--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My point, once again, is not that those…" description: "\"My point, once again, is not that those ancient people told literal stories and we are now smart enough to take them symbolically, but that they told t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/304/john-dominic-crossan-29819_ancient_my-point-once-again-is-not-that-those-an_1993381.jpg" --- # My point, once again, is not that those ancient people… ![“My point, once again, is not that those ancient people told literal stories and we are now smart enough to take them symbolically, but that they told them symbolically and we are now dumb enough to take them literally.” quote by John Dominic Crossan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/304/john-dominic-crossan-29819_ancient_my-point-once-again-is-not-that-those-an_1993381.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/304/john-dominic-crossan-29819_ancient_my-point-once-again-is-not-that-those-an_1993381.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/304/john-dominic-crossan-29819_ancient_my-point-once-again-is-not-that-those-an_1993381.jpg) > “My point, once again, is not that those ancient people told literal stories and we are now smart enough to take them symbolically, but that they told them symbolically and we are now dumb enough to take them literally.” [John Dominic Crossan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dominic-crossan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Modern readers often misinterpret ancient symbolic narratives literally. **In simple terms:** We miss deeper meanings by taking myths at face value. Key Takeaway Seek symbolic insight, not literal facts. Themes interpretation myth modernity Mood thoughtful critical Type theological academic When to use this quote - education - religious studies - media analysis - personal belief systems Key Concepts hermeneutics symbolism Questions to Reflect On - Why do we favor literal over symbolic? - How can we balance both approaches? 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