[daniel1212]

A new Gallup poll shows that only 24% of Americans believe the Bible is the “literal word” of God, which is a decline from the 1970s, but the survey also shows that the number of Americans who think the Bible is the “inspired word” of God, 47%, has stayed pretty steady over the last 40 years. In addition, an overwhelming majority of Americans, 71%, believe the Bible is a holy document, inspired by God or containing God’s own words.

Actually while it is can be said that the Bible literally is the word of God, it is not all the literal word, since much of it (like our everyday speech) uses varied forms of non-literal language, euphemisms, hyperbole, idioms, forms of metaphors and similes, hypocatastasis, metonymy, synecdoche irony, dysphemism, personification, etc.

[SeargentPrestonoftheYukon]

When Bible words are not literal then the non literal words are representing something that is literal such as in the use of symbolism or some other figure of speech.

[Gamecock]

IOW, Scripture is the literal word if God, but we should not read it in a literalistic way.

[HarleyD]

Actually while it is can be said that the Bible literally is the word of God, it is not all the literal word, since much of it ...

It is comments like these that is the reason few believe the Bible is the literal word of God. It cast doubts.

If the Bible states something, it is up to me to understand it-not to question it. I may not understand what Revelation is all about, but I know that there is a reason that God took the time to write it down for my teaching and edification.