Question for Protestants...?

Question

I know that, unlike Catholics, Protestants believe that the bible interprets itself.

If someone looks at a verse in scripture and they claim that it means something radically different than what you interpret it to mean, do you think that they must be lying?

For example, I see that the bible when taken into context is clearly consistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church. Do you think that I am lying?

May God bless you.

"Know this first of all, that there is no prophecy of scripture that is a matter of personal interpretation," 2 Pet. 1:20

"But if I should be delayed, you should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth." 1 Tim. 3:15

If one can be deceived about what the bible says then apparently the bible does not interpret itself.

The bible says there is only one Church and one faith. But, there are over 33,000 different Protestant traditions because of disagreements with how scripture should be interpreted. How do you determine that someone has the Holy Spirit and is interpreting scripture correctly? Don't most people assume that they are right and others are wrong?

“For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I (Paul) became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” –1 Cor 4: 15

Answer 1

Protestants use the bible as they wish to make their beliefs seem right. The Catholic Church interprets the bible as God intended. I have Protestant friends who's argument is "Well that's not what my pastor said...". I find that more than anything they take what is handed to them and don't have a look for themselves.

Answer 2

I don't think that a misinterpretation of the Bible is lying. Lying is intentional. Misinterpretation is more a speaking out of ignorance. And, some extent, this is what we all do because we were not there those many years ago. Therefore do not have all of the facts.

As, you probably know, the historical-literary approach to interpreting the scriptures was developed during the reformation. This method approaches the Bible from an understanding of the original language that the scriptures were first written in as well as validation from historical and archeological support. This method takes into account what the scriptures meant when first written from the original author to the original recipients. Along with this, various theological definitions are found within the scriptures themselves. Comparing these definitions with one another leads to a biblical theology rather than a traditional theology (i.e. "that's what it means because so and so said so"). You would not take the teaching of Joseph Smith without first comparing it to what you believed to be the truth, would you? Why should you take the interpretation of any ecclesiastical figure or group without first comparing it to the original source of your faith, the Bible.

In the Book of Acts, chapter 17, the Berean believers were considered to be of "more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true" (Acts 17:11). Here is a good example of what I believe are individuals testing the teaching of an apostle (a very high ecclesiastical figure). They are not downgraded for this but rather commended. It also carries support to the idea that the scriptures can stand on their own and can provide enough information for an individual to be able to test the teaching of others. This eager searching of the scriptures is something that both Catholics and Protestants should aspire to more. I believe that if we followed the Berean example we would come to more of the "unity of the faith" that Paul talks about in Ephesians 4:11-16. May God bless you also, dear friend.

Answer 3

No, the Bible does not interpret itself. It stands as a record for the rest of eternity. Man interprets. Some are wrong. The Bible does not support the teachings of the Catholic church-you are gravely mistaken. If that were true, you could not get into a Catholic church for all the Baptist taking up all the space.
I don't think you are lying, at least I hope not. You may be brainwashed-that is a real possibility. You must remember that if you are Catholic, you must rely on the tradition of the Catholic church to interpret.
When interpreting the Bible there is an old saying worth repeating: "when the plain sense makes sense, seek no other sense."
I have several friends who have been Catholic all their lives. At that time I had been saved about 5 years. I was shocked at how little they knew about Christianity.
Get around some serious Bible students who are not Catholic and discuss this with them. I think you will be surprised. Good luck.

Answer 4

I think that this question is regional. What I mean by that is that I have a completely different view of the Catholic/Protestant Biblical interpretations. The Catholic church in my town barely reads the Bible and when they do, they pick and choose only certain parts of Scripture that "fits their beliefs". The 2nd 10 Commandment tells us not to make idols yet they idolize Mary, the mother of Jesus. They idolize statues as well. The Protestants in my town is mainly the same way, unfortunately. They idolize Peter and John. I go to a non-denominational and my pastor there is always telling me to look at Scripture as a whole. If you interpret Scripture in a way that completely contradicts another part of Scripture, then your interpretation is incorrect. Scripture is straight forward EXCEPT for when it comes to parables. From what I know, that is the only time that Scripture is not straight forward. The Catholic church that is in my town teaches that Mary (the mother of Jesus) never once sinned yet the Bible says that Jesus is the only person without faults. In this case, their teaching goes completely against the Word of God. That is why I say that what you are asking might be a regional question.

If I'm wrong about any of this, correct me, please. I hope this helps!

Answer 5

Wow. Protestants is a varied group. You can go from one end of the spectrum to the next.

I can only speak for myself, not for a denomination of the Protestants.

I believe that scripture is interpreted by each individual. Religion and religious believes are inherently individualistic.

For example, if you enjoy the Catholic Church, then I as a fellow Christian but Protestant have no problem with that. When boiled down to the bare essentials, we both believe in God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost.

I don't think you're lying. I just think you're taking a different path on the same journey. We were all one church in the beginning....

Answer 6

The Bible interprets itself when you compare scripture with scripture. You cannot take one scripture and put it as the corner stone of your belief, you have to compare scripture with scripture so as to find the truth. That is what the Bible says that you should do. The Catholic church builds a number of its teachings upon on scripture and the word of the priests and popes which are the traditions of men. You should properly test the truths found in the Bible against what the Catholic church teaches and then you will see but you have the free will to believe or not to believe.

Answer 7

I don't think that your lying. Catholics rely on there good works and that makes them good people. However I would like to find the verse in the bible that teaches to worship saints and Mary. Also to believe in the rosary and put the pope on a pedestal and worship him. I know that the bible states clearly in the bible that we are not to have any idols, graven images or anything before god see Isaiah 42:8. I also know that in the bible that it states clearly that Jesus was removed from the cross and he rose again and then he taken up to heaven (acts 1:9)but you still have him on the cross. So i believe like any organized religion it also has faults. Always challenge the teaching of anything and seek god in all of it. But the most important thing to remember in all of this is that we all believe that Jesus is our saviour and we all need to love each other even if we don't see eye to eye. May you be blesses.

Answer 8

There have always been differences in interpretation of scripture but when this happens the best approach is to check it against other parts of the Bible. A prayerful approach between those committed to Jesus as Lord and Saviour will usually bring understanding from the Holy Spirit.
I am a Protestant but agree with much Catholic theology eg on salvation and lordship of Jesus but disagree on others eg praying to Mary.
I have often been able to worship, and have Christian fellowship, with Catholic brothers and sisters in Christ.

Answer 9

I'm a "Protestant" as you call it, although I consider myself a "Christian".

You're very wrong when you say that we "believe that the Bible interprets itself" and even worst if anyone can claim their own interpretation of a verse. I know some Christians do that... but hey! some Catholics do a lot of things too! (Let's not talk about it).

Here's what we believe: There are 2 kinds of knowledge... in Hebrew the words are LOGOS and RHEMA.

Logos, it's the theorical knowledge. It's what you read on the Bible... plain, without any explanation. The other one, Rhema, it's when the Holy Spirit reveals to your spirit the teaching hidden in the Scripture... and it becomes a "living word" that it's not just written but you can actually experience that....

It's not that crazy, believe me. So, God is the one who shows how to interpret the Bible... not us, not the letters...

"However, when he, the Spirit of true knowledge, has come, he will be your guide into all true knowledge: for his words will not come from himself, but whatever has come to his hearing, that he will say: and he will make clear to you the things to come." John 16:13

Plus... not anyone will understand the Bible... just the ones who are part of the kingdom of God...
"And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand."

I hope this helped. And that you may begin to experience the RHEMA of God in your life!!!

Answer 10

I will try to be nice, but the Catholic religion is a religion. You hate mormons because they made up their own book but you have made up more books than them. I see little in your worship ceramonies that reflects the word of God. Instead I see idolatry, and blatant disrespect for the scripture. You worship men and ask them to talk to God for you. You beleive that the only way to communicate with God is through the Pope. You hate us protestants and that is why I struggle so hard not to hate you. It is hard for me to respect your church. Honestly I am a christian and I have more respect for none christian religions than yours. Most muslims, buddists and protestants have a better idea of what it is to be faithful than your religion. I have been very rude and I appologize but I have had a hard time with your religion. My family is Catholic and there inability to even consider the possibilty than they are even a little bit off is rediculous. If you value Jesus explore some of the possibilities that the Catholic church warps the word of God. Jesus said that it is better to have never known Christ than it is to have known him and not followed. This is the main problem that I have with your religion, as a Protestant I know that I am not perfect and that there are flaws in my beliefs but that is not a Catholic belief. When you think you know it all, you know nothing. Once again I appologize for having been so rude but this is something I feel I needed to say.

One last thing the Holy Spirit interprets the bible for me. A man, the Pope, interprets it for you. Whom do you trust? You will never see as long as you allow a man to lead your faith.

Answer 11

No, I think you are being deceived. You can look at something and see something that is not there that you really want to be and it will say that to you but if you are honest in your heart, you will be able to see what it is really saying. I am a protestant and I can show you from your Catholic bible everything I believe and in your own churches writings where I am correct in what I show you. The Catholic church boasts to have changed the bible Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday, something that there is no scripural authority but the church did it on its own authority. Who gave it that right? Many other things that the Catholic church teaches go on the church authority, not the bible. I go direct from the bible and the bible alone. Yet I can do it from your bible and still show everything I believe from it. Can you do the same with my bible? $10,000 cash in your hand if you can.