Who determines what the bible really means?

Question

When I talk to many people of faith I receive two different comments when I bring up the question, "How do you know you're going to Heaven?" Some people will tell me, "No matter what I do, God will always love and forgive me." Not to neglect the other side, an almost equal amount of people tell me that once you sin, you cannot be forgiven.

When I bring up biblical questions out of sheer inquiry, I often receive two very different answers from near equal amounts of people.

It's natural for everyone to think of themselves as correct, but I'll often hear, "They're not true Christians." Without being rude, because I truly am interested in the answers, I have a few questions on the subject:

a.Who decides who's a "real" Christian and who's not?
b. What is it exactly that makes a "true" Christian?
c. Who decides what's to be taken metaphorically and literally in the bible?
d. Why are certain things taken differently?

Please, no jokes. :)
Thank you in advance.

I was just inquiring about a few things. I'm an atheist and have absolutely no intention of becoming a Christian, I just wanted to clear a few things up so that I didn't make the mistake of generalizing. :)

Answer 1

Wow...these are excellent questions. And I'm not sure I'm capable of giving the correct answers. But I'll try for you.

a. Only God (Jesus, in this case) will decide who was real and who was not. Trust me, for some of us, it's going to be quite a shock when Jesus says, "I don't know you."

b. A real Christian is someone who accepts that Jesus died and rose again for our sins. That he is the mediator and advocate for us with the Heavenly Father. And who, when he sins, prays for forgiveness and guidance.

c. That is a toss up. I do rely heavily on my mentors in the faith, but generally, I can decide for myself based on context.

d. That is just human nature. Have you ever heard of the problem police have with witnesses? They all see the same event and have different descriptions? Well, the same things happen in religion. And to be honest, I think the Scriptures are designed that way. I've often found that when I have a particular problem, it tends to influence the meaning I take from a certain passage. Then, when I read it again, with different problems, it has a new meaning. This isn't to say that it's wrong. Just that I view it through different lenses.

Sorry. That's the best I can do. I hope I helped.

God be with you.

Answer 2

I've had to answer this question a lot lately (you can see my link below) but the proof is actually in the book itself:

Matthew 10:5-6 in KJV (the standard Protestant Bible) says that Jesus sent forth his twelve disciples to preach the gospel, but warned them: Go not into the way of the gentiles or into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not; but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

What that means is that ONLY Jews (descended from the Pharisees, Saducees, and Essenes...houses related to Abraham and David) can become Chistians. It's there, in the Bible, in Christ's own words.

That the two most active of Christ's disciples (Paul and Peter) preached the gospel to Gentiles was in direct violation of their teacher's request and warnings.

A "true" Christian is someone who is 1) Descended from Jews, 2) Follows the Abrahamic Covenant (NOT the covenant of Noah) and 3) Believes in the Gospel of the Christ. If you are not ALL three things then you are not a Christian. Sorry, WASPS. You should have stayed Druids.

While the Pope claims to be the official final word on the text of the Bible, as the Catholic sect of Christianity is a farce (see the Matthew quotes above) and most surviving Christian sects are based on Catholicism; the fact is the Pope cannot dictate squat about the Bible. The fact that Catholicism outright rejects the Gnostic texts is proof enough of that. The only people suitable for interpreting the Bible are "true" Christians (see above) and rabbis (as they are scholars of the texts).

And why are certain things taken differently? If you examine the time periods where the "separations" of ideas took place (Orthodoxy, Lutheranism, Seventh Day Adventists, etc.) you will find that more often than not the difference in ideas is political. Individuals were using their interpretations of the word of God to back their own political gain (otherwise we wouldn't have had events like the Great Schism.)

But hey, you don't have to take my word for it. Open the books and see for yourself.

Answer 3

Considering the price of antibiotics and five questons for two points; this is an expensive stop.

1. The Bible as the word of God is its own interpreter. Not letting that happen or not having the revelation to see the correct interpretation is the cause of all critical differences; as it only adds personal and corporate opinions. There is of course the level of maturity. For example some friends know you better then others. Guess which will most likely make a mistake speaking about you?
a. Only the Lord Jesus.
b. A personal relationship with Jesus Christ in three stages. Justification by faith, sanctification and the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. Justification is accepting the blood atonement of Christ for sins and to restore a living relationship. Sanctification or holiness is setting oneself apart from the world both inside and out. The baptism of the Holy Ghost is the indwelling of Jesus Christ in a sanctified heart.

The Baptism of the Holy Ghost is also known as conversion, being born again, the gift of the spirit of truth, power from on high, the presence of the comforter, the love of God shed abroad in our hearts and others. There is a meeting, a courtship and a marriage; but you still gotta live it.

c. See #1. And the assistance of the Spirit of Truth.
d. See #1. Also consider that a single verse can easily have five and more meanings. A prophetic word, of revelation, the Spirit of Truth and letting the Bible speak for itself are absolutely essential. It also requires humility for God resists the proud.

In summary every verse speaks of Jesus Christ at some point before time, during time and beyond time. With the living word inside; the inspired written word before our eyes; one takes up a relationship with the spiritual and written manifestations of Jesus. The only thing missing then is the Theophany body of God; for which return we still wait.

Finally this is a time of great deception with regard to the person and purpose of Jesus Christ. There are literally thousands of false teachers and false representations; for God is making a final separation. I cannot say, without being in touch with a persons spirit, if any one is a true Christian or not. God has not left non-Christians without revelation. There are many times when an atheist can spot a fake Christian faster then many Christians.

The questions about sin, both not true, stem from mistaken interpretations from both sides.

It will take a little revelation to read these answers, no!

Answer 4

a. Each denomination says they are the true Christians. Each varies on who isn't. Catholics, Mormons, and Jehovah's Witness all get a lot of "not true Christians" pointed at them by many other denominations. A lot of Protestants don't like Catholics, Catholic churches will marry a Catholic to a Lutheran or Methodist, but not to a Mormon or Jehovah's Witness. In some areas, denominations are almost indentical with each other, in others, wildly different.

b. Each denomination's views on what Christianity is about. Obviously, there is no global consensus on what a true christian is, or there wouldn't be so many denominations. You may or may not choose to see that lack of consensus as a sign that none of them are guided by a divine being.

c. Depends. Catholics have the Pope. Most large mainstream Protestant groups have some sort of council that meets and gives either general guidlines, or specifics. (I think the Methodist one meets like every three years or so) Though you often get internal disagreement as well. Catholics who are young earth creationists who use birth control would be against two official rulings of Catholicism, but would still think of themselves as Catholic. Official Lutheran bylaws contain Martin Luther's assertation that the Pope is the Anti-Christ, but most Lutherans don't even know that, much less follow it as church doctrine.

d. A lot of the differences come from which books the different denominations follow. Catholics include the Apocrypha, a series of books that give them the concepts of Purgatory, asking the deceased to pray for you from heaven, and several other things. Moromons have the books of Mormon, which include lots of additional stuff as well. But also, you just have the general differences from each denomination. Each has a different interpretation, otherwise there wouldn't be so many (about 10,000) different Christian denominations. So each time someone comes up with a different interpretation or focus on some theological point, it spawns another Protestant denomination. Which pretty much goes back to 300AD when the Orthodox and Catholic churches split over whether the leader should be the Pope, or a council of several church leaders from different geographic areas. (ie Russian orthodox, Greek orthodox, etc.)

Answer 5

This was the central problem of the Renaissance and the enlightenment. While it's hard to pinpoint exactly where the schism in opinion started, it came to a head when, in order to fund the building of St Peter's Basilica, the Catholic church began selling indulgence.

Indulgence was a way you could literally buy your way out of hell. By buying indulgences from the catholic church, your sins were forgiven, more money for bigger sins.

This, obviously, didn't go over too well with more ethically inclined people, including Martin Luther, whose famous 95 theses sparked the Protestant reformation. The chain of events that ensued also caused the translation of the bible from Latin into more common languages, placing it in the hands of common people and taking it away from the clergy...
And set off centuries of bloody conflict, revolution, and a global shift away from totalitarian and monarchical power, and the beginnings of our modern republics and democracies.
As a result of some of these conflicts, a predominantly Catholic Spanish occupancy, and predominantly Protestant English occupancy, of the Americas occurred. A couple hundred years passed, the reformation of the Church became old news...

And we reach today. The old schism caused by the behavior of the Catholic church in the 16th century still hasn't quite been resolved, but the causes have been obfuscated by hundreds of years (and, let's be honest, this stuff is too boring and time consuming for most people to look in to), and today, we have people fighting the same centuries old fight, without really knowing why or what it's about.

To answer your question, then, it depends on who you are asking. If you're in the Americas, and you ask someone from a predominantly Catholic part of the country, you're going to hear the "no true Christians" bit (although you're going to hear it from some Protestants as well as Catholics, and not all Catholics from those parts are going to agree). If you're in a more Protestant part, you're going to hear the "Jesus saves you from sin" part.

The "who decides" question, at least, can be resolved; if you believe the Catholic church was in error when they offered indulgences, then the answer is, you decide. The old priesthood before Rome doesn't exist, the Bible has been placed within your reach, and you can read it for yourself. If, on the other hand, you believe that the old authority of the Pope still stands, then he decides.

And, if you're in any of the various reconciliations of the two points of view, you might want to ask your pastor, minister, etc.

Answer 6

I've answered this question before.

People really need to be made aware of the political and ideological alterations that were made to the bible throughout history.

What you read isn't always what was originally written.

Some so-called "Christians" will interpret the bible to their own liking. But we have to consider that the very truth is, most of these laws were man-made to begin with, and translated to suit humans' conveniences.

But in many cases, the issue over interpretation is pure semantics, since the bible itself has been filtered through so many language translations from its original Semitic, Aramaic, Coptic, and Greek translations. I'm talking the very early gospels, to include the standard canon which consists of Matthew, Luke, Mark and John, and letters to Paul, etc.

It all has been 'Lost in Translation' -- so to speak.

Once scholars (mostly monks) began translating these original texts to the Latin, and Old english translations, and making their own 'corrections' along the way; pretty much the same way editors screw with your work whenever they think you 'really' meant to say something else, when you were really saying exactly what you meant... then that's where the confusion really begins...that's where the questions should be asked.

Did Jesus really say this? What was our Lord's true message? Did some zealot monk, under the rule of some highly-political Archbishop take it upon himself to translate it as he saw fit for whatever laws, and ideologies they were pushing at the time?

Think people. I mean, critically think. Don't be afraid to wonder, either. Afterall, Romans, Jews and early Christians were always in conflict during those days. Fudging with bible translations over the ages for political purposes was so common, that according to Bart D. Ehrman, the world's leading expert in ancient translations of biblical texts, the original author of Revelations even had to put a disclaimer against anyone altering the text. Aware that these texts could be used to support such views, early Christian scribes made simple, but profound changes which altered the context of the original meaning altogether.

Makes you think, doesn't it?

Answer 7

Just like some people interpet body language, art, etc differently. it's sometimes the same with the Bible. Altho, for me, the bible is pretty straight forward as far as the new testament goes. I struggle with the old testament and the book of revelation...those books need serious studing and prayer for guidence.
A. who decides who's a real christian? again, a matter of opinion. Focus on God and use prayer for guidence. If it sounds messed up, hurtful.. i would guess not very christian like.
B. True christian = someone seeking and following Christ. Living by His example. Read the bible to learn His example.
C. Jesus often uses parables to help us understand things. These I would say are metaphorically, as they are used for example and better understanding. There are many things in the bible that are clearly meant to be taken literally. Such as sexual immorality. U will understand as u read.
D. See C. above. God uses many ways to help us to understand Him and His desires for us.
Read alittle at a time. paragraph or 2.
Email me if u like, and I will try to help ya out.
Sadie [e-mail]

Answer 8

You must find the answers yourself. God's Holy Spirit will teach you. Read His written Word, the Bible.

The Bible is God's written Word to us.
It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit.

“Above all you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:20-21. (New International Version)

Breakdown of the Bible
36 human authors inspired entirely by God over 1600 years.
66 separate books

39 Old Testament
Genesis- The creation of the world, sin, flood and birth of Israel
Exodus to Esther- History of the nation of Israel
Job to Proverbs- the books of poetry and wisdom
Isaiah to Malachi- Prophecy or foretelling of the future events to come.

27 New Testament
Matthew to John - Four Gospels representing the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ now with all authority in Heaven and earth.
Acts- Birth of the Church (The Bride of Christ)
Romans to Jude - Letters to the Churches
Revelations - The ultimate future plans for: The Church, Heaven, Hell, a New Heaven and a New Earth.

Here are some Bible Study Resources for anything you may want to look up:
http://www.Biblegateway.com
http://www.Ntgateway.com
http://www.Bible.org
http://www.bible-history.com
http://www.answersingenesis.org/

Answer 9

A: Only God can really judge anybody. As people, we can go ahead and label everyone as 'real' or not. . . But only God can really pass true judgment.

b. Oooh... it depends who you ask. Personally? I think people who believe in God and Christ are "true" Christians. It doesn't matter what they do, if they believe thusly. Sins an imperfections don't make you less of a believer.


c. People in power, if you mean officially. For me, being a Catholic, I think it's a choice the Vatican makes.
Unofficially, it's the individual.

d. People have different mindsets. Did you read Fahrenheit 451 in school, or another symbolic piece of literature? People, depending on their personality, childhood, experiences, philosophy, etc, interpret symbolic or metaphoric or vague ideas differently. A great example of this is the United States Constitution.

Answer 10

All of you items listed can be determined in the same manner as you make any logical determination. However everyone seems to want to apply entirely different rules when it's the bible.
It is the only historical document that people want other proof that it is correct. All other historical documents are assumed correct until shown otherwise.

What a Christian is is defined as is in the Bible and what their lives look like were defined by Christ Himself.

The Bible is made up of historical, poetic, metaphorical are all determined by the knowlege of the culture, use of language, meaning of language, as any other document and actually doesn't take a rocket scientist to sort most of it out.

Certain things are taken differently totally dependent on Context. Who is talking. Who are they talking to. What are they talking about. Where are they. When are they.

NEVER take anyone elses word on the meaning of something, even your pastor. Go look it up yourself. Go study it yourself. Start with seeking God's guidence before starting.

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, take it out of context. That is how bizzar damning things come into being. Satan loves to quote scripture this way. That is how he tempted Christ.