As Hammett stated, a consistent, biblical exposure to Scripture bears a tremendous impact on how one views it. It also helps in how one views the truth contained therein.
“Those who stumble over the word ‘literal’ need a more careful understanding of what that word means,” said Hammett, who also serve SEBTS as the John Leadley Dagg chair of systematic theology. “Many think because the Bible uses language of the sun rising and setting, it must be wrong and science right and the Bible can’t be taken literally. But literal interpretation of figurative language requires understanding what the figures literally mean.
“Literal interpretation does not equal wooden interpretation, with no understanding of the literary genres in Scripture. There are parables, poetry, lament and narratives in Scripture. All communicate literal truth, but in diverse ways. Faithful biblical exposition explains such matters to people, and allows them to see the literal truth, often couched in figurative language.”
This article originally appeared here.
