literally. The Bible is full of metaphors, parables, and poetry, which are to be interpreted as in any other piece of literature. How could anyone take “literally” such common expressions as “tickled to death,” “a heart of gold,” “ages since I saw you,” etc. The objection depends on a crassly literal interpretation of various poetic passages and then says the Bible violates common knowledge. So would most poetry describing the moon, the trees, the mountains, and anything wonderful or beautiful. Many