The Bible is literal

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Contents 1 Claim 2 Source 3 Responses 4 Fallacies contained in this claim 5 References 6 Related claims 7 Acknowledgments

Claim

The Bible should be read literally.

Source

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Responses

1. There are many times when the Bible doesn't say things that should be taken at face value. For instance, there are many instances when parables and proverbs are used to give a explanation. Also, at the start of Revelations, it is stated explicitly that the book is metaphorical. If you take the words literally, you would miss the whole point of the parable or words spoken in proverbs.
2. The Bible is not to be taken literally, just like every other book shouldn't. It is to be taken in context. There are several different genres of writing in the Bible, and they are to be taken in the context of the genre: poetry, prophecy, history, parable, teaching, etc. Genesis is written in a narrative form; the question is: is that narrative meant to be historical?
3. Some Christian traditions don't believe the Bible should be read literally. Why are your religious beliefs any better than theirs?
4. The vast majority of people living on Earth don't believe the Bible is literally true, and the vast majority of evidence reinforces that opinion. Why is your standard of evidence so high in comparison to most people's?
5. If the Bible is to be read literally, then, if a Christian has an enemy, should he A) make peace with him, or B) kill him, slaughter his family, animals, and neighbors, and incinerate all of his enemy's worldly treasures? The Bible says to do either in different sections.
6. If the Bible is to be read literally, then which translation? The Holy Bible has been translated into, as well as translated from over a dozen languages, including Hebrew, Greek, Latin, Coptic, Italian, French, German and English.
7. If the Bible is to be read literally then which book in the Bible? There are many books left out of the Bible (e.g., the Gospels of Philip and of Mary) which are included in some people's theology but not in others. Should they be read literally, too, as they were originally intended to be parts of the Bible?
8. It seems strange that Creationists demand that the Bible be read literally, and yet, do not abide by the 10 Commandments, especially when they use false arguments like Darwin recanted on his death bed.
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Fallacies contained in this claim

• Division (the Bible is considered to be true, so all verses should be true)
• Golden Hammer Fallacy (the Bible is only useful it is read literally)
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References

1. Augustine, St., [413-426] 1982. The Literal Meaning of Genesis, J.H. Taylor, transl., New York: Newman. In: Ruse, M., 2001. Can a Darwinian Be a Christian?, Cambridge University Press, p. 51.
2. Morton, Glenn, n.d. Personal Stories of the Creation/Evolution Struggle. [1]
3. Rogerson, J.W., 1992. Interpretation, History of. In: Freedman, D.N. (ed.), The Anchor Bible Dictionary, Doubleday, NY. vol. 3, pp. 425-433.

Related claims

• Genesis must be literal; it is straighforward narrative
• Genesis must be literal; later writers refer to it as fact
• Jesus refers to creation and flood as though they were literal
• The Bible says it, I believe it, that settles it
• The Bible is inerrant
• Bible claims inspiration
• Prophecies prove the accuracy of the Bible
• The Bible must be accurate because archaeology supports it
• Bible's accuracy on other scientific points shows overall accuracy
• Bible is unique in other ways
• Bible is harmonious throughout

Acknowledgments