When it comes to interpreting what the Bible says, how should we go about it? Should we interpret it...?

Question

normatively or symbolically, or both?

This survey question is for a Bible class I'm taking.

Please indicate if you are a Christian or not in your answer.

Answer 1

I am a Christian, and this verse pretty much says it all.
we should study and let God do the interpreting.

2 Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Answer 2

I'm a Christian.

The only accurate way to interpret scripture is to go back and start 500 years ago or so, and then work backwards, noting important concepts and events, as you get closer to the dates the actual documents were written.

Anythng that's been done in the last 500 years, and especially the last 50 years, isn't worth anyone's consideration.

Be especially careful of those who tell you about "Q" sources and "collections of the sayings of Jesus". These are code words for people who believe scripture is of man and not of God.

If they tell you the Gospel of Matthew isn't the first and oldest gospel, that's another clue.

Be careful. Many of these guys like to treat scripture like it's a cheap romance novel. Of course, it's not.

There have been absolutely no new biblical discoveries in recent times that would change the traditional view of scripture as being the inerrant and literal word of God, as set down by sacred writers, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

If anyone tries to tell you differently, send them packing!

So far as literal or symbolic goes, do your own studies. Plenty of old testament prophecies have already been fulfilled. Look them up and see how the language described them.

So far as future stuff goes, the Book of Revelation has revealed very little so far. Even the so called experts are at a loss to truly explain it. Your guess may be as good as anyone's.

Answer 3

When in interpreting the Bible you have to be careful, lest you make the wrong assumption. In the New Testaments, Jesus used a lot of parables when teaching. They are true interpretation, and serving, loving Christ, and God. Also He explains how things are and will be. They are not symbolic, they are factual descriptions. Although some religions teaches that they are symbolic and therefore aren't as they seem. For instant JW's think when Jesus talks about hell and the burning fire that He is only talking about the graves that they had in the olden days. Not true, Jesus is talking about a real, sulfur, burning hell that will devour satan and his followers.

I am a Christian

Answer 4

I am a Christian. I believe in interpreting the Scriptures both normatively and symbolically.

Answer 5

Bible interpretation is very tricky. There are passages that involve symbolic language and there are passages that are literal. Most of the Bible is to be taken literally. The best way to study the Bible is comparatively---comparing one scripture to another and interpreting scripture in the context that it is written---in other words, look at the scripture around the one that you are studying. Read slowly and think about what you are reading. Let the Holy Spirit guide you. There are excellent study helps available for-hard-to-understand passages. and there are plenty of the in the Bible. A comprehensive Christian bookstore will be able to give you all the help you need. Bible study is very rewarding, and I have found that memorizing scripture passages helps in understanding. Jesus loves you.

Answer 6

Great question, but I'm thinking there are more options than normative & symbolic.

There's no doubt that scripture offers analogies, metaphors, etc. that offer challenges to all who choose to understand them. And, surely much of scripture is intended to be understood in the simple terms in which it was written. So each of us is challenged to decide between the two.

One of the previous responders said something like "any reasonably intelligent person can tell the difference between the two." I disagree. Reasonable & intelligent people have been arguing about just that for over 2000 years! And, I believe that to be the key to interpreting scripture.

Interpreting (and I do beleive that to be the correct word) scripture requires your personal quest to decide between normative and symbolic readings, but one needs to lean heavily on the wealth of theological thinking of the past. Beleiving yourself to be "the One" who can decide such things is a great show of hubris (a major sin).

We are best served by studying the mothers and fathers of our faith in depth before we begin to determine how we might interprete any sacred text.

I am a Christian. Good luck, and God bless you in your class.

Answer 7

No bible fell from the sky into a bookstore. The church came before the christian scriptures. Individual interpretation is dangerous. For example, Jim Jones in 1978 led 900 people to suicide.
The reformers who used the phrase "sola scriptura" or the bible alone created an idea that is not found in the bible.

Answer 8

Since it is written by so many different people I would have to say both. Some of the authors wrote literally (with their interpretation), while others wrote symbolically.(with their interpretation.

I also STRONGLY feel that if someone 2000 years ago saw a helicopter they would call it a Chariot of the Gods, so you have to take into consideration how they would have viewed things.

I'm a believer by the way

Answer 9

All religion is man made it all makes the same claim that it comes from God. This claim is partially true but people can never stand to leave Gods word alone. This is because god’s word is consistent and does not mesh well with their personal preconceptions and bigoted ideas. So they make little changes here and there injecting their thoughts into the mix tainting the word with nonsense. For this reason you should not put much faith in these ideas about god that come from others. If God wants to tell you something He is perfectly capable of telling you directly.

Maybe you should stop reading what other people say about God and ask him to tell you what he wants you to do directly. Stop reading; clear you mind and listen. When you pray get you’re talking over as soon as possible and listen. He is trying to talk to you but your mind is full of nonsense from the bible and other sources. Don’t be surprised if what you hear does not sound much like what you have been told about God. You will be hearing Gods message minus the nonsense.

In your bible study have you ever heard of the small still voice? You can't hear it if your mind is otherwise occupied with other people’s silly ideas about God. Just try it you will be surprised

Love and blessings
don

Answer 10

No human should try to interpret the Bible. The Bible interprets itself.It explains everything you are to know about the Kingdom theme that was set up in Genesis 3:15.

Answer 11

Take the bible Literally, it is non-fiction, FACT.
The only time the bible uses symbolism is in parables, but there are some of these parables that Jesus explains the meaning for.
I am a Christian.