Subject: How can we tell figurative from literal? |
Bible Note: Sir Pent How is this? The bible must be taken literally unless context or conflicts with other text shows it has to be a Simile, Metaphor, Exaggeration, Personification, and other such figures of speech. And if we don’t realize them to be figures of speech we will take them literally which I think would cause us to error in affirmative more often than not. We must also consider a passage to be literal unless God shows a figurative meaning to the passage. Most parables are designated as such by Scripture. I’m also thinking of the Daniel 7 and the description of the four beast. Here God reveals the fact He was using them figuratively. While in Revelation 9 the locusts must be taken literally. No wonder Calvinist and Arminianist have been fighting for nearly 500 years. I think the real tie breaker must be the Holy Spirit but even that opens a whole new door. Especially when we see two Spirit Filled people come up with two different interpretations. However I think if man ever once said that can’t be and both were forced to reconcile with each other a true meaning would be reached. EdB |