The Bible: Symbolic or Literal?

[Gukkor]

So what are we arguing about again?

 

[KCDAD]

He is eternal and unchanging. It is a rather complicated subject.

God has his plan and that will never ever change. He may ask us to do something. We can beg and beg not to do it, and God may grant this desire. That was however still part of his plan.



Way to know the bible there. One name for you "Noah."

Have you forgotten about Jonah? God was going to destroy Nineveh in 40 days... when the people repented "God changed his mind".

 

[truthisnotchrist]

40 days this 7 days that. You are all talking about the Stars and you don't know it.

 

[Dannager]

He is eternal and unchanging. It is a rather complicated subject.

God has his plan and that will never ever change. He may ask us to do something. We can beg and beg not to do it, and God may grant this desire. That was however still part of his plan.

If that was the plan all along, God never changed his mind. He just went through the motions to make us beg. Sounds a little conceited to me.

 

[KCDAD]

40 days this 7 days that. You are all talking about the Stars and you don't know it.

40 days is what? A cycle and a half of the moon?

You are right... I think I remember reading that Jesus spent all his time staring at the stars instead of teaching and interacting with people face to face.

 

[Wiccan_Child]

40 days this 7 days that. You are all talking about the Stars and you don't know it.

We're discussing the Biblical narrative. It's truth is irrelevant for this dialogue. Must I report you again?

 

[Dannager]

The scripture was directed at anyone who denies core doctrines but still claims to be a Christian.

None of the things DMagoh mentioned could even be considered close to core doctrines. What were you referring to?

 

[truthisnotchrist]

Sorry guys, i thought in order to believe a narrative it first had to be true.

 

[KCDAD]

Can I just ask why you even want to be a Christian or even be associated with God? From all your posts all over this forum, I have yet to see anything that you agree with or think positively about God.

• You think that most of the stories in the Bible are fables and legends.
• You think that, for the most part, the Bible was written by men and is therefore FULL of errors.
• You are against several Christian teachings about morality, including pre-marital sex, pornography, homosexual behavior, etc.
• You think prayer is completely useless.

What is it that makes you want to be considered a Christian, or be associated with God?

What basic concepts of Christianity do you actually agree with?

I pretty much agree with all of that... and although I couldn't care less if people think I am a Christian or not, I seek the truth of Jesus' teachings and therefor am a disciple of Jesus... NOT a Christian.

Why do you want to be considered a Christian?

 

[KCDAD]

The scripture was directed at anyone who denies core doctrines but still claims to be a Christian.

Isn't accepting core doctrine part of that "not everyone who cries Lord, Lord" admonishment?

What you consider "core" may not be what God considers "core". Gotta be real careful about what you demand other people do.

As in Micah: "What does God require? Love mercy, seek justice and walk humbly"

He doesn't want sacrifice, creeds, oaths, he doesn't want offerings, he doesn't want membership or attendance... just do the right thing.

 

[truthisnotchrist]

KCDAD I detected some question marks. If you want to know what i mean, see my other prosts on the thread that covers this subject.

 

[Wiccan_Child]

Sorry guys, i thought in order to believe a narrative it first had to be true.

Beliefs can be wrong. And as I said, we are discussing the narrative itself, not the belief thereof. Do you have anything pertinant to say about the literal/symbolic ratio of said narrative?

 

[truthisnotchrist]

it is my understanding that the bones of what i said was relevant, if you take into account that what i said referred to Christianity, and other religions, being a symbolic version of Astrology, and not precisely a literal, or material turn of events posed under the guise of Christianity, and other religions. Sorry if it indeed was irrelevant but i don't think so

 

[truthisnotchrist]

it is also my understanding that this thread was started on the basis of whether people BELIEVE, or think, that the events and writings of the Bible are symbolic or literal. My stance is that is it's symbolic. Just to clear things up

 

[Wiccan_Child]

it is my understanding that the bones of what i said was relevant, if you take into account that what i said referred to Christianity, and other religions, being a symbolic version of Astrology, and not precisely a literal, or material turn of events posed under the guise of Christianity, and other religions. Sorry if it indeed was irrelevant but i don't think so

Your main post was a rant on religion, not on the symbolic/literal intent of the Bible's author(s). A subtle distinction, perhaps.

it is also my understanding that this thread was started on the basis of whether people BELIEVE, or think, that the events and writings of the Bible are symbolic or literal.

Indeed.

My stance is that is it's symbolic. Just to clear things up

Do you consider the events are, either partially or fully, true? I believe that any truths in the Bible are either trivial or coincidental, and that it can only be taken as symbolic. Literal interpretations invariably lead to external contradictions.

 

[david_x]

Abraham.

That was Lot, I believe.

Sorry, I watched this one movie and it got me all confused.

Then God's mind didn't change: he never reconsidered his actions, and knew full well what action he would ultimately take.

That is pretty much what I said.

 

[david_x]

If that was the plan all along, God never changed his mind. He just went through the motions to make us beg. Sounds a little conceited to me.

Teaching is not conceited.

 

[mujercristiana]

There is great symbolism in the Bible, but it is also historically accurate and therefore those parts are literal.

Yes, I believe in the flood and the Ten Plagues and Joshua (with the power of God) stopped time.

 

[Fed]

Umm it was Abraham that pleaded for Sodom and Gomorrah, not Lot. LOL nice job with all the jabs of "not reading your Bible", you guys.

 

[KCDAD]

I haven't heard a response about Jonah... it says very clearly..."God changed his mind".