When it comes to reading a Holy Text less than 100% literally, how do you know what is literal and what isn't?

Question

I have heard from some people to take the Bible figuratively. But that makes me wonder where the line is. Why is say, Adam and Eve's story figurative, but Jesus's is literal even though both have events that could be considered supernatural?

Answer 1

The Bible is a unique book in that it is inspired of God (2 Timothy 3:16). However, in a sense, it should be read like any other book. It should be read literally, unless the context indicates it is figurative. For example, Jesus once called Herod Antipas a "fox" (Luke 13:32). He wasn't calling him a literal fox, but he was deceptive and cunning like a fox. Psalms 50:10 says the Lord owns the cattle upon "a thousand hills." This is obviously figurative.

So as you read the Genesis account, look for context clues to indicate that something should be read figuratively rather than literally. Though there are some difficult things in Genesis for us to wrap our minds around in the 21st century( six 24-hour days of creation, worldwide flood, Babel, etc), I think you'll find that Genesis should be read literally. That is in fact how the rest of Scripture looks at those events.