Is The Bible figurative

Answer 1

Although there is some apparently accurate historical information in The Bible, much of the Bible should not be read literally, but metaphorically or figuratively.

Saint Augustine of Hippo (The Literal Interpretation of Genesis) wrote "With the scriptures it is a matter of treating about the faith. For that reason, as I have noted repeatedly, if anyone, not understanding the mode of divine eloquence, should find something about these matters in our books, or hear of the same from those books, of such a kind that it seems to be at variance with the perceptions of his own rational faculties, let him believe that these other things are in no way necessary to the admonitions or accounts or predictions of the scriptures. In short, it must be said that our authors knew the truth about the nature of the skies, but it was not the intention of the Spirit of God, who spoke through them, to teach men anything that would not be of use to them for their salvation." So, as long ago as the fifth century, Church leaders found it necessary to explain that, in places, the Bible could be found to be contrary to rational thought.

In more modern times, Yair Zakovitch, Dean of Humanities at Hebrew University is quoted as saying, "The thing to remember about the Bible is that the events and characters are just vehicles to convey messages. The biblical narrative was written to educate our young nation, not so much to tell us what really happened."

The Bible contains some figurative language, but is primarily a historical document. When figurative language is used, it is obviously intended to not be taken literally in the same way that metaphors and other figures of speech are used in modern times.

Answer 2

Answer:

Christians should take the Bible literally. But there are times in the Bible when we do need to study it to understand what it really means.

When Jesus said that in three days the temple will be rebuilt, He was referring to His own body.

Study the Bible with a heart that wants to learn from His Word, and God will reveal meanings that you might not have known before.