Why “literal” doesn’t always mean honest—and how a faithful reading begins with humility
Ever since I went to seminary, I’ve become acutely aware of a phrase commonly heard among Christians:
“I read the Bible literally.”
Before seminary, I wasn’t unaware that the Bible was written in another language—but I hadn’t fully considered that it was also written a long, long time ago, in a land far, far away, shaped by cultures very different from ours.
In other words: A modern American reading an English Bible can rarely read the text “literally.”
What we often call literal reading is more accurately modern projection—bringing our cultural, linguistic, and theological expectations into the text and assuming they were there from the beginning.
What We Mean When We Say “Literal”
In seminary, I learned that a huge part of understanding what the Bible is communicating falls under biblical criticism—a field devoted to interpreting scripture with attention to history, language, context, and genre.
This isn’t about criticizing the Bible. It’s about reading it with integrity—believing the text communicates something sincere and meaningful, written by humans seeking to express divine truth to others.
We believe the Bible speaks the truth. But truth in Scripture doesn’t always arrive in the form of modern logic or plain facts. Often, truth in Scripture needs to be unwrapped—it is packaged as poetry, parable, historical recollection, covenantal reflection, or prophetic lament.
Recognizing how truth is communicated is part of honoring the Bible’s intent.
The Ethics of Interpretation
Interpreting scripture ethically means acknowledging that:
- The Bible was written in ancient Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek—not English.
- The text was shaped by specific communities, at specific times, with particular questions.
- Many passages were never meant to be “read literally” in the way we mean that today.
For example, consider:
- Psalm 19:1 – “The heavens declare the glory of God…” (poetic theology, not astronomy)
- Genesis 1–2 – Two different creation stories, not scientific accounts
- Matthew 13:10–17 – Jesus explicitly says he speaks in parables, not for literal understanding but for spiritual discernment
In seminary, students are trained to interpret scripture by:
- Recognizing its historical and cultural setting
- Reviewing how others have interpreted it over time
- Proposing a reading that is ethically responsible, theologically grounded, and aware of its modern audience
Through this process, several possible interpretations may emerge—each shaped by different assumptions, questions, and contexts.
Reading in Community
One of the most important realizations is that scripture is meant to be read in the community.
The Bible was written for people, not just for individuals. It continues to be most alive when engaged with others who reflect the diversity of God’s creation.
That’s why it’s powerful to study the Bible:
- With people of different ages, genders, ethnicities, and social backgrounds
- With the voices of early Christian thinkers, saints, and teachers
- In dialogue with Jewish and Islamic readers, who share overlapping texts and prophetic traditions
- Through global cultural lenses that illuminate meanings we might miss in Western contexts
The more varied the community of readers, the more faithful the interpretation can become.
Created in God’s Likeness—And Called to Listen Well
Genesis 1:27 reminds us that all humans are created in God’s image (tselem elohim)—not as clones but as reflections. That shared identity gives us a common starting point, even across differences.
Reading the Bible with integrity means honoring the truth that:
- No one group owns scripture
- No single lens can exhaust its meaning
- All readers carry both insight and limitation
Humility becomes not just a virtue but an ethical requirement for interpretation.
So What Does It Mean to “Read the Bible Literally”?
If by literal, we mean seriously, faithfully, and with an openness to the text’s world and wisdom—then yes. Let’s read the Bible “literally.”
But if we mean “simply” or “without context,”—we risk missing the Spirit behind the words.
“All scripture is inspired by God and is useful…”
— 2 Timothy 3:16
Useful. Not always obvious. Not always easy.
But worthy of our care, our humility, and our commitment to truth.
Reflection & Engagement
- What assumptions do you bring when you read the Bible?
- Who do you read with—literally or figuratively?
- What is a passage that became more meaningful when you heard it from someone else’s perspective?
Let’s keep reading faithfully. And let’s keep reading together.
If you want to learn how scholars read scripture, check out my short series “Illuminating Scriptures: A Comprehensive Guide to Biblical Exegesis.“
Dr. Erica Mongé-Greer is a writer, biblical scholar, and consultant passionate about the intersections of faith, ethics, and storytelling. With over a decade of experience in higher education, she brings deep insight into scripture, theology, and the narratives that shape our understanding of justice and identity. Through her writing, teaching, and consulting, she helps others engage with biblical texts, develop their own voices, and navigate the world of publishing with clarity and purpose. She is the founder of Retreat Write Repeat, a space dedicated to fostering community and creativity for writers. Follow her work at scholarlywanderlust.com.
