VirtualAngels

If the things in the Bible didn't happen exactly as it is written they did, then it is no different than Lord of the Rings. A wonderful story that contains many truths about the human condition but not the living word of God, the Holy Scriptures. Just because something teaches a great moral lesson, as many great written works do, that span generations through its captivating storytelling doesn't mean it's the truth of God. Additionally most of the works people consider masterpieces were written by people reckoned to be masters themselves, in contrast, the Bible was written by people who were barely just literate enough for the task at some points, but God esteemed not the heads of the wisdom of the world for this, but men of great faith. That's not to say all were unlearned, Paul was wise in both ways, for example. Back to the matter at hand, God never claims His book are just fables and tall tales that didn't really happen how they were recorded but embellished and meant for us to understand only in a purely metaphorical sense. That things happened, but they were more mundane than the text suggests. The Red Sea didn't really part, it's a metaphor, type people. He emphatically says just the opposite, that the things written are the testaments of all the THINGS that were, are, and ever will be, but people don't want to receive it in this matter because it puts men at odds with the world they seek to gain favor from. And when you seek favor in foreign land, you seek counsel from its rulers, and the ruler of this world is none other than Satan and his angels. So, He will send His two witnesses, who stand by Him, as a testimony and to highlight the Way before the earth is purified by fire. If your pastor suggests that the stories in the Bible didn't really need to happen for them to be true on a personal level, and that they were gussied up after the fact, like a tale that gets taller every time, during an actual sermon, it's time to find a new church. Because no prophecy of the scripture ever came by private interpretation, but men were moved by the Spirt of God, and all scripture is God-breathed (888) It's all or nothing with the Bible, it's either 100% or trash. My friends and I KNOW it's TRUTHS and have been compelled, by powers much greater than ourselves, to tell you (ad nauseam) and demonstrate to you that it is as He says it is.