Shouldn't we interpret the bible ourselves, and not trust others to interpet it for us? I have a problem trusting other peoples interpretations, including pastors and priests. I just don't trust man. Does God not have the power to help me interpret these things for myself? If somebody says "well that was symbolic." I don't buy it, I take it for what it says.
2006-09-07 10:36:22 · 16 answers · asked by delgados12 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
To expand, I believe pastors and priests have perverted the truth. I do believe the bible when it says to trust no man.
2006-09-07 10:43:29 · update #1
IF you have an actual and true relationship with the Lord, He will tell you what the bible is showing you. Real Chrisitans will all come together with the same answers, and that is no coiensodence.
2006-09-07 10:39:50 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Dear Delgado,
You are correct in that we are not to trust any man! Regarding the interpretation of Scripture, I can go from one church to another and get a completely different interpretation depending on the church I go to! I thought God only wrote 1 (one) Bible? Well He did write just 1 Bible but as you have seen the pastors and priests have put their own slant on what a particular passage means instead of studying the Bible.
The Bible gives us the rules for studying the Bible:
a) 1 Corinthians 2:13
b) Mark 4:33, 34
c) Isaiah 29
In summary, one must compare everything that God says on a subject (eg. faith) and you have not found truth if one verse contradicts another. Secondly, one must remember that Christ spoke in parables.....not only when He says this is a parble but all throughout the Bible because the whole Bible is the word of God. Thirdly, one needs to pray to the Lord for wisdom and understanding because God knows everything especially His word! As you study the word "faith" in the Bible, you will find that it is a synonym for the Lord Jesus Christ. Go to Hebrews 11 and everywhere you see the word "faith" insert "Jesus Christ". I hope this will help you. Check out the word "door" and see what wonderful truth you find!
2006-09-07 11:05:58 · answer #2 · answered by pilgrim_153 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is the Bible truly God’s word?
It’s good to see many religious people admitting at last that they don’t really know if God exists or not, and that their belief in God is a matter of faith only. It’s good that more and more religious people are coming to grips with the fact that there is no verifiable factual evidence that God exists, and that they won’t learn the truth until they die.
It’s also a scientific fact that humans don’t know whether the universe was created or not, but as time goes on, I’m sure science will eventually discover the truth.
Religious people tell me, how do you know that the Bible is the word of God, and not a series of manipulating texts written by man for the purpose of power and control over the masses?
If you are unable to provide any verifiable factual evidence that God exists in the first place, what verifiable factual evidence do you have then, to prove that the Bible was inspired and/or written by God?
2006-09-07 10:42:44 · answer #3 · answered by Brenda's World 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, I personally enjoy reading different commentaries and such on the bible. There are dictionaries, handbooks that give a historic view of the times that each book was written. I like to have a lot of research material and then can understand a bit better what was going on during the time it was written.
The challenging part, for all Christians, is how to apply these things to our own lives. As far as personal application, I do agree that we should all live in a way that is pleasing to God. We all will be accountable, individually, for how we live our lives. So, in that sence, we need to follow our conscience and let the basic principles of scripture and the Holy Spirit guide us.
2006-09-07 10:51:16 · answer #4 · answered by godsgirl 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, definitely. I suggest that you read and study the Bible for yourself. Everyone has their opinion. You should study and come up with your own interpretation.
I don't believe in trusting anyone completely. I'm suspicious like that. Let's call it "careful". Having a relationship with God is just that-- your private relationship. And while others can shed light on certain scriptures, it should never be something that isn't consistent with your inner beliefs. Because when you believe in God, and God dwells in you, then He will show you the way to the truth, like you said in your question. He will also confirm inside of you whether what someone else is telling you is true or false. You will "just know". I can't describe it any better than that.
Also, I like to believe the Bible is completely literal, but I also believe that's it's completely symbolical, also. For example, the Tabernacle of Moses was a literal tabernacle, but it was also a symbolic view of Jesus Christ. Because God's Word is living, it has such complex levels to it, and it can be seen in many ways and still be completely true.
2006-09-07 10:47:00 · answer #5 · answered by retro 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes, we don't need to interpret it ourselves. But it's like anything, we can deceive ourselves and believe things that we conveive. This is where it is helpful to have other people's input, like a pastor, theologian, Rabbi, etc. They are also trained professionals-although some of their training may lean one way or the other politically, socially and theologically, but for the most part, as a whole, they are fairly accurate. We need to be cautious not to make up our own understandings, and pervert the Bible's truth.
2006-09-07 10:40:52 · answer #6 · answered by DJ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, by all means, read the Bible as a Book, and interpret it for yourself. Preachers have people flipping around so much, to and fro, you don't get an entire story at all! However, there are many symbols used in the Bible and not everything should be taken literally. But, as I said, read it. Read it all.
2006-09-07 10:40:01 · answer #7 · answered by twowords 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should always read the bible for your self, and not just read it study it. Get a concordance it will help you know the meanings of those words. Like Conversation in the bible means behaviour. You have to go to the greek for new testement and hebrew for the old testement. I try and always give scripture to my answers so one can look it up and see for themselves. Its the Holy Spirits job to open your eyes to God's word.
2006-09-07 10:44:31 · answer #8 · answered by iwant_u2_wantme2000 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I like to get out my Left Behind books and interpret the bible based on the godly adventures of those who were Left Behind.
2006-09-07 10:42:25 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
acts 17 :11And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul's message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to check up on Paul and Silas, to see if they were really teaching the truth. 12As a result, many Jews believed, as did some of the prominent Greek women and many men.
Interpret that however you want
2006-09-07 10:39:56 · answer #10 · answered by Slave to JC 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋