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Biblical literalism

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Biblical literalism is a belief that goes beyond acceptance of Biblical inerrancy . Biblical literalists regard Biblical Scriptures as literal statements of truth . This is established by comparing Scriptures such as Proverbs 30:5-6 with 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and 2 Peter 1:20-21 to affirm that the Bible is flawlessly true. This is contrasted with claims that metaphorical and allegorical statements are inherently untrue at some level. It is also contrasted with claims that the numerous metaphorical and allegorical interpretations of Scriptures splinter the Bible's meaning and provide an inconsistent -- and therefore flawed -- message.

Arguments against Biblical literalism

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  • Many Scriptures contradict widely accepted scientific theories. For examples, compare Biblical cosmology to astronomy, or compare Creationism to the theory of evolution, or compare Geocentrism with the "Big Bang" theory.
  • Biblical literalism results in its adherents...
    • ...adopting cruel ethical standards that would return us to a less civilized time. (1)
      • "...it is only the relation of domestic slavery as authorized by God, that we defend." --Robert Dabney (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7)
    • ..."believing that God is sadistic, brutal, vengeful, callow, cruel, and savage —a killer beyond reckoning." --Bill Moyers (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9)
    • ...believing that God sanctioned human sacrifices. (1, 2, and possibly 3)
    • ...being tempted to perform the unthinkable. (1, 2, and 3)
    • ...rejecting or harming their own family members. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8)
  • Many Scriptures are inconsistent with other Scriptures (or even themselves). These must require some type of abstract interpretation. Examples include:
    • Does God cause confusion? Compare 1 against 2 & 3.
    • Does God change his mind? Compare 1, 2, & 3 against 4, 5, & 6.
    • Does God play favorites? Compare 1, 2, & 3 against 4, 5, & 6.
    • Does God punish children for the sins of their parents? Compare 1 & 2 against 3, 4, & 5.
    • Is God deceitful? Compare 1 & 2 against 3 & 4.
    • Is God omnipotent? Compare 1 against 2.
    • "When the LORD your God gives you rest from all the enemies around you in the land he is giving you to possess as an inheritance, you shall blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven. Do not forget!" -- Deuteronomy 25:19 KJV

Arguments for Biblical literalism

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  • If the Bible is occasionally poetic, then it is possibly poetic at any time -- even on the first verse, even on the last verse, even on every verse.
  • If the Bible is occasionally poetic, then it can be selectively interpreted to suit almost any belief or desire, and therefore loses all meaning.
  • Biblical literalists claim that those who view certain Biblical passages as absurd simply lack imagination or faith, and point out that, in God, all things are possible, including the supernatural. (1 and 2)
  • Biblical Scripture is God's inspired work and requires neither compromise with nor testimony from competing philosophies such as science, other religions, or external ethics. It is a Christian's duty to believe the "Word of God" above any perceived "wisdom of man". (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5)

Biblical pragmatism

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Biblical pragmatism is a goal-oriented approach to the Bible in which only certain Scriptures are identified as worthy for belief. Individuals subscribing to this approach may pick-and-choose which Biblical Scriptures to believe (or sometimes even recognize) in order to reconcile with or legitimize pre-conceptions or desires. Inconvenient Scriptures are typically identified as poetic (or otherwise metaphorical or allegorical). Also see philosophical pragmatism.

By declaring that modern Christian denominations have rejected Scriptures studied by Jesus or his apostles (see canonical books of the Bible), some have argued that nearly all Christians practice Biblical pragmatism to meet the goals of their denomination.

Movements supported by literal interpretations of Scripture

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References

  1. Dabney, Robert. A Defense of Virginia and Through Her of the South. 1865. p. 99
  2. Moyers, Bill. Speech at Union Theological Seminary on 7-Sept-2005. Reproduced at http://www.uts.columbia.edu/index.php?id=605

See also

Further reading

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