Do you trust YOUR interpretation of the Bible? How do you know it's the correct one?

Question

Seems that I have heard certain parts of the Bible interpreted in several different ways, and put to use in such varying doctinal theories, that it makes it very difficult to believe everyone believes the same thing (the Bible.) And that is why we have so much contention among Christians. What makes YOUR interpretation of the Bible the correct one, and why is the other guy wrong, if you are reading the same thing?

ps. I play the devil's advocate a lot when asking questions, so please don't try to read into my own personal beliefs and theories. .I am curious and like to learn, that's why I ask

Answer 1

I pray and theorize and have alot of time to think and let it take a spin around my brain for a while. I like to let it be "Spriritual bubble gum" my interpretation of God is that he wants to be in relationship with all of us and he doesn't want ANY of us to go to hell and that is why he sent Jesus to us to die for us and to show us how to live. He also gave us marriage as an illustration so we would knwow hat it is to truly be in community with Him. I run all my interpretations along those lines. God does have a heart for the weak and the homeless and as our father he also wants us to as well. If you look at the models we have here on earth it's not that hard to understand.

Answer 2

2 Peter 1:20, 21 NAB (Catholic)
20 Know this first of all, that there is no prophecy of scripture that is a matter of personal interpretation,
21
for no prophecy ever came through human will; but rather human beings moved by the holy Spirit spoke under the influence of God.

1 Thess. 5:21 KJV
prove all things; hold fast that which is good;


Read/compare lots of Bible versions, original language references, history, encyclopedia and other references. Creeds, doctrinal handbooks of religions so know what everyone else teaches for the most part. Talk and write to lots of people over the years about religion plus have been involved with a lot of different ones.

It would be stupid to take up a religion unless we had proved it true and useful. It would just be a taking of our time and money for no good reason.

Debbie

Answer 3

The important thing to rememebr is that the Bible is the word of God. The men that wrote the Bible were all inspired by God himself. Remember also that out God is not a God of confusion. When it comes to reading the Bible, there is no reading inbetween the lines. It states the facts very clear. For example, Catholic people believe in the trinity. But where in the Bible does it mention that The almighty God, Jesus, and the Holy spirit are one. Even a Catholic priest told me that the trinity is nowhere mentioned in the Bible. The Catholic religion revolves a lot around the trinity. But if something like that wwere 'so important' for us to know, don't you think that God would have mentioned it at least once in the Bible to make sure that we understand?

Answer 4

I use the grammatical/historic method, which focuses on what would the original audience have understood this particular passage to mean, taking into account the culture? For example, if you are trying to interpret Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, then you have to ask how would this book have been understood by a first century resident of Corinth?

Seems the most objective and common sense way of interpreting the Bible, or any historic document, BTW.

BTW, when it comes to interpretation, Christians agree on more points than they disagree. Skeptics and atheists over-exaggerate the differences between denominations, because they have an agenda to prove.

Answer 5

I believe my interpretation to be correct. I don't know for sure that it is. It is simply my opinion of what is meant. I understand that I could be way off or I could be correct. It's a chance I am willing to take. When I do get to find out whether I am right or wrong, it will already be too late and I won't know the difference so it's not like it will matter anyway. Good question.

Answer 6

The holy bible is open to ones interpretation. This is probably why it is so heavily debated by so many people. How do they know that how they interpret it is the right way? No one can really know for sure, they can only say that in FAITH that this interpretation is correct and someone elses is not.

Answer 7

As a Jehovah’s Witness this may be strange to hear, (the stereo type critics claim we only use the New World Translation) but I like to collect many translations and read them individually. If I could I wish I could read the original Hebrew and Greek but I have only been privileged to learn a tad bit. Someday I really want to read Hebrew and Greek fluently…

Answer 8

I have a Bible that has the various readings at the bottom. I suggest you go to the store and ask to see one like it. Then you'll see that the variant readings are very slight, and do not call any doctrine into question.

You have been misinformed. At a Christian bookstore, you can investigate yourself and see that you were told wrong.

Answer 9

My Husband and I were just talking about the bible and we both wanted to know where the original bible is and if it is the same as the one we read right now and I came across a very interesting site about the Original Bible, to tell you if it is the real truth I honestly do not know that one, me myself I did find some science opinons in this site but what I am going to do is after reading about it I am going to pray about it and see what God himself tells me, the only person who knows the real bible is God himself, apart of me thinks we are kept in suspence to continue to keep the Faith in him here is the web site if you are interested http://www.biblediscoveries.com/original.html

Answer 10

3 reasons. A teacher , and a Strong's Concordance to make sure I am being told the truth. And just the right amount of the Holy Spirit. And I do my best to stay out of biblical questions that i know nothing about.