Can you be Christian yet not take the bible literally?

This is a question i, a non-christian, has always wondered about certain christians.

It seems people like to take only parts of the bible literally and take other parts that may not make sense symbolically.

However, when has this ever been logical? As far as I know every single thing that god had wanted to be taken symbolically in the bible, he clearly stated as such (for example the parables).

the bible says noah made an arc to survive the flood. Even though the story may sound wrong, where in the bible does it state that it didnt happen exactly how the bible said it did(i mean, even specific dimensions for the arc's size were given and everything).

the bible says god created the earth in 7 days, no matter how unbelievable it may sound, if your a christian, how is it right in any way to interpret it how you see it?

I could go on and on with the other stories, but you get what I'm trying to say.

The majority of Christians do just that.

I go to a Christian school, and they tell us that we can't trust the Bible historically or some of its messages.

The morals we take literally, but not much else.

I go to a Christian school, and they tell us that we can't trust the Bible historically or some of its messages.

The morals we take literally, but not much else.

wiidskirby

Religion is open to interpretation, so yes. I don't think there is any denomination that actually does take the bible literally.

Of course. If you take every word literally you're just setting yourself up for a nasty head-on collision with reality.

A very sizable portion is intended to figurative or instructional. The interesting part is figuring out what's what.

Bio_Spark

[QUOTE="Bio_Spark"]

Of course. If you take every word literally you're just setting yourself up for a nasty head-on collision with reality.

A very sizable portion is intended to figurative or instructional. The interesting part is figuring out what's what.

ice144

The short answer is "yes."scorch-62

[QUOTE="mindstorm"]That depends on what you take literally. For example, I question whether God created the earth in 7 literal days several thousand years ago. Does that make me any less of a Christian? Personally I think not (in that never has it been a part of a confession or creed within the church), but some would argue that I am indeed less of Christian. However, those who think me less of a Christian are mostly Fundamentalist Independent Baptists (...even though I'm an Evangelical Southern Baptist). However, a person is required by Scripture to believe the resurrection of Jesus Christ to be literal. 1 Corinthians 15:14 puts it this way, "And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith." Verse 17 of that same chapter also says, "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins."LJS9502_basic

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"][QUOTE="mindstorm"]That depends on what you take literally. For example, I question whether God created the earth in 7 literal days several thousand years ago. Does that make me any less of a Christian? Personally I think not (in that never has it been a part of a confession or creed within the church), but some would argue that I am indeed less of Christian. However, those who think me less of a Christian are mostly Fundamentalist Independent Baptists (...even though I'm an Evangelical Southern Baptist). However, a person is required by Scripture to believe the resurrection of Jesus Christ to be literal. 1 Corinthians 15:14 puts it this way, "And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith." Verse 17 of that same chapter also says, "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins."mindstorm

[QUOTE="mindstorm"][QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"]Interesting. Were you not a young earth creationist when you first posted here?LJS9502_basic

[QUOTE="scorch-62"]The short answer is "yes."LJS9502_basic

No it depends. Some of the Bible is literal. Like the message Jesus spread.

"Some of the Bible" isn't all of the Bible. The question at hand was whether or not it is possible to be a Christian and not take the Bible literally. If you took the Bible literally, that would make you a fundamentalist. Not all Christians are fundamentalists, so the answer is obviously "yes" to the TC's question, especially when coupled with the examples in the OP.

isn't that what the term "god fearing" means? not just for christianity, but for any religion. You believe in a god, but don't really take the teachings literally or follow them?

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"][QUOTE="scorch-62"]The short answer is "yes."scorch-62

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"][QUOTE="scorch-62"]The short answer is "yes."scorch-62

Genre is also important. For example, poetic texts are less likely to be completely literal.

Now the fun part is finding out all of this information. :P

Yup, Some parts such as the Parables have a deeper meaning.

That's a funny subject. I've seen people saying we should ignore the whole Old Testament, (because it is a great source of humiliation for them due to how god behaved in that section) but then insist we follow the Ten Commandments and post them everywhere.... which... came from the Old Testament. Cherry picking of the Bible, with people selectively claiming the sections inconvenient to the legitimacy of their religion as not to be taken literally, and claiming others have to be taken literally, is one of the reasons I stopped taking the Bible seriously a few years ago. If "God" can't be bothered to speak clearly to us, and leave our eternal fate up to whether or not we were lucky enough to know which parts to take seriously or not take seriously, is it any surprise I can't take HIM seriously?

The majority of Christians do just that.

GabuEx

I think that the Bible is inspired by God, but was written by humans.As such, after thousands of years of translations and possible corruption, some people might've screwed something up.

As such, I don't really fret much over Levitical laws, historical details, or apparent contradictions. I consider Jesus and the Gospels to be the truly important part.

So yes, I pick and choose, as the saying goes. Perhaps I take it to an uncomfortably far degree. But everyone picks and chooses. I'm just honest about it.

[QUOTE="GabuEx"]

The majority of Christians do just that.

blackngold29

To play devil's advocate.

Absolutely. If it was taken literally, you would see them gouging out their eyes and cutting off their hands all the time (Jesus said to do it). Although nowadays, this word "symbolic" is mainly used to try to justify reluctance to believe a certain verse. It isn't just christian churches that do this, but you see a lot of people believing a verse that they can explain, but using the "well, it must be symbolic" excuse when they come across something they can't explain.

The best description I've ever heard of the Bible was The Big Book of Multiple Choice.

Anything's possible. Maybe the meaning has changed. Maybe mistranslation. Maybe it was meant symbolical from the start. And i'm sure You can take the Bible literally and still make sense with a little creativity. Maybe this reality we try to grasp with science ends somewhere. And maybe not.

Only You know, to some extend. So yeah You can be Christian without taking the bible literally. And socially speaking as well. Others do it all the time.

The majority of Christians do just that.

GabuEx

There are surveys that suggest differently. Here's one.

http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/18-congregations/92-most-americans-take-well-known-bible-stories-at-face-value?q=catholics

[QUOTE="GabuEx"]

The majority of Christians do just that.

blackregiment

There are surveys that suggest differently. Here's one.

http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/18-congregations/92-most-americans-take-well-known-bible-stories-at-face-value?q=catholics

Not only that, but Gabu was talking about Christians; your disputable source only refers to americans.

Of course you must take it literally! Beliveing in God makes you immune to poision.

Belive me! Drink it, if you die, you didn't belive in God enough (I was just joking, please don't drink any poision :P )

Theology exists for the exact purpose of interpreting the Bible.

[QUOTE="blackregiment"]

[QUOTE="GabuEx"]

The majority of Christians do just that.

Mochyc

There are surveys that suggest differently. Here's one.

http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/18-congregations/92-most-americans-take-well-known-bible-stories-at-face-value?q=catholics

Not only that, but Gabu was talking about Christians; your disputable source only refers to americans.

You might want to re-read the information presented. It specifically addressed the beliefs of Americans in general as well as certain Christian cIassifications. You must have overlooked that.:)

In addition, Christians and Americans are not mutually exclusive groups. Over 75% to 80% of Americans identify themselves as Christians, therefore, Christians are a sub-set of Americans, a very, very large sub-set at that. A study by Barna in 2004 showed that atheists and agnostics represent about 12% of the American population.

[QUOTE="GabuEx"]

The majority of Christians do just that.

blackregiment

There are surveys that suggest differently. Here's one.

http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/18-congregations/92-most-americans-take-well-known-bible-stories-at-face-value?q=catholics