2007-01-05 19:00:17 · 19 answers · asked by ? 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The Bible makes it very plain that the interpretation of the Bible does not belong to any private individual but has only one correct interpretation and that is given by the Holy Spirit.
2 Peter 1:20 "But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own private interpretation, 21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God."
2007-01-05 19:04:19 · answer #1 · answered by oldguy63 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The Bible always interprets the Bible. It is not open to the interpretation of mankind because of our fallibility -Christians included. If you want to know what the Bible means about something then simply look up every other Scripture regarding the topic at hand, carefully consider the context, study it diligently and thoroughly and the Bible itself will give you the interpretation. For this a Strong's Exhaustive Concordance and/or a topical study Bible will be a definite plus. Also, ask God to send His Holy Spirit to help you understand what the Bible means and He will gladly do so. Just don't try to force your own private interpretation on the Bible, either. Always rememner to take the Bible at face value unless the context clearly states otherwise. For example, the account of creation in Genesis Chapter 1. The Bible states numerous times in the Old and New Testaments that the 6 days of creation were 6 literal solar days. The context of this account is equally clear.
2007-01-06 03:09:46 · answer #2 · answered by utuseclocal483 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We Christians are constantly arguing and sometimes fighting over interpretation of the bible. That is why there are so many different factions of us. Look how they treated Martin Luther when he translated it to German. The bible is for anyone who would read it and I encourage you to read it if you have not and if you have read it again this time praying for enlightenment. People are not the head of the Christian church. Christ is and He will be more than glad to help you interpret for yourself if you are seeking truth. I would discourage you from trying to make a case for God being evil as what good can come from that. I know there are many misguided Christians promoting hate and prejudice but we are not all that way. I was agnostic once and He changed my mind.
Are those really your boots? If so where can I get some? Would make hubby speechless and it is my duty as his wife to keep him from talking so much.
2007-01-06 03:13:25 · answer #3 · answered by bess 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The simple answer is 'no, they don't' but its quite open to question as to whether or not the bible is meant to be 'interpreted.'
What I mean by this is that Jesus didn't mean to speak in riddles, or to mislead people. In that regard, the bible is not open to any interpretation at all. Jesus said what he said, and he meant it the way he meant it, and therefore there shouldn't be 'interpretations' or variations as such.
The problem of 'interpretation' is that the selective picking and choosing of bible passages is causing confusion where no confusion should exist. This is because, like the parable of the seeds, the words are being received in different degrees, and because of it, the 'fruits' of such production are varied.
To be quite honest, any Christian who fails to strictly follow the teachings of Jesus (Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who mistreat you, forgive your brother/neighbor 70 x 7, etc etc etc) is passing on the poor fruits of their own harvest, and that the reckoning will be of their own making. So don't worry about the state of their soul/salvation; one helps others by helping themselves first.
2007-01-06 03:16:36 · answer #4 · answered by Khnopff71 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Being that the Bible is a historical document, no, I don't believe that Christians should have complete exclusivity. Nor do they have the right to force their interpretation upon you.
There's Biblical scholars who have been fighting over the various interpretations of the Bible for lifetimes. As Christians, I believe it is our responsibility to study and determine for ourselves what the Bible's messages mean to us.
2007-01-06 03:13:45 · answer #5 · answered by De Expert 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The Holy Spirit is the one who gives the interpretation of the Bible.
The Bible is of no personal interpretation.
If you read the Bible and pray God will guide you into all truth.
2007-01-06 03:07:07 · answer #6 · answered by zoril 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
No, they don't.
If you're an atheist, they will either tell you that you shouldn't be talking about the Bible because you don't believe in God, or they will say that you are interested in the Bible out of some subconscious desire to believe.
Couldn't possibly have anything to do with being interested in seeing what the book says. That would be too simple.
2007-01-06 03:05:06 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I would say there are about as many interpretations of the Bible as there are readers.
2007-01-06 03:08:29 · answer #8 · answered by MyPreshus 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
To some extent, they do. Bibles published since 1920 are under copyright, and the copyright owners control the rights to the use of those books. Older versions (such as, of course, King James) are public domain, and people may do what they please with them.
2007-01-06 03:07:51 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Perhaps not, but I know who DOESN'T have any moral authority to decipher the Bible:
Racist blacks like jessie jackson.
Gay people (look at the aids rate)
Liberals
Communists
john kerry (war criminal)
2007-01-06 03:13:53 · answer #10 · answered by Bono's Bug-Goggles 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋