But shouldn't we interpret the Bible spiritually instead of literally?

[agedman]

Not literally?
Okay, maybe God did not literally create the heavens and the eart7h.
Maybe to love God with all our hearts, souls, and strength is not literally the greatest commandment.
Maybe Jesus is not literally the way, the truth, and the light.

This is true, for if the veracity of the presentation of Scripture is questionable, then who is to limit that question ability of all?

Sure that seems a non-issue to those who would “spiritualized” limited areas, but there is not a liberal theological view that does not foundationally question that which is presented as being factual events and prophetic statements.

Certainly, there are spiritual assignments, but it would seem the examples of application of OT Scriptures found in the NT is typically statements related to fact and factual events.

Typology relates to facts.
Allegory relates to facts.

And, surprisingly, I can’t recall a single “spiritualized” passage that is not pointing to something that is factually evident as having occurred or will occurr.

 

[Covenanter]

At least the pre-mil can generally distinguish the figures of speech from that which should be taken literally.

And old Bible scholar visited the youthful teacher late one night.

The scholar came secretly because he did not want his peers to question him about the visit.

He came seeking the answer to a question.

The youthful teacher after a short dialogue ask the old scholar, “You are a respected teacher of note, yet you do not understand?”

Perhaps he needed the teaching that relies on truth from “spirituality” rather than that which can be relied upon as factually.

Does that post indicate an acceptance of spiritual understanding against [Edited], literal understanding? Should I rate it "winner" as your realise your previous errors?

 

[Covenanter]

This is true, for if the veracity of the presentation of Scripture is questionable, then who is to limit that question ability of all?

Sure that seems a non-issue to those who would “spiritualized” limited areas, but there is not a liberal theological view that does not foundationally question that which is presented as being factual events and prophetic statements.

Certainly, there are spiritual assignments, but it would seem the examples of application of OT Scriptures found in the NT is typically statements related to fact and factual events.

Typology relates to facts.
Allegory relates to facts.

And, surprisingly, I can’t recall a single “spiritualized” passage that is not pointing to something that is factually evident as having occurred or will occurr.

Again you show that spiritual understanding of Scripture relates to facts - real truths. How can we be in disagreement?

There is a whole invisible spiritual realm we are born again into; a whole new relationship with the living God by a living faith in our Saviour God, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Th attempt to understand Scripture literally, by [Edit] is dangerous & evidently leads to a rejection of the spiritual truth we live by. There is so much more.

The teaching of a [Edited], physical Mediatorial Kingdom that excludes the present spiritual reign of our ascended & glorified King Jesus is a blatant error.

 

[Covenanter]

I've dealt with many dozens of new believers in Japan, America, and other countries. Not a single one ever said to me, "But shouldn't we interpret the Bible spiritually instead of literally?" No, they interpret literally until some Internet dingaling tells them otherwise.

How e.g. would they expect to interpret Ezekiel 9 literally? Do they jump to Revelation 7?
There are plenty of other prophetic visions that relate to the unseen spiritual realm, the believing remnant - the people of God living by faith.

And then suddenly they read about a rebuilt temple & renewed animal sacrifices, & they put it in a future millennium?? That is literal, [Edited]. Do they not realise that the glorious & eternal temple is the church of the redeemed in Christ, built with living stones. An unseen but eternally real spiritual temple.

A focus on physical, national Israel completely misses the glorious present spiritual Kingdom of God with the LORD Jesus Christ as King & Mediator. Born again Christians are real citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem, & the restored, redeemed Israel that comprises the redeemed of all nations.

​

 

[thatbrian]

A focus on physical, national Israel completely misses the glorious present spiritual Kingdom of God with the LORD Jesus Christ as King & Mediator.

Yes, and I think that this is the #1 point of the discussion. His kingdom is not like other kingdoms. It's not "of this world". That does not mean it's not active in this world, but that it is not like the kingdoms of this world.

 

[Aaron]

I can’t recall a single “spiritualized” passage that is not pointing to something that is factually evident as having occurred or will occurr.

Will Jesus, in reality, be riding a white horse when He returns?

 

[robycop3]

We must respect the genre, which "literalists" don't do, ironically. I read the Bible literally and recommend that to all, but to read the Bible literalistically is to, at times, ignore the genre. They read analogy as literal or historical narrative as didactic teaching.

The Bible uses much spiritual language and analogy - figures of speech - hyperbole, etc.

Did Jesus want us to believe that He is a door or gate? Did He instruct sinners to literaly mutalte their bodies, e.g., cut off their hands? Did Jesus really think that the Pharisees were literally snakes?

Was He literally a stone building? Are we stones which are part of that building?

I could go on for hours.

I believe all people of all languages during all ages but the very earliest ones use/used figures of speech. But in Scripture, such figurative language always represents a LITERAL thing, person, or event.

 

[robycop3]

Will Jesus, in reality, be riding a white horse when He returns?

He might be. After all, what's what He showed John.

 

[robycop3]

You've missed my intent and meaning on both counts, which can happen in a venue such as this.

I wasn't insulting you. You both misquoted me and misrepresented my position, so I was trying to show you that with a little humor.

Secondly, the point was that a system that lacks continuity has the inescapable problem - it's logical conclusion creates a god who is schizophrenic. Of course, God is not schizophrenic. It's the system which creates discontinuity. The problem is that you end up with a system which makes God unstable.

Covenant Theology = Continuity = God is the same yesterday and tomorrow.

Dispensationalism = Discontinuity = God changes and lacks stability.

I don't believe you can argue successfullt against THREE dispensations - the Old Covenant, New Covenant, & the world to come.

 

[robycop3]

israel is the nation of the jews, and the Church are both Jews and Gentiles!

Spot on!

 

[robycop3]

A woodenly literal interpretation of the Bible has been the cause of error right from the start. One sees that especially in John's Gospel.

John 2:20 John 3:4; John 4:15; John 4:33; John 6:52; John 7:35; John 10:6.
And how much terrible error and idolatry has been caused by a literal understanding of "This is My Body"?

This is not an apologetic for crazy interpretation like some of Origen's work, but if the words of Christ are Spirit and truth, they must be spiritually understood.

The disciples didn't truly see Jesus' analogy there til He was crucified - after His body was abused by beatings, with pieces of meat being gouged out by a whip, His beard yanked out, and His being subjected to kicks & punches, & thumping with spear handles & butts. And, of course, that, as well as being nailed to a cross, shed His blood. All this was done to Him for the sake of all mankind.

 

[robycop3]

Point is, figurative speech in Scripture is easy to see. What's NOT so easy for some is its TRUE MEANINGS.

 

[prophecy70]

Will Jesus, in reality, be riding a white horse when He returns?

Saddled or bareback?

 

[prophecy70]

I believe all people of all languages during all ages but the very earliest ones use/used figures of speech. But in Scripture, such figurative language always represents a LITERAL thing, person, or event.

For example,

The 1000 years, A figure of speech. meaning a literal long period of time, i.e. the present age.
all Israel will be saved, Figure of speech, meaning literally, all believers;




See you get it.

 

[FollowTheWay]

Had you not used the term, "dispensation", I would have liked your post a lot more.

Also, I would again argue that I do take the Bible literally. I literally believe that Jesus is literally reigning, right now!

I agree. Dispensationalism is readily extended by many to exclude portions of the Bible (e.g. the 4 Gospels) as not applicable to us today. It can degenerate into a heresy, a false gospel.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Saddled or bareback?

Albino or grey or Cremelo?

 

[prophecy70]

Albino or grey or Cremelo?

Albino of course.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

I agree. Dispensationalism is readily extended by many to exclude portions of the Bible (e.g. the 4 Gospels) as not applicable to us today. It can degenerate into a heresy, a false gospel.

Ammmm, in all honesty I never saw that . Could you provide examples? Also I am not a dispensation believer ... more Amil

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Albino of course.

Then you get pink eye

 

[thatbrian]

israel is the nation of the jews, and the Church are both Jews and Gentiles!

The purpose was dto make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, 12 and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.