2006-12-19 16:19:38 · 17 answers · asked by chapped lips 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
So different branches of Christianity can interpret it the way they like?
Oh, and your picture is absolutely horrific. Scared the crap out of me when I clicked on the link thingy...
2006-12-19 16:22:32 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Part of it is bc Hebrew and Greek doesn't always translate perfectly, so a word may be able to be interpreted differently, and then is read to have two different meanings. Also, many ppl take their own assumptions when the read the Bible, and assume that bc the Bible was written a long time ago, it's outdated, and anything that conflicts with what we "know is true" can be thrown out. However, it's God's Word, and is, and always will be, right, regardless of the opinions of the time. The Bible is the standard against which we are all to measure our lives, how can it be a standard if it changes with every generation? Ppl must stop reading it to suit their own preferences and begin reading it for what it says, even if it makes them unhappy.
2006-12-20 00:24:47 · answer #2 · answered by STEPHEN J 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Three pressing reasons. The first is simply someone taking scripture totally out of context or misinterpreting it. For instance after I learned Greek a Jehovah's Witness told me there was a comma in a certain spot in the Greek text which would have essentially changed the meaning. However Greek did not have any commas, so since I knew the context of the Bible and its original language, many of those misinterpretations just fade away.
The second is that some of it is extremely open to interpretation. For instance the Revealation to John was only a Revelation to John - we don't know exactly what he saw and if we were to have the same Revelation, we might have described it much differently. So in short: people see things from a different perspective and by a certain context.
Lastly, maybe scripture might have several meanings, and all of them are right. For instance in Matthew 8:22 where Jesus says, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead" - I personally think that basically means that we should keep focused on our own faith, and if we tell someone they are sinning and they do not listen, we should essentilaly let them dig their own grave (hence bury their own dead). However another may think it means something else, like "let the dead bury their own dead" means to put away your own sinful nature, since the sinful nature leads to death, let it die, while instead your follow Christ. Both of those may be true.
"For the word of God is living and active." - Hebrews 5:12
2006-12-20 00:50:22 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
because people refuse to learn the original languages and reid it in its original. If they did that there would not be any room for interpretation, however, English being what it is, many ideas and concepts did not translate well. And since the old testimate was writeen in Heberew and Greek, the New testimate entirely in greek, then translated into Latin and then into English (the parts of the old testament from the Hebrew into Greek, then Latin, then English) and things ideas were misunderstood after translation. sometimes, when there was no corresponding word in the new language, a synonym was substituted that has a close but not exact meaning.
THAT is why there is so much interpretation.
2006-12-20 00:28:33 · answer #4 · answered by kveldulf_gondlir 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not so much open to interpretation as it is needing to be understood in the proper context. The new testament is a reflection of the old testament, most of the new testament is speaking of something from the old. You need to understand what is being written about in the old, then you can understand what is being spoken of in the new. Also, you need to understand the audience that the books are written to. Each of the gospel, Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John, are written to a different type of people, so you need to have an idea of what they are referring to so you can understand the point. That means that you need a basic understanding of the history and people of that time. When you study the bible from this aspect, your faith comes alive, because it is so clear that Jesus was the messiah. His life becomes so much more amazing when you understand the story in this way.
2006-12-20 00:38:12 · answer #5 · answered by Krista13 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well people like their own opinion. It is more important to have God's interpretation of the word of God which is only by the revelation of the Holy Spirit. One needs to know how to communicate with the Holy Spirit to receive His revelation. Perhaps not many are in this postion so they can only give their opinion.
2006-12-20 00:29:39 · answer #6 · answered by seekfind 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you truly study the entire Bible and pray for holy spirit to help with understanding, you will realize that God interprets everything in it with repetition and illustration.
2006-12-20 00:38:30 · answer #7 · answered by Sparkle1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It isn't! The Bible is what it is and can only be "interpreted" by God. This has been done by the true Church of God through revelation and there can be no arguments as to it's meaning. Why would God want to confuse us?
2006-12-20 00:23:46 · answer #8 · answered by Presagio 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's not. The KJV Bible is crystal clear if you have the Holy Spirit guiding you.
2006-12-20 00:24:22 · answer #9 · answered by tas211 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
because it has been written, edited, rewritten and adjusted, had bits deleted and added throughout the ages. it is based on numerous other religions all of which have their own concepts and beliefs.
in short it is a mess and current christians are too busy squabbling amongst themselves to do anything about it
2006-12-20 00:25:37 · answer #10 · answered by Nemesis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋