Expert: Tom Schott - 10/2/2004

Question
Hello:

Are the stories of Adam and Eve and Noah's Ark etc literally true?  I remeber being told by a Priest a while back that these stories were not to be taken literally but were supposed to be used as "metaphors"?  He explained that God or Jesus didn't literally come to Earth and spit into some dirt and mold the dirt into the form of "man" with arms and legs and nose etc and then it came to life. The same with Noah's Ark.  He said that it would have been impossible to take two of every single species of animal, insect etc onto a boat. I also remember taking some courses in College where the same things were discussed.  What is the "truth" here?

Thank You,

Paul

Answer
Paul,

  Your priest advised you correctly. The stories told in the Scriptures are to be understood metaphorically, which does not mean they cannot be "true." Is the story of the tortise and the hare true? No, animals cannot talk. But does it teach a profound truth: slow and steady wins the race. Yes! Same with the Scriptures.

Deacon Tom