Tall Tales, Fables, and Other Stories Christopher Taylor, M.Div.

Tall Tales, Fables, and Other Stories

"We have a dangerous trend beginning to take place in our education. We're starting to put more textbooks into our schools... containing fables and moral lessons... We are spending less time in the classroom on the Bible, which should be the principal text in our schools.... The Bible states these great moral lessons better than any other manmade book." Fisher Ames

The Bible is the best of all books, for it is the word of God and teaches us the way to be happy in this world and in the next. Continue therefore to read it and to regulate your life by its precepts. John Jay

The Bible contains more knowledge necessary to man in his present state than any other book in the world. Benjamin Rush

Ironically, in today's marketplace successful nonfiction has to be unbelievable, while successful fiction must be believable. Jerry B. Jenkins

Figurative Language

Folklore 1: traditional customs, tales, sayings, dances, or art forms preserved among a people 2: a branch of knowledge that deals with folklore 3: an often unsupported notion, story, or saying that is widely circulated

Tall Tales, Fables, and Other Stories Mercury and the Woodman

Ananias and Sapphira Acts 5

So what’s the difference? They both have the same moral? Honesty is the best policy They are both fables? Consequences are clear How would I know the difference? Both had a god / God who judged? Knowledge is taught/transferred

Tall Tale A tall tale is a story with unbelievable elements, told as if it were the truth. Some such stories are exaggerations of actual historical events and people. Tall tales are a part of folklore.

Tall Tales, Fables, and Other Stories The Talking Mule: A South Carolina Tall Tale Retold by S.E. Schlosser

Balaam's Donkey Number 22

What’s the difference?

What is the Bible?

a book? a story? a list of rules? The Bible is the Divine Word of God!

Emphasize the Bible as the Word of God revealed to man. Sufficiency

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. II Timothy 3:16-17

Authority But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’” Matthew 4:4, 7, 10

Scripture never contradicts scripture! Scripture is the best interpreter of scripture! Inerrancy The Bible contains no mistakes! It is 100% accurate in every area from history, science, every aspect of life.

Isolated Bible Story Isolated Bible Story Verses Used Out of Context Isolated Bible Story Moral Application Don’t Lie Moral Application Don’t Steal Moral Application Share Moral Application Obey

Creation FallRedemption Restoration “The Big Story” Bible Account Bible Account Bible Account Bible Account

High Frequency Words Words used side by side (twice) Definitions Context