Allegory vs. Literal Fact in the Bible

[rexbeccarox]

Most Christians think the Bible is a combination of allegory and literal fact. Can the Christians on the board enlighten me as to which book/gospel is which?

[Minimalist]

I think it goes something like this.

The ones that show their god being a total dick are allegorical.

The handful that don't are literal.

Unless they are fundies...then they are all literal and their god is a dick.

[Tonus]

Unless they are fundies...then they are all literal and their god is a dick.

Yes, but he's a loving dick. And that's totally not a creepy way to put it.

[thesummerqueen]

I think it's a line by line thing, becca, and might be a word by word. How much time you got?

[Ryantology]

It is whatever you want it to be. What is literal and what is metaphorical is entirely dependent on what you want to be true, and what sort of challenge is issued.

[rexbeccarox]

I think it's a line by line thing, becca, and might be a word by word. How much time you got?

Damn... I was hoping for book-by-book. I mean, is it really too much to ask? When I write, it's usually pretty consistently the same type of piece throughout. Same with stuff I read.

I'm gonna wait and see if maybe one of our resident Christians will pin it down for me. I realize I could be waiting awhile

[Jackalope]

I think it's a line by line thing, becca, and might be a word by word. How much time you got?

Damn... I was hoping for book-by-book. I mean, is it really too much to ask? When I write, it's usually pretty consistently the same type of piece throughout. Same with stuff I read.

I'm gonna wait and see if maybe one of our resident Christians will pin it down for me. I realize I could be waiting awhile

Yep, you likely will be. 'Specially since there doesn't seem to be a consensus as to which are which, nor is there any method apparent how to tell the difference, as far as I can see.

[Tonus]

I doubt anyone would provide a book-by-book breakdown, as much as a story-by-story breakdown. And that would be a pretty big undertaking. But I also think that the line between what 'really happened' and what is just a moral fable has moved over time, and will continue to do so as we learn more about the real past.

[Godscreated]

Most of scripture is literal, the allegories would be parables and most of those are clearly stated, prophecy would be totally different and most prophecy is clearly stated. to break the entire Bible down into these categories would be a massive undertaking, I suggest you read the Bible as literal and take into account the prophecies and parables and then see what you make of it. I would suggest if you decide to read the Bible you use a chronological version, like the New Living Translation, it uses our modern language and makes for a smoother reading. I do not use it as a study version though, the New American Standard is much better for serious study. The NLT is a good life application read.

[Tex]

According to me:

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Genesis chapters 1-11 are all allegorical. Twelve and on are historical, but occasionally the same story is retold again with a small variation. I'm guessing the Jews don't know when Abraham visited Egypt and it might have actually been Issac. All three stories are told, never the less. Everything else is historical. How does God talk to people? Its not through compression of sound waves. That's about all that's necessary.

Exodus-Deuteronomy is all literal say for one part: Exodus 24 has the elders of Israel have a simultaneous vision. The floor does not actually turn into topaz or lapiz lazuli or whatever. It's a vision, not external to their own selves, but communicated in the same way that God "talks" to people.

Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, and 1 and 2 Chronicles are all historical accounts. Events in them may be visions and phrazes in them may be figurative, but the large majority of the text is to communicate history.

Job is one giant parable. It is not history, but for teaching.

Psalms is Poetry. Sometimes historically based, but the purpose is poetry.

Proverbs and Ecclesiastes are wisdom books.

Song of Songs is a love story between man and wife that relates to humanity and God.

Lamentations is... well... a lament. It's one giant dirge.

Isaiah, Daniel, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi and prophetic. In them contain prophesies, most (really, all but maybe 1) of which have already happened.

Matthew, Mark and Luke are historical portrayals of Jesus. John is as well, but is not chronological. John is trying to communicate Jesus' divinity, Matthew is trying to communicate Jesus is Messiah, Luke is telling the non-Jews, and I have no idea what to do with Mark.

Acts is more history, written by the same guy that wrote Luke.

Proceeding books are letters written by various people (Paul, Peter, John) either to other Christian communities in other cities or other Christian leaders.

Then we have Revelation... Much of this book came true before it was written (specifically, chapter 1-7). The is apocalyptic writing, and the large majority is written in metaphor. The concepts can be drawn out, but there is no rapture. I hate the rapture. It is an invention by anabaptists is the 17th century.

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All done!