I agree a little on your comment about the Gospels, except the Book of John goes kind of in another direction. In John we see more about Jesus in his ministry. I usually tell new believers to read Luke then John before any book of the bible. Also in John Jesus wants others to share what he is doing, in the other three Gospels he wants them to wait until its his time.

Why does it have to be LITERAL to be accurate? Jesus' parables were not literal, but they were certainly accurate.

Curious, as I don't know the answer, but how do you know they were not literal? Does Jesus say they weren't? Does and apostle say they weren't? Or just that somebody labeled them as parables and your assumption is that means they are not literal?

Curious, as I don't know the answer, but how do you know they were not literal? Does Jesus say they weren't? Does and apostle say they weren't? Or just that somebody labeled them as parables and your assumption is that means they are not literal?

 

One thing I always sort of guaged them by was when Jesus chooses to use specific names, I generally take those to be specific, true stories...like Lazarus and the rich man...some people take that as a parable, but I think it's a true story. Otherwise, I don't see why he would have named Lazarus specifically.

 

On the parables, he usually just said "ten virgins" or "the sower" or something...a more generic name/title for the people. That doesn't mean some of them weren't or couldn't have been real examples though.