How can you take the Bible literally?
We hear the word literally all the time. "I could literally eat a horse." "My heart is literally broken." But do we actually mean it? Not really. Language is full of metaphor and nuance.
This is part of why people struggle with how to read the Bible. Some passages seem to be taken literally, while others aren’t. Does that mean the Bible is inconsistent? If we don’t take every word literally, does that mean we can dismiss miracles, contradictions, or even Jesus Himself?
In Confronting Christianity, Rebecca McLaughlin writes,
“Both literal and figurative language can describe reality. We can tell lies with literal words and speak the truth through metaphor. Indeed, when it comes to the Bible, some of the deepest truths are metaphorically expressed.”
The Bible is more than just words on a page—it’s a collection of different literary styles:
📖 43% Narrative – Stories of real people and events
📝 33% Poetry – Psalms, songs, and wisdom literature
📜 24% Prose Discourse – Teachings, letters, and theological reflections
✨ Other – Jewish meditation literature that invites deep thought
This means the Bible is meant to be read literarily (considering its literary style) rather than just literally. For example, when Jesus says, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matt. 4:19), He doesn’t mean we’ll be throwing nets over people—He’s using metaphor to reveal a deeper truth.
Is the Bible Full of Contradictions?
Many claim the Bible contradicts itself, especially in the Gospels. But ancient historical writing wasn’t the same as today. Events were often recorded in a way that emphasized theological significance over strict chronology. The goal wasn’t to produce a modern biography but to reveal who Jesus is.
Ironically, the Gospels actually confirm their authenticity because of how messy and unflattering they are to the early church leaders. If the accounts were fabricated, they would have made the disciples look far better than they do. Instead, the Gospels include Peter’s denial of Jesus, the disciples’ failures, and even their doubts—details no one would include if they were trying to make up a flawless story.
So, how should we read the Bible? The most consistent way is to read it through the lens of Jesus—who He is, what He reveals, and how He fulfills the bigger story of Scripture.
Discussion
Have you ever struggled with reading parts of the Bible literally? Why or why not?
What’s a passage you’ve read before that you now see as a metaphor revealing a deeper truth?
How can we read Scripture in a way that always leads us to Jesus?
What stood out to you most from this chapter?
