Posted on 08/12/2017 3:37:35 PM PDT by Salvation
Epic Imagaery
Question: I was in a conversation with several unbelieving college friends who dismissed the Bible as unreliable and merely mythical because it presumes the existence of monsters like Leviathan and fiery dragons. I wasn’t sure how to answer them. — Name withheld, Massachusetts
Answer: Leviathan is a name of a large beast in the Old Testament. The term seems to be used both symbolically and also literally to refer to actual beasts in the sea. For example, in Psalm 104 we read, “There is the sea, great and wide, which teems with creatures innumerable, living things both small and great. There go the ships, and Leviathan, which you formed to frolic therein” (25-26). In this case it seems that some actual sea creature such as a whale or giant squid is being indicated.
However, in other cases, Leviathan seems more mythical. The Book of Job speaks of Leviathan as a large sea creature: “Can you draw out Leviathan with a fishhook? ... Can you fill his skin with harpoons?” (40:25, 31). But then it adds, his eyes are like the eyelids of the dawn. “Out of his mouth go flaming torches; sparks of fire leap forth. Out of his nostrils comes forth smoke, as from a boiling pot and burning rushes. ... and a flame comes forth from his mouth. ... terror dances before him” (Job 41:11-14). Here are described things that seem more mythical or satanic.
The Book of Isaiah says that, at the end of time, God will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, Leviathan the twisting serpent, and he will slay the dragon that is in the sea (27:1). In this case we also see how Leviathan is also termed a serpent and dragon.
So we are left with a number of understandings of Leviathan. One the one hand the term may merely refer to an actual sea creature such as a whale or giant squid. But since it is a large and fearsome creature living in the mysterious depths of the sea, it comes to symbolize more: Satan and satanic qualities, which God will vanquish one day. As such terms like “dragon” and “serpent” also get attached to the image.
Thus, ancient biblical texts take up such themes and imagine Satan’s power as like a large beast but exceeding it with preternatural powers.
To say that the use of this technique discredits Scripture is unreasonable. We use this same technique in our own age. We speak of figures like Superman, the Incredible Hulk or Darth Vader, who have combinations of real human qualities but also qualities and powers far beyond what a real man has. In so doing we are not foolish or unreliable. We do not think these superheroes or villains literally exist. Rather we are speaking to archetypal human longings and experiences such as the need to be saved, and the longing to triumph over evil.
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There is a regrettable tendency of many opponents of Scripture to take up a literal interpretation of the text. Like any form of writing or speech, some degree of sophistication is required in interpreting and understanding the text. Attention to the genre being used, context and literary form are essential.
The use of symbolism, analogy, metaphor, simile, storytelling, archetypes and so forth are common in all literature. While Scripture does recount actual historical events, it also includes other forms of teaching such as parables and stories which use epic imagery.
Leviathan, while having symbolic qualities, speaks to a very evil reality: Satan. Satan does worse than breathe fire; he spews lies that trap and destroy many lives.
Ping for Monsignor Pope’s OSV column.
Depends on the CONTEXT.
I have now found through theology that much of it is like a lot of other religious texts. although historically accurate most of the time, much of it is written in metaphorical references rather than literal.
Apparently it's a term for the Establishment.
Drain the swamp.
I agree with the metaphorical.
It only took 6 days to create the entire cosmos and everything in it.
“But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”
YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT !!
Ever seen Roseanne Bar?
In this one it has been explained as an giant extinct Crocodile using Biblical text and Hebrew translations. But...What if metaphorically it was in reference to something we do not know because we were not there to understand what was general knowledge at that time in that one word.
“Who can open the doors of his face? His teeth are terrible round about. His scales are his pride, shut up together as with a close seal” (Job 41:14-15)”
Could he have actually been talking about general knowledge and label of an unbeatable sea going culture that raided the shores with armored ships and unknown weapons similar to Greek Fire?
When we read these passages we can never rule out a possible historical fact that might apply metaphorically rather than literally.
It is the same with many oral and written traditions around the world of many faiths. Occam’s razor comes into play at some point and then it makes sense and supports the written words as probable fact.
There ARE ginormous animals in the ocean!
Of all the objections to the Bible anyone ever concocted, this has to be the stupidest.
There's a sea up there...With a Dragon in it...
>>> Mythical, symbolic or real?
Real.... Very Real... but why stop there? Let us not forget the Nephillum. They are in the bible as well. One such creature is described in revelations as a small humanoid flying creature with a stinger... and we have video of it now.
There is a very good reason why the appearance of such creatures is kept under very tight wraps... and it centers around the opening of your post. Quite simply, if their existence was common knowledge, it would actually validate the bible, and your friends would no longer have a good reason to dismiss it.
This is not the only area in which truth is withheld from the public by governments. They would say “we don’t want the public to panic”... but the truth is they don’t want us going to the bible for answers.
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