·
HISTORICAL
language gives you facts and figures.
·
POETICAL
language uses descriptions and metaphors.
·
APOCRYPHAL
languages uses strange and dramatic images to communicate dire and scary future
events.
Sometimes those styles use words that sound
mythical when all they are trying to be is descriptive.
The only
DRAGON in the Bible is found in Revelation, using apocryphal language, and it's
an image of Satan. So it’s not really a
dragon but a description of what the writer John saw in a dream to represent
Satan.
The
TALKING SERPENT is also an image used for Satan in the garden of Eden that
tempted Eve. Many read that description
as Satan deceiving them by appearing as a literal talking snake while others
see it as a figurative representation of Satan (like the dragon). For a detailed discussion on that question, go here.
GIANTS are
in the Bible, like Goliath and his descendants, but they are not like Jack and
the Beanstalk, 100 foot giants who say Fee Fi Fo Fum. These are 7-9 foot guys, depending on the
measurement they used back then, easily around the size of our tallest NBA
player.
The
TALKING DONKEY is found in the story of the prophet Balaam. Most likely it was an angel of God speaking
through the donkey, but God wanted the voice to come through the animal to
humble Balaam to say to Balaam that "this stubborn mule has more sense
than you!"
So the Bible is not full of mythical creatures. We have to read the Bible in such a way that
we understand what it is trying to say and how it is trying to say it.
The Bible
uses phrases and descriptions that writer’s use today in order to communicate
and feeling or a message.
In no way
is it to be confused with mythology.
Just good literature.