To Biblical Literalists-Do You Take Both Of These Passages Literally? (genesis, Revelations)
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I'm always hearing people who believe that the Bible should be taken literally say that it's an accurate description of an historical event or an exact description of something that will happen in the future. I'd like you to tell me if you believe that both of these passages should be taken literally and if not why are you being inconsistent.
Revelation 12:3 And another portent appeared in heaven; behold a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems upon his heads. His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven, and cast them to the earth.
Genesis 2:21 So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept he took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh; and the rib which the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man.
I don't believe either of these passages to be factual events. Whoever wrote the one about a third of the stars being cast to the earth obviously didn't know that these stars are suns like the one the earth revolves around but they're extremely far away. I find the story of the rib to be equally far fetched but many people believe it. So my question to Biblical literalists is do you believe that both passages should be taken literally and if not what is your reasoning?
Yes, I DO believe that those 2 events were (and will be in the case of Rev.) literal events. That is what Faith is all about- just because something seems incredible to our finite minds does not mean it is impossible with God who is All powerful and able to do way more than our relatively puny minds can understand or consider.
Yes, I DO believe that those 2 events were (and will be in the case of Rev.) literal events.
I actually didn't expect a response like yours but at least you're consistent. My puny mind does have a hard time imagining a third of the stars being cast down on the earth though because the size of the earth is miniscule compared to the size of a star and that dragon must have a really long tail because many of the stars are millions if not billions of light years from our planet.
Yes, I DO believe that those 2 events were (and will be in the case of Rev.) literal events. That is what Faith is all about- just because something seems incredible to our finite minds does not mean it is impossible with God who is All powerful and able to do way more than our relatively puny minds can understand or consider.
Nah, having a star fall down to earth may have made sense to the author but no matter how much force you put into a swing, you will not move the stars. If it did it would also be a funny matter because even the smallest of stars are several thousand times bigger than the earth itself. We'd be burnt to a crisp in less than a second.
I actually didn't expect a response like yours but at least you're consistent. My puny mind does have a hard time imagining a third of the stars being cast down on the earth though because the size of the earth is miniscule compared to the size of a star and that dragon must have a really long tail because many of the stars are millions if not billions of light years from our planet.
I believe the bible speaks of symbolic and literal events. THe first being symbolic of Angels being cast down, stars, in Job is speaks of the Morning stars singing the day the foundations of the earth were laid. THe Dragon is Satan.
The Adam's rib is literal to me, it's not that difficult for me to believe that this was done for physical and spiritual reasons.
I believe the bible speaks of symbolic and literal events. THe first being symbolic of Angels being cast down, stars, in Job is speaks of the Morning stars singing the day the foundations of the earth were laid. THe Dragon is Satan. The Seven heads and ten horns are symbolic of rulers of nations.
But who decides what's literal and what's symbolic? The Bible wasn't written with an explanation regarding which passages were symbolic or literal and it appears to me that there's a history of religious people who were inclined to take Genesis literally, virtually word for word, and yet there's an active marketing of books which are supposed to explain the author's interpretation of various passages in Revelations. I don't see how you can have it both ways. These interpretations of the Bible are not coming from the Bible itself, they're coming from many generations of Christians who have formed opinions and influenced other Christians that they are correct. This has had a snowball effect and what Christians are saying today is just the accumulation and acceptance of the influences of past generations. The creation story in Genesis has all of the qualities of a symbolic storytelling that is intended to make a point about morals just as the flood of Noah. It's not any different than the symbolic passages in Revelations.
But who decides what's literal and what's symbolic? The Bible wasn't written with an explanation regarding which passages were symbolic or literal and it appears to me that there's a history of religious people who were inclined to take Genesis literally, virtually word for word, and yet there's an active marketing of books which are supposed to explain the author's interpretation of various passages in Revelations. I don't see how you can have it both ways. These interpretations of the Bible are not coming from the Bible itself, they're coming from many generations of Christians who have formed opinions and influenced other Christians that they are correct. This has had a snowball effect and what Christians are saying today is just the accumulation and acceptance of the influences of past generations. The creation story in Genesis has all of the qualities of a symbolic storytelling that is intended to make a point about morals just as the flood of Noah. It's not any different than the symbolic passages in Revelations.
I think you are right about that MontanaGuy ~ we can't have it both ways. Too many PEOPLE are trying to put their own spin on it, when really, I believe it is a matter of a gracious God giving us a glimpse of His Plan and even some of the reasons behind it and instead of just accepting His Word as Truth and trusting that as GOD He has the right to do it HIS way, we go around trying to pick and choose what we like and don't....I believe that the Bible is without error and that it is all literal (Yes, even the Hard-to-understand/believe parts
But who decides what's literal and what's symbolic? The Bible wasn't written with an explanation regarding which passages were symbolic or literal and it appears to me that there's a history of religious people who were inclined to take Genesis literally, virtually word for word, and yet there's an active marketing of books which are supposed to explain the author's interpretation of various passages in Revelations. I don't see how you can have it both ways. These interpretations of the Bible are not coming from the Bible itself, they're coming from many generations of Christians who have formed opinions and influenced other Christians that they are correct. This has had a snowball effect and what Christians are saying today is just the accumulation and acceptance of the influences of past generations. The creation story in Genesis has all of the qualities of a symbolic storytelling that is intended to make a point about morals just as the flood of Noah. It's not any different than the symbolic passages in Revelations.
THe individual decides, hopefully while being lead by God. All of these information strains are only important if it brings us closer to being like God and Christ. One thing all of the major religions have in common is Spiritual guidance and power, Love, and how we treat eachother.
The ways of getting there are cultural nuances that have really very little to do with becoming purified through Love.
If you have all power, all wisdom, all knowledge and have not love, it counts as nothing....nothing? Love is the key. If we seek to become pure love, God will surely fill in the blanks.
Confusion is nothing more than man trying to force opinion and ways upon eachother, with spiritual powers of wickedness...ie: Pride, Hate, Selfishness, Greed etc...We seem to get hung up on the verbage. Jesus said the Letter killeth, the Spirit maketh alive, except he said it in Aramaic not the Kings English. We get the point though, i hope.
Symbols are powerful, and can describe happenings through generations of terms and realities. Today is much different than 2,000 yrs ago, how do you describe a jet with bombs? Before they are invented, its in Revelation, it is uncanny. Even down to a missile named wormwood.
Picking and choosing what we want to believe in the BOOK is what leads to disagreements among Christians(and others).The bible is the inerrant word of God.The questioning begins with various interpretations.What is literal and what is not.It takes faith and a relationship with Him to accept the bible for what is was meant to be.
"It is written:'Man does not live on bread alone,but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' "
Mt 4:4 NIV
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