, which was the son of Naasson,
Luke 3:33 Which was the son of Aminadab, which was the son of Aram, which was the son of Esrom, which was the son of Phares, which was the son of Juda,
Luke 3:34 Which was the son of Jacob, which was the son of Isaac, which was the son of Abraham, which was the son of Thara, which was the son of Nachor,
Luke 3:35 Which was the son of Saruch, which was the son of Ragau, which was the son of Phalec, which was the son of Heber, which was the son of Sala,
Luke 3:36 Which was the son of Cainan, which was the son of Arphaxad, which was the son of Sem, which was the son of Noe, which was the son of Lamech,
Luke 3:37 Which was the son of Mathusala, which was the son of Enoch, which was the son of Jared, which was the son of Maleleel, which was the son of Cainan,
Luke 3:38 Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.

So Peter was mistaken when he thought the flood in Noahs day was a literal event?

2Pet 3:5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
2Pet 3:6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:

I could go on and on...

 

[TheGrungeDiva]

The Bible seems to be interpreting the creation account literally in this verse

Exod 20:11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

I disagree. To me, it seems pretty clear that this is a reference to a common story / myth that all of his audience is familiar with. Remember tortoise, hare? Referring to the six day creation refers to the myth that the writer's audience all knew, as evidence for why we should keep the Sabbath. It's just a poetic way of saying, "Because God said so.

So Paul is using an example of something that didnt really happen?

1Tim 2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

Paul is referring to another myth, yes. It's something that didn't happen just once, but continues to happen, every day, day after day. One person may not be deceived, but another person can be deceived and bring down a loved one with them. This is the ultimate truth, so Ultimate and so True, that it's one of the first myths in our Scripture, and in Paul's Scripture. Paul is referring to this myth, that both he and his readers would be familiar with, and would be able to relate to.

Again, tortoise, hare.

So Jesus had allegorical ancestor's?

Yup. As do we all.
Do you not refer to those in your church as your "sisters" and "brothers" in Christ? Are you saying that you believe they are literally your sisters and brothers, that you all have the same biological parents? Or are you expressing a spiritual bond that goes deeper than biology?

And, in fact, is your bond to your spiritual brothers and sisters not STRONGER than blood, your bond to your biological family?

This is the point Luke was making, and his audience would have gotten that right away. As I did, the first time I read it, by the way, and many other Christians I know.

So Peter was mistaken when he thought the flood in Noahs day was a literal event?

Peter did not believe it was literal. Peter knew it was a myth, the same as the earlier Hebrews, centuries before Jesus knew. Why wouldn't Peter be as smart as other Jews?

I could go on and on...

As could I. Remember, just because it's referred to doesn't mean the author is saying it's literal.

"Jesus is a rock." Is he made of stone? Simply quoting something is not in any way evidence or even suggestive that it is to be taken literally.

 

[AwaketoParadise]

Well, there is really nothing more for us to discuss since you have made it clear that you feel the Bible is a book that is full of "myths".

 

[WolfInOxHide]

We should have a literal approach toward the Bible or other wise words become meaningless and you can make the Bible say whatever you want it to say. A Bible that can say what ever you want it to say doesn't really say anything at all.

It can be (and has been) made to say anything we want.
Enter: rightly dividing the "word."

One (and maybe the most difficult) example:
Physical "fire" and it's effects on the material, represents with 100% accuracy, spiritual "fire" and it's effect on the spiritual. This is how one is to rightly divide the "word" - "fire."
Just assigning it random meanings and different meanings in different places gets us to where we unfortunately are today.

Many inaccuracies are then resolved.

Peace.

 

[enochson]

Hello Everyone,

I have recently finished a round-trip tour of the Bible, and have discovered some obvious mistakes. The mistakes are nothing more than penmanship, and authorship errors. However, due to the large quantity I have found, I have come to the conclusion that the Bible can not be the infallible Word of God. Emphasis is on "infallible". I will demonstrate a few to show my findings. These are from my KJV. I use a facsimile of the 1611 KJV to ensure they are also similar. That allows me to rule out this particular Bible, as the reason for the mistake.

Some are simple numerical issues. Forget a number here, and one there.

1 Kings 4:26 "And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horseman."
2 Chronicles 9:25 "And Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horesman."

Some are about how to live.

Proverbs 26:4-5 "Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his conciet."

Some are about our faith.

2 Kings 2:11 "And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven."
John 3:13 "And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven."

And one is about God. There are numerous sources and teachings that show that God is good. God cannot commit evil acts. But one chapter in Ezekiel has God speaking to Israel, and he says something odd.

Ezekiel 20:25 "Wherefore I gave them also statutes that were not good, and judgments whereby they should not live."

My study bible offers no commentary on that particular verse. I have found that people believe that God "gave them into their own evil practices" but, to my knowledge, that does not agree with the Hebrew text.

I am wondering if I am alone in this discovery, and is it wrong or bad to say that the bible is not 100% accurate?
Thank you very much in advanced. God bless!

ineresting all old test. what make you think they got anything right because they miss the day of His coming and was right in there face.

 

[Bookends]

The bibles says we can look at creation and gain Godly knowledge by observing it, Romans 1:20. Therefore, when we observe the stars, we can see star being born, in midlife, and a the death of a star, a supernova (Read about supernova 1987a). Therefore, we can only explain this 3 ways I think. 1) All the days in Genesis aren't meant to be taken as 24 hour literal days (at least the 1st 2nd or 3rd days), and that the days are meant to give a kairological timeline, a hierarchical order, rather then an exact chronological time frame. 2) God created everything in a literal 24 hour days over 6 days, and then stretched out heavens to make our universe to appear old. But this doesn't account for dieing stars! Which leads us to think God created the universe with age (which He could have). God could have done this, but then this flies in the face of my first premise that we receive Godly revelation by observing His creation. 3) or we view the bible as faulty and not inerrant.

Genesis and Starlight | CRI

So did Moses with the inspiration of God write Genesis:
1) In a wooden literal manner and make things appear differently that what we can observe?
2) In a literary genre in which to help us remember the creation's Hierarchical order?
3) To confuse us make us look like fools to the scientific world?
4) To test our faith

 

[Bookends]

Paul is referring to another myth, yes. time I read it, by the way, and many other Christians I know.

I refute the fact that bible has any myths. I just want to go on record and state that!

2 Timothy 4 3-5
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

 

[TheGrungeDiva]

I refute the fact that bible has any myths. I just want to go on record and state that!

2 Timothy 4 3-5
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Saying that something is a myth is not necessarily saying that it is not true. In fact, more often than not, myths are more true than most of the news that gets reported these days.

 

[WolfInOxHide]

So Jesus had allegorical ancestor's?

In addition to the literal ones, yes.
I believe that if you start at the beginning of the list, look up the hebrew meanings of the names, and the characteristics of the persons (when available) you can see how each "begat" the next, literally, and in concept.

http://www.abarim-publications.com/

is a decent place to start for hebrew name etymology, but not 100% accurate on every one of them, and by no means, a single source for study.

 

[TheGrungeDiva]

Well, there is really nothing more for us to discuss since you have made it clear that you feel the Bible is a book that is full of "myths".

Well, yes, you are correct, except the way you phrase it above, you state it as if I'm the only one who "feels" this way, and that this is a "feeling" rather than a deep and spirit-filled view arrived at through Scriptural and prayerful study.

If that is indeed what you are implying, both of those assumptions are false. This is in fact a historical and traditional interpretation of Scripture, or at least has been for the entire history of Judaism, had been for the first 18 centuries of Christianity, and is still for a large percentage of Christians around the world today.

I know there are other ideas and beliefs about interpretation. You have your beliefs, I have mine. Our beliefs happen to overlap on a lot of areas, which is why we are both Christian, but not on others, but that's okay, because we're not saved by doctrine, we're saved by Jesus Christ.

It seems unlikely that either of us are going to change the other's mind. If you don't feel honest discussion is worth having, then by all means, bow out of the exchange. I have no problem discussing these issues with people in a respectful manner. I find, in fact, that polite and friendly debate with people who have different views than I do can be very healthy; it helps me to understand God better. Sometimes it does change my mind, sometimes it hones or clarifies my previous understandings. I think as long as it is done with respect, it is a good thing.

 

[TheGrungeDiva]

So did Moses with the inspiration of God write Genesis:
1) In a wooden literal manner and make things appear differently that what we can observe?
2) In a literary genre in which to help us remember the creation's Hierarchical order?
3) To confuse us make us look like fools to the scientific world?
4) To test our faith

How about:

Genesis (and in fact all Old Testament Scripture) is a compilation of the writings of many ancient Hebrew peoples, written down from oral traditions that were passed down for thousands of years before they were written. It is a collection by God's people, about God's people, for God's people. And it isn't so much about our past (or our future, for that matter) as about our present: what it means to be in relationship with each other, and in relationship with God.

 

[kenisyes]

When we talk about Genesis, remember God is giving us His point of view. It may have looked somewhat different on the earth.

The geneology list in Luke is wrong (3:36), or maybe Gen. 10:24 is. The Genesis skips Cainan.

 

[Ugly]

Well you need an expert to explain that a pastor maybe like derek prince (teaching the untaught), not by yourselves because there are mysteries that hard to understand...


Does it shake my faith? Definitely NO.

Find a real preacher. Prince is a word of faith/prosperity preacher. Find someone who knows how to use the bible, not twist it.

 

[Elizabeth619]

I don't know why I am being accused of undermining Gods word. All I stated was that I found, what I believe to be small mistakes. I never discredited the Word, only the fact that it was written by man, and therefore has some flaws. I really appreciate the help from kenisys. That is the detailed answers I have been serching for. Nothing stated here changes the Truth of the Word. Most textbooks contain small errors to some degree. You wouldn't take that and assume that the rest of the textbook is therefore invalid and untrue. I am also, making no such claim again the bible.

No one is accusing you, but I will say you are not the first person to come here and make statements like these. Many have been atheists thinking they can "prove" to us the bible is wrong. So forgive people if they come off a little defensive.

Keep in mind the Word of God is perfect. Misprints and copy errors can happen unfortunately, but like you said this does not affect your walk.

 

[RickyZ]

Harsh, I say, harsh.

 

[loveme1]

Hello Everyone,

I have recently finished a round-trip tour of the Bible, and have discovered some obvious mistakes. The mistakes are nothing more than penmanship, and authorship errors. However, due to the large quantity I have found, I have come to the conclusion that the Bible can not be the infallible Word of God. Emphasis is on "infallible". I will demonstrate a few to show my findings. These are from my KJV. I use a facsimile of the 1611 KJV to ensure they are also similar. That allows me to rule out this particular Bible, as the reason for the mistake.

Some are simple numerical issues. Forget a number here, and one there.

1 Kings 4:26 "And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horseman."
2 Chronicles 9:25 "And Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horesman."

Some are about how to live.

Proverbs 26:4-5 "Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his conciet."

Some are about our faith.

2 Kings 2:11 "And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven."
John 3:13 "And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven."

And one is about God. There are numerous sources and teachings that show that God is good. God cannot commit evil acts. But one chapter in Ezekiel has God speaking to Israel, and he says something odd.

Ezekiel 20:25 "Wherefore I gave them also statutes that were not good, and judgments whereby they should not live."

My study bible offers no commentary on that particular verse. I have found that people believe that God "gave them into their own evil practices" but, to my knowledge, that does not agree with the Hebrew text.

I am wondering if I am alone in this discovery, and is it wrong or bad to say that the bible is not 100% accurate?
Thank you very much in advanced. God bless!

Ezekiel 20



verse 25 should not be used outside of its chapter.

And it came to pass in the seventh year, in the fifth month, the tenth day of the month, that certain of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the LORD, and sat before me. 2Then came the word of the LORD unto me, saying, 3Son of man, speak unto the elders of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Are ye come to inquire of me? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be inquired of by you. 4Wilt thou judge them, son of man, wilt thou judge them? cause them to know the abominations of their fathers: 5And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day when I chose Israel, and lifted up mine hand unto the seed of the house of Jacob, and made myself known unto them in the land of Egypt, when I lifted up mine hand unto them, saying, I am the LORD your God; 6In the day that I lifted up mine hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands: 7Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the LORD your God. 8But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt. 9But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, among whom they were, in whose sight I made myself known unto them, in bringing them forth out of the land of Egypt. 10Wherefore I caused them to go forth out of the land of Egypt, and brought them into the wilderness. 11And I gave them my statutes, and shewed them my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them. 12Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them. 13But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they despised my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly polluted: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them. 14But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, in whose sight I brought them out. 15Yet also I lifted up my hand unto them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands; 16Because they despised my judgments, and walked not in my statutes, but polluted my sabbaths: for their heart went after their idols. 17Nevertheless mine eye spared them from destroying them, neither did I make an end of them in the wilderness.
18But I said unto their children in the wilderness, Walk ye not in the statutes of your fathers, neither observe their judgments, nor defile yourselves with their idols: 19I am the LORD your God; walk in my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them; 20And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the LORD your God. 21Notwithstanding the children rebelled against me: they walked not in my statutes, neither kept my judgments to do them, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; they polluted my sabbaths: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness. 22Nevertheless I withdrew mine hand, and wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted in the sight of the heathen, in whose sight I brought them forth. 23I lifted up mine hand unto them also in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the heathen, and disperse them through the countries; 24Because they had not executed my judgments, but had despised my statutes, and had polluted my sabbaths, and their eyes were after their fathers' idols. 25Wherefore I gave them also statutes that were not good, and judgments whereby they should not live; 26And I polluted them in their own gifts, in that they caused to pass through the fire all that openeth the womb, that I might make them desolate, to the end that they might know that I am the LORD.

27Therefore, son of man, speak unto the house of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Yet in this your fathers have blasphemed me, in that they have committed a trespass against me. 28For when I had brought them into the land, for the which I lifted up mine hand to give it to them, then they saw every high hill, and all the thick trees, and they offered there their sacrifices, and there they presented the provocation of their offering: there also they made their sweet savour, and poured out there their drink offerings. 29Then I said unto them, What is the high place whereunto ye go? And the name thereof is called Bamah unto this day. 30Wherefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Are ye polluted after the manner of your fathers? and commit ye whoredom after their abominations? 31For when ye offer your gifts, when ye make your sons to pass through the fire, ye pollute yourselves with all your idols, even unto this day: and shall I be inquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be inquired of by you. 32And that which cometh into your mind shall not be at all, that ye say, We will be as the heathen, as the families of the countries, to serve wood and stone.

33As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out, will I rule over you: 34And I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out. 35And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face. 36Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, saith the Lord GOD. 37And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant: 38And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

39As for you, O house of Israel, thus saith the Lord GOD; Go ye, serve ye every one his idols, and hereafter also, if ye will not hearken unto me: but pollute ye my holy name no more with your gifts, and with your idols. 40For in mine holy mountain, in the mountain of the height of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, there shall all the house of Israel, all of them in the land, serve me: there will I accept them, and there will I require your offerings, and the firstfruits of your oblations, with all your holy things. 41I will accept you with your sweet savour, when I bring you out from the people, and gather you out of the countries wherein ye have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you before the heathen. 42And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall bring you into the land of Israel, into the country for the which I lifted up mine hand to give it to your fathers. 43And there shall ye remember your ways, and all your doings, wherein ye have been defiled; and ye shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that ye have committed. 44And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have wrought with you for my name's sake, not according to your wicked ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, O ye house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.

45Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 46Son of man, set thy face toward the south, and drop thy word toward the south, and prophesy against the forest of the south field; 47And say to the forest of the south, Hear the word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burned therein. 48And all flesh shall see that I the LORD have kindled it: it shall not be quenched. 49Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! they say of me, Doth he not speak parables?

Look what is written leading upto 25 and even after.

There is much because and why to be had surrounding that verse.

 

[carolineh]

Jesus quoted from Genesis in the literal sense and Jesus knows best so who is going to be foolish enough to argue with Jesus about Genesis being literal when Jesus returns..not everyone thinks that Jesus will literally return but those people are in for a shock