Why is the bible left up to interpretation?

Question

I'm curious as to why the bible has to be interpreted. I would think that God would want the answer to be black and white, not in the shades of gray to confuse some. This is also along the lines of the Tower of Babble, why would God separate all the people so that we couldn't understand anyone. (Don't give an answer stating anything about the tower being built up into the sky, cause that would insinuate that God lived up in the clouds, which is rediculous). Serious Answers only...and please don't tell me to read the new testament-the old testament is just as relevant!

Answer 1

Read the New Testament...lol..joking...

Real Answer...

Personally, I think the Tower of Babel story is a metaphor that is used to explain how we ended up speaking in different languages, and look totally different. When the bible was written the people of the time didn't have any inkling of the idea of evolution. If G-d explained about evolution and why Africans have darker skin because of the heat and Asians eyes are they way they are because of the cold and wind, the people of the time would not be able to grasp that idea. That story was their way of explaining it where they would understand it.

I think the bible has to be interpreted because G-d knows that people are all different, we all have free will. What might seem perfectly logical to some might seem outrageous to others. I think the only thing that G-d really cares about is that people know Him.

Answer 2

Well, let's begin by looking at who God is. How has God most often revealed Himself throughout history? It is not primarily through what is written, although the Bible does accomplish that. No, it's been with His interaction with people! The writings of the Bible is a result of a personal God who is personally involved with people. This is the primary means. And because of that, there is actually more knowledge of God amongst His people (maybe not factually, but personally). Therefore, the writings (ie. the Bible) need to be interpretted against the same body from which it was written. The books didn't drop from the sky, but were written by inspired men. Even so, there were many books out there in the early years of the Christian Church. Most did not make it into the canon of the New Testament. Why? One of the reasons is that they did not represent the Jesus that the body knew. Today, there are literally thousands of Christian denominations. Each interpretting just a little bit differently from the other. Many claiming to have the "true interpretation". That clearly isn't the purpose of a loving God who wants to be known by men. What's wrong? Most are not interpretting it according to the deposit of faith that has been there since the beginning of the Church. Thus, they use other factors for interpretting. I hope this helps.

Answer 3

An excellent question.

I believe the problem is due to the failings of mankind and his approch to the studying of the Bible with a contrite heart... truly seeking the wisdom of God.

All to often, man will look for a passage that will justify his position and help him to rationalize away his error. The Bible does relay a single truth and that true is the fortelling of the coming of Christ and his atonment for the sins of mankind. It also reveals knowledge about righteous living, exemplified through the many stories throughout the old and new testament as well as the Proverbs.

Gods specific purpose in the confusing of tongues in Bablylon was due to the united efforts off mankind under the rule of Nimrod to build a gateway, a tower to heaven so that they could be gods themselves. It always seems to go back to the origin of sin, Satans wish to be considered equal to God. Mankind today has that same vanity. We accomplish it by deminishing God, saying God is dead or by blaming the shortcomings of mankind with all of his weaknesses on God.

Hope that helps

Answer 4

ok for starters there are many versions of the Bible and some cant understand KJV so they go to a different Bible that is in story book form to understand what the verses are telling them. As for the tower of Bable, the reason that God made their languages different is so that people could not understand them and what they was trying to talk about. it had nutting to do with being built up into the sky so that God was on the clouds either.

Answer 5

It wasn't written to be "interpreted", it's just that the context is often lost in modern times, and to the extent it isn't people don't like what the darn thing actually says.

There was a time when "suffer not a witch to live" was the most quoted verse of the Bible. Now everyone likes John 3:16. Perhaps in a few hundred years, it'll be "suffer not a witch to live" again - assuming people still know how to read.

Answer 6

Back then, Hebrew WAS black and white. Later Latin became Black and White. Eventually King James's English became Black and White. All of these tried as hard as possible to stay as close to the original dialect as possible. Also, you must keep in mind that the Bible was originally intended for Jews only, as the Jewish writers used a symbolic and metaphoric system that appealed to the Jews at the time. I dare say if the Bible had been written by the Japanese, There would be a lot of Dragons in it and they would call Angels Kami.

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Answer 7

sure, the gist of it truly is which you're stupid and lazy, and that's the factor. All it takes is a truthful attempt to appreciate the Bible, yet once you're unwilling to place forth that attempt then you truly instruct what variety of individual you're interior. in case you truly examine the Bible and studied it then you truly ought to appreciate what it says, case in point: (Revelation 21:a million) 21?and that i observed a clean heaven and a clean earth; for the former heaven and the former earth had surpassed directly to the excellent beyond, and the sea is not extra. what's the sea this is not extra? (Isaiah fifty seven:20) “however the wicked are basically like the sea this is being tossed, while it truly isn't any longer able to settle down, the waters of which save tossing up seaweed and mire. (Revelation 17:15) And he says to me: “The waters which you observed, the place the harlot is sitting, propose peoples and crowds and international locations and tongues. it truly is not rocket technology, with the aid of fact the expression is going, even yet it takes some attempt, which attempt, or loss of it, shows the condition of your heart. yet it truly is effortless adequate that all of us can understand in the event that they decide to appreciate it. (Matthew 11:25, 26) 25 at that factor Jesus mentioned in reaction: “I publicly compliment you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, considering the fact which you have hidden those issues from the smart and psychological ones and function revealed them to babes. 26 sure, O Father, with the aid of fact to do as a consequence got here to be the way authorized by making use of you.

Answer 8

It's like saying a glass is half empty or half full. It depends how you look at things. All is subject to interpretation. The bible is wonderful and should be looked at with the heart, love and respect for ourselves and a open mind. Only then will we reach and understanding that is for some, very hard to understand and worst for many even harder to accept.

Answer 9

I'm not sure that "interpretation" would be a very accurate term.
Most times people bring their own understanding, their own desires, hopes, ideas, and more...then in studying the scriptures they tend to find answers that suit them...or the church they belong to.
It is extremely hard to let yourself see what God wants, in spite of how you may feel about it. Most people don't want God to be "completely" in charge...so they delete, minimise, and/or just skip parts they don't like.
People also spend very little time studying. Scripture tells us that there will be those who see without understanding, who know...but have no knowledge. I believe that God has told us, in not so subtle ways, that unless your desire is for Him, and what He wants to give you...and lead you in your life...then He will not open your heart to understanding.

Answer 10

I completely agree with you, if the Bible really was the word of god, it would be black and white. (Or god is evil and it uses the Bible to confuse people)

Answer 11

it just show you that the bible is not that of god, but of mans own thoughts on humanity and morality. just like a bad movie or a vague story, you are left to fill in the plot holes. the bible is more like a collection of peoples own wants and desires, for humanity to conform enough to not destroy the fabric of society or ruin the basic fundamentals of human existance.
if you truely believe in such a dated peice of literature, you may want to ask yourself why.