This is a loaded question. If I answer yes, then I am stating that all language in scripture should be understood literally, which is clearly not the case. Here’s a wonderful example of non-literal language being used in the Bible.

“Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and marked off the heavens with a span, enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance?” (Isaiah 40:12, ESV)

Taken literally, this passage would communicate that God has a physical hand with which he can measure the size of the universe, within which he has held all the water in the world in order to measure it’s volume, and that God has a VERY large set of scales and balances to measure all the earth’s dirt and mountains. God is omniscient. He doesn’t need instruments, not even very large ones, to measure things like volume and weight. This verse is not to be taken literally. The language is figurative.

Is scripture literally true?

Again – this is a loaded question. If I answer no, then I might be understood as claiming that scripture is false, which would not be the case at all.

Clarity is needed regarding the meaning of words like “literally”. Language can either be literal or metaphorical. This language, whether literal or metaphorical, is symbolic of things that are either true or false. Also, whether literal or figurative, this language can also symbolically point to things that are either concrete or abstract. Words like “literal”and “figurative” or “metaphorical” speak to the way language works, regardless of whether that language is speaking of things that are true/false or concrete/abstract.

N.T. Wright makes this distinction with great clarity.

“The terms ‘literal’ and ‘metaphorical’ refer, properly, to the ways words refer to things, not to the things to which the words refer. For the latter task, the appropriate words might be ‘concrete’ and ‘abstract’. The phrase ‘Plato’s theory of forms’ literally refers to an abstract entity (in fact, a doubly abstract one). The phrase ‘the greasy spoon’ refers metaphorically, and perhaps also metonymically, to a concrete entity, namely the cheap restaurant down the road. The fact that the language is being used literally or metaphorically tells us nothing, in and of itself, about the sort of entities it is referring to.” – Wright, N. T. (2003). The resurrection of the Son of God (xix). London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.

Is scripture literally true? The question confuses two distinct categories. “Literally” can only describe the way the language of scripture might work to refer to things. “True” can only describe whether or not those things correspond to reality. In actuality, many places in scripture use metaphorical language to refer to that which is true.

Take the above passage from Isa 40:12. Metaphorical language is being used to describe truth. God doesn’t literally have a really big scale with which he weighs mountains. This language is figurative, not literal. But these non-literal words point to a true reality. God is big. God knows everything. God has access to a perspective that Man does not share. God is eternal. Man is temporal. This is truth. But the language used to declare this truth is not literal.

Is all scriptural literally true? No. Some scripture is metaphorically true. But this does not make those scriptures any less true as a result. It’s just a different way to use language to describe that truth.

1. Read for the big picture.

The Bible is essentially the story of Creation, Redemption, and New Creation. Reading a few verses or even a couple of chapters won’t give you the 30,000 foot view you need of this epic narrative. It’s important to make the effort to take in large chunks of the Bible in a short amount of time. The Bible contains 1,189 chapters. Many Bible reading programs are based around reading 3-4 chapters daily so you can get all the way through the Bible in one year. This is NOT what I’m talking about. I’m talking about working through the entire book of Genesis in a couple of days (50 chapters), or the first five books in a week, or all four gospels in three days. You don’t have to sustain this kind of pace all the time, but it’s important that you regularly zoom out to take in broad, sweeping sections of the Bible in compressed time frames. There really isn’t another way to get a feel for the big picture. I use an mp3 audio Bible to accomplish this. You’d be amazed how many chapters you can take in just while driving.

2. Dig deep into short passages.

This has several components. When I want to focus in on a single chapter or shorter passage, I begin by reading through it slowly, multiple times, in order to build familiarity. This part of the process might take several days. I will often take a single key verse or phrase from the passage and commit it to memory. I do this so I can meditate on this passage. Meditation is an essential part of the process. I’ve written about how to do that here. You can learn correct information from scripture without meditation, but meditation is a key to growing in revelation. Next, you will want to get some good Bible study software. I use Logos. There are several other software packages available for purchase within various price ranges. E-Sword is an amazingly powerful program you can download for free. There are also several web-based tools. Most programs offer online tutorials. You will learn much about how to study simply by watching those. Begin by learning to use commentaries, word study tools, and theological dictionaries.

3. Read books by other students of the Bible.

Don’t just read books that are easy to read. Find books by authors who will stretch you, who have done their own homework and don’t merely share their conclusions, but share their process. Read authors who interact with scripture in their writing and give you a glimpse into their own approach to study. One way to find these authors is to look through the bibliography of some of the books you’ve already read and benefited from. Learning to read the writers that your favorite authors read is a great way to expand your horizons.

4. Teach someone else.

Teach a Sunday School class, or a small group Bible Study. Teach your own children. Take a friend to coffee and ask them if you can share a few ideas from scripture you’ve been looking at these days. It doesn’t have to be a formal setting. My point is that teaching is a great catalyst for learning. The process of working through articulating an explanation really helps to solidify ideas and concepts.

5. Apply what you’ve learned.

Do the things the Bible tells you to do. Live the life you see modeled by those who follow God in the pages of the Bible. Do they hear God’s voice? Then listen. Do they pray for the sick? Then heal. Do they grow in kindness and service? Then be nice. A merely academic approach to scripture that doesn’t result in revelation and application is of very little value, if any at all. Often it’s actually harmful. Faith always leads to relationship with Jesus. Since Jesus is King, relationship with Jesus always results in increasing obedience. Don’t just be a hearer/reader. Be a doer.

What do you think?

• What Bible study tools work well for you?
• Do you use an audio Bible? Which one?
• Which of these ideas is a next step for you?

This class on the topic of divine foreknowledge briefly surveyed the Reformed, Arminian, and Open views, and the related issues of God’s sovereignty, Man’s free will, God’s relationship to time, and the nature of the future events God foreknows. I enjoyed preparing for this class and thoroughly enjoyed teaching it. As I had opportunity to read varying perspectives, one of the things that struck me most was how CERTAIN everyone is that their view is the right view.

Don’t get me wrong. I have an opinion (moderate calvinism as defined by guys like Norman Geisler), but I’m not certain. I could be wrong. The other guys may be right. They certainly make strong biblical case for their positions, and they all have pretty compelling arguments for why my reading of key and relevant passages is incorrect. My studies have brought me to a place of increasing humility about such things.

While I disagree with John Piper about how God exercises his sovereignty, I recognize the beauty, elegance and strength of his scriptural argument for a God who works all things according to the counsel of his will. Though I disagree with Greg Boyd about God’s relationship to time, I recognize that we are both likely trying to define something that’s above our pay grade.

I think I am less and less impressed with that thing in me that constantly insists on being right. There’s a place for debate and lively discussion, but I sometimes notice in myself a pressing need to defend my rightness beyond reason and in a manner that can completely bias my reading of scripture.

When I fall into this trap, I tend to bring what I am already certain of to my reading of scripture where my predefined views work like a contact lens over my mind. This lens bends, shapes, and distorts what I see to ensure I don’t see anything new, learn anything new, or have any of the things I’m already right about challenged or stretched.

For instance, this bias of certainty can really impact how I might interpret the following passages:

“But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand. So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt with all the wonders that I will do in it; after that he will let you go. ” (Exodus 3:19–20, ESV)

“And the Lord said to Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet. You shall speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron shall tell Pharaoh to let the people of Israel go out of his land. But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, ” (Exodus 7:1–3, ESV)

In Exodus 3 it appears that Pharaoh’s heart is already hard. God’s power will serve to soften Pharaoh’s heart so he will let Israel go. In Exodus 7 it appears that Pharaoh’s heart is soft. God’s power will serve to harden Pharaoh’s heart so that God has the maximum opportunity to display his own power against Pharaoh. Then he will let Israel go.

Those that gravitate toward a theology in which God controls everything will likely see both passages through the grid of Exodus 7, and will find a way to explain away Exodus 3. Those that gravitate toward a theology in which man has genuine freedom (as a gift from God) will likely see both passages through the grid of Exodus 3, and will find a way to explain away Exodus 7.

Some will attempt to reconcile these passages and will likely come to the conclusion that: 1) Pharaoh’s heart was already hard,  2) God’s displayed power served to eventually soften Pharaoh’s heart, and 3) all God had to do to harden Pharaoh’s heart again was remove his own pressure and allow Pharaoh’s heart to return to its default setting.

I tend to think the third option is right. But I’m not certain.

We’ve got a few posts (almost 30) so far and it’s been fun and interesting. Jace is very bright and very well read and very biased. I am at least equally biased. I would love for you to check it out. There are a few things it will help you to understand.

1) You won’t be able to publish comments on the blog. You don’t share the relational context Jace and I have developed for 27 years and frankly, your input wouldn’t be helpful. This conversation is safe between us because of the relational context. We are very commited to protecting that.

2) Jace is an amazing artist. He wrote the number one country hit “Your Man” recorded by Josh Turner. He wrote and performed the theme song for the HBO show True Blood. It’s called Bad Things. His newest recording “Red Revelations” is available on iTunes and I recommend it. It is not contemporary christian music. You have been warned. Search “Jace Everett” on iTunes and you will find it.

3) The nature of this conversation is actually a bit dangerous for me. I’m an outside of the box thinker at points and hold some opinions that will definitely offend some Christians. This is not my intent, but Jace’s questions require answers from me that will at times be critical of current expressions of Christianity. I’m probably wrong about all these. Having admitted that up front, please don’t argue with me. I will not argue back. That forum is about me arguing with Jace!

If you’re still interested, please visit us:

http://bellingthecat-jaceandalan.blogspot.com/

The accurate information in the menu only fulfills its purpose if it points you toward the food. I recognize myself how often I, in my Christian life, have been satisfied with reading the menu alone. I’ve studied the menu. Taught on the menu. I’ve argued with others about how my menu is the best menu, and, more often, about how my understanding of the menu is the best. But how often have I ordered a meal and been satisfied? How often has my theology pointed me toward experience? How often has my doctrine moved me toward encounter.

God’s kind of words don’t simply inform, they nourish. They satisfy. For ultimately, the Word is Christ himself. Scripture is designed to bring us to him.

John 5:39-40
39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.(ESV)

Meditation is Scriptural

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. ” (Joshua 1:8, ESV)

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. ” (Psalm 19:14, ESV)

“We have thought on your steadfast love, O God, in the midst of your temple. ” (Psalm 48:9, ESV)

“My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding. ” (Psalm 49:3, ESV)

“when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; ” (Psalm 63:6, ESV)

“I said, “Let me remember my song in the night; let me meditate in my heart.” Then my spirit made a diligent search: ” (Psalm 77:6, ESV)

“I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. ” (Psalm 77:12, ESV)

“May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord. ” (Psalm 104:34, ESV)

“I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. ” (Psalm 119:15, ESV)

“I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. ” (Psalm 119:99, ESV)

“My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise. ” (Psalm 119:148, ESV)

What is Meditation?
The Hebrew word translated “meditation” has two roots. The first root means to mutter or speak in a low voice. The second means to consider something inwardly or to be occupied with an idea. Meditation therefore involves the focus of my thoughts and words upon a particular idea. In scripture we see that the object of our meditation is either scripture (the Law, his precepts, etc.), the deeds or works of God (his testimonies, his might acts in scripture, the works one has personally experienced in life, etc.), or the attributes of God’s nature and character (his goodness, love, etc.).

Everyone Knows How to Meditate
Anyone who has struggled with either fear or lust knows how to meditate, inwardly considering scenarios, ideas, and images in ways that powerfully affect and shape our inner world. Most, however, have not learned to intentionally harness this capacity in the manner in which it was designed.

How to Meditate
1. Memorize a phrase or verse from the Bible. Though you can choose an attribute of God or consider a story from your own life when God demonstrated his faithfulness and power, I find it is best to begin with a particular section of scripture. Start with something short. I find it best to consider a verse or phrase which speaks of who God is (his goodness, nearness or power for instance) or who I am in Christ.

2. Choose a time. The Bible speaks of meditating all day, morning and evening, day and night. There’s no bad time to meditate. If you’re a beginner, you shouldn’t start with the “all day” goal. I recommend setting aside 20 minutes toward the beginning of your day. It has been my experience that setting aside a particular time for focused meditation actually affects the occupation of your thoughts throughout the day.

3. Choose a place. Find a quiet place that’s free from distraction. If it’s aesthetically pleasant and peaceful for you, all the better. Calm is important and if your environment contributes to this it will be helpful. At the very least, locate a spot that doesn’t work against you.

4. Choose a posture. No – you don’t have to sit cross-legged on the floor with your hands in a particular position. You do, however, need to find a position you can maintain without movement for 20 minutes. Slouching, crossing one leg over the other, and things like that will require you to shift positions frequently because of their effect on your circulation. I find it helpful to sit in comfortable chair (not a recliner) with both feet flat on the floor in front of you. Sit up straight and rest your hands palm down on your legs. There is nothing special about sitting in this position other than the fact that it allows you to not be distracted by how you’re sitting at all.

5. Turn your inward focus upon God’s presence. Jesus promised he would never leave you. 2 Cor 3:16 tells us that when we turn to the Lord the veil is removed (revelation occurs). Simply choose to be aware that God is with you and choose to be aware of nothing else. You might find it helpful to breathe deeply. Meditation is an act of the mind and body.

6. Bring to mind the verse or phrase from scripture you desire to meditate on. Begin to repeatedly rehearse this phrase or verse in your mind. As you do so, maintain your awareness of God’s presence.

7. Once you feel you are inwardly quiet and fully occupied with both God’s presence and the truth of scripture, begin to speak that phrase or verse from scripture repeatedly. No need to do it loudly or dramatically. Remember, the root word means to mutter quietly. You are now meditating on scripture!

In the Bible one of the primary ways the seed of God’s word matures is through meditation. When I meditate on the information in God’s word it becomes revelation. Don’t freak out at the word meditation. I realize that other religions, cultures, and even the occult practice a form of meditation. But remember, the enemy doesn’t create he only counterfeits. If there is a counterfeit meditation, then there must be a legitimate form of meditation. Here’s the difference. In occult forms of meditation my goal is to empty my mind. Biblical mediation is an exercise in filling my mind with God’s word.

When cattle eat grass they don’t just chew and swallow. They bring it back up and chew on it some more. It’s called chewing the cud. This is a great picture of what meditation is. I recall God’s word and “chew” on it over and over again. I make it the focus of my thoughts and the content in my mouth. I “chew” on it because I recognize that although I might quickly be able to absorb the information and principles, what I need is revelation of truth from the Spirit. So, I meditate in the scripture, chewing on God’s word, marrinating in it, that the seed of God’s word might grow and that the Spirit might bring revelation within that produces transformation.

The following is a selection of passages from the Bible that speak of meditation. Where the Hebrew word for meditation has been translated differently, or where the concept of meditation is described, I’ve highlited the idea.

Josh 1:8
8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
NKJV

Ps 1:1-3
Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.
NKJV

Ps 19:14
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.
NKJV

Ps 119:15-16
15 I will meditate on Your precepts,
And contemplate Your ways.
16 I will delight myself in Your statutes;
I will not forget Your word.
NKJV

Ps 119:97
Oh, how I love Your law!
It is my meditation all the day.
NKJV

Ps 119:99
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers,
For Your testimonies are my meditation.
NKJV

Prov 2:1-6
My son, if you receive my words,
And treasure my commands within you,
2 So that you incline your ear to wisdom,
And apply your heart to understanding;
3 Yes, if you cry out for discernment,
And lift up your voice for understanding,
4 If you seek her as silver,
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
5 Then you will understand the fear of the LORD,
And find the knowledge of God.
6 For the LORD gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;
NKJV

Prov 3:1-2
My son, do not forget my law,
But let your heart keep my commands;
2 For length of days and long life
And peace they will add to you.
NKJV

1 Tim 4:14-16
14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. 15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. 16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
NKJV

Ps 35:28
28 And my tongue shall speak of Your righteousness
And of Your praise all the day long.
NKJV

Ps 37:30-31
30 The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom,
And his tongue talks of justice.
31 The law of his God is in his heart;
None of his steps shall slide.
NKJV

Ps 63:6-7
6 When I remember You on my bed,
I meditate on You in the night watches.
7 Because You have been my help,
Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.
NKJV

Ps 71:24
24 My tongue also shall talk of Your righteousness all the day long;
For they are confounded,
For they are brought to shame
Who seek my hurt.
NKJV

Ps 77:12-15
12 I will also meditate on all Your work,
And talk of Your deeds.
13 Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary;
Who is so great a God as our God?
14 You are the God who does wonders;
You have declared Your strength among the peoples.
15 You have with Your arm redeemed Your people,
The sons of Jacob and Joseph.
NKJV

Ps 143:5-6
5 I remember the days of old;
I meditate on all Your works;
I muse on the work of Your hands.
6 I spread out my hands to You;
My soul longs for You like a thirsty land.
NKJV

Prov 8:6-8
6 Listen, for I will speak of excellent things,
And from the opening of my lips  will come right things;
7 For my mouth will speak truth;
Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8 All the words of my mouth are with righteousness;
Nothing crooked or perverse is in them.
NKJV

Prov 15:28
28 The heart of the righteous studies [same Hebrew word for meditation] how to answer,
But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.
NKJV

John 6:63
63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.

John 6:68
68 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.

We have eaten from the wrong tree. It was a long time ago but it happened. God breathed into Adam the breath of life (see Gen 2:6-7). Man became a living soul. It still works that way. You can be a soul without the breath of God. Want to be a living soul? Want to know true life? It comes from the breath of God. There’s no other source of life than the Spirit.

The Hebrew word for “breath” is ruach. It can be translated as wind, breath, or spirit. Life comes from the Spirit of God. That’s how things started for humans – our intimate connection to God by the Spirit is what made us truly alive. But we ate from the wrong tree. It’s the one thing God told us not to do. He said if we ate from that tree, we would die. We would lose our life. We would lose our intimate connection to God through the Spirit.

We chose an alternative source. Instead of God’s Spirit being our source of Life, we became our own source. We chose independence. We chose pride. We chose self. We chose the Knowledge of Good and Evil. We died.

Jesus came to bring us life, to restore what we lost.

John 10:10
10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

John 20:22-23
22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

Through Christ I am again inimately connected to the life of God, the breath of God, through the presence of the Holy Spirit. But often I settle for less than this in my day to day experience. I often fall into the old trap of living out of the knowledge of good & evil rather than choosing to live by his life. Instead of choosing life rather than death I try to choose good things and avoid bad things (Thanks Rick Joyner and Bob Hamp). I come to God’s Word expressed through scripture and instead of deeply inhaling his breath (that’s what “inspired” means: breathed out by God), I look for principles I can learn and apply. I look for rules and formulas. I look for right doctrine (nothing wrong with principles and doctrine at all, but they aren’t life). I come to scripture but I don’t come to Christ.

John 5:39-40
39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.  40 But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.

I LOVE to study scripture. I love to take in whole sweeping sections of scripture in a single sitting. I love to dig down deep into the beautiful nuances of a single verse or phrase. I love to try to get my head around the time, place and culture in which a text emerged in order to better understand the original intent. I love the Bible. I’m not the best or most disciplined student of scripture by any stretch, that’s not what I’m saying. I am saying that Jesus might be able to say of me “You search the Scriptures…”

This passage from John 5 has always been sobering to me. Evidently, it’s possible to be a student of scripture and yet never hear the voice of God. Look at the passage! That’s exactly what Jesus says. It’s possible to read the Bible and never hear the Word. Scary.

Jesus said to this group of Bible students that they didn’t have the word abiding in them. God’s word is alive (see Hebrews 4:12). It’s designed to live within us, not just take up space. God’s word lives within us (abides in us) when we believe in Jesus. Faith activates the reality of the living Word in our lives! Not faith in the Bible (the written Word) – but faith in Jesus, the Living Word! The scriptures speak to us of Jesus and are designed to bring us into relationship with Him.

Scripture must be more than an academic pursuit. It must be more than a religious pursuit. It must be more than a repository of moral teachings, doctrinal instruction, and ancient history. There is a Living Word who is the author of the written Word. The Bible is inspired (breathed out by God) through the work of the Holy Spirit. As I read scripture, I need to breathe his breath. As I read scripture I need to by faith come to Jesus. As I read scripture, I need to allow his word to live in me.