Founded by Bryant Wright, Right from the Heart is a
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matters most in life. Basically, we cut the fluff and
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Literal Translation Jan 15 2009
"When He was alone, the Twelve and the others around Him asked Him about the parables. He told them, "The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!" - Mark 4:10-12
When a well-meaning Christian declares, "I believe everything in the Bible, literally," that person is probably misguided. Why is that? Well, there is a big difference in saying that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God and saying that every word should be taken literally. Just look at the teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount: Jesus said, "If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out, and throw it from you; for it's better for you to lose one of the parts of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell." Now, Jesus is not actually urging us to pluck our eyes out. He is talking about the seriousness of sin, and how we must repent of sin, lest we wind up in hell. But if every word Jesus uttered is taken literally, every one of us must immediately gouge out both eyes!
Remember that Jesus teaches in parables, metaphors and allegories. He uses these devices to make the broader spiritual point. Does that water down Scripture? Absolutely not! Jesus is simply using memorable illustrations to communicate perfect truth. And that's where the guidance of the Holy Spirit comes in to play; to help us to distinguish between literal truth and a parable, thereby allowing us to understand the rich truths of our faith.
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11 Comments
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Yes, report it NevermindThank you for this explanation. When I told my Sunday School class of adults this very thing, they looked at me as though I'd grown an extra head! You put it so much more clearly than apparently I was able to express it. I'll share this with them.
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Yes, report it Nevermind"Jesus teaches in parables, metaphors and allegories." Yes, this is true. Bryant is beginning to get it, I think. The next step is to realize that Jesus himself is a parable, metaphor, and allegory.
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Yes, report it NevermindErik, wasn't expecting to see a post from you today, but just wanted to let you know that just before I opened the comment section I said a prayer for you. God bless
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Yes, report it NevermindYou are a good man, christ follower.
Erik, why do you continue to visit and post? Please help me understand your purpose here, if you would.
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Yes, report it NevermindEric, Oh yeah, I know you are but what am I? As soon as I read the line that you quoted I knew you would be commenting today. And then I open the comments and, sure enough, satan rears his ugly head again.
"And that's where the guidance of the Holy Spirit comes in to play; to help us to distinguish between literal truth and a parable". Maybe one day you will get it. You'll have to get Him first.
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Yes, report it NevermindAustin, I guess I'll have to let you in on my secret, I'am a gal :-) Must be something about the way I post. Everyone mistakes me for a guy on the right from the knees prayer site too. God bless
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Yes, report it NevermindSo what else in the Bible isn't meant to be taken literally?
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Yes, report it NevermindYes Christ does speak in metaphors and allegories, this was to help thoses who had not been enlightened as the twelve were. Even today we as everyday people do the same thing, we will use this type of speaking to make a point to someone who might not know the type of lingo that we might use. Different types of workers use different ways of conveying to those who work along side of them. Some of the parables are not the easiest to understand but when you think of the situation that he is speaking of you can understand what Christ is saying. I love reading the parables, they bless me each time I read them.
As far as Eric is concerned, he loves to post on certain devotions just to see if he can yank our chains. The last time a devotion similar to this one was posted he said almost the same thing.Keep praying for him and one day hopefully he will accept Christ, if not then he will have to just take his chances. We as believers know what the outcome will be, but some people have to be proven wrong, the only thing about this situation is, it will be too late. Lets just keep praying for him.
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Yes, report it NevermindThe words of Jesus answer Eriks question quite clearly: But to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!" - Mark 4:10-12
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Yes, report it NevermindErik,
God loves you!
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Yes, report it NevermindDoh! christ follower is female! hehehe, I just assumed...
OK, so you are a good woman, christ follower!
Erik's logic is this; If someone speaks occasionally using parables, metaphors, and allegories - ipso facto, they aren't real? Any book that uses those common literary devices is untrustworthy? Makes sense to me!