There seem to be some terribly strange and inconsistent themes at work in terms of biblical interpretation these days. While the early church spent much of its time interpreting the sayings of Jesus (as well as the prophets on issues regarding the poor and the stranger) literally with the more “incredulous” stories as allegorical, there appears to be an odd reversal of this strategy in the contemporary church. I can’t quite figure out why (though I have some ideas), so I was hoping someone could help me understand this peculiarity.
Over the past several months I have interviewed numerous Christians (many of them ministers and priests) in order to gain a consensus of how they interpret certain biblical passages. Every person interviewed was either Catholic or some version of Protestantism (though, mostly either Baptist, non-denominational or Pentecostal–as these folk are more abundant in my home areas of NC and KY). What follows are my questions (italicized) along with their answers. For the sake of brevity, I have summarized their answers–accurately I might add–with either the word “literal” or “metaphor” (save for the next to last question where I wrote down a few of the responses).
Note: I am in no way making fun or questioning the legitimacy of any of the passages referenced below. I am just trying to figure out why there is a tendency to “literalize” certain passages over others.
Do what you will with these lovely results.
Jonah swallowed by a big fish?
Literal.
Love your enemies?
Metaphor.
Talking donkeys?
Literal.
Turn the other cheek?
Metaphor.
The entire planet’s gene pool stems from two human beings?
Literal.
Share (or give away) your possessions?
Metaphor.
The heavens and the earth created in seven days (with the sun not making an appearance until the 4th)?
Literal.
I hate your music, your assemblage, your worship services, but do justice to the poor.
Metaphor.
Chilling out in a blazing hot oven?
Literal.
Do not seek vengeance.
Metaphor.
Virgin birth?
Literal.
Do not resist evil.
Metaphor.
Approximately more than 300 million different species of creatures fitting on one boat?
Literal.
Bless those who hate you. Pray for those who persecute you.
Metaphor.
Moses parting the Red Sea?
Literal.
Do not get divorced (save adultery). Hate your mother and father. Deny thyself. Give up all that you have. Sever your hand or eye if it causes you to sin. Be perfect as your Father in Heaven. Go and sin no more. If you say you know me but do not obey my teachings you are a liar, etc., . . . you know, basically the ENTIRE SAYINGS OF JESUS?
Symbolic. Metaphorical. He was just kidding. He didn’t really mean it. You can’t take those literally, etc., etc.
Adam and Eve conversing with a talking snake some 6,000 years ago while vegetarian dinosaurs frolicked in the garden?
You got it.
Literal.
Someone . . . please, help?