FROM TIME TO TIME I get e-mails asking why the Bible shouldn’t be taken literally. One of the reasons is that the scripture itself makes this clear. I’ve decided to provide the scriptural reasons themselves all in one post so I can refer people to it. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it gets the point across.
Old Testament Scriptures
1) Psalms 78:2: “I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old.”
Dark sayings of old are ancient teachings in the forms of riddles and parables. The Biblical writers call them “dark” because the meanings are hidden, or concealed. They are meant to figure out through careful meditation, prayer, and contemplation.
Why would the Lord speak to us like this? The answer is provided in the following scripture.