Definitions

of

Terms Concerning

The Bible

Literal - The Scriptures are to be interpreted in a word-for-word or a normal, natural, proper sense. A literal interpretation does not reject the use of figurative language, if a literal interpretation does not make good sense, then it is probably figurative or symbolic. The Bible often explains its own symbolism.

Personal Opinion:

This is right on the money.  When a literal interpretation does not make good sense it is symbolic.

In some areas I can take the meaning to be literal where maybe the more conservative person would think it symbolic. e.g. God is Light, Jesus is the Word.

But in other areas just the opposite, I may take the meaning to be symbolic. e.g. God called the light day, the evening and the morning were the first day, etc.

As a general rule, I think it shaky ground to interpret literal meaning to passages which if so interpreted would contradict sound scientific facts and even common sense.