Even if the bible is the word of God, without error, how do know our interpretation of it is without error?

Answer 1

A very good question...

In many cases, I suppose we don't know that our interpretation is without error... in fact, it's not much of a stretch to say that our interpretations are generally imperfect. However, it would be silly to think that our interpretations are definitely and always inaccurate merely based on our own imperfection. As we study the Word, allowing it to say what it says and not what we want it to say, it becomes clearer. As we learn to do better, we do better.

In a practical sense, this means praying to God for understanding and studying the original Greek that the New Testament is written in, as well as comparing different English translations (especially word-for-word translations like the King James and English Standard versions).

It is also helpful to realize that much of Scripture (even in its English translation) is very clear as to what it means. I think you are referring to points of contention within the Bible, things that people don't agree on. Although people will likely continue to challenge even the most basic aspects of the Bible and even our existence, Scripture (proven from the Greek) is clear that salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ.

May God bless you.

Answer 2

I do not believe there really is a way to know our interpretation of the bible is without error. In fact, I think it's really arrogant to even think one can interpret such a book without errors. We're only humans, only God is perfect.

You should also keep in mind that it's a book that's been translated over the centuries in lots of different languages. Regardless of how good a translation may be, it still remains a translation and is susceptible to mistakes. A poorly translated part of the bible can result in a huge error in interpretation. And it used to be copied by hand, before the invention of printing. That could potentially mean missing text.

One should use the bible more as a guide than anything else. There are so many interpretations of the bible out there and there is no way of being absolute certain which one is the correct. You should be open to dialog and listen to your conscience.
And never forget, the God of the bible is a loving and forgiving God. I think it is the most important message contained in the bible and all christians agree on that.

Answer 3

Basic Theology tells you that a group of monks and priest from different denominations got together and decided to take all the stories that had been told up till then and create the bible. Some of the stories were thrown out others were fleshed out to make more since and the bible was created. Therefore there has to be some inturpitation to it. Look at all the different aspects of Christenity are based on the same book and all say the others are wrong. Take the words with a grain of salt and try to do what is right and trust that a forgiving God will understand we are prone to failure but can still try to do what is right.

Answer 4

We have to be lead by the Holy Ghost. Even then we often need to make sure continually that we are on the right path. There are many different interpretations of the Bible but there is only one truth. We must continue to read and study the word of God.

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Answer 5

in case you certainly counted 35 variations, then you definately are sensible adequate to be attentive to that the farther returned you go, there are fewer variations which you would be able to pick to earnings, top? you assert you're a 'Catholic'. First, of all, the be conscious 'catholic' is an adjective in its unique historic context, not a noun. You of course mean which you're a member of the Church of Rome in one in each of its interior of sight franchises. you would be a 'realist', yet that doesn't make you an expert on textual technological know-how. The 'unique source' being the Greek majority textual content fabric or the Textus Receptus, is declared as maximum human beings textual content fabric because of the fact there are over 5000 manuscripts and fragments which testify to its integrity. additionally, there are the super volumes of the classic Church Fathers and fragments of hymnals and lectionaries which quote it drastically. The Bible manuscripts from the ineffective Sea Scrolls and the Hebrew Masoretic textual content fabric additionally make the case stable for the Bible's transmission. Are you relatively so in the dark as to not understand that the form of copies not purely interior the Greek, yet in diverse languages all significantly agree? you be attentive to the situation of transmission approximately as much as you do the classic occupation of the scribe. i've got not got area here to absolutely mop the floor with you as is possible. in case you had lived then, you does not qualify to be a scribe given your person imperfections which you undertaking on the ancients. it fairly is a stable factor returned THEN that purely experienced scholars had get admission to to media. Then while the printing press got here alongside, extra human beings might desire to particular themselves interior the media. Now with the modem, even you could take up peoples' time with your opinion. Congrats. you have finished a lot with your typing skills with so little attempt.

Answer 6

This is a fantastic question, at it has to do with a book's inability to jump up and say, "Hey! You're not understanding me!" Interpreting is something done by people, and so only if God founded an organism made up of people who are His authorized interpreters--i.e. people who can jump up and say, "You misunderstand!"--can we be sure of a correct understanding of the Bible. This organism is the Church, a 2000 year-old body which has a teaching "arm", in the form of the ministers who are collectively the successors and office-holders of the first apostles. When they as a group, or simply the successor of St. Peter, today called the "Pope", make a definitive statement regard faith or morals, they express the tradition of the apostles--i.e. the living memory of the Church--that has been handed down generation to generation for 2000 years.

Answer 7

Much of it is clear enough that it isn't subject to interpretive errors. The parts where there could be some doubt or disagreement aren't essential to the central message. But be sure to read the actual text, not just what anyone says about the text.

Answer 8

You can save yourself some time and effort if you don't worry about it. The Bible is simply a book and nothing more. I like to think of it as a fairy tale with a lot of gullible believers. There is no god...never was...is not now...or ever will be. That needs no interpretation.

Answer 9

Look at how many versions of the Bible there are and how many versions of Christianity and how they disagree with one another. They can't all be right so, regardless of the accuracy of the Bible, interpretations are clearly full of errors.

Answer 10

actually, our interpretation of it is with error,
especially when the interpretations are contradicting... bible interpretations may be different from each other but it may NOT contradict each other... how do we know if we have error on our interpretation? well its actually when we contradict other interpretations or when we contradict other words in the bible... because you see, since the bible has no error, it should not also contradict itself... hope you understand..=)