Posted on 02/21/2017 5:02:41 AM PST by Gamecock
“The sun stood still, and the moon stopped, until the nation took vengeance on their enemies” (v. 13a). - Joshua 10:1–15
Literal interpretation of the Bible doesn’t mean that we read the Scriptures in a wooden way. For example, we should read poetry as non-literal symbolic language. Instead, the purpose of literal interpretation is simply to read Scripture with an eye for understanding it according to its various literary forms and genres. As in other works of literature, a noun in the Bible is a noun, an adjective is an adjective, and so forth. God has revealed His Word in such a way that even those with minimal education can understand it (Deut. 6:6–9); He has not spoken in a code or in an obscure way that is accessible to only the spiritually elite or the most highly educated individuals.
To interpret Scripture literally and discern the original meaning of a text—the meaning the author intended to convey—we must have at least a basic knowledge of various literary forms and how they work. Today, we will consider two basic categories of non-literal language that Scripture employs. The first of these is phenomenological language, which describes the way things appear to the naked eye.
In everyday life, we are content to describe things the way they appear without always going into the precise science behind what we observe. For example, we still talk about the sun rising and setting even though we know that it is the earth that revolves around the sun and not the sun that revolves around the earth. It is not wrong for us to speak in such a way unless our intent is to give a scientifically precise description of astronomical movements. In a similar way, the Bible often uses phenomenological language, as in today’s passage where we read that the sun stood still during a battle (Josh. 10:13a). Scientifically speaking, God must have caused the earth to stop moving briefly, not the sun, in order for this to happen, but the intent of the text is not to give a science lesson about solar movements but to describe an incredible act of God that enabled the Israelites to win their fight.
The second kind of non-literal language we frequently find in Scripture is anthropomorphic language, which is language that describes God as having human attributes. Some passages, for example, speak of God as having fingers, eyes, or other physical body parts. But since God is spirit (John 4:24), we know that He cannot really possess these physical characteristics. The biblical authors simply use this kind of language to indicate that God sees or is aware of all that happens and is capable of acting when necessary.
Coram Deo
The Bible is not silent on topics related to science; however, it is not a science textbook. Understanding literary forms such as phenomenological language will assist us in not treating the Bible as something that it is not, thereby improving our interpretation of the text. Reading the Word of God carefully according to these forms will help keep us from asserting error and confusing people about the meaning of God’s revelation.
Passages for Further Study
Genesis 19:23 The sun had risen on the earth when Lot came to Zoar.
Ezekiel 13:8 Therefore thus says the Lord God: “Because you have uttered falsehood and seen lying visions, therefore behold, I am against you, declares the Lord God. 9 My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and who give lying divinations. They shall not be in the council of my people, nor be enrolled in the register of the house of Israel, nor shall they enter the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord God. 10 Precisely because they have misled my people, saying, ‘Peace,’ when there is no peace, and because, when the people build a wall, these prophets smear it with whitewash
Matthew 5:44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
Luke 23:46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.
Ping
I disagree for the most part.
I would add as we read the Word we should practice exegesis...that is pulling out the clear meaning of the text.
If eisegesis, reading into the text something that's not there, is practiced the reader will fall incorrectly interpret the word and fall into false doctrines.
I love astronomy but even in that field, the terms *sunrise* and *sunset* are used.
Is it technically correct?
No, but it is the best description out there.
Are scientists lying when they say it?
No, because that's the word in the English language we use to describe the event.
What I have found is that for those who wish to split hairs over verbiage, there's virtually NO way of describing something to someone who rejects what God said just because it wasn't written, (IOW, God didn't phrase it) the way they think He should have.
If it's not phrased in the way they would approve of, then they think that's their out to not believe it.
Sorry but it doesn't work that way.
If sunrise is incorrect then a bunch of weather reports are wrong every day because they all use it!
EXACTLY!
When one understands the Trinity this is cleared up...
Rev 22:13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
Who is speaking??? Jesus...Jesus is the Alpha and Omega...
Rev 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
Jesus is the root of his father David...How can that be???
The bible tells us that God created the heavens and earth while the bible also tells us Jesus created the heavens and earth??? How can that be???
That's because Jesus is the physical manifestation of God the Father, which is spirit...God is 3 persons yet God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are one person...
When God sees and feels he is looking and feeling thru the senses of the physical part of his being which is Jesus...
Gen 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
And then here's Jesus...A biblical contradiction???
Col 1:16 For by him (Jesus) were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
God created the heavens and earth yet Jesus created the heavens and earth...
The biblical authors simply use this kind of language to indicate that God sees or is aware of all that happens and is capable of acting when necessary.
Nope...All the acting is done by Jesus...If the Israelites could have seen God divide the Red Sea, they would have seen Jesus with his arms outstretched and waving them thru...
We don't need any supposed anthropomorphic language to interpret scripture...We just need to believe scripture as it is written...
Joh_14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
1Co 8:6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him;
and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
Jesus is the physical force or being of God...When we stand before God the Father, we will see Jesus...
Joh 10:30 I and my Father are one.
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