Garden of Eden was a setup...

[ChristIsLord]

So, ChristIsLord. Is every passage in the Bible supposed to be taken literally, or are there metaphors and analogies that are simply symbolic to make a point?

Jesus spoke in parables; the four Gospels are loaded with them and Jesus explains why he used them. I challenge you to investigate this one for yourself.

God used parallels through the Old Testament, foreshadowing the coming of Christ. Here are two examples that come to mind.
Consider the story of Joseph in Genesis where God used Joseph to save the 70 Jews of his family foretelling of how He will use Jesus to save the Jews and Gentiles.
Another example I like and Jesus refers to this is the story of Jonah where Jesus tells the disciples of how he will spend three days in the tomb just like Jonah spent three days in the belly of the whale.

"A mighty fortress is our God." which I want to say is something David said, is an example of a metaphor used in the Old Testament.

I would not go so far as to label certain passages in the Bible metaphors that I either do not understand or cannot come to accept as literal. but there in there.

[FatAndFaithless]

Ah, good, that part was easy.

Now, what system do you use to approach each passage in order to determine if it was a metaphor or a literal representation of events?

[ChristIsLord]

First, lmao at the troll getting trolled, it's always a lovely thing to see.

Secondly, hey, do you have an answer for this yet, "ChristisLord"?

Who created those afflictions in the first place?

"ChristisLord", please answer this question. it's simple, straightforward, and germane to a couple of follow-ups I have for you.

I don't follow the IMAO and troll thing so please elaborate.

As far as the decease and death, that was ushered in when man (Adam) chose to disobey God and they were kicked out of the Garden of Eden and not allowed to eat from the tree of life; a concept I struggle with understanding myself.

The Satan destroys concept is spelled out in the book of Job where God allows Satan to destroy Job's life, but not kill him. Based on how this book plays out, its Satan that puts the boils on Jobs body as well as kills everyone except his wife and Job.

[FatAndFaithless]

But God also puts plagues on people he doesn't like...so I wouldn't call that the sole propriety of Satan...

[ChristIsLord]

Why would you force yourself to have faith? Why can't you simply say "That point doesn't make any sense, so I don't need to follow it or consider it somehow valid."

Because I blessed and also cursed with a technical mind and have an insatiable thirst to reconcile pretty much everything I come across.

[FatAndFaithless]

But..why force yourself into reconciling stuff that makes no sense? You seriously can't say "That is not reconcilable", and just drop the belief in it? Why force yourself into painful mental knots just for the benefit of some old book?

[abaris]

Or better, what made you that faithful that your rationality has to take the back seat.

[ChristIsLord]

Ah, good, that part was easy.

Now, what system do you use to approach each passage in order to determine if it was a metaphor or a literal representation of events?

When the words "<this> is like <that>" show up, Jesus is telling us He's about to drop a parable on the disciples (the believer).
Like when "Galileo dropped the apple"
B-Boys lyric so don't bother correcting me on that....just thought it was funny.

The parallels part you have to study the Bible and read it or certain parts over and over before God reveals the connection. Except for when it's clearly spelled out like the Jonah parallel.

The metaphor thing is a lot more complicated for me and requires study and reference from those Bible scholars that are way smarter and more educated than I am on dissecting the Word,(one end of the spectrum), the other end being simply obvious, like the God is my fortress metaphor. And in some cases I just pray about it and let God show me.

Much like flying in IMC where I can't see squat, but I trust my instruments and and keep going (keep reading the Word and ask God for wisdom) and eventually I arrive at my destination.

[Thumpalumpacus]

I don't follow the IMAO and troll thing so please elaborate.

That wasn't directed at you, but rather, someone else.

As far as the decease and death, that was ushered in when man (Adam) chose to disobey God and they were kicked out of the Garden of Eden and not allowed to eat from the tree of life; a concept I struggle with understanding myself.

No, that doesn't answer my question. I asked you who made it.

Who made cancer? Who made the AIDS virus?

Here, I'll even boil it down for you: who made evil?

The Satan destroys concept is spelled out in the book of Job where God allows Satan to destroy Job's life, but not kill him. Based on how this book plays out, its Satan that puts the boils on Jobs body as well as kills everyone except his wife and Job.

This is entirely irrelevant to my question. Please, just answer the question I asked: Who made disease? Who made evil?

[abaris]

ChristIsLord, I really am interested in what made you that faithful that you're willing to ignore reason when it's in conflict with your belief. As opposed to many theists on this board you're among the select few even admitting that there are certain problems when it comes to ratio and the bible.