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Hi, Ed —
To say that Jonah is a fable really
does not do justice to the purpose
of this book.
This piece of Hebrew literature
is counted among the minor prophets
and tells the story of a city
that repents at the preaching of God's
Word.
Secondarily, it speaks volumes as
to the responsibility of the prophet!!
Having said that, the story itself may use
literary forms that may
not be historically accurate.
This is speculation, usually the
product of modern scholars, who have
nothing better to do than to sit
around the room and exchange brain
farts!!
I have no reason whatsoever to doubt
the historicity of this book, including
the account of the big, big fish.
I would say that Christ refers to
the sign of Jonah as being His sign — a
sign that He would perform for the
doubting generation.
Jonah spent three days in a fish;
Christ three in the tomb.
I, like Scott Hahn, believe that
Jonah died in the fish and was spit
up and resurrected by God. The prayer
of Jonah, which is from his time in
the fish, actually hints at this.
Jonah says to God that he is praying
from the depths of Sheol, the place
of the dead.
The priest is free to
hold that it is not historically
accurate, but he is not free to tell
others they cannot believe it literally.
Hope this helps,
John
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