[net.origins] Metaphors in the Bible

gawilson@watdaisy.UUCP (Graham Wilson) (03/26/85)

I have been reading net.origins for some time now, and overall, I am
quite impressed with the level of discussion (with a few exceptions -
you know who you are).

There is something I have been thinking about for a long time, and
have not seen it answered adequately in previous discussions.  That
is, what in the bible is a metaphor, and what is taken literally?

Obviously, the line "... and I saw four angels standing on the four
corners of the earth ..." (my apologies if I have got it wrong, I
don't read the bible that much) is to be taken as a metaphor
(exception: Flat Earth Society).  I never encountered any rational
adult who seriously thought that the earth was flat.

But many of the creationists seem to insist that sections of the bible
are to be taken literally.  My question is, what parts are metaphors,
what sections should be taken as metaphors, and WHY?

Mainly, I would like to know why genesis is taken literally, and why
it is not considered a metaphor.  I personally see nothing wrong with
genesis being a metaphor for evolution (sorry, no details, I am a
programmer, not a biologist or theologian).

If this has been previously discussed (before I started reading), I
apologize.  I am interested in other peoples viewpoints on this
subject.

Graham Wilson
University of Waterloo

"Generosity is inborn, altruism is a learned perversity.  There is no
 relationship between the two." - Lazarus Long