What is the correct way to interpret the Holy Scriptures?

Question

"Every care should be taken to hold fast to what has been believed everywhere, always, and by all. This general rule will be truly applied if we follow the principles of universality, antiquity, and consent. We do so in regard to universality if we confess that faith alone to be true which the entire Church confesses all over the world. In regard to antiquity if we in no way deviate from those interpretations which our ancestors and fathers have monifestly proclaimed as inviolable. In regard to consent if, in this very antiquity, we adopt the definitions of all, or almast all, the bishops and pious theologians." - St Vincent of Lerins
"Let us not knock casually, but with eagerness and presistence, and let us not lose heart while knocking, for so it will be opened to us. Should we read once and then a second time and still not understand what we are reading, let us not be discouraged..Ask thy father, and he will declare to thee: thy elders and they will tell thee" St. John of Damacus

Answer 1

One cannot begin to understand the written Bible until one accepts that it is intentionally incomplete....and that the 'filler' was given and transmitted orally from the time of the revelation at Sinai. In fact, the Oral was given first and the written distilled from it. The written attests to this fact....often overlooked and dismissed by those who claim the Oral component is corrupt or even non-existent.

Nothing is futher from the truth.

The end of the quote from John of Damascus is testimony of this. This is one of the greatest debacles of the protestant reformation...the dismissing of the oral traditions, both of Judaism and the Catholic Church.

Answer 2

First you can start with a textual criticism of the manuscripts.

Plus you can go beyond the early church fathers of the empire to when Christians were still persecuted and look at things from their perspectives.

There were many ideas floating around in those days but probably contained more truth than it did later.

Best thing to do is learn Hebrew, Greek, Aramaic and understand the mindset of the culture doing the writing. Makes translating the ideas a bit easier and more accurate.

Stop translating things according to preconceived doctrines might help too.

Answer 3

Pray to the Holy Spirit for understanding
consider the literary form of the age
consider the message the author is trying to convey
God Bless

Answer 4

I have an easy solution for you! You need to get the John McArthur study bible. On every page there are his personal notes on the bottom explaining to you the context and what the versus mean. As a baby christian, it was invaluable to me!

Answer 5

The way you have done it here is not the way, Jesus said I am the way and the life, why do quote the words of another, if you confess to believe in Jesus, is it because you do not understand His speech, or is you body full of darkness that you rather stay in darkness then come to the light,

Answer 6

Bible passages need to be studied in context and interpreted in the light of Scripture as a whole. I believe it to be the inerrant word of God given that we might know Him.

Answer 7

You need to read the bible and Quran, and His holy words IN CONTEXT, both literally and be able to interpret meanings,

Eg..

The word SUN could mean light, Son, or the actual SUN

What do you think?

Meg

Answer 8

Knowledge is gained through prayer and supplication for holy spirit to teach us.[Jn 14:26]

Answer 9

if you read the bible and pray then god will explain to you what he wants you to understand. all of us could read the same peice of scripture and each of us get a different meaning which is personal to us.

Answer 10

Burning them in a fire-pit works for me.