Is the Bible's language about hell literal or metaphorical?

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Permalink Reply by RoyW on January 25, 2013 at 11:42am

As an example of an extensive use of metaphors and symbolism, one could refer to the Song of Songs. To understand the poetic writing exactly, one would need to have understanding of the symbols that are being referred to, the geography and culture of the persons in the writings. Without that, we would have a difficult time really understanding it. Jesus did not speak to us in this way. He doesn't leave us guessing to His meaning. He used metaphors in a way that displayed clear understanding. A poet like Solomon might want to keep you guess about his meaning. That is not the way Jesus taught. He used metaphors, symbolism and parables to help us to understand better and maybe a little more simplistic than just prose writing. The purpose was not to disguise the meaning. When He spoke of the rich man in hell, He used language that a normal person could understand. When the rich man said, "I am agony in this fire," that is a picture we can all understand. There may be a few things that would require more study, but the word "agony" is one we can all understand completely. The King James uses the word "tormented." That may be a little more descriptive yet.

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Permalink Reply by Amanda on January 25, 2013 at 12:37pm

In literary analysis, an allegory is an extended metaphor. Dante's Divine Comedy is an example of an allegory. It's a poem. The Divine Comedy is imaginative literature. 

The Bible is the Word of God. 

The Bible contains several genres of literature and each genre has defining traits and poetic literature is one of the genres and in order to interpret a verse in any of these genres, the defining traits must be analyzed. If we fail to pay attention to literary analysis, we risk misinterpreting and misapplying Scripture. It's also important to look at grammar, history, context, and theology. Theology is looking at the whole of Scripture and what it says about God and about God's will for His creation. Some will say Hell is a metaphor for the grave but they aren't looking at the whole of Scripture and all of the revelation about Hell and about God and about God's will for His creation.

Jesus is the greatest revelation of God Himself. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. 

Yes, the descriptive words used by Jesus, Who is Truth, are highly visual and give us clear pictures or images. In my POV, too. 

I don't know if you've heard of this before but there is something called a social function meaning to a speech act. An example of a social function meaning to a speech act is when someone says It's crowded in here but means I want to leave. The social function meaning of speech is when someone says one thing, but is really hinting at something else. 

But I know that many will look at me and think I'm using worldly knowledge to try to discern the deep things of God. I don't know. Maybe I do.  But I pray for God's wisdom.

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Permalink Reply by Colby on January 25, 2013 at 1:18pm

Good point, Roy.  The metaphors, symbolism and parables that Jesus used in his teaching weren't meant to obscure a point or soften its impact.  On the contrary, they conjure up vivid and compelling imagery that serves to drive home an important point or lesson.  In this case, it's about the reality and horrific nature of Hell and the Lake of Fire.

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Permalink Reply by Amanda on January 25, 2013 at 1:30pm

Colby, you have a gift for being able to succinctly summarize things. You have good comprehension. I wish I could comprehend things better. You are blessed.

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Permalink Reply by Colby on January 25, 2013 at 2:02pm

Amanda, You're gifted by the Holy Spirit in your writing, posing terrific questions and adding immeasurably to our understanding of God's Word.  You're a God-given blessing to all here.

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Permalink Reply by Colby on January 26, 2013 at 3:08pm

Exactly!  Well said, Amanda.

Metaphorical or allegorical language, when used in the Holy Scriptures, doesn't obscure or lessen the reality or truth of the message.  To think that it does, is to be misguided and mistaken.  God's Word employs metaphor and other literary devices, deliberately and intentionally, to great effect.

We don't need to make excuses for metaphorical language in the Bible, as if thinking that it's somehow deficient when compared to literal writing.

On the contrary, the vivid imagery that metaphors conjure up serves to underscore and put into clear focus an important point so as to leave no doubt among the audience as to what is being communicated. As the old saying goes, "one picture is worth a thousand words."

Jesus often used metaphors and parables (layered stories with deep meaning) were his preferred teaching method.  The example of Jesus representing himself as "the vine" and you and I as "the branches" is an excellent case in point.  We all know Jesus isn't really a grapevine.  Does that lessen or obscure who he is, or his relationship with us?  Not at all!  Quite the contrary.

We  use metaphors in our everyday speech, too, for added emphasis or impact.  I can say, for example, that "it rained heavily last night " (literal) or that "it rained cats and dogs last night" (metaphorical).  Both  statements express the same truth.  No reasonable person would infer from my metaphor that it didn't rain, even though the imagery of "cats and dogs" falling from the sky is ludicrous.

To read the Bible for all it's worth, we need to understand the Bible (as with other works of great literature) uses several different literary styles/genres and be able to recognize them.  We can't superimpose a "one-size-fits-all" approach on reading the Scriptures.

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