Is the Bible Literal?

[@ReligionForBreakfast]

You've never had an apocalypse? You are literally missing out on all the fun.

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

I saw all the Michael Bay Transformers movies. Does that count?

[@mikewilliams6025]

KZbin is cool sometimes.

[@sjappiyah4071]

ReligionForBreakfast I love ur YT Channel 💯

[@andymarr4679]

Paul wanted all of us to have an apocalypse!

[@rogercarl3969]

Hey R4B and 10MBH. Why don't you guys get together and do some long interview. Love both your channels. If have have already let me know where to find it.

[@Robertlavigne1]

Chili’s is not for lunch chats. Here’s the thing. Chilis is the new golf course. It’s where business happens.

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

Yes! That exact remark got edited out of this video, and now I'm sad I did it.

[@raptor_guy2327]

I always hate to see an opportunity for an Office reference go to waste.

[@andy8041]

(I feel God in this Chili’s tonight?)

[@aNeighbour]

Haha! Somebody watched the Office

[@maxcap60]

FREE chips and salsa if you sit at the bar

[@keithwalker7245]

The "Good book" isn't a book. It's a collection of different books with different audiences.

[@ZachJ367]

Bible literally comes from the Greek word meaning "the books", in other words a collection of books like a library. 🙂

[@tinman1955]

Sure, but is it literally a collection of books or figuratively a collection of books? Is it literal books or figurative books? And what do you literally mean by "collection"?

[@OlviMasta77]

@@ZachJ367 same as the word "bibliography".. a collection of books

[@duckymomo7935]

John 10:7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. No, unless you are arguing that Jesus is a literal door

[@ectoOLDACC]

What about 1 John, 4: 7-21? Isn't it meant to be taken both literally and figuratively?

[@trakeC]

Deut 17 "if a sheep amongst your flock becomes sick or ill you should remove it from the flock and kill it and in the same respect if someone disagrees with your covenant you should remove them from the land that god gave you and stone them death." .... Def literal ...god wants you to kill all the non beleivers. So go forth now and destroy gods creation for it is good and god saw it was good, and it was good

[@Dinosaursof]

Jesus is the only way to God. There is no other way than through him. He is literally a door.

[@educationalporpoises9592]

What if Jesus was playing charades and everyone else guessed wrong?

[@duckymomo7935]

@@educationalporpoises9592 Jesus addresses this. Basically things are not going to be understood by everyone and that’s a shame Mark 4:10-13 And when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables. And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, so that “‘they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven.’” And he said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?

[@tripp9821]

I just realized that the thumbnail you used for the video was you making the castration pose. 😆

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

Yes! Someone noticed! You win the comments!

[@ectoOLDACC]

I'm the only one so far that liked these comments :P

[@TasJess]

That sounds like a really weird yoga pose

[@WilliamAndRose1]

"I've never had an apocalypse" - I was literally LOLing :)

[@salamshokorart3197]

Although I'm not religious at all, I very much enjoy the way you make your videos and your approach when you tackle heavy questions. I can't wait for your history nuggets!

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

Hey I know you! You're the guy who asked the questions on this one podcast I listen to! (Thanks Salam)

[@salamshokorart3197]

I kinda know you too after 42 episodes, I guess? Hey on that note, any other podcasts you're listening to?

[@aeabottss22]

Couldn't come up with a snarky comment about your manatee so I guess I'll just leave a compliment instead. Keep doing what you do and I'll literally watch every video you post because I like your style and I like your message.

[@noahwilhelm9201]

Great video, been wondering about this for a bit. Could you make a video about if the OT rules, like not eating bacon apply? I’ve heard of some Christians who think that, but since I really like bacon, I’m wondering if these are just cultural laws that Christians can follow if they want? Also, really stoked for history nugget, and wondering if there’s a website for the hat in the video.

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

Great suggestion Noah. I do need to get to that.

[@ulterboy7289]

figuratively the best video iv seen today. love your work love your approach to the bible. keep glorifying God

[@neilfinfin2666]

Mat, great video, maybe you can clear something up for me. I feel like there are places in the Bible that are intended to be taken literally, but would be an issue if they were. Eg, I don’t want to be stoned to death. I feel like this discussion has to be much more nuanced than: did the Bible mean to be taken literally in this place.

[@jasonpratt5126]

True, but the topic has to be started somewhere, somehow. Trying to explain how Hebrew culture (and Aramaic / Ancient Near Middle Eastern culture more generally) expected laws and authority to be taken very seriously and yet also be negotiable, partly by other laws that are also meant to be taken seriously but which undermine the ability of other laws to be taken so seriously yet also to be taken seriously... ........ {inhale!} ...that sort of thing literally happened, but it's very next level. (um, figuratively. {g})

[@duckymomo7935]

stoning is not literal You must understand that the law was recited and not written/read at the time. Ancient laws were rarely enforced. The stoning is a hyperbole to show how grave the offense is; it didn’t mean that other punishment weren’t brokered (they served as guidelines). Stoning was actually rare (the Pharisees took it literally however). The few times it did happen are exceptions, not the norm. Think of it like this: if you touch me on more time I will rip your arm off and smack you with it. Violent but not literal, it’s to make a point.

[@Sethgolas]

The example you isn't really an issue of literal vs. figurative. It was the law of the ancient nations of Israel and Judah that if you did certain things, you'd be stoned to death. Depending on when you lived there, that may or may not have actually been enforced. However, that was a civil law of a country that no longer exists. There is no justification for any Christian individual to go and try to stone someone to death. That would just be murder. Just as you can't lock someone in your basement because you saw them break the law, and you certainly can't do that if they did something that would be illegal in Singapore.

[@neilfinfin2666]

I meant stoning as more of an example. I’m curious about things that the Bible perhaps intends literally, but would be harmful individuals if acted upon in any way.

[@someguysopinion3692]

God bless you in all your fishing endeavors. Literally

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

Thank you sir. So far his blessing on my fishing has been generous.

[@Benmerrick1]

Loving this style of video! Beginning was fantastic. Great stuff Matt. The podcast has also been amazing. Thanks for working hard to give us quality content! Love, Mom

[@HarpazoReady2022]

The only way to determine what God is trying to tell us, is to take it literally. You can’t read scripture and then define what it means by your standards. There’s always context & intent in scripture. 2 Timothy 2:15 says to rightly divide the *word of truth.* Jesus took the Bible literally & so should we. When Jesus quoted the Old Testament, it was clear he believed it literally. For example, when Jesus was tempted by Satan in Luke 4 Jesus answered him by quoting the Old Testament. Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8:3 to Satan in Luke 4:4. If Deuteronomy 8:3, 6:13 and 6:16 weren’t literal, Jesus would not have used them. And they would have been powerless to stop Satan. So when Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8:3, "man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of His mouth” it means we live by Christ. So did he mean we literally eat Him? Of course not. But by your accusation of people with a literal interpretation, that's what they're doing, and that simply is not true. Don’t joke about the Bible. God will not be mocked. When you make fun of the Bible by saying God isn’t literally a door, that’s what you’re doing. Don’t make fun of Gods word. In Luke 4:14-29, Jesus quoted from Isaiah 61. He stood up in front of the people inside the synagogue, took the book of Isaiah & read it. What’s significant about him doing this is where he stopped reading in Isaiah 61. He read Isaiah 61: 1 and only half of verse 2. He did not read “and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;” Why did he stop? Because that was a future event prophesied for Israel from Daniel 9:24. Jesus had come to fulfill up until the first part of verse 2. Jesus took Isaiah literally. Jesus commanded the disciples to go and make more disciples in Matthew 28:19-20. In Acts 2 and following, we find that the disciples took Jesus’ command literally and went throughout the known world preaching the gospel of Christ & telling them to “believe on the Lord & you shall be saved” in Acts 16:31. So if they took it literally, so should we. How else can we be sure of our salvation if we do not believe Him when He said he came to seek & save the lost in Luke 19:10? Or when he said He paid the penalty for our sin in Matthew 26:28 and provide eternal life in John 6:54? We are elevating ourselves above God when we say we know which parts in the Bible are to be interpreted literally or metaphorically. This only results in confusion & renders scriptures null & void.

[@Wookiemonsterfreak]

Take it literally when it wants to be? Boy! That’s actually not so helpful. People are left to choose for themselves. The “when it wants to be” is frankly not going to happen. Denominations will deliver you the “when it wants to be”, but the Scriptures don’t. Jesus himself says “those who have ears let them hear”. What we have here is a danger of spiritual ego dictating whether we take it literally or not. Look the very first Chapters are two different creation stories. Oops! Haha ... the mystics must have been having a laugh. We can’t take it literally, because they are actually contradictories. So, perhaps we should consider the words of Paul when he says, “the letter kills”, and that the two covenants of Hagar and Sarah were allegory and wonder if he considered all of the OT as allegory. Then when we read Psalm 78 and get the summary of the people wondering in the desert as being Dark sayings and parables, then we should probably get the idea that the Bible is likely all allegory speaking of spiritual things within. These stories are about us and our transition from a worldy consciousness into Christ consciousness. The stories are you. You the Garden, you the Ark, you the Flood, you the Tabernacle, you the Temple, you the dwelling place of God and Sin the actions that divert is from the path of discovering God within.

[@sidewinderdrums]

Great video again. Snow in August in WY. Now I remember why I moved from WYO to AZ.

[@paullavoie5542]

It all depends on how the verses present themselves, a parable is not literal but a story that has a meaning beyond the words used to tell the story. The problem with biblical study is the lack of understanding of the rules of English literature. One word (day/yom) is not a metaphor just as the word butterfly is not a metaphor. If you put a word in a sentence and that sentence lends itself to a metaphor then it's a metaphor. For instance " johns stomach filled with butterflies as he walked on to the stage to give his speech" " the garden was filled with beautiful butterflies." Can you tell the difference between literal and figurative. If you can't then for probably believe in false doctrines such as the gap theory.

[@Jamie-Russell-CME]

The Christian flat Earth movement is happening because God desires we take this subject more serious. And perhaps if Christians start humbling themselves, employing charity, and study out a consistent method of proper nuance in this area together, maybe we can grow in our love towards one another and in the truth. We must worship God in spirit and in truth. PS it's a globe.

[@forsiamese4me]

Just discovered this channel. Have watched two episodes and really enjoyed both. I need lots of answers about God, Jesus, bible etc.

[@matthewmoser1284]

Whenever you're reading something, whether it's the Bible or a scientific journal or a news article or a novel, it's important to consider two things: Who is the author? And who is the intended audience?

[@Dleger13]

I'd like to start by saying, i am not your mom. I've been listening to the podcast from the beginning and this is the first video of yours I've decided to watch (which is odd because I've been interested in what you do from the start). This is the perfect topic for starting my way through your channel. This literal/figurative juxtaposition that occurs in the bible is something I've long felt/argued is overlooked and results in many, what i would consider, misinterpretations. It's nice to find someone who is a bit of an authority figure on the bible who can so candidly agree that this is the case and it's just really hard sometimes to figure out what is literal and what is figurative. I applaud you for tackling this question and i move forward into your other videos with anticipation. Nice work!

[@swiftblade13s]

I love the entire nuts and bolts series but this is definitely one of my favorite videos, the points are simple and straightforward but still profound enough that saying them out loud is not only useful but necessary.

[@jmjaquinas7298]

Today the Gospel reading was from John 6. I think it’s really appropriate that this video was posted today, since the interpretation of John 6 and related passages is so important in the literal/figurative debate over the last 500 years.

[@caseymanning5467]

I would really like to hear your take on the creation story and Genesis as a whole in regards to being literal or figurative. I personally believe that if you see the first book of the Bible as the beginning of God's revelation to us of who He is, what He is like, and how we can be a part of it(to paraphrase some dude on KZbin) than it matters little if we see the creation story and Genesis as literal or figurative because with both perspectives we literally get revelation of God's charactor

[@artisteric]

And how (possibly) God set the example for rest from works. God framed creation into a beautiful act of hard work and rest. I keep telling my girls as they’re growing up that working is good for the soul. Work hard, see the results and rest and feel good.

[@NotHisRealName]

I'm looking forward to seeing where this series goes. Thanks again Matt for answering my questions via Twitter - I appreciate your help in figuring this whole Christianity thing out - hopefully one day I come up with a resolution within myself. Your church sermons (podcast) also help, and it's nice to hear reasoned and honest interpretations to what is arguably one of the most important books of all time across all formats. All too often the answer I've had to the big questions is the blanket 'God is all powerful' and '...Because it says so in the bible'; answers that have no texture with which to take hold of and provide no traction in moving forward. I think you can probably hold on to that 'Best Christian' award for the time being.

[@chewy_7_785]

Hey Matt, I've just finished listening to all of your podcast with Destin. What's the best way to chat to you and ask you questions as I've got quiet a few about books you've read and whatnot. God Bless, Jono

[@Lynniebug]

Literally don’t even sound like a word anymore 🤣 But thank you for all you do! I love this channel! Not many people want to go after the things that are hard to reconcile and not always cut and dry.

[@bransonS]

How have I read Galations 5 so many times without stopping to think what emasculate really means lol. The gesture really helped lock Gal. 5:12 into long term memory

[@flintlockhomestead460]

In short, is the bible the absolute and inerrant word of god. Answer: No,

[@WORTHYOFITALL]

The revelation 12 sign happened literally

[@TonyBai]

Should I take this video literally?

[@jasonpratt5126]

Literally squeed. ... ..... ....wait, I mean figuratively! But it might as well have been literally.

[@brandonburrell8517]

It ain't the most important book to ever exist for nuthin'.

[@rayinreallife1894]

Great video! Keep it up!

[@IamGrimalkin]

To me this is just common sense. No-one really takes all of the bible literally. If someone claims to, either they haven't read parts of the bible which aren't in the realms of possibility of being literal (like Jesus being a door or a vine), or they are missing quite what "taking all of the bible literally" really entails. In the same way, those who would say all of the bible is to be taken figuratively are ignoring a lot of the historical context and writing style of parts of the bible. "Take the parts literally which are intended to be taken literally" is a good, common-sense stance.

[@golvic1436]

My answer is and has always been... Kinda. There is a lot of stuff in there and if you treat it all like a history text book you are missing large chunks of the point.

[@hollydingman7455]

I totally agree. Like you said, we employ the same interpretive principles every day with the people and writing around us. Why should it be any different with the Bible? Maybe I’d rather call something figurative than false... or maybe it’s the same thing, but sugar coated. Great editing, by the way :D

[@610garage]

I am figuratively literally unsubscribing because you refuse to bend what the bible says to fit in my black and white world view! See sarcasm as discussed in this video. LOL :) Why this is a thing kind of boggles my mind. Maybe because I'm super sarcastic, so I expect some things to be literal and others not. But I never even remotely thought the bible to be one or the other. Literal or figurative. The first time I ever heard of this was on the X Files. You know, where scully said that the bible is simply paribles. But, Jesus was a dude. We can disagree that he was the son of God, but he did live. That did happen. So what?????? I guess one could take the bible literally, but, what can be taken literally? Only instructions. And even then, that can be problematic. I've seen some pretty messed up instructions in my time. :) But the bible is an assembly of books, not step by step instructions. So why would it only be literally? Why would it need to? Why would you want it to?

[@brandonkemenymusic]

One of my favourite hyperboles is Mark 1:5 when it says that all of Judea and Jerusalem came to see John the Baptist. Like literally EVERYONE!? Good old common sense. Nice one Matt! I like to think that the misunderstanding around my comment on your last video was the inspiration for this video... Tell me it's true Matt, just tell me it's true.

[@ryankohnenkamp8946]

6:23 "I've never had an apocalypse". You literally can't say that anymore...figuratively...

[@jle2500]

Where can I find that sweet hat?

[@klacklery]

Jordan Edmondson likewise

[@camillawhitman8968]

thetenminutebiblehour.com/store/

[@8-BitHeart79]

So in light of the science of evolution and the evidence that exists, how do we interpret Genesis for example. I do believe in creationism as in God created everything however in light of evidence, I don’t believe in the interpretation the writer of Genesis had necessarily... I understand the significance of why it was written in such a fashion however it stands to reason that in those days, explaining things like the powers of God wasn’t easy for a mortal to do... and it also says in the Bible that 1000 yrs is like 1 day to God. So, could it be that a literal interpretation of Genesis Would be incorrect? I’m not looking for a fight or a debate, I’m looking for answers... I know that there is also a passage in the Bible somewhere that states that there are stories in the Bible that are there to cause confusion for unbelievers... any light that could be shed would be helpful...

[@Wookiemonsterfreak]

Well, we can analyze all the nuance or we can just ask ourselves what the Bible says about literal and figurative, or allegory and parables. Do a study and tell me how many times it says or implies to read and interpret the Scriptures literally, then do a study and tell me how many times the Scriptures say or imply allegory. Many will be surprised with the answer, and it’s that surprising thing that deep understanding of salvation is discovered.

[@CageMoses]

The only criticism I can think of for this video is the volume difference between the songs and the speaking... "What's he saying? Turn it up. *FUNKY BASS LINE (pun intended) RUPTURES EAR DRUMS* "

[@andiroo42]

Revelation in particular even says it’s not to be taken literally: “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants-things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it (made it into symbols to be interpreted) by His angel to His servant John,” - Revelation‬ ‭1:1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

[@RacingS2000]

Imagine if we took EVERYTHING we hear literally. 🙄

[@dhonsinger]

dude. I LOVE your stuff. Thank you for these. i can't wait until you get 1 million subs

[@trakeC]

Literally, the most useless answer you could have given. You clearly had no intention of answering this, and made a definitive effort to avoid answering any of the hard ball questions. Like on page 1 were it states that the Gods(plural) made human beings(plural) then in chapter 2 a god(singular) made adam(singular) then eve(singular). Which is it? Which part do i take literally? Most of the rest of the book speaks of one god, but if there is only one god; why did the perfect god say there was more than one god? You certainly couldnt answer all these questions plus each one one each of the following pages thru all 430 known and documented contradictions, so what? You figured i cant answer this question in 10 min so ill just talk for 4 about irrelevant material then give a vague and disconcerted answer that will make all the believers feel okay about themselves and we can go home early? Useless...

[@scottrB5S4]

You love Chilis and their queso dip too? First you seem to have an interest in cars, I know you love the NFL, The Office and Star Wars, the Bible of course...I think we could be best friends and eat at Chilis, lol.

[@colonyofcellsiamamachine6175]

All translations require some interpretation. Many things are also lost in translations. Ezekiel 23 v20 literal tanslations and idiomatic translations illustrates that it is sometimes clearer to give the figurative meaning of idioms and proverbs. Footnotes and commentaries usually say male donkeys and male horses are proverbial for being oversexed so the figurative meaning is actually clearer than giving a literal translation for the male urinary organ and semen. The idiomatic translations like GNT, CEV and Message (MSG) actually give a clearer translation than the literal translations like KJV and ESV. GNT and CEV has men with great sexual powers or oversexed men. Message (MSG) has virile lovers.

[@kathleenwharton2139]

The only thing that is Gods Words in the OT is the Ten Commandments. The rest of the bible is men's Opinion of who God is. He loves people one minute and He is wrathful the next. He is too schitzophrenic to be the God who was intelligent enough to Create a Universe! it could only be men! The NT..Jesus came to show us who the Father was. Now we have a God I believe in..but we've still got to remember..His story is written by men. I think Matthew was the most accurate..he was an accountant by trade..so he woud have been accurate to detail and he was eye-witness from the very beginning of Jesus ministry. I trust Matthew most. I take Jesus sayings in Matthew seriously..but the rest of the bible is very questionable.

[@PhilipWorthington]

Here's my take on it: Is the Bible fully literal? No. Is the Bible fully true? Yes. The problem I've had in discussing this with both die-hard Bible literalists and agnostics is they tend to think truth and literalism are inseparable. However, Jesus spoke in parables that were truth, but not literal events, and He's the eternal, never changing God; as Jesus said, when we see Him, we see the Father; so, if Jesus uses parables the Father does too. In the end this argument usually wins it: If the Bible has to be totally literal to be true, then Song of Songs is suddenly really boring.

[@MetanoiaMan]

The Spirit was with me watching this video! I was thankful to be pretty much in agreement with you out of the gate and you broke it down greatly, but adding further, I think this can be extended to how we want to have a relationship with God himself! This understanding lends to the conversational-relational dynamic God has with His followers. Amen!

[@mustang8206]

It's mind-blowing how many "Christians" believe in the resurrection, virgin birth, and other miracles of Jesus but don't believe in Genesis 1-11

[@walterwhitecar8670]

Simple. Know the context. The book of psalms is songs and poems about God, so they’re gonna have a lot of metaphors and similes.Chronicles is a Historical record, so it’s gonna be very literal.

[@markalleneaton]

Someone really needs to invent an "apocalypse" confectionary, kind of a Tabasco/ghost-pepper version of divinity (the nougat kind).

[@suzanne2875]

Well, I guess it sums it up ! Enjoyed you honesty but I'm hearing what I keep feeling ! I will ,when I seek know truth and it is so freeing, thank you for your willingness to put yourself out there because history tells us when you medal in what the "experts`...say you you could end up with a lot of repercussions, but hey isn't it time we here real honest debate! New to your channel but definitely going to watch more , blessing to you and your family ❤️

[@cat_city2009]

Freaking out over literally and figuratively and geeking out over a pond fed by a rapidly melting glacier. Jesus Christ bro

[@cat_city2009]

Basically you're doing apologia for a fundamentalist interpretation by saying "well sometimes they use metaphors and stuff."

[@jasonissel217]

No, your not driving me crazy. You just said the text decieds not textual critics...now i could drive you crazy with that and call you a Young Earther....

[@williamjohns8723]

It's hard because stories like Cain and Abel seem real but it also seems like the perfect story someone would create to make a point about leading good/bad lives.Job is another one.Did God really bet the devil like some kind of indifferent human or is that just an analogy to help people understand why their life might suck even if they were solid Christian's.I prefer the ladder.

[@GerardPerry]

An ad for Islamic Relief is running before your video, FYI.

[@Conmezzo]

Should the Bible be read literally or figuratively or both? Yes. How about seriously? Of course.

[@frostyrevenge8480]

there's a lot of parts of the bible that are written metaphorically, not just when Jesus says parables, if you think revelations and other parts of the bible especially in the new testament are literal your another one of those moronic preachers that needs to take some college English, literature, religious studies courses, and maybe even some mythology so you can gain some more perspective. there's a lot of verses and chapters of the bible that you derive all kinds of things from, in fact, get 5 commentary bibles from different Christian authors, and read how they interpret a whole different meaning than another author, stop taking words at face value and derive some actual wisdom from what you read dude.

[@misseli1]

In 1 Corinthians 7:12, 1 Corinthians 7:25, and 2 Corinthians 11:17 Paul points out when he is not speaking direct words from God, rather giving his own opinions and suggestions as a leader to certain members of the Church. How should we take that?

[@riverfortune1990]

Should I be taken literally? No! That's kidnapping.

[@commonweakness9060]

I totally agree that we should take it literally or figuratively where it seems appropriate. However, there are many christians and denominations that hold to a literal translation of the bible no matter what . . . except when their personal traditions or likes/dislikes get in the way. Sadly, too many christians are at best ignorant of their bias or worse intellectually dishonest. Thanks for keeping it real.

[@jensfriborg4227]

I still do not get it. So the immaculate conception, the creation, the resuscitation, the arch, the plagues, the splitting of the sea (etc) - are meant to be taken... literally? Because my normal social skills tell me that all those parts are literally figurative stories to illustrate a point. I’m so confused...

[@jensfriborg4227]

I still do not get it. So the immaculate conception, the creation, the resuscitation, the arch, the plagues, the splitting of the sea (etc) - are meant to be taken... literally? Because my normal social skills tell me that all those parts are literally figurative stories to illustrate a point. I’m so confused...

[@MortenBendiksen]

There is no literal. Reality itself is not literal. Often authors convey things they don't intend or understand at the time. A story is a representation of something. It is perfectly conceivable that things are indescribable, and an audience is of a character that one must tell a story in a certain way to even have a hope of having the effect on the reader. People 4000 years ago couldn't think in very abstract notions and principles. They needed a story that drove them to right action, to produce the future, not some "literal" description of historic events. The stories needed to emphasise what the significance of events were. I'm sure everything is true in the sense that the behavioural patterns the story encourages are what was intended, but it doesn't really matter in which way it's true here or there. What we need to do is anyway to try and figure out why these texts are so important and what the significance of the stories are. What we need to think is that the text conveyed the correct things that God intended to the intended audience (which in the case of prophesies aren't always obvious who that is)

[@andreek8559]

I really don’t get where the contentions are. The bible is a collection of books that use different literary styles. Each style needs a different form of interpretation.

[@TheEngineerd]

Hey, this might be the closest to ten minutes I've seen so far.

[@chupacabraazul6669]

The Creation account should be taken literally. Jonah and the Whale and the burning bush as well.

[@loissemanek1715]

Actually this was one of the best takes on this topic. Obviously we need to decide for our through the spirit

[@keithwalker7245]

open to interpretation.....lots of disagreements and many different denominations.

[@Lorrainecats]

Makes my head spin. Nothing new. Thanks anyway, Matt.

[@sherizaahd]

I figuratively laughed myself to death!

[@MasterTop100]

Ok, where do I buy one of those (1:00) hats?

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

Here's the magic: thetenminutebiblehour.com/store/

[@themoelman]

is that TMBH merch on your noggin? Looks good!

[@themoelman]

nm, I scrolled down :D

[@___cothron7421]

Good job sweetie your mom is really proud

[@adomarc]

one important point: while not everything in the Bible is literal, everything in the Bible is true. the Bible uses figurative language to communicate true ideas at times. just because something is figurative does not mean it is true. for example, Jesus says He is "the door" in John 10:9. Jesus is not a literal wooden door but He is a real door to salvation. the language is figurative but still true.

[@Maklaka]

Are the creation accounts of Gen 1 and 2 to be taken literally?

[@jrhattenstein]

What is that bass line you used Matt?

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

Sounds a lot like Love Rollercoaster (but it's not).

[@jameslifetalks]

Why is the Sabbath command not to be taken literally, but a command like “Do not murder.” is to be taken both ways? I just don’t get it. Why pick and choose?

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

Super fair question. Made a video short in response: kzbin.infoq6j0Hizq8Pk?feature=share

[@Fangtorn]

It's fair enough to say we should take the Bible literally when it means to be taken literally, but how do we discern what is literal and what is supposed to be figurative? There are plenty of passages in Leviticus I think are supposed to be taken literally, and I am very glad are not.

[@jsduenass]

Fangtorn I think this is a really good question and hope it get addressed in an upcoming video. Knowing this channel he won't say "here this is the right answer" but rather will show how people throughout time have sort it out. Hope he points out to sources to dive deeper into the topic. My personal respond would be to learn about the way of life of people of biblical times

[@samuelcarley7245]

Read Galatians, and then think about how you should read Leviticus.

[@samuelcarley7245]

Also, this. biblehub.com/matthew/9-13.htm biblehub.com/hosea/6-6.htm

[@azbekavcic3385]

About the most genius intro ever😂

[@freespirit7450]

Only carnal people take it literally. Its spiritual.

[@collinparkes1541]

I’d buy a hat like that.

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

Me too. I've bought three so far. I don't make anything on this, but I do like them a lot. Here's the link: thetenminutebiblehour.com/store/

[@DanielGarcia-yf6yo]

I stopped the video when he said that what Jesus said is a historical record, man that is wrong in so many ways, there is no evidence and you dont have proof that even historically Jesus existed, sorry mate but you need to work on your argument and your sources. Also you are talking about a 2000 years ancient book that has been translated and interpreted hundreds if not thousands of times throughout history, it shouldnt be taken literally because its not a reliable source.

[@nicolereese9757]

Daniel García atheist historians would disagree

[@fiddlingaround]

I don't know if I should take this video literally or figuratively. I literally do not know, but maybe you can help me figure it out, figuratively.

[@tripp9821]

Great video, how do I get hat like that?

[@bryangl1]

As always, you bring so much common sense to religious matters. Question - is Genesis illustrative (or perhaps some better word) fiction?

[@alexbooyse9053]

Your music is too loud compared to your voice

[@sherizaahd]

Chilis Queso dip is kinda gross. It literally makes me gag thinking about it.

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

I've heard it's made of meat and cheese-like substances.

[@HuffleRuff]

There are points where there are grey lines between literal and figurative. 2 examples: Creation Story and Job.

[@tdharmer]

What's the music at 1.35?

[@organicskincare]

Since Jesus literally never said he was God, then you should literally take Jesus at his word: Jesus literally said that he had a God and he (Jesus) was a servant of his God. Jesus literally claimed to be a man many times (we know literally that God is not a man). Jesus literally had no power or authority unless it was given to him by his God. Jesus literally served, and worshipped his God - dedicating his life to doing the will of his God. To literally worship Jesus as God Almighty would literally be idolatry and would literally be breaking the first of the ten commandments. A servant of God is literally not God and should literally never be worshipped as God.

[@JayyVee41]

Mercy Fields Jesus said all authority of God has been given to him. That means he’s God. Don’t get tripped up on the fact that Jesus humbled himself to be a man, servant, etc

[@organicskincare]

@@JayyVee41 - Jesus claimed to be powerless. Jesus also claimed to be a man and Jesus claimed to have a God that he served and worshiped. Jesus said he received authority to forgive sin from his God. Why would you believe a servant of God to be God?

[@JayyVee41]

Mercy Fields He was fully God and fully man. If you can’t understand a good paradox, you can’t understand God

[@organicskincare]

@@JayyVee41 - what you are believing is not biblical. Jesus never clearly made the specific claim that he (Jesus) was God Almighty. Jesus claimed to be a man and the son of man. Jesus claimed to have a God that he served and fearfully worshipped! “God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind” Numbers 23:19

[@organicskincare]

@@JayyVee41 - "There is no other God but Me, a righteous God and Savior; there is none but Me. Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.” ~ Isaiah 45:21-22

[@jwrm22]

As I take the Bible literately might explain why I need a bigger bookshelf and no-one invites me to their home anymore. Also I think it's quite strange how Jezus is a door? This might explain a few things if you consider Joseph is a woodworker...

[@tinman1955]

So you recommend we take the literal bits literally and the figurative bits figuratively? That's most helpful. Glad I tuned in because I never would have worked that out by myself.

[@TheBrownbuck]

And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.(Genesis 1:2-5) And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good. And the evening and the morning were the fourth day. (Genesis 1:14-19) So do u take these two verses literally or figuratively?? i.e was the Sun created on the first day or the fourth day?

[@nonprogrediestregredi1711]

I would highly recommend that you look into the scholarship done on the Sumerian origins story known as the Emuna Elish and the concepts and narratives that were "borrowed" and "adapted" for the Genesis accounts. Beyond that, the Ugaritic texts and texts from the library of Ashurbanipal are also antecedents to the Hebrew bible that were also drawn from. So no, this literature, as fascinating as it may be, is not literal.

[@TheBrownbuck]

@@nonprogrediestregredi1711 Thanks, and yes I totally agree. I have been looking into it as well, and very clearly the Genesis account of creation is borrowed from the Sumerian/Mesopotamian stories, creation myths etc. I posted the two verses above only to show, that even from a purely structural/textual basis, any average person can see that the account couldn't be true as they are contradictory.