How do we read and interpret the Bible.

[JTKIRK]

[FONT=&quot]"How do we read the Bible"? Can its' dates, lineage etc agree with Historical and Archeological and Geological theory. Did the flood really happen is there scientific proof? Do we think and accept the Bible as the Literal Truth, a God inspired Book, or a collection of some literal historical facts mixed with some fictional stories? Why are there so many interpretations of the same texts? Do some find it hard when one lot of Christians tell you the Ten Commandments were abolished at the cross and now there is a New Covenent and then do not tell you what it is, and another lot of Christians will tell you the Ten Commandments are still to be followed. What are the new Ten Commandments, where are they? Is it strange that the RCC can change the word of God and the Bible, and other denominations that protested (Prodestant) still hold on to many of the traditions and belief??[/FONT]

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Can't answer all your questions, but ask yourself this: Can one understand what transpired between Adam and Eve unless they are or have been married?

The bible teachings and lessons must be experienced, not just read. Then you'll begin to understand it.

owg-68 and still 'alearnin'!

 

[Zaac]

[FONT=&quot]"How do we read the Bible"? Can its' dates, lineage etc agree with Historical and Archeological and Geological theory. Did the flood really happen is there scientific proof? Do we think and accept the Bible as the Literal Truth, a God inspired Book, or a collection of some literal historical facts mixed with some fictional stories? Why are there so many interpretations of the same texts? Do some find it hard when one lot of Christians tell you the Ten Commandments were abolished at the cross and now there is a New Covenent and then do not tell you what it is, and another lot of Christians will tell you the Ten Commandments are still to be followed. What are the new Ten Commandments, where are they? Is it strange that the RCC can change the word of God and the Bible, and other denominations that protested (Prodestant) still hold on to many of the traditions and belief??[/FONT]

One of the things that quickly ruins a Christian witness is that we don't trust God's word. Genesis 1:1 is the most challenged verse of the Bible. Make it untrue, and there's really no need to trust any of It.

Christians are supposed to be the salt of the earth. We're supposed to salt and not be salted.

We have progessively gotten to a point where we have bought into what the world teaches over what God's word says.

Instead of bending our science to fit His word---His absolute truth---we set about adopting a view that authors confusion and calls His truth to be rejected as truth, while attempting to bend His word to our "best guess" at truth.

The things you speak of (i.e. the 10 Commandments) are exactly why not all should presume to teach.

 

[OphidiaPhile]

Instead of bending our science to fit His word---His absolute truth---we set about adopting a view that authors confusion and calls His truth to be rejected as truth, while attempting to bend His word to our "best guess" at truth.

This shows you have no understanding of what science is as it cannot "bend" and is in no way a guess.

 

[Zaac]

This shows you have no understanding of what science is as it cannot "bend" and is in no way a guess.

What this shows that you ain't got a clue about what I was saying.

 

[OphidiaPhile]

What this shows that you ain't got a clue about what I was saying.

This is what you said

Instead of bending our science to fit His word---His absolute truth

so explain to me how you meant it then.

 

[Zaac]

This is what you said

No it isn't

so explain to me how you meant it then.

The same way that I said it.

 

[HollandScotts]

Instead of bending our science to fit His word---His absolute truth---we set about adopting a view that authors confusion and calls His truth to be rejected as truth, while attempting to bend His word to our "best guess" at truth.

Well, if we did that, then it wouldn't be science, it would be propaganda.

 

[HighwayMan]

The beauty of the Bible is that it is beyond interpretation. That doesn't mean we can't understand it in parts or that it has no clear messages, but you cannot say :"OK, this is literal, this is allegorical, this is metaphorical" etc. It simply is something all together different that we have not invented a word for.

 

[Axioma]

Can't answer all your questions, but ask yourself this: Can one understand what transpired between Adam and Eve unless they are or have been married?

Yes?

 

[lisah]

I approach it as being...

part historical (I'm not saying absolutely accurately historical), allegorical, and metaphorical and in combining all things it engages the sacred in ones mind. (Rather like a bridge.)

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Yes?

Why the question mark?

 

[OldWiseGuy]

[FONT=&quot]What are the new Ten Commandments, where are they?[/FONT]

Here's one:

Ephesians 4:28

Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

Add the but rather antithesis to most of the original commandments and you'll have your answer. This is one aspect of the "change in the law" that Paul spoke of. This new application is summed up by James:

James 4:17

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

Therefore a Christian can be guilty of theft by not helping those whose need is obvious, and he has the means to help.

Not stealing from others makes the law good. Punishment for theft makes the law just. But helping others makes the law holy.


So the law is transformed from a criminal code against the offender to a code of helpful, loving conduct that heals and edifies. This is the new covenant application of the Law.

So you can see that the law is transformative. There appear to be three stages:

Repent from law-breaking. If successful you are no longer under the criminal code implicit in the letter of the Law.

Prepare yourself for service. Get an honest job, straighten up and fly right.

Serve the needs of others. This is the true spiritual destination of the law.

God never intended that we walk around with our hands in our pockets so that we wouldn't steal (letter of the Law). He intends that we use our hands to bless others with our labor (spirit of the Law).

owg (end of sermon)

 

[chingchang]

One of the things that quickly ruins a Christian witness is that we don't trust God's word. Genesis 1:1 is the most challenged verse of the Bible. Make it untrue, and there's really no need to trust any of It.

This is a common false belief of Christian Fundamentalists. There IS error in the Bible (not 'God's Word'). So what? That just means we are going to need to make more of an effort to get at the truth in some cases. Believing that your English translation of the Bible (as we know it) is the entire 'Word of God' and is inerrant (without error) is a position of willful ignorance of history and Biblical Textual Criticism. The idea that your English version of the Bible is the 'inerrant Word of God' is taught (and repeated like a mantra) in Christian Fundamentalist Churches throughout the world (I know...I was an active member at one for a long time). However...it is not only not necessary to believe that to have a relationship with the Most High God through Jesus Christ...it blasphemous. See this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bibliolatry

Unfortunately...when many Fundamentalist Christians continue to seek and eventually find out that their Bible is not the 'inerrant Word of God'...they often lose their faith (see: Bart Ehrman). This happens when people put their faith in the specifics of a book rather than the message contained. It works as long as you continue to come up with answers to Bible contradictions and problems...and continue to repeat the mantra. Jesus never said we had to believe this stuff. He said he is the way and to believe in him. Believing the Bible is the 'inerrant Word of God' is not only blasphemous (IMHO)...it also causes man to come up with all kinds of bad (false) doctrine.

Christians are supposed to be the salt of the earth. We're supposed to salt and not be salted.

Salt tastes good on popcorn.

We have progessively gotten to a point where we have bought into what the world teaches over what God's word says.

No..."we"...have not. "We" got that way before and God flooded the earth. And "we" got that way shortly thereafter. History. That is one of the things that Christian Fundamentalists aren't big on. Do you know what was going on in the Roman Empire...hello!

Instead of bending our science to fit His word---His absolute truth---we set about adopting a view that authors confusion and calls His truth to be rejected as truth, while attempting to bend His word to our "best guess" at truth.

Some do that...I agree...but "we" do not. The Most High God created everything...and science helps us to understand some of what he created. Off-topic though.

So...on to answering the OP question. How do we interpret the Bible? Great question. We know how the fundamentalists interpret the Bible. I call this "lazy-man's interpetation". They use the doctrine of man to harmonize what would otherwise be an errant/contradictory collection of texts. Which Bible do you want to interpret? The NIV, KJV, ASV, NKJV, NASV, YLT, etc, etc? I've read commentary that convinced me that the KJV was the superior text for a number of reasons. Then...I've also read other commentary that convinced me that the KJV was from the devil and the NIV was superior. Here's what I do...

1. I look at all the English translations to capture the spirit of the text. If they contradict, I choose the one that is most in-line with freedom from the law and the royal law of love.

2. I try my best to consider the intended audience.

3. I read it in context and try to avoid "cherry-picking" (although we've all been guilty of that lazy action at times).

4. I pray for wisdom and understanding and that God would guide me given that I have his Holy Spirt.

5. I no longer rely on man to tell me what the Bible means (too many false teachers).

6. I now concentrate on the teachings of Jesus and some of the expansions of those teachings by Paul and James.

Free Hugs,
CC

 

[JTKIRK]

I approach it as being...

part historical (I'm not saying absolutely accurately historical), allegorical, and metaphorical and in combining all things it engages the sacred in ones mind. (Rather like a bridge.)

I do agree, as i can not take every story in the Bible as being the "Literal Truth" but do indeed find that it (The Bibke) has a collection of both histocial fiction and historical facts in it.

 

[Zaac]

This is a common false belief of Christian Fundamentalists. There IS error in the Bible (not 'God's Word'). So what? That just means we are going to need to make more of an effort to get at the truth in some cases. Believing that your English translation of the Bible (as we know it) is the entire 'Word of God' and is inerrant (without error) is a position of willful ignorance of history and Biblical Textual Criticism. The idea that your English version of the Bible is the 'inerrant Word of God' is taught (and repeated like a mantra) in Christian Fundamentalist Churches throughout the world (I know...I was an active member at one for a long time). However...it is not only not necessary to believe that to have a relationship with the Most High God through Jesus Christ...it blasphemous. See this:

This is a common false belief of false teachers. They think their inability to understand the truth makes God's word errant.

 

[chingchang]

This is a common false belief of false teachers. They think their inability to understand the truth makes God's word errant.

'God's Word' does not equal the Bible. If it does...then 'God's Word' contains error. I do not believe that God can error. That is why I now believe (beyond doubt) that 'God's Word' does not equal the Bible. I believe 'God's Word' is truth. I believe the Bible contains 'God's Word'. However...anyone who believes the Bible IS 'God's Word' has made the Bible to be an idol. You are guilty of that. Worship the living God not ancient texts!

 

[PantsMcFist]

"How do we read the Bible"? Can its' dates, lineage etc agree with Historical and Archeological and Geological theory. [/qutoe]

Well, yes and no. There are some excellent books out on biblical geography, particularly regarding the Old Testament timeline.

Did the flood really happen is there scientific proof?

Yes, there was a flood in the region, which to those living there, would have appeared to cover all the Earth. It didn't though.

Do we think and accept the Bible as the Literal Truth, a God inspired Book, or a collection of some literal historical facts mixed with some fictional stories?

Literal truth - no. It's hard to make this stand up in light of our modern understanding of the time through anthropology and archaeology. However, that doesn't mean there's nothing revelatory about the text either. I think all texts which espouse wisdom and encourage a Christlike life are revelatory in the same way. There are literal historical facts in the bible, and there are embellishments, and there are myths. None of this removes the relevance or truths of the message.

Why are there so many interpretations of the same texts?

Dominant paradigms of every culture change. Because most people don't have an ancient near eastern reference point when they read the bible, they interpret it through their own cultural and social cognitive frameworks. The more time goes by, the more interpretations there will be.

Do some find it hard when one lot of Christians tell you the Ten Commandments were abolished at the cross and now there is a New Covenent and then do not tell you what it is, and another lot of Christians will tell you the Ten Commandments are still to be followed. What are the new Ten Commandments, where are they? Is it strange that the RCC can change the word of God and the Bible, and other denominations that protested (Prodestant) still hold on to many of the traditions and belief??

I think the best rule of thumb is live as Christ did - self-sacrifice and loving towards those in need, and loudly condemning the self-righteous well-to-do.

 

[Polycarp_fan]

[FONT=&quot]"How do we read the Bible"? Can its' dates, lineage etc agree with Historical and Archeological and Geological theory. Did the flood really happen is there scientific proof? Do we think and accept the Bible as the Literal Truth, a God inspired Book, or a collection of some literal historical facts mixed with some fictional stories? Why are there so many interpretations of the same texts? Do some find it hard when one lot of Christians tell you the Ten Commandments were abolished at the cross and now there is a New Covenent and then do not tell you what it is, and another lot of Christians will tell you the Ten Commandments are still to be followed. What are the new Ten Commandments, where are they? Is it strange that the RCC can change the word of God and the Bible, and other denominations that protested (Prodestant) still hold on to many of the traditions and belief??[/FONT]

What is real ketchup?

The runny kind, or, the thick wait-for-it to pour kind?

And what about catsup?

Is that ketchup?

Or is "ketchup" catsup?

Is "catsup" ketchup?

Ughhhhh.

 

[JTKIRK]

"How do we read the Bible"? Can its' dates, lineage etc agree with Historical and Archeological and Geological theory. [/qutoe]

Well, yes and no. There are some excellent books out on biblical geography, particularly regarding the Old Testament timeline.



Yes, there was a flood in the region, which to those living there, would have appeared to cover all the Earth. It didn't though.



Literal truth - no. It's hard to make this stand up in light of our modern understanding of the time through anthropology and archaeology. However, that doesn't mean there's nothing revelatory about the text either. I think all texts which espouse wisdom and encourage a Christlike life are revelatory in the same way. There are literal historical facts in the bible, and there are embellishments, and there are myths. None of this removes the relevance or truths of the message.

[/color][/font]

Dominant paradigms of every culture change. Because most people don't have an ancient near eastern reference point when they read the bible, they interpret it through their own cultural and social cognitive frameworks. The more time goes by, the more interpretations there will be.

[/color][/font]

I think the best rule of thumb is live as Christ did - self-sacrifice and loving towards those in need, and loudly condemning the self-righteous well-to-do.
[/color][/font]

Some really well thought out and explained answers Thank you.