What's the best way to interpret the Bible?

Question

They say "by the spirit". What's the reason the Church insist in interpret "by the letter". Do you think it's too late? Where would we go to hear the true meaning of the Bible?

Answer 1

The Bible itself. Study of the Bible will reveal that it explains itself. Any explanation or interpretation that is out of harmony with it is incorrect. This takes more effort than simply reading and listening to others interpretations. Some are kind of lazy in this regard, so it is just easier to accept whatever explanation is given by others.

Answer 2

I am a Non-Denominational Christian. My faith is based solely on accurate research from the Bible.

The way I study is through the use of a concordance. It is the best way to accurately translate what was originally written in the scriptures.

Some would say that I am a literalist in regards to the research I do.

I don't understand why some people can only take some things written in the Bible metaphorically and others literally.

To me, the Bible says what it says, and means what it says.

So if the Bible says that on the day of Pentecost plumes of fire appeared over the heads of those who accepted the Holy Spirit into their heart, then that's what happened. They weren't metaphorically speaking.

Similarily, when GOD appeared to Moses as a non-consuming burning bush, people generally accept that as what literally happened. There is no metaphor in the Bible.

Thanks and GOD Bless.

Answer 3

The best way to interpret the Bible is to research and understand the following:

1.) The Bible MAY contain the "word of God" - but that is difficult to ascertain.

2.) The Bible contains stories about Prophets and Messengers of God, and some of their spoken words.

3.) The Bible contains descriptions of Prophets and Messengers of God, but those descriptions are given by several different kinds of people:

- possible family members of the original messengers of God
- possible friends
- possible enemies
- many authors of the books of the Bible remain unknown

4.) The Bible ALSO contains verse, notes, etc, which were sometimes on the "margins" of the original manuscripts - and then some publishers decided to include them as "words of God". - It depends on which Bible you buy - Just read the Preface, they usually are kind enough to tell you what they've done.

5.) So, the question remains: If you don't know who wrote what, what to trust as being "from God" and what to doubt, etc.. then, What is the Best way to interpret the Bible!?!?!

First, ask yourself: What was the message of all of the Prophets of God???

ANSWER:

There is only One God. Obey Him. Worship Him. Keep His commandments. Do not offend others. Live a peaceful, harmonious, and righteous life.

This is what the messages of ALL Prophets and Messengers
of God was trying to accomplish.

If you've understood these simple rules, then you need no further interpretation of the Bible.

Good luck.. :)

Majnuun.
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Answer 4

Even a work of fiction can communicate great truths. Taken on the whole, interpreted literally, the Bible becomes unworkable and outright bizarre. So, many have had to settle out with "all things are possible with God." That works well enough for the masses who feel the need to believe in something and who do not have the time or capacity to contemplate symbolism and allegory. On the other hand, symbolism and allegory is typically the vehicle of transcendent knowledge. Our overriding inability to appreciate the Bible in terms of the latter, while clinging (and struggling) to hold on to a child-like literalism has compromised the integrity of the faith and forced many to seek alternatives.

Answer 5

The Massorah. It's coded so no words were changed. And go back to the original languages with a concordance. I use the Companion Bible with the Strong's Concordance. In the KJV, a lot of meanings have been changed from the original.

Answer 6

Spiritual things are spiritually discerned, and understood.
The Bible with this understanding is best read with an eye towards that, BUT apply common sense because without it, you can get all manner of nutty ideas.
Read literally, and recognize that there ARE figures of speech involved. Types are followed by the fulfillment of them, prophecies are understood to be literally fulfilled.

An important thing here, I should add.
The best way to read and interpret, is to set your mind beforehand to let it judge you, not you judging it, with the end goal of letting it into your life by submission to it.
In so doing, the realities of the spiritual life become alive to you, and you will know it in a way you never could by merely reading it.

Answer 7

Gee, I have no idea what the best way to interpret the Bible is. I do know that it's done every day and often every hour here at R&S by Christian fundamentalists, with great relish and ever greater dancing around the mulberry bush. Their interpretations seem to be moveable, one day this, the next day that, whatever they think supports their primitive faith in a nonexistent god.

Answer 8

"He who blashemes God is forgiven.
He who blashemes Jesus is forgiven.
He who blasphemes the Holy Spirit is NEVER forgiven."


Churches are evil. They make you buy the Holy Spirit, and guilt you into building a bigger Church, keeping you there, constantly threatening you with hell.

Know that the Holy Spirit is within you. You can always trust the truth within you. You can certainly doubt God and Jesus, but never doubt the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit of God is within you. That is all you ever have to trust 100%. You will surely "see" the truth in the Bible once you understand that. Then you'll laugh at religious leaders blasheming the Holy Spirit out of you.

The truth is within you!

God bless

Answer 9

In my opinion, the bible is a collection of letters put together by lots of different people over centuries, and the interpretations have been changed to suit the needs of that person at that time. Then King James steps in, and decides to suit his purpose alot needs to be left out, and rearranged. I believe the old testament is a bunch of fairy tales to help ancient people understand why things are the way they are. And the new testament is about an actual man, that zealots exalted to a god like status because they wanted him to be a super hero, that had come to free all Jews from their plight of bondage...but he was just a man.

Answer 10

Who says? Too late for what?

The best way to interpret the Bible is by the Bible and prayer. Each passage of scripture should be interpreted in light of the whole Bible. It should also be done prayerfully, asking God for help and wisdom.