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The Bible is filled with symbolism, which the authors of the Bible used to try and explain spiritual truths. In the gospels, Jesus uses symbolism to describe himself many times. He describes himself as, eg:

• shepherd
• light
• bread
• cornerstone

The use of symbolism like this enriches the text. It also allows humanity to have a greater understanding of God and his truths. Symbolism should be used to help understand the message of God and what he is trying to convey.

Biblical myth

Some people interpret and read the Bible and passages as mythical texts. This does not take anything away from the authority of the Bible, but rather gives an explanation and truth to something that may otherwise be inexplicable. For example, the Genesis story of creation can be seen as mythical, as science has proved that the world cannot have literally been created in six days. However the belief is that the story holds the truths that God is the ultimate creator, and that he alone is responsible for all of creation. The stories in the Bible give an insight into the religious experiences of those from a different age.