How to know when a text on religion is using hyperbole to describe Heavenly joy?

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The rules on textual criticism described here generally apply to all forms of textual criticism. To plagiarize myself...

Dr. David L. Cooper, the founder of The Biblical Research Society put it simply. Dr. Cooper is known for his “Golden Rule of Interpretation” which is as follows:

When the plain sense of Scripture makes common sense,seek no other sense;

Therefore, take every word at its primary, ordinary, usual, literal meaning unless the facts of the immediate context, studied in the light of related passages and axiomatic and fundamental truths indicate clearly otherwise.

A shortened version, which I've heard far more often goes like this:

If the plain sense makes good sense seek no other sense lest it result in nonsense.

The same basic advice can be applied to the works you ask about.

David Stratton 43828

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Source: stackoverflow.com

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📝 How to know when a text on religion is using hyperbole to describe Heavenly joy?
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How to know when a text on religion is using hyperbole to describe Heavenly joy?

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