Why do many suggest "Use the Bible to find truth" when there are so many misinterpretations of the Bible?

Question

I am not knocking anyone's religious beliefs, but among the various religious sects/individuals who embrace the Bible here in YA, there are countless contradictions. i.e.

The Nature of God, Doctrine of the Trinity, Faith vs Works, Ordinance of Baptism (necessary or unnecessary - how should it be performed?), Revelation, Gifts of the Spirit, Priesthood Authority, Literal Resurrection, Prophecy, and on and on...

How can someone expect to find truth in the Bible, when it seems to be so subjective?

Answer 1

I think it's more the Denomination that is subjective, not the Bible. I also think it's important to remember that over time, there have been many interpretations - and translations - of the bible.

As for me, I read - and then interpret the meaning for myself, to the best of my ability. Along with this though, you have to be honest with yourself. What do you THINK it means... not What do you WANT IT to mean.

Answer 2

There are no "contradictions" in Scripture. There may be contradictions between various denominations, but they are all rooted in the fact that those doctrines are not found in the Bible! Some people take a single line of text out of the Bible and create an entire doctrine out of it. The strategy you should use is "line upon line, precept upon precept". That is, find every line in the Bible that talks about the subject you are dealing with, and the answer will become clear to you. Too many Christian denominations take single lines of text out of context, or read something into it that's not there.
Although the word "Trinity" is not mentioned in the Bible, the concept of the Trinity is. Father, Son and Holy Spirit are mentioned several times. Paul often speaks of "faith vs. works" in the NT, you should read it. As far as baptism goes, we should follow the example of the Bible. Everyone who ever became a Christian in the NT was baptized by immersion. No other method is authorized. If your church's doctrine conflicts with the teachings of the Bible, go with the Bible, to be safe.

Answer 3

There are no contradictions in the Bible. There may seem to be if read by someone who is either not following the subject and object of what is being discussed, or if you do not understand idioms (saying).
As far as things like mistranslations go, thats also not a problem. I study in the manuscripts, and I can assure you that when I am in the King James or any other Bible, something mistranslated will stand out to me like a sore thumb. Of course, I'm studied in the languages.
If you feel something is contradictory, or if God seems unfair, or something doesn't make sense to you, look deeper, ask for help from someone who has a working knowledge, but don't make the mistake of thinking its the Word's fault - it isn't. It's yours.

Answer 4

It is like a map to get to the destination you want. You read the whole thing and yes it is confusing at first but so is the ABC"s when you first start them. A map gives you roads and directions and mile markers and such, the Bible gives you information as you are a beginner and then when you know the basics and then for the mature person there is also roads. You know it is the best seller of our times even today. It is not like any other book that grows old it is fresh to anyone who searches its pages for answers. You just need a understanding where to start and where you are going. To start read the Gospels Matthew Mark Luke and John and read 1 John a couple of times and then read the new testament fully and then start in the old testament (if you are a history fan read Genesis and then all the law books and then the rest of the history books Joshua thru Esther) if you are a poet read Job -Song of Solomon but hey if you like predicting and solving things read the prophets Hosea - Malachi. The map is clear but you have to know in what direction you want to go and in what direction you are going if you are lost. Some times you have to start from a familiar land mark to get your bearings and this is what you need to do. Start with your question and read until you have your answer start over as many times but unless you don't want the answer which is your destination than don't give up.

Answer 5

The Bible is the Bible, as it is written. It's hard to find anyone who believes it as it is written that's where the misinterpretations come in. The Bible stands. It's man's struggle with the absoluteness of it that brings out what you call subjectiveness. It's man's spin. The Bible didn't change. If you look at your own question you see that people are the problem, not the Bible.

Answer 6

The reason why many suggest that it's just PROPAGANDA.

If someone's really looking for the Truth, he/she has to read what was written by Sumerians thousands of years before the Bible (circa 5000 years ago), and then follow up History from then on, comparing it with Scientific and Archeological findings; only after doing all that, what's written in the Bible will somehow add up;) To find out the Truth, you have to go back to the original source, because later versions and copies are often misleading;)

Answer 7

Some Christians may use the Bible to try to prove the Bible is true..and I am sorry for those who are frustrated by their circular reasoning. Don't get me wrong--I believe the Bible is truth, but that people have misinterpreted it. Don't discredit the Bible because of man's faulty reasoning. This is another logical fallacy. I recommend reading in The Historical Jesus, by Gary Habermas, section two-which deals with this question.

Answer 8

There is nothing in The Bible of The True Christian Faith for those not of The Faith. Only those open to the leadiing of The Holy Spirit will find, within the Bible, what God has for them there..... I do not recomend that any non-believer try to read The Bible with out the help of one of The Faith.... and even then there will be only a very limited understanding untill the seeker comes to a point of realization that it is not The Bible that contains what is sought....

Answer 9

They have no explanation. Don't hold your breath on getting one that actually makes sense. People try to use the Bible to prove that the Bible is true. It doesn't make any sense. It's absurd really. And you're right, if there are so many interpretations and mistakes, how can it be absolute truth. Trust me, people who say crap like that will sing a different tune for every different argument. In one case, the Bible is literal; the next time you ask, the Bible is just metaphors; the next time, the Bible has been changed by people for their own reasons. It never ends.

Answer 10

The reason I like Judaism so much is that one of their central things is for the members of the congregation to question things. You are encouraged to question what the Torah (the first 5 books of the Old Testament) says. Most synagogues have a weekly Torah study, and I bet you could go. They'll welcome you even if you're not Jewish.

People there are constantly saying, "I'm not comfortable with the idea of God telling Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac's life!" and things like that.

The word "Israel" in Hebrew means "to struggle with God."

"Yahoo Answers" is not where you find gigantic truths. Go to a real house of worship with your questions. That's what they're there for. If you don't like what you hear at one house of worship, try a different one.