RE: The Bible
April 2, 2012 at 10:55 pm
(This post was last modified: April 2, 2012 at 10:56 pm by Neo-Scholastic.)
I would like to address the comments of the OP with respect to discerning which works are symbolic vs. historic vs. poetic. The current canon of the bible is a collection of 66 very different books. Generally its really not so difficult to determine the nature of each. Some books, like the Apocalypse, are clearly 100% symbolic. The works of the Torah are largely symbolic as well, though the symbolism overlays legends that may or may not have happened as recorded. Books like Numbers mostly relate historical details (although I believe inner meanings are hidden there as well) recorded in the manner of other ancient historical works. Proverbs, the Psalms, and the Song of Songs are essentially poetic works. The Gospels are simultaneously historical and symbolic. The Epistles of Paul are his own exegesis and not revealed, despite the fact that he proclaimed himself to be an Apostle, which he was not (scriptural support upon request). Obviously, I do not fall in with the crowd that claims inerrency. Such a position is both unreasonable and untenable.
