READING THE BIBLE AGAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME- a review
"This older way of seeing the Bible has been called 'natural literalism.' In a state of natural literalism, the Bible is read and accepted literally without effort. Because someone in this state has no reason to think differently, a literal reading of the Bible poses no problems.
Natural literalism is quite different from 'conscious literalism,' a modern form of literalism that has become aware of problems posed by a literal reading of the Bible but insists upon it nevertheless. Whereas natural literalism is effortless, conscious literalism is effortful. It requires 'faith' understood as believing things hard to believe. But natural literalism does not insist upon literal interpretation. Rather, it takes it for granted and it does not require 'faith' to do so.
My family and congregation were not fundamentalists. Rather, we were natural literalists, though we favored what we might call "soft literalism.' We did not, for example, insist upon reading the Genesis stories of creation literally. It was fine to see the six days of creation as six geological epochs. We did not have to deny the existence of dinosaurs or the fossil record.
But as 'soft literalists, we took it for granted that the most important events in the Bible happened pretty much as they are reported. That at the time of the exodus the sea really did part to allow the ancient Hebrews to pass through. That Jesus really was born of a virgin really did walk on the water, really did multiply loaves, and so forth. This is what I mean by 'soft literalism': taking it for granted that the most central events reported in the Bible really happened.
This older way of seeing the Bible went with an older way of seeing Christianity. The reason for the connection is obvious: the Bible has been the foundational for Christianity throughout the centuries. How one sees the Bible and how one sees Christianity go hand in hand."
The above paragraphs are in the introductory writings to READING THE BIBLE AGAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME, by Marcus J. Borg, Hundere Distinguished Professor of Religion and Culture at Oregon State University. Dr. Borg is also the author of MEETING JESUS AGAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE GOD WE NEVER KNEW, and JESUS: A NEW VISION.
Dr. Borg's writing represents the "historical-metaphorical" side of the on-going debate with those who insist on a "literal-factual" way of reading the Bible. His stated intent is to offer a persuasive way of seeing and reading scriptures that "takes the Bible seriously without taking it literally."
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