Seriously But Not Literally
Sometime ago, I became aware of a book with an intriguing title. It is also, at least to me, a somewhat confusing title. I think that it was, in some measure, designed to be that way in order to “grab” the attention of the prospective reader.
The title of the book is Reading the Bible Again For the First Time. If something is done again, how can it be the case that it can also be done for the first time?
Apparently, this catchy title is intended to encourage people to read the Bible from an entirely new perspective. We are to read it as though we are reading it for the first time and attempt to discard all of the intellectual, religious, cultural, etc. baggage which we may have had in our earlier readings.
Interestingly enough, the title of the book is not merely what I have already typed. As the commercials say, “Wait! There’s more!”
Here’s the complete title of the book:
Reading the Bible Again For the First Time:
Taking the Bible Seriously but Not Literally
I have neither the inclination nor the training to write a doctoral dissertation about the problems I see in this type of approach to a study of the Bible. I’m just thinking that there are some real dangers.
I will be among the first to admit that different forms of speech, different types of literature, etc. are found in the Bible. Some terms and descriptions are, indeed, not to be taken literally.
For example, I know of no person who would argue that Jesus is a literal door (John 10:9). Surely we realize that He uses that language to describe Himself to impress upon us the truth that He is the means of entrance into all spiritual blessings and, ultimately, into heaven itself.
However, there is a big difference in stating that, on one hand, there is accommodative and symbolic language in the Bible and, on the other hand, stating that the Bible in its entirety is not to be taken literally. This strikes at the very heart of inspiration.
I guess you can count me among the old-fashioned, seemingly increasingly smaller group of people who wonder:
If I cannot take the Bible literally, why should I take it seriously?
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AUTHOR: Jim Faughn
