Christians: Is it safe to interpret the Bible?

Question

* Please back up your answers with appropriate citation.
* Please limit your citation to proper context as I will report pages long random Bible verse quoting as abuse. Nobody wants to read a citation about Lot's wife or Job or Abraham when it obviously has nothing to do with the question!

This question isn't as safe as it first looks. Check out this verse: Revelation 22:18-19.

Answer 1

I understand your frustration with long Bible Verse, however, if you ask a question, it is fair to allow a person to answer it; I will do that for you here:
Yes, it is safe to TRANSLATE the Bible, but only if you are properly skilled to do it. I study in the original manuscripts (35 yrs) and know all three Biblical languages, which is absolutely necessary; in addition, I am studied on the various idioms used in the different Books of the Bible. The short answer is that anyone can interpret the Bible, but frankly a person should not do it - the Bible can only properly interpret itself, and does. You can translate it properly, however, if you have the skill in which to do it, or you do yourself a dis-service as well as others, if you teach it.

Answer 2

How else? God gave us all the skill to think of for ourselves2f43b42fd833d1e77420a8dae741900 utilising that skill is probably what God needs us to do2f43b42fd833d1e77420a8dae741900 The Bible isn't somewhat cryptic2f43b42fd833d1e77420a8dae741900 that is basically no longer the made of a single ideas with a single area of view2f43b42fd833d1e77420a8dae741900 The Christian Bible (this is, alongside with the hot testomony) became written by utilising a chain of writers scattered over a great stretch of western Asia, southern Europe, and northeast Africa2f43b42fd833d1e77420a8dae741900 greater severely, they have been writing in a great array of situations over greater advantageous than one thousand years2f43b42fd833d1e77420a8dae741900 lots of the later components have been written partly to take concern with the assumptions of in the past components; it is not a lot a manifesto as an argument2f43b42fd833d1e77420a8dae741900 i do no longer know my interpretation is correct2f43b42fd833d1e77420a8dae741900 i will in hassle-free terms do my maximum suitable to comprehend it2f43b42fd833d1e77420a8dae741900 I actually have a great array of supplies attainable to help2f43b42fd833d1e77420a8dae741900 luckily, in view that being completely maximum appropriate is impossible interior of human limits, i'm no longer in charge for being right2f43b42fd833d1e77420a8dae741900 I in hassle-free terms could desire to do my maximum suitable to be honest approximately it2f43b42fd833d1e77420a8dae741900 ‘while will human beings comprehend that that's ineffective for a guy to examine his Bible until eventually he additionally reads all and sundry else’s Bible? A printer reads a Bible for misprints2f43b42fd833d1e77420a8dae741900 A Mormon reads his Bible and famous polygamy; a Christian Scientist reads his and famous we've not have been given any hands and legs2f43b42fd833d1e77420a8dae741900 [2f43b42fd833d1e77420a8dae7419002f43b42fd833d1e77420a8dae7419002f43b42fd833d1e77420a8dae741900] of direction, he examine the previous testomony rather than the New2f43b42fd833d1e77420a8dae741900 of direction, he stumbled on interior the previous testomony something that he needed – lust, tyranny, treason2f43b42fd833d1e77420a8dae741900 Oh, I dare say he became honest, as you call it2f43b42fd833d1e77420a8dae741900 yet what's the forged of a guy being honest in his worship of dishonesty?’ -- G2f43b42fd833d1e77420a8dae741900K2f43b42fd833d1e77420a8dae741900 Chesterton, "The sign of the broken Sword"; in "The Innocence of pop Brown"

Answer 3

Sure. Even if you read an English translation-you still need to understand the context of the passage and the culture in which it was recorded. Misunderstanding either can really send you to the wrong conclusions.
If you did not study hermeneutics, I recommend a good conservative commentary like "The Bible Knowledge Commentary".
It is a 2 volume set (~ $35) written by the faculty at Dallas Theological Seminary. If you need to get any deeper than these guys go , then you would be in Seminary anyway.

Answer 4

I've no clue why an answer to this would require "citations" but here goes.
It is generally safe to interpret the Bible - except in certain locations (e.g., some churches in the American south) where it is assumed to be the literal and perfect "word of God."
And of course everyone's interpretation that's not like mine is wrong.

Answer 5

Having been written under the inspiration of holy spirit, the Bible must be interpreted by means of the holy spirit. (2 Timothy 3:16, 17) In 2 Peter 1:20, 21 we read: "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."

Much of time the Bible acts as its own interpreter. This can be seen when one compares such passages as Matthew 24 with Revelation 6. (This is a comparison of the features of the sign of the last days with the actions of the 4 horsemen of the Apocalypse.)

Answer 6

NO the only way to understand the Bible is to read it in context and ask the spirit to tell you what it means. There are just two cardinal things the spirit will NEVER tell you to do.

1.Hurt someone else
2.Judge someone else

If your interpreter tells you to do those thing it is a devil turn away from it.

Answer 7

why yes its perfectly safe. i am sorry that i do not have the exact location. but when the isrealites (old testament) were building the temple they were required to use the first fruits of their labour to God. also known as tithes and offerings. in this day and age, it can mean kindness, money and other treasured gifts that are not materialized. because like the saying you reap what you sow. if you give gifts unto God, they will be restored unto you in a good measure pressed down shaken together and runneth over.

Answer 8

The question is really way too vague.

consider how Jesus interpretted the Old Testament at the times that He quoted it. Generally speaking He kept it in context, didn't twist it to say something obviously not intended, but did apply it to real life situations around Him.

Answer 9

I think you should take it literal unless the reading is obviously ment to be. Like god created the earth in six days, and rested on the seventh. A day to us is probably not the same to god. Thats just an asumption people make. you need to be careful and think about what the bible is saying.

Answer 10

Everyone “interprets” the bible the way they see fit. They may not call it that, but that’s what they do. Christians can’t agree on each others interpretations, so they call their neighbor’s interpretations just that, but they say no I don’t interpret, I just read and follow…