Episode #17 is live
Do we really have to take the Bible 100% literally, like some people insist?
Absolutely not. If you do, you’ll miss a lot of what the Bible says.
There are many things in the Bible that are literally true, but there are many parts that were never intended to be taken literally. For example:
- The parables of Jesus. Heaven is not a woman baking bread
- The “hand of God” doesn’t mean God has physical hand. It’s a metaphor for His power
- The metaphors Jesus uses about himself. He is not literally a rock, a door, or a vine.
- Jesus didn’t want us to literally take a bite of his human flesh and drink his blood. He was talking in symbols to illustrate a spiritual idea.
In this episode, I also talk about how even literal events have more than just a literal meaning.
It’s all about getting to the deep spiritual essence of what the Bible is saying and how we can put these ideas into practice in our daily lives.
Don’t ever let someone bully you into thinking you have to take the Bible 100% literally.
Please share this with a friend
Blessings,
James
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Here are the Scriptural references in this episode:
II Chronicles 30:12
The hand of God was also on Judah to give them one heart to do what the king and the princes commanded by the word of the LORD.
Colossians 3:1
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Matthew 9:18
While he was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.”
I Corinthians 10:4
And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. [This is obviously not literal. You can’t drink a rock.]
John 10:9
I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.
John 15:5
I am the vine; you are the branches.
Matthew 13:33
Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
John 6:53
Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.
Isaiah 55:1
Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
II timothy 3:16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
II Corinthians 3:5, 6
5. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
6. Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
Job 32:8
But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
I Samuel 17:48
And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.
Matthew 1:18
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
John 13:14, 15
14. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.
15. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
II Corinthians 10:7
Do ye look on things after the outward appearance?
I Samuel 16:7
for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
