Expert: Rick Jackson - 6/26/2007

Question
QUESTION: Is the Bible to be taken literally according to the Catholic Church?

Thank you.

ANSWER: Hi David.

No, not always.  There is poetry, song, history, genealogy, parable, simile and metaphor, etc.

We do, of course, believe that it is inspired by God and without error.

Is there a passage or passages that you can cite that you wonder about - as to whether we would take it literally or not?

The book of Proverbs is an excellent place to see examples of non-literal teaching.

Rick.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: A few minor things early in the book of Genesis  I was wondering about:

Do Catholics believe that there is water above the atmosphere?  At least, that's what I understand the "dome" to be, correct me if I'm wrong.  (Genesis 1:6-7)

Do Catholics believe that man at one point could live to be over 900 years old? (Genesis 5:3-32)

Do Catholics believe the Nephilim once existed?  
(Genesis 6:4)

I realize these are very minor quirks in the Bible and I am not trying to attack the church with my questions.

Answer
With this sort of historical issue there is no official pronouncement by the Church as to whether they are literal or not.  They may be literal, or they may be descriptions of things that neither we nor the writer fully understood.

The one thing that is certainly true of historical descriptions such as these: Catholics believe that they certainly could be literal.

For example, I believe that the earth may be billions of years old, or that it may be only 6500 or so years old.

Remember that good Christians have been trying to figure out the true meaning of so many Scripture passages for nearly 2000 years.  The best we can do with much of it is try to learn and dwell on how the passages, in context, can strengthen our relationship with God: How to understand and serve Him better.

Does that make sense?

Rick.