Darren,
Have you ever heard Ray say....the bible never means what it says.....but it means what it means! Example: If thine eye offend thee pluck it out. It says that, but it doesn't mean that. It means something spiritually deeper. The stories of David and such are literal stories, but they all have spiritual meanings, so what they say is not what they mean. We cannot see spirit with flesh and blood; we can only see spirit with spirit. That's why flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. That's why Christianity cannot see because they read the scriptures with their carnal (flesh and blood) eyes.
Your brother,
Dwight
I believe the Bible is a parable because the natural parallels spiritual truths. That doesn't make the natural not real. All that you see, the order of things, nature, Bible History, etc, are all pointing to something much higher in the spiritual realm. It's like an allegory. Like how a natural marriage relationship represents our relationship with Christ as His bride. Etc.,
Thanks Gena, Paula and Dwight,
I hear your words and understand them, but my question still remains unanswered:
Was Christ a real person, were his miracles real. Did Peter really try to walk on water?
Or is all of this just a story? :(
ALL of the "literal" history, etc., in the Bible is NOT THE REAL THING. It is merely the ways and means TO THE REAL THING, which is Spiritual. "First that which is natural; and AFTERWARD that which is SPIRITUAL" (I Cor. 15:46).
Now it is not even a book it has depth that passes my complete understanding but I love it and see new truths in it daily. I can never stop reading it. It is the spiritual meaning that actually has meaning.
Hi Darren,
I have a bit more to add to this subject :)
I noticed that you seemed to have difficulity with this statement.QuoteALL of the "literal" history, etc., in the Bible is NOT THE REAL THING. It is merely the ways and means TO THE REAL THING, which is Spiritual. "First that which is natural; and AFTERWARD that which is SPIRITUAL" (I Cor. 15:46).
The whole Bible is about real events and is the real history of the world since creation. But what is meant by 'the Bible is NOT THE REAL THING.' What I believe this is talking about is, we are physical and the world we live in is physical, but it is not 'the real thing,' this is just the beginning.
The real thing is the spiritual kingdom..................
Hello Darren,
Cheer up ~ Jesus says;
St. John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Peace to you,
Lisa
THE BIBLE IS A GIANT PARABLE
Not only is the Bible a giant parable, but, all creation is a giant parable. Is it not real? Oh, it is real all right. But what we see, hear, and feel, in this physical universe, is not the lasting spiritual reality of God’s purpose for creation. In parables, the literalness of the words is but a symbol that stands for something spiritual and grand. The physical words of all parables will pass away, however, the spiritual fulfillment of those physical words will never pass away. This is another marvelous spiritual principal of understanding and wisdom. I have covered this before, but it certain warrants repeating. Paul presents us with this grand parable of creation, life, and the final destiny of the entire universe:
"There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differs from another star in glory.
So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in INCORRUPTION.
It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in GLORY: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in POWER.
It is sown a natural body; it is raised a SPIRITUAL BODY. There is a NATURAL BODY, and there is a SPIRITUAL BODY.
And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam [Christ] was made A QUICKENING [vivifying, living, immortal] SPIRIT
Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterwards that which is SPIRITUAL.
The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from HEAVEN [the realm of spirit].
As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are HEAVENLY.
And as we [all humanity born of physical Adam] have born the image of the earthy, we [all humanity born of spiritual Jesus, the Christ] shall also bear the image of the HEAVENLY [Christ]" (I Cor. 15:41-49).
Can we even begin to comprehend what we have just read? But we are not there as yet. The physical part of this parable is still being played out on this physical stage of the universe. The final curtain of this heavenly play will not come down until all of the Acts have first been performed. And the drama is building as we near the climax.
I was once a student of the archaeology of the biblical findings. This really excited me when they would find some physical evidence that would lend proof to some story in the bible like Jericho, the Exodus, etc. Then it dawned on me through some teaching and pondering that the historical fact is actually meaningless to me. As a matter of fact, the physical truths of the bible get in the way of the real truth. When they made a finding it was like "AHA it really did happen in 1733 BC or something, and what I should actually be realizing is that it is happening now in me. I am Adam. I am Eve. I am Cain. I am Moses. I am David, King Saul, Judas, Paul, etc. Until I got that revelation the bible was dead, historical letter. Now it is not even a book it has depth that passes my complete understanding but I love it and see new truths in it daily. I can never stop reading it. It is the spiritual meaning that actually has meaning.
God Bless
CIY
This is probably not necessary, it looks like it came to you but this might help someone else. I believe I recall Ray using Genesis 3:7 as an example of the physical having a spiritual application. Christendom only reads that Adam and Eve saw that they were physically naked after eating the fruit. We see that they were spiritually naked when their eyes were opened. We experienced the very same thing when our eyes were opened. It happened for us that can see it that way. I think that was Ray's point. The whole Bible is loaded with things like that.
Mark