Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States
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Do we interpret the Holy Bible on literal or spiritual levels? Please provide examples of how the Holy Bible could be interpreted on both levels.

The Holy Bible can be interpreted on both literal and spiritual levels. The book of Exodus provides the literal account of the Hebrew nation crossing the Red Sea. "So the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left" (Exodus 14:22). Baptism is a spiritual interpretation we draw from that literal account. St. Mary, the pure Virgin, was called for her magnificent role long before she was born. As a daughter of David and his descendants, the verse in Psalm 45 provides both literal and spiritual interpretation, "Listen, O daughter, consider and incline your ear; forget your own people also, and your father's house; so the King will greatly desire your beauty; because He is your Lord, worship him" (Psalm 45:10,11). The life of St. Antony the Great provides an example similar to that of St. Simon the Tanner. St. Antony heard the reading of the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew 19:21, "If you want to be perfect, go sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come follow Me." He applied these verses literally, and left all to follow our Lord Jesus Christ, and subsequently embarked on the greatest spiritual endeavor in history.
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