Can you really take the bible literally?

1.Many people do not know the fact that the bible was NOT originally written in English. It does then take some studying about the Hebrew and Greek language and culture to get an accurate understanding of the bible. Your example is perfect. because of my study of the bible and language I understand that the universe was NOT made in 7 literal days that each day consisted of 1000 years. Also other good examples are the words Hades, Sheol, Nephesh, Psyche, Pneuma, Ruach and Gehenna. these words are translated differently in bibles depending on the beliefs of the translator, like King James' version of the scriptures. Translators have allowed their personal beliefs to color their work instead of being consistent in their rendering of the original-language words. For example: (1) The King James Version rendered she’ohl′ as “hell,” “the grave,” and “the pit”; hai′des is therein rendered both “hell” and “grave”; ge′en‧na is also translated “hell.” (2) Today’s English Version transliterates hai′des as “Hades” and also renders it as “hell” and “the world of the dead.” But besides rendering “hell” from hai′des it uses that same translation for ge′en‧na. (3) The Jerusalem Bible transliterates hai′des six times, but in other passages it translates it as “hell” and as “the underworld.” It also translates ge′en‧na as “hell,” as it does hai′des in two instances. Thus the exact meanings of the original-language words have been obscured.

2.Don't you think if the Bible was not translated somewhat accurately as a whole into English from Hebrew and Greek that the people who speak Hebrew, Greek and English would be telling people this fact. You don't have to be bilingual to trust that if is wasn't accurate that would have been discovered long ago.

3.Yes the Bible was written by men but why do you doubt that God could not have had the power to make them write exactly what he wanted them to write using his Holy spirit? Do you doubt the communication you are having with us over the internet? Most people are not able to tell you how this world wide web works but they don't doubt that we can communicate. How bout phones, TV, satellite..... if man can communicate using things we don't understand then why can't God who created the things we use to do it, communicate with man without us doubting that?

4.BTW as time goes by and more old manuscripts are found....these are proving the accuracy of the Bible that we have today. But there are flaws.. there are what you call versions and paraphrased Bibles. these are not always accurate because they are given a flare of what the translator or interpreter believes.

5.My suggestion...use a few different translations when studying. I love the New World Translation of the Holy scriptures. It is in more modern English and much has been done to translating it accurately with lots of references to back up wording that was translated.

**Edit**

I respect your beliefs first of all. But there is just no way I can believe there is no God. If you were walking in the woods and stumbled upon a log cabin, inside all convinces were there, washer, dryer, water, electric, food, TV...could you conclude that this just happened by chance or that there was a intelligent designer? If you just take one small thing about us or the earth and do some research you have to conclude the same for the universe. this/we could not have happened without an intelligent maker. The bible also agrees

(Hebrews 3:4) 4 Of course, every house is constructed by someone, but he that constructed all things is God.

The men that wrote the bible had free will. they were willing to have gods holy spirit guide them in writing the bible.

Of course not. You must be rather young since your concepts of the Bible are ridiculous. Statements such as 'God overseeing the translation' would be hilarious if you didn't mean it. Let's put it like this, if the Bible had never existed and somebody wrote it today it would obviously be classed as fiction. The Bible as you know it today only contains 4 Gospels but it is well known that there are a multitude more that the Church decided to exclude. The events in these Gospels are also written decades after the supposed events happened. How accurate do you think a story of your life would be if written by somebody who never knew or met you 50+ years after your death.

In reference to translation take a statement such as 'Jesus walked on water' well to translate such a statement from Latin/Hebrew or whatever would never directly translate. Rather you would get 'Jesus walked by/on the water' such minor changes make all the difference to the translation.

The Bible as a guide? Fine but to take it literally? How would you deal with the elements of the Old and New Testament that contradict one another?

The Bible is a manual which is not meant to be read literally imo

It points out through stories what is probably the best way to progress through life. It also explains the potentialities of humanity both good and bad.

Other sacred books from various faiths have similar manuals.

Above all the essence of all the teachings is If we do not have Love we have nothing.

There is a lot of confusion here.

The Old Testament was written almost entirely in Hebrew, the New Testament - apart from a few phrases - in Ancient Greek. (Koine Greek, to be precise).

It is fairly easy to learn Koine Greek, and if you do you will immediately realise that the King James Version (the usual translation used by American Protestants) is a bit of a joke.

Best to stay away from the truth, if you are a believer - it will only confuse you.

You can take the bible in any way you see

fit. There are some useful ideas in it.

It was written, for the most part, before

the 1st christian religions arose on the

historical scene. If you try to live your life

on the basis of its current interpretation,

you may, in fact, find some serenity and

personal understanding in your life.

It was also written to each of us as a

guideline in the conduct of our lives.

It was not written so that one man

could tell other men how to conduct

their lives.

Wow you realized,

Now what if God seen the people corrupting Jesus and Moses books and sent another messenger

who spoke a language that still exists today, and the original still exist,

with good english translations, that explain the idea of God with Truth,

2:97 (Asad) SAY [O Prophet]: "Whosoever is an enemy of Gabriel" -who,, verily, by God's leave, has brought down upon thy heart this [divine writ] which confirms the truth of whatever there still remains [of earlier revelations], and is a guidance and a glad tiding for the believers-:

2:136 (Asad) Say: "We believe in God, and in that which has been bestowed from on high upon us, and that which has been bestowed upon Abraham and Ishmael and isaac and Jacob and ,their descendants, [111] and that which has been vouchsafed to Moses and Jesus; and that which has been vouchsafed to all the [other] prophets by their Sustainer: we make no distinction between any of them. [112] And it is unto Him that we surrender ourselves."

You take it in the culture and context in which it was written. God trusts man, even though man is fallible. God does not take that away. God does not tamper with free will. However, those who, bye their act of free will, submit to God, He can use as prophets, healers, miracle workers and so on.

Speaking as an atheist, Bible is a book in a purely metaphorical sense. None of it is literal.

Some parts are literal. Others are not.

Given under inspiration of God.

Not given by unbelievers.

There was once a time when the bible was taken literally. That time was called "The Dark Ages"