Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This week we're diving in to some deep controversy, and we gotta say: come on in, the water's fine.
First, we're looking at biblical literalism. There are a lot of Christians out there these days who claim that they believe that the Bible is to be taken exactly at face value. It's literally true exactly as it is, no interpretation needed. Well, if you've been with us for any amount of time, you already know that's a position that's not going to work around here.
But what is biblical literalism really? When you boil it down, what are the literalists really saying? Is literalism a dogma that goes back to beginning of Christianity, or is it relatively new?
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For early access to an ad-free version of every episode of Data Over Dogma, exclusive content, and the opportunity to support our work, please consider becoming a monthly patron at:
patreon.com/DataOverDogma
Follow us on the various social media places:
facebook.com/DataOverDogmaPod
twitter.com/data_over_dogma
Have you ordered Dan McClellan's New York Times bestselling book The Bible Says So yet???
Buy at this link: static.macmillan.com/static/smp/bible-says-so-9781250347466
_____________________________________________
Chapters:
0:00 Intro — What Is Biblical Literalism?
1:24 The Hot Take: No Such Thing as a Literalist
2:34 Early Church Approaches (Origen & Augustine)
4:25 Psalm 137 and Allegorical Interpretation
6:06 The Four Senses of Scripture Explained
8:04 Song of Songs and Finding Christ Everywhere
11:10 Medieval Interpretation and Church Authority
12:56 Reformation Pushback and Sola Scriptura
14:54 Where Do We Draw the Literal Line?
16:45 Printing Press and Changing Bible Access
18:47 Enlightenment & Historical Criticism
19:30 Science, Evolution, and Modern Challenges
20:32 The Fundamentals and the Rise of Fundamentalism
21:55 The Scopes Trial and Public Education
24:05 The Chicago Statement on Inerrancy (1978)
26:37 “Literal” — Except When It’s Not?
27:47 Contradictions and Who Decides?
29:48 Other Gods, Demons, and Selective Literalism
31:05 Genesis 1–11 vs. Modern Science
32:02 Literalism as Reactionary Identity Marker
33:26 Flat Earth and the Slippery Slope
34:16 Final Thoughts
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This week we're diving in to some deep controversy, and we gotta say: come on in, the water's fine.
First, we're looking at biblical literalism. There are a lot of Christians out there these days who claim that they believe that the Bible is to be taken exactly at face value. It's literally true exactly as it is, no interpretation needed. Well, if you've been with us for any amount of time, you already know that's a position that's not going to work around here.
But what is biblical literalism really? When you boil it down, what are the literalists really saying? Is literalism a dogma that goes back to beginning of Christianity, or is it relatively new?
----
For early access to an ad-free version of every episode of Data Over Dogma, exclusive content, and the opportunity to support our work, please consider becoming a monthly patron at:
patreon.com/DataOverDogma
Follow us on the various social media places:
facebook.com/DataOverDogmaPod
twitter.com/data_over_dogma
Have you ordered Dan McClellan's New York Times bestselling book The Bible Says So yet???
Buy at this link: static.macmillan.com/static/smp/bible-says-so-9781250347466
_____________________________________________
Chapters:
0:00 Intro — What Is Biblical Literalism?
1:24 The Hot Take: No Such Thing as a Literalist
2:34 Early Church Approaches (Origen & Augustine)
4:25 Psalm 137 and Allegorical Interpretation
6:06 The Four Senses of Scripture Explained
8:04 Song of Songs and Finding Christ Everywhere
11:10 Medieval Interpretation and Church Authority
12:56 Reformation Pushback and Sola Scriptura
14:54 Where Do We Draw the Literal Line?
16:45 Printing Press and Changing Bible Access
18:47 Enlightenment & Historical Criticism
19:30 Science, Evolution, and Modern Challenges
20:32 The Fundamentals and the Rise of Fundamentalism
21:55 The Scopes Trial and Public Education
24:05 The Chicago Statement on Inerrancy (1978)
26:37 “Literal” — Except When It’s Not?
27:47 Contradictions and Who Decides?
29:48 Other Gods, Demons, and Selective Literalism
31:05 Genesis 1–11 vs. Modern Science
32:02 Literalism as Reactionary Identity Marker
33:26 Flat Earth and the Slippery Slope
34:16 Final Thoughts
____________________________________________
#podcast #oldtestament #bible #biblestudy #biblestories #biblereading #bibleteaching #religion #Jesus #jesuschrist #god #adonai #athiest #athiesm #faith #faithjourney #podcasting #podcastclips #podcastlife #podcasters #podcastshow #skeptic #skepticism #judaism #hebrew #hebrewbible #christianbible #christianity #newtestament #christian #christianity #christianityexplained #holybible #doubt #believe #believer #belief #utah #saltlakecity #lds #mormon #scholar #middleeast #israel #religious #church
