200,000 books

[lesliedellow]

With so many different interpretations, how to tell who is and is not not letting their agenda and/or prejudices enter into his/her interpretation?

The sinless person does not exist.

 

[46AND2]

The sinless person does not exist.

So how does one know if what they think is the correct interpretation is tainted or pure?

 

[lesliedellow]

So how does one know if what they think is the correct interpretation is tainted or pure?

It is always tainted. People just have to try and be as objective as they can when interpreting the Bible. Of course, in theology, as in science, you should think twice before deciding that you know better than an almost complete consensus.

 

[46AND2]

It is always tainted. People just have to try and be as objective as they can when interpreting the Bible. Of course, in theology, as in science, you should think twice before deciding that you know better than an almost complete consensus.

Sounds like human biblical scholarship is more important than the holy spirit's leading, then.

 

[lesliedellow]

Sounds like human biblical scholarship is more important than the holy spirit's leading, then.

There is always going to be an admixture of human agenda with the Holy Spirit's leading. The best you can do is to try and open yourself up to the Spirit. The only judge of how successful you are in doing that is God. Of course, somebody like Bart Ehrman would not believe that the Spirit is there to have any influence at all.

 

[bhsmte]

Sounds like human biblical scholarship is more important than the holy spirit's leading, then.

If the holy spirit was involved, we wouldn't have all the different interpretations.

People claim the holy spirit is involved with their interpretation, to feel better about it.

 

[JaneC]

It is always tainted. People just have to try and be as objective as they can when interpreting the Bible. Of course, in theology, as in science, you should think twice before deciding that you know better than an almost complete consensus.

Why are they not concerned about being as objective as they can when interpreting the Quran? for them the Quran is nothing, why should the bible be any different? why fear one and be indifferent about another? how would anyone know which one to choose when they are both ridiculous?

 

[lesliedellow]

If the holy spirit was involved, we wouldn't have all the different interpretations. People claim the holy spirit is involved with their interpretation, to feel better about it.

For a Christian it is axiomatic that the Holy Spirit should be the sole interpreter of scripture, even if that is never the case. Acknowledging that it is never the case is an exercise in humility.

 

[lesliedellow]

Why are they not concerned about being as objective as they can when interpreting the Quran?

Because they do not believe that Islam is true.

 

[46AND2]

There is always going to be an admixture of human agenda with the Holy Spirit's leading. The best you can do is to try and open yourself up to the Spirit. The only judge of how successful you are in doing that is God. Of course, somebody like Bart Ehrman would not believe that the Spirit is there to have any influence at all.

Well the holy spirit's results seem to be indistinguishable from not working at all.

Kind of like prayer, for that matter.

 

[joshua 1 9]

What nonsense is this?

This is only nonsense for those who are perishing and do not have the life of God in them. For us that are saved this is the power of God onto salvation. 1cor1:18

 

[joshua 1 9]

Why are they not concerned about being as objective as they can when interpreting the Quran?

We should be concerned about this. For example here is a web site that shows: "Ten Ways that Islamic Law forbids Terrorism". There are those that argue that the Quran teaches terrorism and there are those that argue that the Quran forbids Terrorism. http://www.juancole.com/2013/04/islamic-forbids-terrorism.html

 

[joshua 1 9]

Kind of like prayer, for that matter.

We have a covenant relationship with God. If we do our part then we can be sure that God will do his part. If people do not get results when they pray then they do not know HOW to pray.

 

[JaneC]

Because they do not believe that Islam is true.

Are you saying religions are nothing more than opinions and feelings? that's more than likely right.
Believers are just people agreeing with the thoughts of the people who made up the gods in the first place.

 

[lesliedellow]

Are you saying religions are nothing more than opinions and feelings? that's more than likely right.
Believers are just people agreeing with the thoughts of the people who made up the gods in the first place.

Of course it is a matter of opinion whether God exists, and, if he does, which religion most accurately represents him, but no it is not just a matter of feelings.

 

[joshua 1 9]

Believers are just people agreeing with the thoughts of the people who made up the gods in the first place.

Some people believe everything is a miracle and some people believe NOTHING is a miracle. Some people believe God created man and women. Some people believe that men and women created God. Perhaps you should do whatever floats your boat and flies your kite. For me to believe in a God that created me makes me more happy, content and at peace with myself then to think that I created God. I make mistakes and errors and God does not make mistakes and errors. God has the solution for every problem and the answer for every question where far to often man makes a mess out of things when he tries to run the show and refuses to do things God's way.

But I am willing to hear you out. What does the God that you created have to offer you?

 

[JaneC]

Of course it is a matter of opinion whether God exists, and, if he does, which religion most accurately represents him, but no it is not just a matter of feelings.

It must be a matter of feeling if it wasn't you wouldn't be able to settle on the one religion because it wouldn't 'feel' right..

At least you have admitted that it's what you are raised to believe that matters, you didn't exactly say that but as you are usually only given one religion it's not exactly a matter of choice is it?

 

[lesliedellow]

It must be a matter of feeling if it wasn't you wouldn't be able to settle on the one religion because it wouldn't 'feel' right.

You will find a whole host of opinions amongst historians about the causes of the First World War, but they would deny to a man that they hold the opinions they do based upon nothing but feelings.

At least you have admitted that it's what you are raised to believe that matters, you didn't exactly say that but as you are usually only given one religion it's not exactly a matter of choice is it?

For your information, I was brought up in a family which was wholly disinterested in religion.

 

[joshua 1 9]

At least you have admitted that it's what you are raised to believe that matters, you didn't exactly say that but as you are usually only given one religion it's not exactly a matter of choice is it?

I was raised to be a Secular Humanist. Christianity was something I found because I needed solutions and answers. I found that the Bible and God has an answer for every question and a solution for every problem.

 

[46AND2]

I was raised to be a Secular Humanist. Christianity was something I found because I needed solutions and answers. I found that the Bible and God has an answer for every question and a solution for every problem.

Funny, exactly the opposite for me. I was raised in a conservative baptist home, and eventually I found that my questions could not be answered by the Bible, and it makes far more sense as a piece of fiction from superstitious, primitive man.