If so can they both be correct in their own interpretation?
2006-10-18 06:50:45 · 27 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Why do think there are so many sects of Christianity? Catholics, Baptists, Protestants, Mormons, etc all interpret the Bible differently, and even within those groups, probably no two people agree on absolutely everything. For example, one person might think "Thou shalt not kill" means you're never allowed to take another person's life, but another person might think it also applies to ALL living creatures so we should all be vegetarians.
Who's to say they are not ALL correct? There's truth in every version of every faith... and don't you think God values truth more than accuracy?
2006-10-18 06:57:10 · answer #1 · answered by teresathegreat 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Dear JWAY,
Yes, it is possible but either one or both of them may have the incorrect interpretation. Private interpretation of the Bible is forbidden by the Lord. So, you may ask, how do we interpret the Bible? God has given the methodology for Bible interpretation. First of all, one must understand that Christ spoke in parables (Mark 4:33, 34). Since Jesus Christ is God and the Bible is His word, we need to understand that the entire Bible is written in parables. There are historical parables in which the Lord has hidden Gospel truth in a particular historical event that is recorded in the Bible. If you look at the Book of Proverbs, this is entirely parabolic, but does not contain events that actually occurred.
Secondly, the Lord tells us to compare "Spiritual things with spiritual." The entire Bible is spiritual so we need to compares Scripture (1 Corinthians 2:13). A Concordance is very handy because you can search out a word in the Bible and see how God uses the word throughout the entire Bible. For example, those who are really saved are referred to as "elect", "saints", "wheat", "sheep", etc. Also "rain", "milk", "honey", "bread" are metaphors referring to the Gospel.
Thirdly, you have to pray to the Lord for understanding. The Bible is not an easy Book and the Lord has a "season" to reveal truth, see Daniel 12. The Lord is the only One who can open one's spiritual eyes to understand the Bible. The unsaved cannot understand the Bible because God has not given them "ears to hear."
If you read the parable of the wheat and tares you will see the truth that the unsaved are among the saved. They look the same. We cannot determine if someone is saved or not saved. That is why the Lord will separate the wheat from the tares at the end of the world. In the parable of the ten virgins we see 5 foolish virgins and 5 wise virgins. The 5 wise virgins had taken oil for their lamps--they were saved and had the Holy Spirit. The 5 foolish virgins did not have oil (nor the Holy Spirit) and when Christ returned (the bridegroom), the 5 foolish were not ready and were left outside (did not go to heaven). I hope this will help you. Remember, never believe what people say--believe the Bible.
2006-10-18 14:15:48 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Two people could interpret the Bible 1000 different ways but remember there is only one correct interpretation. However, many of the stories and examples can be applied to life situations in many ways depending on what a person may be going through at the time, and that's okay. But...there are certain scriptures that only have ONE way to interpret, such as; Jesus being the only one who died and rose to cover sin. He is the ONLY way to heaven and life eternal. Those facts can't be compromised.
2006-10-18 14:10:14 · answer #3 · answered by HomeBody 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Of course it's possible for 2 different people to interpret the Bible different ways. That's why we have all the different denominations of Christianity today. I believe that they can both be correct. It may sound lame, but I completely subscribe to Obi-Wan Kenobi's Philosophy of truth from a certain point of view. People look at things in different ways because people are so different in their thoughts, and actions and experiences. That doesn't make one persons view any less true than another's. God is eternal and His plan is so immense that it would be arrogant in the extreme to say that the way you interpret it is the only correct way. Only by reexamining what we think we know can we hope to come to a more complete understanding of God.
2006-10-18 13:59:08 · answer #4 · answered by Bri Liz 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i know we have huge religions, catholics, lutherans, and protestants, baptists, mormon, and each of these are supposed to each interpret the bible a certain way, im sorry its just that i think its impossible that ANY 2 people can correctly agree on how to interpret the bible. we all have different lives and experiences and concepts that are important to some are nonexsistant to others. so yeah, i think you will never find any 2 people that will completely agree on the interpretations. and think about this, if there were someone out there that interpreted it well enough you would think they would be so spiritually powerful that everyone would know them. the only people that have any power are like joyce meyers that get on a tv to be famous and powerful. and what does tv have to do with spirit? would jesus use tv? so i think that its impossible to totally be spiritual from the bible, sorry but SOMEONE would have figured it out by now and would be a great example, but the only example we have is jesus himself. there is something really wrong with that.
mournyngwolf
solitary practitioner of wicca and wizardry
2006-10-18 14:04:29 · answer #5 · answered by mournyngwolf 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The thing is, God poured out the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-17 & Joel 2:28). And it is the Holy Spirit who's been given to guide us into all truth (John 16:13). We know that God's Word is truth (John 17:17). And Jesus' price at Calvary, and the resurrection would open up our understanding of the scriptures (Luke 24:45). This tells me that God's preference is that we all form our knowledge of the Word of God directly from the Holy Spirit. In fact, the Bible tells us that this is what the Holy Spirit does (1 John 2:20 & 1 John 2:27). And the Holy Spirit is not divided between 2 opinions .
2006-10-18 14:13:05 · answer #6 · answered by Carol L 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is amazing, but it is possible for 10 different people to interpret the bible 10 different ways,
That is why there are 1000 different religions. Most are agreeing with the way it was interpreted by what established the religion in its belief.
The bible has got to be read, got to be studied 2Tim.2:15 and one has got to be sure they are understanding what God is saying to them, rather than developing a belief.
2006-10-18 14:03:54 · answer #7 · answered by jeni 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take a look at the world's religions... The Bible's been interpreted a million different ways. Can they both be correct? Not in an absolute sense, no. They can both be wrong, however. If your set of beliefs causes a contradiction in the Bible, time for a new set of beliefs. The Bible doesn't contradict itself.
2006-10-18 13:54:27 · answer #8 · answered by Epitome_inc 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Good question.
If you believe it was inspired by God then .. not really. The idea is to find out what God's intent is.
There are however, passages that have "layers" of meaning. That mean different things on different levels. The parable of the talents comes to mind. In that case if one interpreter picks up one layer, and another picks up another layer. They can both be right. In this case, however, the meanings will not conflict.
2006-10-18 14:53:03 · answer #9 · answered by Salami and Orange Juice 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, I don't think so. The Bible does say that it is of no private interpretation. It does not matter what WE think the Bible is saying, it is what the Lord is saying and do we see it. I do believe that the scriptures can lift us up in different ways according to our circumstances. The main thing is when we read the scriptures, read them under the direction of the Holy Ghost. God only means one thing in his scriptures and it is up to us to get the mind of Christ to get the real meaning.
2006-10-18 13:58:57 · answer #10 · answered by Caleb's Mom 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋