Why are there so many interpretations of the same scripture?

Question

Some people point to scripture as having a literal interpretation and some people think it is symbolic. How can we know as Christians what interpretation to follow? This can be confusing to me! Take for instance, the issue of woman teaching in church. Some people say that it is ok and that there were women leaders in the early congregations. But the Bible clearly states that women are not to take the lead over men in church? Or the Book of Revelations, symbolic or literal? Thank you and God bless!

Answer 1

Pray about it.

Do you know the voice of your Shepard?

There's a great article on women in ministry (too big to cut and paste here @ www.bible.com.) It's good and well worth your time.

http://www.bible.com/bibleanswers_result.php?id=141

Answer 2

There is only one way to know with certainty, by listening to the one true authority Christ placed on earth, the holy Church He founded for all mankind. The Church to which He said, "whatsoever you bind upon earth is bound in heaven". The Church to which He said, "he who hears you hears Me". The Church to which He said, "the Holy Spirit will guide you to all truth". In this one Church there are no conflicting teachings. No denominations. None of the doctrinal chaos seen in manmade denominational religion, even after 2,000 years. Christ knew that you cannot have truth without unity, and that you cannot have unity without true authority. That is why He gave us the Church.

When people reject the God-given authority of God's Church, and instead try to force a book compiled under that same Church's authority to become their new authority, chaos is predictable. No written work has any value at all until interpreted. Without an infallible and authoritative interpreter, each person must try to interpret the Scriptures for themselves, with no real authority backing them up. As a result, each person become his own authority, defining the truth as whatever interpretation he places upon the Scriptures. How far removed this is from the stated will of God, "that they all may be ONE". If you long for the fullness of Christian truth, without conflict and contradiction, the Church of the Apostles, the Church to which all Christians belonged until a few hundred years ago, is waiting for you. Look and see.
.

Answer 3

Every one wants to be right no matter what . Look at all the religions in the world . . .all are based on one God but all paths are different and every fanatic feels theirs is better than the other. Make your own interpretations by knowing what you feel in your heart. You know the difference between right and wrong, right ?

Get in a good bible based church and forget the naysayers.

Answer 4

I have to laugh when I see answers like "pray about it."
That's what believers have been doing for thousands of years, and yet there are still interpretations that are all over the place for any scripture passage. One guy prays about it, and decides "god" has told him it means one thing. Another girl prays about it, and decides "god" told her it means something completely different.
Can't your "god" make up his mind?

Or perhaps the simplest explanation is the best: there is no "god" telling anyone what it means, because there is no "god." People make up their interpretations to suit their own wants, needs, and purposes...which doesn't really matter anyway, since the book itself is mostly superstition, myth, and lies.
Try reason -- it makes much more sense. :)

Peace.