What are your answers?

[Epimethean]

Silly xtians, tricks are for ...

[salty]

So is your bible an accurate and/or reliable source of information or not? In other words, is there anything in it which is meant to be taken literally? If so, how do you differentiate those parts from the non-literal bits?

Knowing biblical language, from continued study of the scriptures, can help you understand symbolism from literal use. "...and I saw one like a son of man coming on a cloud." The name son of man is used by Jesus to describe himself, it is also used in prophecy in Daniel to describe the messiah, therefore we know whenever the term son of man is used it refers to Jesus Christ. Now the other part of this sentence is literal because Jesus was killed for saying that he would be coming again in glorious splendor, therefore "coming on a cloud" is literally how he will arrive, this not just drawn from this statement that is present in Daniel and revelation, but also present when Jesus ascends to heaven when he sends his apostles to speak to the world, angels appear and declare that Jesus will literally descend on the mount of olives when he returns.

So basically, by having knowledge of the old and new testament you will easily understand how it locks together and what is symbolic and what is literal, there are a few incidents where things could both either.

[The Grand Nudger]

Sounds like your denomination's interpretation. You know the easiest way to determine if something is literal? Evidence.

While we're on the "end times" subject. Have you ever considered how many generations of people have been telling each other that the end will be in their lifetimes, that "the end is nigh". Worse yet, all of those who converted because of this, not that they'd know it (being dead and all), but they got had hard didn't they?

[Minimalist]

Knowing biblical language

You speak Ancient Greek? Really?

[salty]

Just

Thanks for your comment. I especially like the definitions you provided. I have a lot of reading to do. I will need to print out your post and read it later. I don't think the books I bought deal with the topic you presented.

Rythm
no, I have been studying and the more I do so the more it comes together.

[The Grand Nudger]

Jesus ascends to heaven when he sends his apostles to speak to the world, angels appear and declare that Jesus will literally descend on the mount of olives when he returns.

Bolded are the sorts of claims that you would have to provide evidence for if any of this is to be taken literally. Those in italics are the sorts of claims that would then have to be explained even if the others were taken (or proven) to be true.

The more what comes together?

[Violet]

Silly xtians, tricks are for ...

Clowns!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83zUlOS9JJk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-rcaXi_H6g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWQAV9ajRxQ

And other related nonsense ^_^

.... and just like that I am hungry...

[thebigfudge]

Jesus, That clown vid gave me the fear

---

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olal23PecUc

[Violet]

Jesus, That clown vid gave me the fear

...

Don't watch this one then:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5EVcIVLQ1o

Or the episode the following is related to.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQJzUFXtXDs

[Minimalist]

Bolded are the sorts of claims that you would have to provide evidence for if any of this is to be taken literally.

But I bet she thinks that mohammed flying to heaven on a big white horse is just bullshit!