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How Much of the Bible Should I Take Literally?

By Billy Graham, Tribune Media Services

Q: How much of the Bible is literal and how much of it is a myth? Take Jonah and the whale, for instance. Surely that must be a myth, because I can't imagine anyone being swallowed by a whale and then living to tell about it. -- S.L.

A: It might surprise you to learn that there actually have been several documented cases of people who were swallowed by whales and lived to tell about it (although the Bible simply says that Jonah was swallowed by "a great fish," not necessarily a whale).

But the real question is this: Did the miracles recorded in the Bible actually happen -- or are they simply myths or legends? The Bible's testimony is clear: They actually happened -- and the reason is because God made them happen. If we leave God out of the picture and say He isn't powerful or doesn't have anything to do with the world, then there isn't any room for miracles.

But once we understand that God is all-powerful, and that He cares what happens to us, then the miracles recorded in the Bible won't be a problem for us. The Bible says, "How great you are, O Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you" (2 Samuel 7:22). The Bible's miracles were a demonstration of God's power and authority.

The greatest miracle of all, however, is the miracle of God's love for us. We aren't worthy of His love, for we have sinned and turned our backs on Him. And yet He still loves us -- and the proof is that He sent His Son into the world to save us and give us eternal life. Don't be ruled by your doubts any longer, but by faith open your life to Christ's transforming power today.

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Send your queries to "My Answer," c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; call 1-(877) 2-GRAHAM, or visit the Web site for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: www.billygraham.org.

(c)2008 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.

This news arrived on: 08/19/2008

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Posted Comments:

08-25-2008 01:26

Melanie wrote:

The Bible

I believe that The Bible's message is 100% true. I believe however there are passages, for instance in Deuteronomy that are odd to say the least. Like when it is Ok to stone somebody. Or the punishment for rape, and the uneven treatment for males and females...and something about spitting in a shoe. These things don't really hang me up so to speak, but I know many people that are not sure what to make of some of it.