Literalism & Symbolism In The Bible & Other Literature
Few things are more controversial or intensely debated than literalism, versus symbolism in the bible. It seems there is a definitive category of those who fall into one camp or the other. One side claims the bible must be taken literally, and the other insists it is all symbolism, or metaphorical.
Given there is a mix of symbolism and literalism, there is another very large group of people who cannot differentiate what is to be taken literally, and what is to be taken symbolically.
There should not be any controversy over it, as there is plenty of evidence to demonstrate the bible is rich in both literalism, and figures of speech.
This includes historical descriptions of facts, events and prophecy. In addition, there is metaphor, poetry, simile, metonymy (a word that stands for a closely related word), litotes (affirming something by negating the opposite), irony, alliteration (repeating consonant sounds at the beginning of words), assonance (repeating vowel sounds within words). There is also the use of analogy, allegory, personification, apostrophe, hyperbole, and anthropomorphism.
Probably most well recognized, are the many parables used throughout the bible. Some of the parables carry figures of speech, or allegorical elements within them.
Other figures of speech used are idioms, euphemism, and one called synecdoche, which is the only one I have never heard of before.
Synecdoche is similar to metonymy. Metonymy is a substitution of a word for one that is closely related to it. For example, a dish is a substitute for a plate of food. The crown is a metonymy for the Royal Family, and the White House represents the president’s administration.
Whereas synecdoche is when part of something is mentioned that refers to the whole, such as mouths to feed, or faces in the crowd.
Figures of speech are used liberally throughout the bible, in order to help us better understand spiritual truths. For example the bible itself is described as the word of God.
Metaphorically, it is described in Psalm 119:105 as “a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path”. In Luke 8:11 in the parable, the seed is the word of God. Bread and water are also metaphors for the word of God. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, and in Jeremiah 23:29 it is described as a fire. “Is not my word like fire declares the Lord.”
But notice in the verse from Jeremiah that it says the word is like a fire, and like a hammer. Those are definite examples of simile, giving the “like a fire” and “like a hammer” descriptives.
With metaphor, there is a description without using like or as, such as in John 15:5 “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing”.
In this case we know it is metaphor, because we understand we are not literally branches. We also can easily grasp the concept of our connection to, and dependency on God. So we understand the verse, even though it uses a vine and fruit as a concept.
Those who claim the bible is to be taken literally, are missing many key points, and figures of speech.
The use of figures of speech are also used in many other written works, to increase meaning, creativity, and add a richness to reader’s experience.
In contrast to symbolism, the bible is also grounded in literalism throughout all sixty-six books. The bible contains many historical facts, and locations, describing things that happened throughout history.
For example, the bible describes relationships between people literally, such as Abel and Cain being the sons of Adam and Eve, and James being the brother of Jesus. The lineage as described throughout the bible is to be taken literally.
When it talks about the locations of where certain events took place, births, deaths, kings, etc. those are all literal, in that they are statements of fact, without the use of figures of speech.
Therefore, it is very obvious the bible contains a mix of symbolism and literalism. We also must acknowledge the relevance of the bible being written by forty divinely inspired authors, over a period of fifteen hundred years. Each of the authors had distinct personalities, unique gifts, and writing styles.
When I hear arguments trying to make the claim the bible is to be taken literally, it seems incredible how anyone could make such a statement. How do they explain all the beasts, horns, and descriptions of the various different empires? For instance, the bear represents the Medo-Persian empire, as a symbol of strength.
The lion represents power, bravery and leadership, such as the lion in the Tribe of Judah. The eagle represents the Roman Empire.
The Book of Daniel, and the Book of Revelation are filled with symbolic imagery describing empires, kingdoms, etc. throughout the ages. Without recognizing this, we cannot possibly interpret what the bible means. We cannot take all of it literally, or it would not make any sense.
Likewise, we cannot take what is literal, and insist it is figurative or symbolic. If we do, we will become hopelessly lost in our understanding of its reality, meaning, and historical significance. We will also lose sight of the intent, as well as the application, and instructions for our daily lives.
Recently I listened to Jordan Peterson describe the bible as being metaphorical to include Jesus, as being symbolic of what is good, etc. But he does not say the same things in all of the multitude of discussions he has on the topic, so it is not clear what he believes.
I know his interpretations are quite fluid, in that they are always changing, and vary, depending on who is interviewing him, and how they word the questions. But overall, he does seem to lean toward claiming the entire bible is symbolic, or metaphor, an archetype, etc. This is not a true representation of symbology in the bible.
One thing I have often noticed about Jordan Peterson, is that he never seems to answer a question directly, or with simplicity, but rather, with an over abundance of words. If he is asked if he believes in Jesus as the Son of God, and personal saviour – you will not get a straight answer. Why not simply say yes or no?
People should be wary, as this can be a tool of deception, and confusion. Although I do not dispute he is a smart guy, excessive use of words, is not always a symptom of a superior intellect, or honest intentions. Proverbs 10:19
“19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.”
Ecclesiastes 5:2-3: Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.
3 For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words.
It could be that Jordan Peterson has a convoluted way of working his way through things, in relation to his own beliefs, and biblical interpretations. But he does have a greater responsibility, because he is so highly esteemed for intellectual prowess and wisdom. Personally, I do not view him as being as brilliant or as intellectual as some people do. But I do recognize his achievements, and that he has many followers.
When attributing symbolism to the entire bible, it very quickly refutes known historical facts, most importantly, the virgin birth of Christ, His ministry here on earth, His crucifixion, and His resurrection. Such a view of the bible would also deny the role of the Apostles, and what happened in their lives.
Symbolism can be confused with spiritualism. Just as it is in the physical realm, the spiritual realm also has many symbolic descriptions.
Those who choose to view the bible as strictly metaphorical can take the liberty to deny any, or all of the historical elements as well, to include the Garden of Eden, the great flood, and Noah’s Ark, the fire and brimstone that rained down on Sodom and Gomorrah, and so on.
But those who claim it is all metaphor cannot explain the historical facts, some of which still exist, like Jacob’s well. The bible also gives detailed historical accounts of many wars, conflicts, kings, and characters known to have existed.
So clearly, the bible cannot be all metaphor, and nor can it be viewed as all literalism. This means, we have to be able to discern what is to be taken literally, and what is metaphorical, or figures of speech used to enhance our understanding.
The bible also contains certain mysteries, which reinforces why we must have faith, and put our trust in God. Sometimes we have to wait, and be patient, before certain things are revealed to us. We do not fully grasp God’s plans, or His timing.
Along these lines, we will find countless disagreements, so it is up to us to read the bible, pray for discernment, and do our best to figure it out. God’s purpose for our lives, is not the same for each one of us. We are given different gifts, and are called according to His purpose, not ours.
The scholars tend to rely on their own intellectual abilities, and are as likely to get it wrong as anyone else. Then there is a group, who tend to make it fit what they want to believe, or reject what they do not want to believe.
Those who do not want to believe there will be a 1000 year reign of Christ, will simply say the verses describing it are metaphor, or symbolic of a spiritual millennial reign.
However, when differentiating literal from symbolic, there are clues, such as “it was like a thousand years, or as if, or compared to. Some people compare the verse about the millennial 1000 years as described in Revelation to where God says he owns the cattle on a thousand hills. Psalm 50:10
10 For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.
11 I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.
Recently, I was listening to a bible scholar give a very long-winded view on biblical interpretation. Believe it or not, it was a sixteen hour presentation. I think I got through eight to ten hours before I quit listening to him altogether.
The reason I quit listening, is because he denied the 1000 year reign of Christ based on a comparison he made to Psalms 50:10-11. He said the 1000 year reign is symbolic, just as the verse in Psalms is symbolic. He went on to query: Does God own the cattle on a just 1000 hills? What about the 1001 hill? In my opinion, such a question did not support his argument at all.
Even though this preacher had a stack of scholarly books beside him, and has written several books, it does not mean he is drawing divine conclusions. There are many verses in the bible that support, and recapitulate other verses. But we do have to be able to see what does, and what does not relate to another verse.
That comparison derailed the confidence I had in what this man had to say, for the same reasons I don’t pay much attention to what Jordan Peterson has to say about the bible.
As brilliant as they might be, if they over intellectualize, or make the bible fit whatever belief system they have crafted out – it is not going to lead to the truth, or the actual meaning. They are simply giving an opinion, carefully crafted to fit what they want it to fit, based on their own mind, thinking, and understanding.
Above all, we should be receptive to the truth, test all things, and remain humble concerning our own limited understanding, and the possibility we could be wrong, or mistaken. We are supposed to seek the truth, and not lean toward our own understanding.
In Psalm 50:10-11 as soon as God says he owns the cattle on a 1000 hills, he immediately followed up by adding that all the fowls of the mountains, and beasts are his as well. He made it clear that yes, all of the cattle are his.
To say He owns the cattle on a 1000 hills, is meant to impress upon us how vast and complete his ownership is, of all creation. How many people could actually go out and count a thousand hills, let alone the cattle on a thousand hills?
When hills are used as a timeline, it might be “as old as the hills” such as in Job 15:7
7 Art thou the first man that was born? or wast thou made before the hills?
Does that verse, because it uses the word hills, and speaks of a certain timeline – relate to the cattle on a 1000 hills, or the 1000 year millennial reign, as described in Revelation? No, God is telling Job that He is the creator of all things, since long before Job was born.
How the verse in Psalms can be compared to the six verses in Revelation 20, that describe a 1000 year reign of Christ, binding Satan for 1000 years, etc. is beyond me. The 1000 years is used six times in a row.
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
Where does it indicate this 1000 year time frame is a metaphor, or symbolic language?
Many preachers, and teachers will adamantly claim this is a metaphorical or symbolic reign of Christ. I do not read it that way at all, as there is no indication to give us the framework of it being a figure of speech.
The verses in Revelation are not followed up with as, or like, or with a statement of symbolic timeframes. The verse in Psalms does not lead us to believe God owns a limit of “the cattle on a 1000 hills”, because he immediately expands on the meaning to include all living things. It is pretty clear, he was not limiting, or literally counting what he owned.
For those who do believe the verses in Revelation about the 1000 year reign as being symbolic, I wonder how they view the verses about the weapons of war being turned into pruning hooks? Or what about the verses in Isaiah 11:6-9? Those verses are supporting the millennial reign of Christ, by describing what the earth will be like during that time frame.
This is where we look to, and find other verses that support the same concepts. Even though the following verses do not mention the 1000 year timeframe, they support the description of what the earth will be like, when Christ returns to bring peace and restoration to the earth.
There are many verses that describe the peaceful reign of Christ when he returns to the earth. For those who claim it is metaphor, they might as well claim our existence is metaphor too.
It does not make sense to claim Christ’s entire ministry is symbolic. Just as it does not make sense to claim His return to this earth, or Second Coming, is symbolic. It was a literal reality when He came the first time, not metaphor, and not symbolism, but actual physical events that took place.
The same can be applied to what we can look forward to when He returns. When He was here the first time, it was for very specific reasons. When He returns, it too, will be for the unfolding of God’s overall plan. Christ will be conquering evil, abolishing deceptions, ruling over all things, bringing peace, truth, and restoration to God’s people.
Once He returns, the bible describes what comes next. The Second Coming is not a symbolic, metaphorical promise. Every knee shall bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. The Book of Revelation, is about the revelation of Jesus Christ. It is intended to bring us hope.
When the verse in Isaiah says the lion will eat straw like an ox – the metaphor is structured so we can envision a lion being peaceful, and not inclined to attack or eat its prey. It is structured that way so we can conceptualize the peace, lack of fear, and difference between what we expect a lion to act like, versus what one will act like during the millennium. It is not an all-encompassing metaphor, as though it is a Disneyland movie. It is a partial figure of speech, and it is assumed we can figure it out.
How do they explain that Satan is bound, and then released after a 1000 years? He is bound so he cannot deceive the nations any longer, so he is bound for a specific reason, and a specific time frame. There is no language that points to a figure of speech surrounding this either.
If people resort to calling actual events metaphors, then the sky is the limit. There is no reality, outside whatever you want it to be.
Our world is rife with false, and destructive doctrine, pretending to be truth. God made it very clear, we are not to follow false doctrine, or to add anything, or take anything away from the original bible. Even though many of the false teachers do not seem to think they will be punished, or held accountable for their false teaching, they should read up on, it and find out what the bible says about this too.
As terrible as things have been this past year in the Middle East, at least it is making more people aware of the hazards of Christian Zionism, and its origins in dispensational false teaching. The bible does not say the Jews are the chosen people. It does not claim there are two separate groups of people among God’s people. Nor does it say there is a separation of the State of Israel. It does not say there will be a pre tribulation rapture, or that there will be a rebuilding of the temple, and return to animal sacrifice. Nor does it say there is a seven year tribulation, or that the bible is divided into seven distinct dispensations.
Dispensationalists tend to lean toward literalistic interpretations, and false doctrine based on an altered version of the bible by Darby and Scofield in the 1800’s and early 1900’s. In spite of the fact this is obviously a man made, destructive doctrine, it has permeated, and corrupted the churches. This has led to a great deal of financial support to keep the conflict in Israel alive, as well as to increase the provision of weapons, and promotion of violence.
Personally, I do not think we should take sides in such conflicts. It is poorly understood, very complex, with a significant amount of history leading up to it. From a biblical perspective, it seems to go back to the conflict that began between Jacob and Esau, as opposed to being what the dispensationalists have made it out to be.
2 Peter Chapter 2:1
What about all the prosperity gospel false teaching, or the word of faith movement that claims all people can be healed? It is false teaching. If all people could be healed through such claims, no one would die, and there would be no need for doctors or hospitals. Likewise, the prosperity gospel is promising that if you give money, God will give you huge rewards. They simply want to dupe you into sending them money. They have no control over who God blesses, or how He goes about it.
We would all be wise to recognize that scripture can be twisted, or altered, to suit a deceptive agenda. That is why we are repeatedly warned not to be deceived.
In the bible, there is certain symbolism that is difficult to interpret. But the differentiation between what is symbolism, and what is literal, in my opinion, is not that difficult to interpret.
One of the central messages of the bible is telling us in no uncertain terms to repent. If we are Christians, we need to recognize our own sin, mistakes, and vanity.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
1 John 1:8-10 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
When our understanding fails us, or if we struggle along the lines between meaning, method, and metaphor – Christ has promised all believers he will show us the truth. We can have confidence in John 14:6:
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