Subject: Should the Bible be taken literally? |
Bible Note: Hank I realize there are Books, chapters and verses within the Bible that are metaphor or symbolic and should not be taken literally. However I think you realize too that there are passages that are explained away as not pertaining to us today. These are primarily Paul’s letters. While I understand Paul was dealing with problems within the church the letter was addressed to, shouldn’t the issues he brought up still pertain today? I have heard a lot of preachers justify many things in conflict with Paul’s teaching and when asked, they explain it as Paul was correcting problems that pertains to that church or culture. Since we live in a different place time we need to apply today’s social and politically correctness to the issues and that may in fact go against Paul’s teachings. I think we have all noticed the liberties that are taken with the scriptures. Men rip verses out of context and by adding other verse can and do justify/teach just about anything they want. While this is done many times to promote heresy it is also done to promote true doctrine. In my example of the radio preacher used it to form a foundation of a great message and the end could be said to have justified the means. However is this the way to handle scripture or not? |