Interpreting the Bible?

Question

If we're all capable of interpreting the Bible how can we determine who's interpretation is correct and who's interpretation is in error? Who has the final say as to what is being said?

If it's the Holy Spirit that has the final say then why do we have so many different interpretations from people who claim the Holy Spirit revealed the meaning to them? Somethings got to give.

Hint: 1 Timothy 3:15

Answer 1

That is one reason I became Catholic instead of looking for a Church that "Fit" my beliefs, I did a search for the truth and found the Roman Catholic Church.

I NEVER thought I would EVER become Catholic, now I am just sad that I did not do it before!

Peace and God Bless you!

Answer 2

The Holy Spirit does have the final say. But the Holy Spirit does not always work in the way our self-centred nature convinces us it does. It is easy to think that the Holy Spirit is directly leading us personally, guiding us in our heads to be a great prophetic reader of scripture.

Instead the Holy Spirit works with "exegesis" much the way he worked with the original instruments that set down the bible... finding select, devout people in the right place and the right time to provide inspired guidance to God's people.

We Catholics call this the magisterium... but other denominations have a similar outlook, even if they don't quite put it that way. There are the doctrinal statements of the Southern Baptist Convention, Anglican/Episcopalians' adherence to the seven councils and the agreements of the Lambeth conferences, and the Orthodox Sacred Tradition.

Answer 3

Ok, good question. The Bible was coded and given to us (the canonical books) by an institution called The Catholic Church. The Church told us that God had spoken and the Bible was his Word. Since the Holy Ghost is not anarchical he left an authority here on earth to interpret the Bible and shed light on the obscure passages -exactly the same institution, (founded by Christ) that gave us the Bible in the first place!!!!Needless to say, I´m talking about the Catholic Church and her magisterium.

Answer 4

Why not just let the Church, who gave us the Bible in the first place, interpret it? I mean it seems logical... If the Catholic Church determined which books go in the Bible and compiled it for us...and if Catholics wrote the New Testament...then it makes sense that the Catholic Church can correctly interpret it.

Answer 5

We are perfecting our interpretation.
"Come, let us reason"
Our center always is Christ, who He is and
what he did.
There are things that can be debated and
there are priorities.
Some focus on differing things and are strong
in teaching certain thing and we
"work out" our faith.
We are coming to the knowledge of the
fullness of Christ Jesus.
That is a blessing.
The Bible says that we should listen
to our pastors, but we should
also search the scriptures ourselves.
Sometimes differences are seen as
too important. It depends on what the
differences are, minor or major -
we need to be careful about debating
and expecially arguing points that are not
as important - the Bible teaches
that.
I hope that helped.

Answer 6

@SPL Texas re: "Jesus taught in the scriptures that the Holy Spirit will teach us all things!" So why do Protestants have preachers? Why can't Protestants agree? Why is the Holy Spirit telling one Protestant one thing and another Protestant something else?

Answer 7

This is absolutely the million dollar question for every Bible believer out there.

I think your wise to ask it.

Answer 8

There are too many versions of the Bible, it has been changed/edited by man so much that much of it isn't God's true word anymore. I wonder whatever happened to the ORIGINAL Bible???