An example of the Church using the literal sense of
a scripture
passage in order to understand what meaning we
should get
from it is the 6th chapter of the Gospel according
to John.
Literary Form of John 6:25-69:
Most scripture scholars today affirm that John's
gospel is
historical in nature. Hence we believe that John
strove to
preserve both the words and actions of Jesus. Unlike
the
Synoptics, John wrote through the eyes of the faith
of the
late Apostolic Church in light of the way that faith
translated
into practice
and worship.
Where John is clearly biographical, the literal
meaning is
emphasized by linguistic psychology: multiple
repetition of
the message in different words. Where literalness is
intended,
intended meaning is reinforced by recording the
reaction to
literal meaning by the hearers without the speaker's
correction.