Mike:
You know, Sharon, when I think about how to read the Bible, I keep going back to Jesus and how He taught. He used parables all the time. That tells me God is okay with using stories to explain truth.
Sharon:
That’s true, Mike. Jesus did tell parables. But He also told people when something was a parable. Like when He said, “The kingdom of heaven is like…” Everyone knew He was using a picture. But other times, He just said things straight.
Mike:
Right, but some of the stories He told were so real that people probably felt like they were true. Like the Good Samaritan. Jesus never said, “This didn’t really happen.” But He told it to make a point, not to share a news report.
Sharon:
That’s a good story, for sure. But here’s the thing—Jesus was teaching people how to live and love, so parables made sense. But when the Bible talks about creation or miracles or history, I think those are facts, not stories.
Mike:
I see what you mean. Still, don’t you think God uses different ways to speak to different kinds of people? Some people learn through rules. Others through stories. And some through symbols. Jesus met people where they were.
Sharon:
Yes, He did. And He still does. But when Jesus quoted the Old Testament, He treated it like it was true. He said, “Have you not read…” and then He’d quote Scripture like it really happened. So I think He saw those parts as literal.
Mike:
True again. But even when He quoted Scripture, He often brought new meaning to it. Like when He said, “You’ve heard it said, but I say to you…” He didn’t cancel the old words, but He helped people understand the heart behind them.
Sharon:
That’s different though. That’s Jesus showing us how to live with the right heart. He didn’t say the old laws were fake. He just said people were missing the point of them. That doesn’t mean the stories behind the laws weren’t real.
Mike:
Fair point. But what about when the disciples asked why He spoke in parables? He said, “To those who understand, more will be given. But to those who don’t, even what they have will be taken away.” That means He didn’t always want things to be super clear.
Sharon:
That always confused me, honestly. Why would Jesus hide truth? Isn’t the gospel for everyone?
Mike:
Yes, but I think He was trying to reach hearts that were open. Parables made people think. The ones who really wanted truth would dig for it. The others would just let it go. That’s still kind of how it works today.
Sharon:
I can see that. But I also think it’s dangerous to take too much of the Bible as a parable. That opens the door to people saying, “Oh, maybe the cross was just a symbol too.” And that would be wrong. Jesus really died and rose again.
Mike:
I agree completely. That’s one thing I won’t ever call a parable. The cross is real. The resurrection is real. Our faith stands on that. But I still think some parts of the Bible are written more like stories to teach deeper lessons.
Sharon:
So what parts would you say are just stories?
Mike:
Not “just” stories—holy stories. Like the book of Job. Some people think it was a real man. Others think it was a story told to show faith through suffering. Either way, the lesson is powerful. God is good, even when life is hard.
Sharon:
But Job is called “blameless and upright.” His name is in other books too. That makes me think he was real. Same with Jonah. Jesus even talked about Jonah being in the fish for three days. He linked it to His own death and resurrection.
Mike:
Yes, He did. And I wrestle with that one. Jonah could’ve been a real person, but the fish part might be symbolic. Or maybe both are true at once. Maybe the story happened, but it was also told in a way that made the lesson shine brighter.
Sharon:
That seems risky, Mike. If people start saying the fish didn’t really happen, they might say the cross didn’t happen either. Where do we draw the line?
Mike:
We draw the line at the gospel. Jesus really lived, really died, and really rose again. That’s our anchor. But for other parts, I think it’s okay to ask, “What kind of writing is this?” If Jesus told parables, maybe the writers of Scripture did too.
Sharon:
So would you say Genesis is a parable?
Mike:
Not exactly. I’d say it’s more like sacred storytelling. It gives us truth through images. God creates light. God separates water. God breathes life into man. Those are truths. Whether they happened in a six-day timeline or not doesn’t change the meaning for me.
Sharon:
But it matters to me. Because if God said six days, I believe six days. I don’t think He’s trying to trick us or speak in riddles in the very first chapter.
Mike:
I don’t think it’s a trick. I think it’s a way of teaching. Jesus used that method too. He didn’t always explain His parables right away. Sometimes He left people wondering.
Sharon:
Yes, but again—Jesus said when it was a parable. He didn’t say, “Let me tell you how the earth began” and then use riddles. He didn’t do that.
Mike:
Fair enough. But I still believe God can use mystery to reach people. Not everyone comes to faith through facts. Some come through wonder. Parables make us pause. They make us ask questions. That’s not weakness. That’s invitation.
Sharon:
I guess we’re different that way. I find comfort in knowing the Bible means what it says. You seem to find meaning in asking, “What if this part is deeper than it looks?”
Mike:
That’s true. But I think both ways can bring us closer to God. You hold the Word with strong faith. I hold it with curiosity and awe. But we both love it.
Sharon:
Yes, we do. And maybe that’s what really matters in the end.
Mike:
I think so too. Jesus told parables, not because He wanted to confuse us, but because He wanted to invite us into the story. That’s what I believe the Bible is—God’s story inviting us in.
Sharon:
I still believe some parts are more fact than story. But I can respect that God reaches different hearts in different ways.
Mike:
Exactly. And whether we see the words as literal or figurative, we both know the Word is alive. That’s the amazing part.
Sharon:
Yes. Alive and powerful. I just want to handle it carefully, because it’s holy.
Mike:
Same here. That’s why these talks are important. They help us see more than one side and stay close to the heart of God.
Sharon:
Thanks for talking this through with me, Mike. I don’t agree with everything, but I’m glad we can talk with respect.
Mike:
Me too, Sharon. We may see things differently, but we’re walking toward the same Savior.
Sharon:
Amen to that.