Fable
<<tale, legend>>
A short story which, although not based on fact, conveys moral instruction and illustrates the wisdom or foolishness of a certain course of action. Although similar to parables where the main characters tend to be humans, while fables feature animals, plants, and inanimate objects. Referring to the transfiguration where Christ’s divine identity was revealed to Peter and two other disciples, he said, “We did not follow cleverly invented stories or myths... but I saw with my own eyes” (Mk 9:2-8; 2 Pet 1:16-18). Paul said people should not devote themselves to myths, unproductive speculations and irrelevant disputes which result in controversy, as these only detract from and crowd out the truth and central message of the gospel – the person and work of Jesus Christ (1 Tim 1:3-6, 4:7; 2 Tim 4:4; Tit 1:13,14).
The Bible is not a collection of man’s ideas about God. Rather it is God’s very words and revelation of Himself through people to people.