Metaphor vs. Fact
Submitted by Rue de la Levee on August 16 1999 at 01:29:56
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I’m going to go ahead and post this here, mainly because this is where all of you are; and I’m truly interested in knowing. Therefore you should assume no hostility on my part, despite what may seem like a critical post. You must also forgive my lack of specific scriptural knowledge. While I do know a lot about the Bible, I cannot quote it to you chapter and verse. If you feel that disqualifies me from making these observations, feel free to ignore this post. It seems to me that there is a wide range of stances Christians take as to the truth of the Bible, from those who say they believe every single word as being fact, to those who take it as mostly metaphor, indicative of a deeper Truth than mere fact. I don’t suppose I have to tell you which I find more appealing. However, even among those who believe Genesis to be metaphor there remain stubborn beliefs in other stories, despite the lack of solid evidence. You believe that God created the world in six days, fashioning Man last; yet it does not bother you that the Bible also says God created man first. Metaphor or fact? OR: You believe that Genesis is a story meant to convey Truth about God; but you believe God rescued the Jews from Egypt, never mind that Moses is never mentioned by the Egyptians.* You believe that Noah built an arc and somehow fit within two of every species of animal upon the planet; never mind that the Bible also says he took seven of the grazing animals and two of the hunters. Metaphor, or self-contradicting fact? You believe that homosexuals must be destroyed because they bring a curse upon the land; yet you conveniently ignore similar statements about fornicators and adulterers. Oh, you say they are sinners, but the same level of hatred is simply not there. Why do homosexuals threaten you so? And you take those words about homosexuals to heart, but ignore the diet restrictions, the clothing laws. Well, why shouldn’t you? You aren’t Jewish. But it’s in the Bible. Either it’s true or it isn’t. And the world itself...is it flat or not? I know that the Bible says somewhere that it isn’t; but I also know it says somewhere it is. Which is the fact, and which the metaphor? Or are they both, somehow, fact? Rue *It would seem reasonable that if Moses were indeed raised in the court of Ramses the Great, he would have been mentioned somewhere. After all, they Egyptians wrote down pretty much everything. Of course, if there is an Egyptologist amongst you who can contradict that; feel free to do so. |