Back in Bible Times, the common literary style was in parables, metaphors, and allegories. The reason for this is that the spiritual truths they were trying to convey are too abstract and difficult to express in literal terms.
The Bible itself says that not a word Jesus spoke was literal:
Matthew 13:34 "All these things spoke Jesus to the multitude in parables; and he did not speak without a parable."
The Apostle Paul said that the literal words bring death, but the spirit of the letter gives life:
2 Corinthians 3:6 " He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life."
What is a Jew?
Romans 2:29 (NLT) "No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by God's Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people. "
Are the lessons in the Bible original, or are they much older? Are they obvious, or are they hidden?
Psalms 78:2 (NLT) " I will speak to you in a parable. I will teach you hidden lessons from our past— stories we have heard and known, stories our ancestors handed down to us."
What is wisdom? How is the Bible to be interpreted?
Proverbs 1:6 (NLT) "...by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables, the words of the wise and their riddles."
Paul said that the people who read Moses literally had a veil upon their hearts:
2 Corinthians 3:15, 16 "Yes, even today when they read Moses' writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand. But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away." DEEP MEDITATION IS THE KEY TO UNDERSTANDING
THE TEMPLE IS IN YOUR HEAD!
Acts 7:48 "The Most High dwells not in temples made with hands."
Luke 17:21 "The Kingdom of God is within you."
According to Paul, the story of Abraham, Sarah and Hagar is an allegory. This explains how a 90-year old woman can have a child. What Paul writes explicitly says this allegory is among others by saying "which things". How much of the Hebrew Scriptures are about these covenants? This would imply that the entire Old Testament is an allegory.
Galatians 4:24 "These things are being taken figuratively: The women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar."
The Bible has much more to say about the left brain and right brain and the split in our consciousness.
Continue reading:
http://www.hiddenmeanings.com/storiesjuly02.html
For those who prefer videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSRv7qFfZjs&list=PL6AE32D2718B891D3&index=9