if so, why are there so many different interpretations?
2007-11-04 05:53:22 · 19 answers · asked by Ťango 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Obviously not since a hell of a lot of Atheists have read the bible including myself.
If you believe it it may guide you to do things like stone disobedient children to death or offer your wives to be raped.
2007-11-04 06:07:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well, if that's the case then the holy spirit guided me right off the pages and into a position where I no longer had to believe the bible, the holy spirit, or all the fictions. And what did it? The bible's own words! I'm not sure what sent me over the edge: was it the antique savagery of Leviticus or was it the post-Jewish fear of Paul's letters? Or was it both?
Thank you holy spirit for leading me through, and finally away, from all that nonsense.
The beautiful parts of the bible --the songs of songs, the beatitudes, etc--are worth cherry picking, but only at the expense of rationally disregarding genesis, miracles, prophecy, and so forth.
2007-11-04 06:04:06 · answer #2 · answered by kwxilvr 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It's similar to several people watching a movie in a foreign language. Each person gets a different interpretaion of the movie. Different interpretations are what people "need to know" at a precise time in their lives.
When you read the Bible, you will get out of it what you need to know for the present time. The more you read the more you will find out. Somethings will not make sense to you at the present time, but the next time you read it, it may make sense to you because at that time you will need to know, and not now.
God (and the Holy Spirit are one in the same) will give you the information you need, when you need it, by reading the Bible, he will guide you.
2007-11-04 06:59:37 · answer #3 · answered by believer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Bible is inspired by God, so if you read the Bible and listen to what it says, then you are being guided by what God has said, therefore you are being guided by God!
The problem is so many people read the Bible and then twist it to fit their own desires. They read the Bible, but they don't listen to what it says!
We should let the Bible determine what we believe, but instead many determine what they believe and then read the Bible and try to mold it to fit their preconceived bias by distorting verses, or only reading the parts that seem to back-up what they already feel is right.
The apostle Paul told Timothy, "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." (2 Timothy 4:2-4)
Notice they find teachers after their own desires.
This is not the fault of the scriptures, but of the hearer.
The Scriptures must be studied and handled correctly (2 Timothy 2:15). A misuse of the scriptures (taking verses out of context, twisting the meaning, reading with a preconceived bias, etc.) will result in faulty interpretations.
2007-11-05 09:13:48 · answer #4 · answered by JoeBama 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are so many different interpretations because there are so many different people who each interpret their reading of the Bible n different ways.
You might say that the Holy Spirit can only work with the raw materials it's given.
2007-11-04 05:59:44 · answer #5 · answered by Chantal G 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes this is true. The Spirit of God dwells in His word. God is not one that causes confusion so if you need help understanding, the Spirit of God will help you. As far as the many different interpretations, this is do to so many people trying to make it plain to read. You will see as time goes on, the content will be easier to read. Only problem with that is people who are not sent by God can make an error and mess up the entire meaning. It all goes back to FAITH and your ability to hear God for yourself. He will not guide you wrong.
2007-11-04 06:03:24 · answer #6 · answered by Ferg 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Yes, it is true. And if you read it out loud it's even better because then you can hear it. I believe there are so many different interpretations because people don't read the whole Bible.
2007-11-04 05:59:51 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because the Holy Spirit guides you through the authority of the Church Christ founded. That's why the Bible says that this Church is "the pillar and foundation of truth". No structure can stand without its pillars and foundation. The truth cannot stand without the Church. Note that the many conflicting interpretations you refer to exist among those who have rejected the pillar and foundation of truth, who have no authority whatsoever other than their own guesses about the meaning of Scripture. Doctrinal chaos is bound to reign in such a situation. Which is why Christ voiced His intention "that they all may be ONE". Truth cannot exist without unity, and unity cannot exist without true authority.
2007-11-04 06:00:43 · answer #8 · answered by PaulCyp 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Are you talking about the Sacred Phantom? Then why don't you just say so. Isn't the term holy spirit a little quaint?
2007-11-04 06:00:10 · answer #9 · answered by 2.71828182845904 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
No more so than reading Pinnochio will get Jiminy Cricket to guide you.
2007-11-04 06:00:17 · answer #10 · answered by Seán 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋