For Christians: How do you interpret Scripture?

Question

In personal practice:

Do you adhere to strict interpretation, taking the meaning of all passages literally, while considering it to have come directly from God complete and in its present form?

Or, do you take a more broad interpretation of any of these factors? If so, in what way does your view diverge from the more traditional methods of Biblical interpretation?

Answer 1

I am a rather unorthodox Christian as I do not necessarily believe that every word of the Bible is from God. I do believe that the concepts put forth are from God but I also accept the possibility that man himself may have done some interpreting prior to the printing of the various texts. Therefore, when I read passages from the Bible and do not receive a clear understanding of what God intended (which is most of the time), I simply pray about it and ask that He give me the guidance to understand how it applies to my life. I do not try to tell people how they should live their lives. I believe that a believer must have a truly personal relationship with God in order to really get to know who He is and what He wants from them.

Answer 2

Oftentimes, I actually ask my future mother-in-law. It's important to know someone who understands Biblical-era history so that special analogies come through more than what one would normally find.

For instance, Jesus rode into a certain city on a donkey, and the apostles made sure that he would ride upon a donkey. There's actually a whole lot more to that donkey than meets the eye.

Then there's the much-misinterpreted "turn the other cheek" phrase of the Bible. In Jerusalem, there were two ways to slap a person, one for an equal and one for a slave. If you turn the other cheek, you could only be hit as an equal.

It's things like this that give me a different view of what God wants in all of us. The Bible itself is such an amazing book because there are so many different ways to take it. I try to mix science with Biblical words to come up with a rational explanation, and to a point, it works.

Answer 3

The language of scripture clues the reader in to different suitable matters which perceive parameters, context, and matters that may not be obvious upon preliminary examining in accordance with a million Cor. 2:13. case in point: Acts 3:19 cf. Isaiah 28:12 Gen. 3:15 cf. Rom. sixteen:20 Heb. 12:14 cf. Matt. 5:8 Acts 17:26 cf. Isaiah 10:13 and so on.... (notice - those could basically be obvious in the KJV) whilst claiming to base interpretation on custom, and the pope's infallibility while talking ex-cathedra, what somewhat happens is that the Catholic church comes to a decision doctrines and traditions that are expedient for their church and administration. Then they re-interpret (or brush off as beside the point) scriptures to journey those expedient doctrines. additionally, the RCC holds custom (Mk. 7:9, 13; Col. 2:8; ) at a miles better point of authority than the Bible. Their chain of command in this order is: a million. custom 2. The Magisterium (chain of command from pope on down...) 3. Then scripture with apocrypha, interpreted by potential of them

Answer 4

Last year's adult VBS (Vacation Bible School) class was on Biblical Hermeneutics. Every night of that week, Pastor would say, "A text without a context is a pretext." He also said quite often, "Plain sense makes good sense." We got into the details of hermeneutics and if you want to get into that check this out: http://www.hermeneutics.kulikovskyonline.net. Also, the book Evangelical Hermeneutics by Robert L. Thomas.
If you don't interpret the Bible literally, then you're basically leaving the "best interpretation" to the one who can say theirs is the best the loudest.
I can not emphasize enough the importance of attending a Bible believing and preaching church, with a Pastor who diligently presents the Word Of God. Perhaps you could listen to one of Gil Rugh's sermons on sermonaudio.com. (Indian Hills Community Church) If a Pastor is doing his job correctly, then on Sunday morning he will be telling us precious insights into God's Word with practical life applications, insights us non-pastors don't put time into gaining. Our Pastor (Southview Bible Church) (not available on sermonaudio) studies the history of the time period, to understand fully the sayings, happenings, reactions, and he also extensively studies commentaries of his peers, and gives us a nonbiased report of what he has learned. Because as he likes to say, a text without a context is a pretext.
So, interpret the Bible literally. Putting it in context is required to understand it. And yeah, that IS time consuming. While anything worthwhile is worth the effort, there is nothing more rewarding than gaining another step towards understanding our God.

Answer 5

I don't think everything should be interpreted literally, but rather it should be interpreted normally. I believe God has told us everything we need to know about spiritual matters in the Bible. Christians should pray for wisdom before reading the Bible and ask the Holy Spirit to teach them what they need to know. A multitude of counsellors (Proverbs 11:14) is also a good thing, which would include Bible commentaries, etc. Knowing Greek and Hebrew is also helpful.

Answer 6

God is perfect. His servants are not. Since the Bible was written by humans writing under the influence of the Holy Spirit, there is still a possibility that the writers could make a few mistakes.

When there are apparent contradictions, I use footnotes, and the writings of scriptural scholars for clarification. Usually, some time and effort on my part will clear things up for me.

Answer 7

One thing that I've learned in about 20 years of Bible reading: Don't pull a meaning out of your butt. There are pleanty of commentaries out there to read and compare. On certain things there are different sort of interpretations. The reader who exposes himself to those different interpretations can make up their own minds as to which seems more true.

Then there is the Holy Spirit, It cannot be discounted in interpretation. That's why Atheists suck at interpretation. The Holy Spirit gives weight to some verses, and definition where it needs to be. Since non believers don't have a Holy Spirit living in them, they do not understand the value to place on a particular verse or story in the Bible. So of course, they pull the meaning out of someone elses butt on a website that has a problem with such unscholarly things as 'unicorns'. As if they knew what they were talking about.

Answer 8

There is a more honest way to interpret Scripture than either fundamental/literal (which isn't alway truly literal by the way) or liberal/anything goes.

The most important things to remember are "context rules" & "use Scripture to interpret Scripture" [although people have found ways to "interpret Scripture (what God says) with 'scripture' (what man says God says)"]. It depends on the type of literature you're reading, the author, the audience, etc.

Learn what these mean:

Exegesis vs. Eisegesis (http://www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v24/i3/eisegesis.asp
http://www.lcms.org/ca/www/cyclopedia/02/display.asp?t1=e&word=EXEGESIS
http://www.lcms.org/ca/www/cyclopedia/02/display.asp?t1=e&word=EISEGESIS)

Magisterial vs. Ministerial (http://www.answersingenesis.org/tj/v12/i2/logic.asp)

Hermeneutics (http://www.lcms.org/ca/www/cyclopedia/02/display.asp?t1=H&word=HERMENEUTICS)

Hope these help.

Answer 9

Getting a really good study bible is the key. Many Greek translations are explained in more detail to give better understand of scripture.......its a start.

Answer 10

If you look at the Ten Commandments. They are written by God himself. If I go before the gudge and he says that I'm going to prison. I would say "no". I am not saying I am innocent. I am saying that there is some one here to pay my fine. Turn from sin, Trust and seek a Savor ( Jesus ). Then and only then will God speak to you through his Word