Why do some christians think their interpretation of the bible is the only correct interpretation?

Answer 1

For the same reason some Christians pick on other religions. Because some, and obviously not all, are just stuck up, immature and self-centered. Its their way or go to hell.

Answer 2

Every one has a little different mental programing. From definitions to sentencing to communicating these thoughts.

So everyone who is born of God is given the Spirit of Truth who leads into all truth. This Holy Spirit instructs in the Words of God. Teaches spiritual discernment, etc. Yet every one understands the truth a little differently, yet it is the same truth. They can share the truth to some people better than any one else. Yet someone else can share the same truth to someone else better.

There is many times more truths or more insight to one verse as one discusses it.

There is only one biblical truth. People will add, change or take away from it. Then they are just a liar & don't have a correct interpretation.

There is only one correct interpretation, but I'm still learning more all the time. Yet the more I learn does not take away or change what is already written.

Answer 3

Why does anyone think their interpretation of anything is the correct one?

When people have important decisions to make, they take them seriously, they make the best decision they know how to, they work at learning all they can about the subject and when they've made their decision, they believe it's right.

How would that be different for interpreting the Bible than for interpreting any other thing?

Answer 4

I think it's because they're human. If you think about it, we are all unique individuals. We share many traits - some positive & others detracting. But either way, we still view things from our own slant.

Being Christian doesn't make anyone perfect, nor do all the changes take place instantaneously. Discipleship is important because as we are around other Christians and learn to interact with them we see how to interact with others.

That's why mentorship is so important in Christianity. Everyone needs a mentor, an accountability partner, and someone to mentor. Paul had this when he was mentored by Christ Himself, had an accountability partner in Barnabas, and mentored Timothy. Peter was also mentored by Christ Himself, had John (writer of the Gospel) as a peer, and mentored Mark (who Paul had tried to mentor and sent away). But in having an elder person to learn from, a peer to make sure we stay on track and a younger person to train so that they become mentors, is a major lesson Christ Himself taught us through these two Apostles.

I go into this to say that not all Christians grow at equal rates spiritually. So something I read may not make the same sense to me as to someone who is more mature spiritually and not as much sense to someone who is immature spiritually. And there can be the major difference in understanding and interpreting the Scriptures.

Answer 5

Because what happens if they believe their interpretation of the Bible is incorrect? Crisis of faith.

Been there. Done that. Ugly, ugly, ugly. But necessary for me. I can see how some people would turn away rather than go through the terrible and difficult and necessary process of having what you believe broken away from you, until you have no props, no ground to stand on, until there's only you and God and the two of you reach a new understanding.

Answer 6

There are many ways people interpret scripture. Some interpret it through their feelings, reading into it what they want to be there. Some people read it for contraditions, reading bad translations and taking verses out of context. Some people don't read it at all, and just claim to know what it says. There is only one way to correctly interpret scripture, and that is through scripture. If the rest of the bible supports your interpretation of the verse, you have most likely interpreted it right.

Answer 7

Because my interpretation is the only correct interpretation.

Answer 8

We don't "interpret" the Bible as if it is a foreign language, we read it for what it is. It is a book of history, doctrine and ethics. It also includes prose, poetry, metaphors, similes, etc.. But as far as history, doctrine and ethics, it is read straightforward and as the inerrant word of God. If we encounter a difficult passage, we will search through commentaries by those more enducated then ourselves to help understand certain passages.

Answer 9

Because humans invent Gods in their own images.

And men (or women) who want to play God invent religions.

God pretenders use the bible to support their claims of being Gods. And do so by offering their own unique interpretation hoping to convince other people to worship them as God.

Answer 10

well there really can only be one correct interpretation and I dont think anyone is gonna say "I believe the wrong one!"