An uncommon question about the Bible for anyone to answer?

Question

Not too long ago someone wanted to get into an argument over whether or not the Bible was the infallible word of God. She believed it was. Instead of going with the yes/no format, I simply stated that it's a moot point, when the tool used to interpret the Bible (the reader's mind) is certainly fallible. It's the reason the Bible can be used to defend and condemn violence, nonviolence, slavery, freedom/liberty, gay people, women's "place", etc.
The Bible may never change, but how people look at it seems to change as often as fashion styles.

And since it is not the Bible I am facing, but people's actions based on their beliefs of what the Bible says, this is where energy should be devoted. She was uncomfortably silent. What do you think her response should have been.

Exactly how and when did I judge her? And I did answer her question. My answer was that it was a moot point, and then went into great detail as to why I felt this. And yes my mind is fallible, but could you explain how that cancels my point?

Answer 1

"Wow, you're right" should have been her answer. I can't find the words to express how I would like to comment on this argument. And isn't that the point, written and spoken words can have their meanings misinterpreted, misunderstood and misused. Every language has words that don't exactly translate. Different cultures use the same words for different meanings. Language is not black and white and it is in the gray areas that lawyers make their livings, politicians construct their images, propaganda stands in for truth and zealots feed their ideology.

Answer 2

Sometimes Christians just realized they are in an arguement that no matter what they say, the person to whom they are debating just won't listen either way. Sometimes it's easier to just keep quiet than to keep a feud going. The Bible is God's Word, but we don't have anyone that can accurately translate every word into English because there are words they used that we have no words for because of the meaning in those languages, the same goes for our language being translated into any other language and so on. I think to say that every single person should all get the exact same message out of the Bible limits God. Too often an illustration can have so many different meanings, and the meanings different for the different needs of the people that need to hear it. If we have a lesson in school, and write down every word the professor says, there will still be many different things that many different people will take from it. No one should judge, not Christians, not any religion, and not those without religion. Judging only invites judgement on yourself.

Answer 3

I want to preface this with, I am on your side, but I love to argue, and will take up just about any argument that I can, so here goes:

You did not answer the question. Interpretations are not the words themselves, but rather, as you say, other people's words. As an example, if I said the word maintenance and someone in france thought I was referring to maintenant, that would not change the meaning of what I was saying. What I intended to communicate is what's important here, not whatever someone wants to go and assume I'm saying. The question is, is it the word of god, that's it.
And you'd think this argument would be a good place to argue that that means that you can't believe other people's interpretation, this is the reply, God's word is the bible, and through study his intention is clear. The people who misinterpret the bible are only using small sections, not the bible as a whole. Because "God gave us this bible as a guidebook for our souls, you can't look at an inch of a map to see your path, you have to look at the whole thing." And "God gave us that map, and is our responsibility, as his children, to try and follow it. He gave us all the answers we need, but we have to be willing to study his words to know his meaning, and that takes alot of work. And some people will pick and choose and not listen to some of god's words because they are selfish, and do not want to deny themselves of things."

I think that's sufficient. Like I said-I don't believe any of that. I don't believe the bible is god's word any more or less than the dictionary or 2000 Leagues under the sea. I just like to argue.

Answer 4

I love your answer. Another way to say it is that even if (and that's a big "if") it was the "infallible word of God" then how was it written down? Regardless of how you look at it humans were involved and therefore the text may have been modified. It's like the telephone game you play as kids where you whisper a message along a line of people and then here what the last person thought the original message was.

Answer 5

The funny thing about the bible is that not only is it open to interpretation, it has also been retranslated a number of times. Translating a work requires the translator to choose which of a possible meaning the work could include and thus the version of the bible we have today is a result of translators playing the game of "telephone"

Answer 6

Well, you are partially correct. But is not your mind fallible also? Why trust your judgment over another's? The answer: standardized logic. There is an irrefutable logic that you are referring to that can be checked and relied upon. I appeal to that today. The Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit will guide us and help us to understand the Bible. Using Him and logic, we can correctly interpret the Bible and recognize it's infallibility. :)

Answer 7

There is not "correct" way to interpret a book of faith. That is in itself the problem. That is why the Bible was banned in the Holy Roman Empire. The church didn't want people to be able to interpret the book for themselves.

Answer 8

Her response should have been to start talking about Derrida style critiques of language and how they all fall apart in the face of the fact that you know what I'm talking about.

Or she could have written a 300 page doctoral thesis on the topic.

Answer 9

Lean not to your own understanding,and in all your ways follow Him and He shall direct your path.
The Bilbe is inturpeted in many ways. Thats why you should always seek someone with great knowlege of the word of God. Jesus taught in paribles and only those with faith were able to understand.

Answer 10

We can't know whether God silenced her or whether she didn't know. We can't know if her faith is solid or if it is frail . We can't know if she truly believes what she says or is parroting something she heard or read. To think that anyone can know the thoughts & heat of another is arrogant at the least. No one can know the mind of another except God, so I will respectfully reply that her answer was exactly what it should have been.