How do we know if our interpretation of a scripture isn't biased doctrine?

Question

The question is a little more complicated than that. Its more of a challenge question to the church. When fact checking doctrines or systematic theologies with the scripture (instead of revelation through the Holy Spirit); how do we know if our interpretation isn't realy just an opinion influenced by our own belief system? which would certainly cause a biased oppinion. (e.g.Christian church backing slavery for a long period of time without questioning it)

Answer 1

This is a case if it doesn't quite fit or does not sound right better get into the texts and manuscripts to check it out for yourself.

A doctrine is defined as a document declaring the understanding and belief of a person or group. The bible is the only document a person may need if they are well studied.

Keep in mind servant/slave/worker and so forth all mean the very same thing as used. A person that became Christian usually could no longer own another per se in good conscience even then.

Today we do know that ownership of a person was justified by people of evil intent by misuse and misapplication of scriptures.

Answer 2

There are some great study tools available, such as the Strong’s Concordance (original edition, not the edited ones), which allows you to take every word in the KJV back to the original language. There is also Bullinger's Companion Bible. In my opinion, Bullinger is the best Christian linguist who ever lived. And, if you wish to get down where the rubber meets the road, try the Massorah, which locks in God’s Word so that it cannot be changed.

If the above is too much work for you, find a good Bible teacher, preferably one who studies the manuscripts with understanding ... but teaches from the KJV, so you can check him / her out.

The famine of the end times, which we’re in now, is not for bread but for hearing God’s Word ... at least the true Word of God.

If you’d like some free Bullinger resources, visit the source below.

Answer 3

man, i wish i could tell you. the problem is that all doctrine and even all historical documents are biased in one way or another. understanding theology takes a tremendous amount of study, and even then, we've only learned what someone else thought. someone said to learn about the early church fathers, and that's not a bad idea, but like i said, there's a lot of bias there, and even in the old days there were tons of conflicting doctrines. the best thing i can tell you is to find out about traditional teachings (and be warned, i've found that there IS some pagan influence in the early church) and the problems within them, and pray, pray pray. as for me, i tried everything from the catholic church right down to charismatic and pentecostal churches, and i've finally settled found a home (i wasn't always a christian, mind you) in the LCMS Lutheran Church. i see it like this; no church (provided that they are indeed a church to begin with, and not a cult) has bulletproof doctrine, but none of them are completely wrong either. i guess the way to say it would be to say that every denomination has something truly great about what they teach, but none of them are flawless. i wish you the best. if you do want to learn about the lutheran church, feel free to email me. i have documents that i can provide if you want them.

Answer 4

Great question!

How do you know? You ask yourself if it teaches you to do unto others as you would have them do to you in all cases.

When Christ comes, the people will be judged according to how they treated each other. When the world’s religious leaders teach their followers to do anything other than “do unto another as you would want done unto you,” they “hurt” the word of God by “trampling it under foot.” When the scriptures are revealed in their purity, especially the words Christ spoke, these leaders and those who have changed and corrupted the word of God, will be figuratively “killed” by the sharp sword coming out of the mouth of Christ.

In Revelation 11:5, John is referring to those who misinterpret (“hurt them”) the Holy Scriptures either by mistranslating them or presenting them in a way that they were not intended to be presented. The editors of the New Testament, for example, transformed the canon of scripture into what they felt best served their interests and agendas at the time. They edited, transposed, added to, and deleted any part that did not fit their perception of the doctrine of Christ, which at the time they began to organize the New Testament, was far from what Christ intended. John knew this, and wrote Revelation in such a way that they would not understand his words. He includes these religious leaders in his figurative expression of the “locusts”. These, as well as all modern-day religious leaders, never had a clue that he was referring to them.

...Because of the wickedness of the world, the prophecies and witness of the scriptures will be hidden from the world; meaning that in great mourning, they shall not be revealed to the world. In other words, they will not be understood because of the figurative and metaphorical way in which they are written.

The “fire” that comes from the truth will “devour” the doctrines and precepts of men (“the enemies” of the Holy Scriptures). This means that when the true and correct translations and words of the prophets are given, those who have misunderstood or changed the truth of the prophets’ words shall be burned with the fire of embarrassment.

Answer taken from the book that explains ALL of the book of Revelation in plainness. It tells the truth about politics, organized religion, and the nature of man. An amazing read.

Answer 5

Do a bit more research ... see what goes all the way back to Scripture AND to the Fathers of the Church. WARNING!!!!!!! People who do such research ALWAYS discover that the Catholic Church had it right from Day 1!!!!! And because they looked for Truth, they realized that they had to BE wherever the Truth was.....and so they necessarily HAVE TO BECOME CATHOLIC! People have turned to the Church Fathers in an attempt to disprove the Catholic Church and have had to eat humble pie...and then join the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.

Answer 6

Your question raises questions and this is what the Church Does Not Want.

So, with that said, ask more as slowly Truth will peek it's pointed head above the pews of rightiousness...

Answer 7

Why would the holy sprit send you in a wrong direction! The we can correctly interpret scripture is thru the holy sprit.

God loves you...God bless

Answer 8

If you know God and have a personal relationship with Him, and you ask Him the answer will be given to you. He loves us, and He wants us to make the right decisions. I used to struggle with stuff like is homosexuality, divorce and so on wrong and I would pray about it and I could open my Bible and the first verse my eyes would fall on would be about homosexuality (THIS IS TRUE) or what ever my struggle was at the time. This is one of the ways that God showed Himself to me. He was always there to answer my questions and love me unconditionally.

Answer 9

Read the original Greek texts of the New Testament. I was like you once so I learned the Greek. What we have today is fine. The NIV, KJ, NKJ, NASB, etc., are all great translations. Avoid the New World as it is an "interpretation" as opposed to a translation of the original texts.

Answer 10

You've just hit upon WHY it's important to take church Tradition into account. The Apostles and the early church fathers had much to teach us, if we're willing to listen.