Biblicists, who has the final authority to settle disagreements over interpretation of Scripture?

Question

since each one of you has different interpretations, who has the final authority to settle disagreements over interpretation of Scripture?

* rolls eyes *, please answer seriously if you want to be taken seriously.

Answer 1

You notice that not one person could answer it?? So I will.

Only the Church that Jesus founded.

Answer 2

I'd think the final authority rests with the source texts. Since it's a document that's been translated and transcribed across centuries, it's bound to be open to interpretation. I would think the only way to truly settle a disagreement would be to read the source text in its original language. To the people claiming the final authority rests with God, how on earth do you call it in to moderate an argument? Do you pray and claim the voice you heard told you what it meant? That's what Joseph Smith, David Koresh, Jim Jones and the like did. I guess my point is that the 'voice' is subjective, and if you're an unbeliever like me, it's just a product of that person's mind - hardly a final authority on anything. To give "God" as an answer is to not actually think about the question.

Answer 3

Well, the final FINAL authority is God's. Since there are some disagreements that should be resolved before God comes, Scripture itself settles disagreements over it. There is no confusion within scripture, disagreement over Scripture comes from bias. Therefore, the best way to settle disagreements is through extensive study and research of the verse and related passages.

Answer 4

The Holy Spirit is the only one to interpret scripture

Answer 5

I interpret the Bible or any piece of literature for that count, in a fashion it quite is sensible to me, with out attempting to %. and choose. i'm asserting that I even have the authority to accomplish that, yet as a guy or woman, it works for me and basically me.

Answer 6

God gave us minds to think for ourselves. When a person puts their trust in Jesus, The Holy spirit is given to help us understand scripture. But we are human and can get things wrong.
That is why open frank discussion is good. Communication between people who love God and study |His word can educate all involved.
Those who have studied church history; Greek and Hebrew can help others to understand things a bit better. But still; they cannot dictate to us.
Study the bible for yourself, look at issues in their context and crossrefrence with other scriptures. Ask questions of others.

But, basically, there is no human authority who should dictate.
Open discussion only illuminates and causes each party to think.

Answer 7

Don’t get confuse between word of God and the final authority. The word of God and the final authority are two different things. God speak to use by his word and the authority affirms his word or not (what Jesus actually said). There is only one truth not many truth which is false teaching. For example 2 plus 2 is 4 not 4,5,6,7,and etc. only true answer is 2. If one says God is authority then everyone see God then you are nuts or did you live in the time of Jesus. If one says living prophet then everyone can call himself a prophet remember bible in Rv. talks about false prophet who they say speaks for God. These things sound extreme to me? The Holy Spirit, who do you know if you are specking to Holy Spirit remember satin is a spirit too. If it is self explanatory why are we separated with different ideas about God, your idea can’t be true, rebuke. The Catholic Church is the only one does not have a private interpretation only protestant do. The Church conceits of members. Private interpretation is self interpretation. Bible says Jesus left an Apostles and Church and it says there is one shepherd and flock. Protestants like to add to bible Jesus did not left Apostles, Church, and there is not true one church (one flock or shepherd). Why do protestant in them self like to contradict them self’s and fight, condemn, and say they are right within themselves.

Answer 8

--THE SCRIPTURES themselves have the final authority:

(2 Timothy 3:16) “. . .All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for SETTING THINGS STRAIGHT, for disciplining in righteousness." .

(Hebrews 4:12) “. . .For the word of God is alive and exerts power and is sharper than any two-edged sword and pierces even to the dividing of soul and spirit, and of joints and [their] marrow, and [is] able to discern thoughts and intentions of [the] heart.”

”(2 Peter 1:20) “. . .For YOU know this first, that no prophecy of Scripture springs from any private interpretation.”

--JEROME , the Roman historian, coined the Bible "THE DIVINE LIBRARY"--Indicating in his belief that any doctrine, teaching , prophecy could come to the fore when one would let the Bible as The Divine Library settle any controversey

--ITS LIBRARY is unlike any library that existed in that there are no contradictory sources that exist within its entirety AS THEY DO in all other libraries that is or was!

Answer 9

True spirituality means you have to figure out the interpretation that makes the most sense to you. No one can tell you what the bible means to you, only you can. Don't listen to the extremists.

Answer 10

Someone once said the Bible is the best commentary on the Bible. We must take all of Scripture in context. It does not contradict itself, and if you become a student of the Bible it becomes more self explanatory.