The Biblical Use of Hyperbole, and Q&A

To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/207/29

On todays Bible Answer Man broadcast, Hank returns to his discussion on figurative language in the Bible, focusing on the Bibles use of hyperbole, which employs exaggeration for effect or emphasis. If you step on a scale and exclaim Oh my goodness, I weigh a ton! you are obviously not intending to say that you literally weigh two thousand pounds. While hyperbole is commonly used in our culture, it is virtually ubiquitous in the Bible. This is particularly true of prophetic passages. In prophesying Jerusalems destruction, Jesus says, For then there will be great distress unequaled from the beginning of the world until nowand never to be equaled again. In doing so, he was not literally predicting that the destruction of Jerusalem would be more cataclysmic than the catastrophe caused by Noahs flood. Rather, he was using apocalyptic hyperbole to underscore the distress and devastation that would be experienced when Jerusalem and its temple were judged. Unfortunately, modern-day prophecy peddlers turn apocalyptic hyperbole into woodenly literalistic interpretations and as a result, Christs name is dragged through the mud.

Hank also answers the following questions:

I was reading the story of Cain and Abel and was wondering, where did these other people and cities come from?

I believe that there is just one Israel of God, would supersessionism be an accurate term for this belief?

Can you tell me anything about Ken Ham? Hes been really going at you because of your broadcast last week on dinosaurs.