Quote:I was just wondering what your definition of a literalist is? Could one not be a literalist about the afterlife?
I've been thinking about this a little for a while now. Clearly one needs to define one's terms!
'Literal' used to mean to me something that could be defined in physical terms or in physical reality. I guess I think it is a characteristic of C1.
Do I think that Jesus (as he appeared 2000 years ago) wll literally return in the physical and the lions will play with the lambs?
Probably not.
But then I am left with the problem of defining (for myself if for no one else) what is symbolic and what that means. For instance, when I read a poem that resonates with me, and I know the symbolism is not meant to be taken literally, then what is happening? What is Reality?
And are there...things...that are literally true even though not expressed physically?
I think you mean to say that 'literal' means that it is real (whatever
real means). Did anyone ever refer to the afterlife as merely symbolic?
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One thing related to this that tickles my mind is noticing how spiritual truths can be taken different ways....each person thinks they have the 'literal' meaning.
This morning as I moived through the tv channels, one caught my ear. An eveangelical type minister was quoting New Testament verses and commenting on them. It struck me that what he was saying was pretty close in essence to what some things in
The Secret say, and to some things that Eckard Tolle writes. Yet from the results, I would guess that each group interprets the same thing slightly differently. This illustrates some of the problem of defining what 'literal' means.
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I like the symbolic level but I don't know why.
I also like Blake:
Little lamb, who made thee?
Dost thou know who made thee,
Gave thee life, and bade thee feed
By the stream and o’er the mead;
Gave thee clothing of delight,
Softest clothing, wooly, bright;
Gave thee such a tender voice,
Making all the vales rejoice?
Little lamb, who made thee?
Dost thou know who made thee?
Little lamb, I’ll tell thee;
Little lamb, I’ll tell thee:
He is called by thy name,
For He calls Himself a lamb,
He is meek, and He is mild,
He became a little child;
I a child, and thee a Lamb,
We are called by His Name.
Little lamb, God bless thee!
Little lamb, God bless thee!