Sorry...I don't know how to use the quote feature yet so here are my comments to your post:
I don't consider the Bible to be just a book of stories. When anyone writes a book they are communicating to whomever might read their book. The Bible is how God has communicated to each of us who believes in Him.
My definition of faith is the belief in something that cannot be seen or proven by our standards. I cannot prove that we have souls but I believe we do.
God exists in my mind as truth, in my heart as my creator, and in my soul as the choice of my eternity.
"If I have to live my life according to what others know and believe to be true, then I am living a life that is theirs and not my own." Quote by Sandra