Do you prefer a symbolic or literal interpretation of the Bible?

How one interprets the Bible is a personal choice. Some people prefer a strict literal interpretation, while others choose a more open ended symbolic interpretation.  Some people even utilize both literal and symbolic interpretations, depending on the Bible passage.  The goal of interpreting the Bible is to build your knowledge and create greater spiritual guidance. What's your preference?

Literal interpretation, is also known by the term “historical-grammatical method” and focuses on understanding Biblical text the way it was written and intended by its authors.  Those focusing on a literal interpretation believe that the Bible should be taken at face value, and that its words should be understood as historical events and truths.

Symbolic interpretation views the Bible as a collection of representations: allegories and metaphors.. These people feel that the Bible contains deeper spiritual meanings that go beyond its written words. They feel it should be interpreted as a spiritual guide rather than historical facts.  

While most people follow one or the other of these approaches, some utilize both, depending on what passage they are interpreting or their personal beliefs.

There are arguments against both approaches. A purely literal interpretation fails to account for the representative aspects, while others believe that a  symbolic interpretation ignores the culture and history behind the words.