Taking The Bible Literally

“Do you take the Bible literally?”

Not an unusual question I get to when people get through the “Are you a Christian?” “Do you go to church regularly?” “What church do you go to?” “I only go at Christmas time.” and “Do you read the Bible then?” spiel. Of course not everyone is that way inclined, but it’s not an unusual question.

It’s a question usually set up to see if I believe in some of the more … incredible Bible accounts such as the Creation narrative, Noah’s water problem (somebody should make a movie out of that, it could be a blockbuster); Moses and the ten plagues; Moses and the Red Sea; Jonah and the Whale (yeah, I know, but they still think it was a whale) and of course Jesus and the miracles as well as his death, burial and resurrection.

Back in the day, I thought the answer to that question was fairly straightforward. Yes. Of course I take the Bible literally.  Once I made this stance clear I was happy to set my face like a flint against the barbs and the jeers of my contemporaries who scorned such a backward take on such an old book.

Before I state what I’m about to state, let me make one thing crystal clear. My faith in Jesus Christ is completely dependent on the truthfulness of his life, death, burial and resurrection.  It is completely dependent primarily through the accounts as described in the four accounts in the Bible.  I am glad for the historical and archaeological and other resources available that corroborate that.  Yet my reliance is not solely and primarily on these.

As that is the case, it is from there that every other areas of scripture – the entire Old Testament and the subsequent epistles – have validity.

That is to say I take literally that Jesus died on the cross, rose again just like He said conquering death and sin. I take that literally. I believe it literally happened.

So that being said I also have to mention something about my approach to that question about taking the Bible literally.

When I get asked that question now, I don’t answer as triumphantly.  After all, what is it that they’re asking?  What do they mean by literally?  Do they really understand the document they’re questioning?  Do we really understand the document we’re being asked about?

I lay no claim on being a biblical expert. (At which point readers switch off and disregard whatever I say because I’m not one.) I do however know enough to know that the Bible is a outstanding collection of documents.  A collection so diverse in writing style it is fitting to call it a library. From song lyrics to wise sayings, historical accounts to genealogies, personal letters to love poetry.

Now when was the last time someone asked you if you took your local library literally?  It’s a bit of a silly question isn’t it?  You would rightfully enquire what on earth was meant, which parts were you talking about, and so on. I hope you’d do that anyway.

Similarly the question I find myself posing to myself as well as the person who asked the literal question is ‘Do I take the Bible seriously’?

That opens up a whole can of worms! Which I’ll leave you to enjoy.

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

C. L. J. Dryden