Christian Literalism vs. Symbolism: Scripture is Literature, Not Always Literal

Christian literalism amazes me. I cannot comprehend how one can take all words literally. Do we not understand literature and the use of symbolism? I suppose I cannot judge one's relationship with God. Who am I to tell you that your sense of God is man-made? Who am I, a measly human, to tell you your sense of the Almighty God is false? However, when it comes to symbolism within the "holy realm", I believe it can be misread. I suppose that's why we have so many Christian denominations. But, as someone who despises the denomination structure – because it divides Christ, it divides God –  I cannot fathom the idea of belonging to a denomination. Why must I want to divide myself? Why must I feel the need to be correct, forcing a division of God's Truth. Humans have the thirst for needing to be correct about who God is. All I want is to be with Him. 

As humans, the imperfect beings we are, we are blinded by the materialistic, egotistical, toxic world we walk on. Where is our focus on God? Humanity created their own versions of "God" with the characteristics they believe God to be depending on the geography; hence our different religious groups. There is a unity, I believe, within all religions. I think about Descartes' theory on God's existence: The thought of an infinite being is instilled in our brains, and that thought cannot come from nothing but the actual infinite being itself; a cause and effect. The inference of God is within us. If so many religious beings see God as omniscient, infinite, and loving –  why do we argue? We just express our faiths differently. I suppose this is where theology comes in. Personally, I do believe God came down to His Creation, Earth (the man-made name we have given it), through His Creation, man, and that was Jesus. Jesus was God's vessel. However, God can be expressed in many forms. This world has three different Abrahamic religions. The God is the same, the explanation is different. 

I have grown to question the term "Son," but because of my Christian background, I understand why the term is used for Christ. God is the Father, and Jesus was a product of Him. There are many theories and theological explanations to why God is "The Father", a male; yet, I see this attribution as a way for the broken, mortal human to personally connect with God. We call Him Father for a personal relationship. This can be proven incorrect depending on the sort of Christian or theologian one speaks with, but I love God and I do not care what gender humanity gave Him. God is not a person; therefore He cannot be gendered. But, it can be, in a way, corrupt to just call God, It.  Perhaps that is why I enjoy the terms Supreme Being or Divine Being. Personally, I love when God calls Himself "I Am." That is the definition of powerful. 

Many Christians may get angry with me on this, but I cannot think closeted. Theology is written down by man, and I know that there is truth within it, but it also has the ability to be tampered with due to humanity's brokenness. I understand and believe the Bible is divinely inspired; yet, the key word is inspired. It is written in a certain historical context that specifically applies to its time, and we need to understand how to apply the core values of Scripture to present day society. 

However, because of Christian Literalism, that duty becomes broken. Woman are shunned for leading churches because of Paul's letters being taken out of context; discrimination amongst sexual orientations and minority races are backed up with biblical scripture. This is brokenness from man. I beg of you to question yourself: Are you blinded by broken traditions forced by man? Are you blinded by the divisions you have been drowning in? God does not cause division. God is unity. Ignore theological differences, look at God, feel God. Look around, do you see everything God has created? Can you differentiate what God created and what broken man has done to His creation? Now, think about Heaven, what it looks like after your earthly lives have ended. You had surrendered yourself to God, and now your soul is with Him. There are no cars, no government, no hate, no racism, and no man-made things in Heaven. Why? Why would man-made things be in a God-made Heaven? Then again, who am I to say what is and what is not in Heaven? I do not care what is in Heaven, because I know that is will be better than this broken world. In fact, I scoff at the thought of having a human body in Heaven. Heaven will be a release of all man-made creations, or should I say distractions. Government is a distraction from God. Materialism and idolatry is a distraction from God. Those crosses you bow down to? Do no limit the vision of God. The cross is an important symbol to the faith, but it is nothing but a symbol of God, not God Himself. 

I digress in my rant. My spirit was infuriated today as peers were questioning if government would exist in Heaven. I wanted to ask why this foolish question was even brought up, since man begged God for a king.