To insist on taking everything in the Bible literally is dangerous. Some say they do, thinking it is a strong statement of faith, as if bound to believe it, because the Bible demands it. Insistence on the literal interpretation of every scripture is totally unrealistic, unprofitable, and no one really does it. If we did, we would be handless and eyeless in obedience to the Sermon on the Mount. No one thinks Jesus is a chicken, because He wanted to take Jerusalem under His wings to protect them. The Father is not a bird because we abide under the shadow of His wings. The Bible should be taken the way it was intended, not literally in every instance. To do so is to distort the word of God, not honor it. The examples I have given are obvious examples of imagery. The difficulty comes in cases where it is not so obvious. Who decides what a scripture is actually saying and how it is to be taken? Obviously, there is only one who knows all and can lead us into all truth, and it is the Person of the Holy Spirit. He is here, now, with us and was there, then, with the writers of Scripture. He knows the message intended for the original readers, and what it means for us today. Scripture was written for us, but not directly to us. The Spirit is the best teacher for many reasons. He is to be trusted more than the body of beliefs you have accumulated over a lifetime. He is God and has the right to update and correct our previous interpretation of scripture the way Jesus on did with the two men on the road to Emmaus. If we get to the place where our beliefs are set in concrete, we have either closed our minds, hardened our hearts, or we are arrogantly thinking everything we believe is right. If your spiritual growth has gotten stuck at a certain level, it is highly possible you need to change something you believe. Do not be manipulated or coerced into holding on to any doctrine, interpretation of scripture, or specific teaching you do not have the inner witness of the Holy Spirit about. I know you have most likely been taught it is dangerous it is to open up yourself to any theological change, but I am here to say it is more dangerous to stagnate. Trust God and explore the possibilities. Ponder the mysteries, wrestle with the questions, and do not be afraid to think for yourself. This is not about following a preacher or denomination. This is about your personal relationship with God, and it is just that – yours, personal, and with God. God does not want you riding on anyone’s coattail. He has adopted you for mature sonship. Refuse to be held back because of fear. You can trust the good Father who does not give a snake to those who ask for fish.
Leave a Reply