Too often congregants are required to read the bible literally, at least in all the “places that count.” Often this requirement is the fundamental means of “group faith” indoctrination, protection and border policing. Each denomination, creed, statement of faith and catechism is based on a “unique and literal” methodology of reading the Bible where it supports the groups predetermined and unique “faith” i.e. Dogmas. This is not reading the Bible literally. It is reading the Bible conformationally.
There are between 200 – 1,500 separate Christian religions in North America. All require that their unique brand of literal reading of the Bible “proof text” supports their belief that they alone legitimately understand of the Bible. Thus, taking the Bible literally is failing to take the Bible seriously. Reading it literally and seriously are two different things.
The very nature of the Bible’s comprehensive literary genres making literal reading a barrier to Biblical value.
• Historical Narrative: Stories and records of past events, making up more than half of the Bible (e.g., Genesis through Esther, and Acts). All are written through ancient human eyes.
• Poetry: Creative, imagery-rich writing that expresses human emotion (e.g., Psalms and Song of Solomon).
• Law (Covenant Law): Legal codes and religious rules given to ancient Israel (e.g., parts of Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy).
• Wisdom Literature: Practical advice and principles for everyday life (e.g., Proverbs and Ecclesiastes).
• Prophecy: Messages, warnings, and visions delivered from God through a prophet (e.g., Isaiah Jeremiah and the minor prophets).
• Gospels: Unique biographical narratives focusing on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John).
• Epistles (Letters): Correspondence written by apostles to early churches or individuals to provide doctrine and instruction to the people of his time about the issues of his time.
• Apocalyptic Literature: Highly symbolic and visionary writings regarding the struggles against evil forces and future restoration (e.g., Revelation and parts of Daniel).
• Parables: Short stories or analogies used to teach a spiritual or moral lesson, common in Jesus' ministry.
These various literary genres each take a serious approach but not necessarily a literal approach. Each must be understood differently. When in Psalms it says "Then shall all the trees of the wood sing for joy" before the Lord. Then later, “Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together." To read this literally, you would have to believe that trees can sing and rivers have hands. Jesus said, “I am the vine…” but we do not expect grapes from Jesus.
It is very strange that those who demand a literal meaning of every word in the New Testament also work very hard to deny something they don’t like is true. In Matthew, Mark and Luke Jesus encounters a religiously righteous young man who passes Jesus’s test of being “righteous” but fails when Jesus tells him he must sell everything he has, give it to the poor and follow him. The young man goes away sorrowful because he was rich. Today millions of Christians believe their faith will make them rich, if they give what they have to the church…Large Christian churches have multi-million-dollar annual budgets which provides little money for the needy in their community.
Reading the Bible seriously means we must turn off our filters, assumptions and ancient doctrines. It has been my experience in reading and rereading the bible, that if I do not find discomfort, exposure and humility in every book, I may be slipping into confirmation
There are between 200 – 1,500 separate Christian religions in North America. All require that their unique brand of literal reading of the Bible “proof text” supports their belief that they alone legitimately understand of the Bible. Thus, taking the Bible literally is failing to take the Bible seriously. Reading it literally and seriously are two different things.
The very nature of the Bible’s comprehensive literary genres making literal reading a barrier to Biblical value.
• Historical Narrative: Stories and records of past events, making up more than half of the Bible (e.g., Genesis through Esther, and Acts). All are written through ancient human eyes.
• Poetry: Creative, imagery-rich writing that expresses human emotion (e.g., Psalms and Song of Solomon).
• Law (Covenant Law): Legal codes and religious rules given to ancient Israel (e.g., parts of Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy).
• Wisdom Literature: Practical advice and principles for everyday life (e.g., Proverbs and Ecclesiastes).
• Prophecy: Messages, warnings, and visions delivered from God through a prophet (e.g., Isaiah Jeremiah and the minor prophets).
• Gospels: Unique biographical narratives focusing on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John).
• Epistles (Letters): Correspondence written by apostles to early churches or individuals to provide doctrine and instruction to the people of his time about the issues of his time.
• Apocalyptic Literature: Highly symbolic and visionary writings regarding the struggles against evil forces and future restoration (e.g., Revelation and parts of Daniel).
• Parables: Short stories or analogies used to teach a spiritual or moral lesson, common in Jesus' ministry.
These various literary genres each take a serious approach but not necessarily a literal approach. Each must be understood differently. When in Psalms it says "Then shall all the trees of the wood sing for joy" before the Lord. Then later, “Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together." To read this literally, you would have to believe that trees can sing and rivers have hands. Jesus said, “I am the vine…” but we do not expect grapes from Jesus.
It is very strange that those who demand a literal meaning of every word in the New Testament also work very hard to deny something they don’t like is true. In Matthew, Mark and Luke Jesus encounters a religiously righteous young man who passes Jesus’s test of being “righteous” but fails when Jesus tells him he must sell everything he has, give it to the poor and follow him. The young man goes away sorrowful because he was rich. Today millions of Christians believe their faith will make them rich, if they give what they have to the church…Large Christian churches have multi-million-dollar annual budgets which provides little money for the needy in their community.
Reading the Bible seriously means we must turn off our filters, assumptions and ancient doctrines. It has been my experience in reading and rereading the bible, that if I do not find discomfort, exposure and humility in every book, I may be slipping into confirmation
