You Can’t Take the Bible Literally

I’ll start by saying that I take the Bible very literally. I do. Every part of it, I believe. Exactly as stated. The history, there chronicled, is truth. Fact. The songs and the poems were written by real people to be used for worship and enjoyed. The parables were truly told with purpose. The letters were actually written to persons and people to convey knowledge and to encourage. And even, to correct.

I admit, I like to read the research that proves the authenticity of the Bible. I like to be reminded of my religious education and the foundation I was given to support the truth of the Bible. I can get sucked right in, following link after link. This book that I am reading included some of that. And it reminded me of how I got to where I am.

Part of why I don’t dwell on the research is because of the simple beauty of the Bible stories I learned as a child and now teach on a weekly basis. Stories about Jesus walking on water, healing the sick, resurrecting the dead, controlling the weather. Stories about the Children of Israel grumbling, Moses praying and God answering. Simple stories about the pride of Pharisees and the humility of tax collectors. Parables about the prodigal son and the even the rich man and the mustard seed. Stories that are easy to remember and easy to tell.

The stories are even better because they are true. And sometimes the truth hurts. It hurts because as a child I always identified with the good son or the humble tax collector. I was a good girl and identified with the people that seemed good in the stories. But then I grew up and recognized that I’m usually the bad person in the story. And when I forget, there are always the sermons and Bible studies to remind me. I hate that I am not only the Prodigal Son, but I am also the Elder Brother. And that is no better. I am the righteous prig as well as the sinner.

Regardless of who I am, I am not good enough. I am not worthy. And who likes to hear that on a regular basis? Don’t we prefer to hear how wonderful we are? Even if it isn’t true? Aren’t we quick to take credit and faster to assign blame?

I understand why, especially in today’s (American) humanistic world, we would rather not take the Bible literally. Wouldn’t we rather take the passages that make us look good? Exactly like the child. And ignore the ones that magnify our sin? We want to be Peter and dwell on the good and forget that he denied Christ. We would rather distance ourselves from Judas, the evil villain of the story, even though most of us are Judas at some time every day.

And in today’s world, are we trying to make everyone as acceptable as possible? Including ourselves? If everyone is good and right regardless, why, then aren’t we to be included in parade?

In the end, we are to accept everyone, regardless of their sin, because that is the grace shown to us, sinners, by Christ Himself. We accept the sinner, but we don’t support the sin. But instead of dwelling on the sins of others, we concern ourselves with our own sins. We look towards a right relationship with Jesus. And others will see Truth at work.

I was intrigued by one suggestion. If you have trouble accepting All of the Bible, try just dealing with the Divinity of Jesus and His life, death and resurrection. That is what Christians can agree on. Don’t be diverted by the controversial stuff. Huh, interesting.

            All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

(2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV)