Seems to me that the contention in this discussion is mostly based on semantic quibbling.
We're talking about written records of history. Every incident and story related in these records is entirely symbolic. The words and letters that comprise a written text or an oral narrative are symbols. Thus it is entirely accurate to say that scriptures are "symbolic". In this context, the argument between "literal" and "symbolic" or "figurative" loses most of its edge. It is academic that every bit of information has to be processed and interpreted. Scriptures are no different. Thus they might accurately be characterized as both "symbolic" and "literal" at the same time. This argument does nothing to address the question of how we should approach the scriptural record. We find the key to scripture interpretation within the scriptures themselves. "Scripture which is the mind, the will, and the word of the Lord can only be understood to the extent that our thought process is one with his. It has been properly said that it takes scripture to understand scripture, meaning it takes the Spirit to understand the things of the Spirit. Our faith must not be based, as the apostle Paul observed, in the wisdom of the world." (Joseph Fielding McConkie, Answers: Straightforward Answers to Tough Gospel Questions [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1998], 194.) "Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: "But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: "Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. "But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. "For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. "Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:6-14.) Perhaps to believe the literalness of the scriptural story of the walls of Jericho appears to be foolishness unto some. I find no such attitude reflected in the teachings of inspired Church leaders. There is no common idea expressed in counsel that we need to maintain a proper, scholarly and academic skepticism regarding our study of the scriptures. Rather, it has been said a number of times that our scriptural canon is closed only because we fail to accept even that which we already have. "Now the Lord is withholding from us a great many truths that he would gladly reveal if we were ready to receive them. Did you know that a portion of the record from which the Book of Mormon is taken is sealed? The Prophet was not permitted to break the seals, and we will not receive the sealed record until the time comes when the people will show by their faith their willingness to accept it. "How many have read the Book of Mormon through? How many have made themselves familiar with the things revealed to us in the Doctrine and Covenants regarding what the Lord has said of our duties as members of the Church and what he has said regarding our salvation and exaltation and how it may be obtained? Until we are prepared to receive the things already given, I fear the Lord will hold from us those other things which one time will be revealed. "If we had on record all that had been written by inspired historians, then we would have the truth concerning the gospel of Jesus Christ in such a way that it would astonish the world. Because of unbelief the Lord withdrew from the people many truths, and so they were left without the knowledge concerning the principles of the gospel and the true Church of Jesus Christ." (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 3 vols., edited by Bruce R. McConkie [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1954-1956], 3: 202.) --- Mij Ebaboc ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// /// ZION LIST CHARTER: Please read it at /// /// http://www.zionsbest.com/charter.html /// ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [email protected] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?aaP9AU.bWix1n.YXJjaGl2 Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
