Can the Gospels be Taken Literally?

More and more frequently both those who call themselves Christians and those who do not are raising the claim that it is improper to take the Gospels literally. It is certain, however, that the writers of scripture took what they were saying to be literal truth.
In the introduction to his gospel, Luke says, “Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered to us, it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.” Luke 1:1-4
In his first epistle, the Apostle John stresses over and over the eyewitness and factual nature of what he writes, saying, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life- the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifest to us- that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us…” I John 1:1-3
In his second epistle, the Apostle Peter writes, “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” II Peter 1:16
In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul goes to great efforts to establish the factual nature of the gospel message, saying, “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.” I Corinthians 15:3-8
Paul stresses this because, he says, if these things are not facts then Christianity is a lie and serves no purpose. He says, “…if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is vain, and your faith is also vain. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then Christ is not raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. “ I Corinthians 15: 14-19
Not only does the Bible claim that it is literally true, it admits that if it is not true, it is a lie and a vain faith.
If the Bible cannot be taken literally, it cannot be taken at all. It does not, by its own admission, leave anyone the option of an airy, poetic, spiritualized reading that sets it aside as historical fact.
The first century Christians certainly didn’t have that option. Of the handful of writers that composed the New Testament, most of them were executed for their beliefs. In fact, it was the status quo in the first century for Christians to be tortured, killed, discriminated against and publically humiliated. Men do not willingly suffer such abuses for what they know is not literally true.
When Christ began to teach things that people did not want to hear, many of his followers abandoned
him.
“From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, ‘Will ye also go away?’ Then Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.’” John 6:66-68
G.K. Chesterton said: "When belief in God becomes difficult, the tendency is to
turn away from him. But in heaven's name to what?"
The Gospels are either true or they are a lie. It is either literal or it is nonsense. There is no third option.