Literal or not?

What keeps theology interesting and the discussions thereof endless – is that serious students of the bible all claim to believe every word of the bible “from Genesis to maps” literally.  Here are a few examples of verses that some take literally while the opposing camp explains them away yet both appeal to be bible literalists.

1 Timothy 2:12 ESV
(12)  I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.

1 Corinthians 11:5 ESV
(5)  but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven.

Those who quote 1 Timothy as saying that women can have no role during a worship service conveniently ignore 1 Cor 11 where Paul tells women to wear head coverings while prophesying.

Acts 18:26 ESV
(26)  He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him and explained to him the way of God more accurately.

This verse also clearly shows a husband and wife team teaching a man with Priscilla’s name mentioned first. Is the case against women speaking in church air tight?  Of course not – and those who believe in either side are not justified in calling the other heretics for simply disagreeing.

Here is another example:

Romans 5:18 ESV
(18)  Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.

Both Armenians and Calvinists would agree that Adam’s sin lead to all men being sinners.  But did Jesus’s sacrifice lead to justification for all men?  Throw this verse into the middle of any good debate and watch how quickly some will tell you that “all means some” and still claim to take the bible literally.

Discussion: shouldn’t we all be just a bit more honest and agree that we take some scriptures literally and massage others in an attempt to fit our own distinct theological beliefs?  And can we please quit calling the other side of the debate non-biblical just because they don’t believe as we do?