Should the Bible be interpreted literally or figuratively?

Question

Sun Myung Moon · Accepted Answer

The question of interpreting the Bible, whether literally or figuratively, profoundly impacts our understanding of God, His will, and our conduct. A balanced approach is crucial for unlocking the Bible's transformative power and building a faith rooted in truth. The Biblical Foundation: A Tapestry of Forms The Bible employs diverse literary forms, necessitating both literal and figurative interpretations. Jesus frequently used parables, which convey spiritual lessons through metaphorical narratives. Examples like the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-9) are not literal historical events but figurative teachings on the nature of God's Word. Prophetic literature also utilizes vivid, symbolic imagery. Daniel's vision of four great beasts (Daniel 7:3-7) represents kingdoms, not actual animals, and Revelation's imagery of a Lamb with seven horns and seven eyes (Revelation 5:6) demands figurative understanding. To interpret such symbols, we must first recognize that the Bible speaks of two kinds of life and death. Jesus alluded to this in his instruction to a disciple: "Let the dead bury their own dead" (Luke 9:60). The one being buried is physically dead, a state of biological cessation. But those performing the burial, though physically alive, were spiritually dead—separated from God's love. The book of Revelation echoes this, reprimanding a church: "you have the name of being alive, and you are dead" (Revelation 3:1). Thus, spiritual life means being connected to God through love, as Jesus promised: "The ones who believe in me will live even when they die" (John 11:25). The death brought about by the human Fall was this spiritual death, not the natural end of the physical body. At the same time, many biblical accounts and moral laws are presented as direct and literal. The exodus from Egypt (Exodus 12:31-42) and the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) are foundational historical and ethical claims. The Apostle Paul cautions against a rigid approach, writing that God has made us ministers "not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life" (2 Corinthians 3:6). Divine Principle's Clarification: Internal and External Realities God often conveys profound spiritual truths through physical symbols. For example, the account of the human Fall in Genesis centers on the "tree of the knowledge of good and evil" and its forbidden fruit. A literal interpretation raises difficult questions. Why would a loving God create a poisonous fruit that would kill His own children? Furthermore, Jesus taught that it is not what enters the mouth that defiles a person (Matthew 15:11), and it is impossible for the effects of a literal fruit to be genetically inherited through all generations. Therefore, the "fruit" must be understood figuratively, representing an act of illicit love that caused spiritual death—the separation from God that resulted from breaking His commandment. The Tree of Life, in contrast, represents perfected humanity. Similarly, prophecies about the "Last Days" require symbolic interpretation. Many scriptures speak of the heavens melting with fire and the earth being destroyed (2 Peter 3:12). However, other verses declare that "the Earth remains forever" (Ecclesiastes 1:4). These statements are not contradictory. The "end of the world" does not signify the physical annihilation of the planet, but the end of the sinful world dominated by Satan. The Last Days are a transitional period when hell on earth is transformed into heaven on earth. It is not a time of fear but a time of joy when God's original ideal of creation will finally be realized. God's Providential Purpose: Creation and Restoration All biblical narratives, whether literal or figurative, are ultimately undergirded by God's purpose of creation and His ongoing effort to restore it after the Fall. Understanding this providential purpose clarifies the intended meaning of various passages. Even seemingly historical accounts contain rich symbolic layers related to God's plan. The story of Noah and the flood is a prime example. While God's judgment upon a fallen world was real, the details of the story are deeply symbolic of restoration. The ark itself represented a new creation. Its three-story structure symbolized the three stages of the growth period. The eight members of Noah's family who entered the ark represented all of humanity, beginning anew. The 40 days and nights of rain were not an arbitrary length of time; this period served to symbolically separate from Satan and indemnify the failures of the ten generations since Adam. By seeing both the literal and figurative dimensions, we can trace the continuous narrative of God's loving and redemptive work toward establishing the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. Living the Principle 1. Adhere to literal moral commands (e.g., "Love your neighbor," Mark 12:31) for ethical living and building a foundation of goodness. 2. Interpret symbolic language (e.g., "I am the bread of life," Jo

Should the Bible be interpreted literally or figuratively?

The Biblical Foundation: A Tapestry of Forms

Divine Principle's Clarification: Internal and External Realities

God's Providential Purpose: Creation and Restoration

Living the Principle

Sources and further reading