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In the broadest sense and as commonly used in modern media biblical literalism is the belief that Scriptures are to be taken as literal as possible.
Biblical interpretations that were considered literalist have changed through history. For example: Saint Augustine, (4th century), claimed that the entire Bible should be interpreted in an as literal as possible way, but his own interpretation of the book of Genesis was made in such a way that would be considered "allegorical" by some modern readers (see Augustine's interpretation of Genesis).
In modern times the use of the term Biblical Literalist is applied while presenting critial analysis of protestants and conservatives. Biblical literalism may also refer to a type of biblical hermeneutics used by proponents interpreting certain narrative and expository passages in the bible literally. This is the position in which the obvious intended message of the author is to be taken as truthful and in the case of narrative or exposition, literally factual. This approach accepts the existence of allegory, parable and metaphor in, for example, biblical poetry or the parables of Jesus.
However Biblical Literalism is not the same as biblical inerrancy. Whereas inerrancy doctrine deals with the truthfulness of the author's intended message , biblical literalism deals with the interpretation of certain messages being literal.
Biblical inerrency & the Contextual Method vs. Biblical Literalism
It is commonly taught in conservative Christian seminaries that certain sections of the Bible should be interpreted as literal statements of the author and not intended as parable, such as Jesus' miracles and the flooding of the entire world in Genesis. One approach to this type of interpretation is called the Contextual Method whereby the cultural situation and language are taken into consideration to understand the intended message. These views however do not contend that parables, metaphores and allegory are not existent in the Bible.
As a part of Chicago Statement on Biblical Hermeneutics conservative christian scholarship propenents affirm the following:
"WE AFFIRM the necessity of interpreting the Bible according to its literal, or normal, sense. The literal sense is the grammatical-historical sense, that is, the meaning which the writer expressed. Interpretation according to the literal sense will take account of all figures of speech and literary forms found in the text.
WE DENY the legitimacy of any approach to Scripture that attributes to it meaning which the literal sense does not support."
Noted inerrentists Normal Geisler in his commentary on the Chicago Statement on Biblical Hermeneutics states: "The literal sense of Scripture is strongly affirmed here. To be sure the English word literal carries some problematic connotations with it. Hence the words normal and grammatical-historical are used to explain what is meant. The literal sense is also designated by the more descriptive title grammatical-historical sense. This means the correct interpretation is the one which discovers the meaning of the text in its grammatical forms and in the historical, cultural context in which the text is expressed."
Arguments against Biblical literalism
- Bible scholars, even theologically conservative Episcopalians, agree that parables should not be taken literally. (see Biblical hermeneutics).
- "Biblical literalism contributes to a lot of mental illness"
- "Biblical literalism commits a seductive form of idolatry."
- Biblical Literlists are heretics
- Biblical literalism conflicts with the cultural context of scriptures.
- Biblical Literalism is akin to sexism.
- Taking a literalist stance on biblial violence promotes violence.
References
- George Regas "Take Another Look At Your Good Book". Los Angeles Times, February 3, 2000
- Gerald T. Sheppard "Future of the Bible: Beyond Liberalism and Literalism", United Church Pub House (June 1990)
- http://www.berith.org/essays/esch/esch23.html
- http://www.asa3.org/ASA/topics/Bible-Science/PSCF3-88Young.html
- Elwell, Walter A. Elwell Evangelical Dictionary Baker Pub Group (May 1996) ISBN: 0801020492
- Elwell, Walter A. Elwell Evangelical Dictionary Baker Pub Group (May 1996) ISBN: 0801020492
- http://www.ncseweb.org/resources/articles/2216_23_ruse_1989_they39re__10_26_2004.asp
- http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=1332
- http://www.episcopalian.org/efac/articles/inerncy.htm
- http://www.spurgeon.org/~phil/creeds/chicago.htm
- http://www.dts.edu/about/doctrinalstatement/
- http://www.cslewisinstitute.org/pages/resources/publications/knowingDoing/2004/Miracles.pdf#search=%22miracles%20C.S.Lewis%22
- http://www.icr.org/pdf/imp/imp-395.pdf#search=%22Genesis%20Flood%20Whitcomb%22
- Henry A Virkler (1981) Principles and Processes of Biblical Interpretation
- http://www.dts.edu/about/doctrinalstatement/
- http://www.bible-researcher.com/chicago2.html
- http://www.episcopalian.org/efac/articles/inerncy.htm
- http://www.whosoever.org/editorial/literal.html
- http://people.cas.sc.edu/lewiske/heresy.html
- http://people.cas.sc.edu/lewiske/heresy.html
- http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=1332
- http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1471-6402.2005.00241.x
- http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=847
See also
Further reading
- Bullinger, E., W.. "Figures of Speech Used in the Bible". Baker Book House. 1970.