How do you interpret the bible "correctly"?

[lutherangerman]

I believe it is important to read the bible with an image of God with you that directs your search to the persons of Jesus Christ, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit. The main way we learn from them is not by reading the bible but by looking at Cross and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. At these two instances we find out who God is and what He does for you, because both Cross and Resurrection are not for God but for us to get an idea of how good God is. Once we have that settled we can read the bible for additional information about God, but we must remember that Jesus is the true word of God, not the bible itself. In the Gospels, Jesus many times counters the traditional jewish interpretation of the scriptures with his own, new one. He interpreted the bible in a humane way where mercy and love and forgiveness meant the most. And when Jesus used drastic words he often employed a style of hyperbole to show things like how allegiance to the law would lead into peril while allegiance to grace would lead to life. When we admit our sins, we are forgiven, etc. So if you read the bible, never rely on the law of Moses, even when that's in the bible and seems authorative. It is not, you are better adviced to read the Sermon of the Mount.

 

[Hawkins]

I know Christians all have different believes beliefs and I wanna know why? Like why doesn't everyone believe in the exact same thing and have the same interpretation. Also why did god make the bible so hard to understand instead of making it set and stone?

God foresaw this long time ago.

Daniel 12:4 (NIV2011)
4 But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.”

Modern humans demand an answer for everything. But not everything will have an answer to humans. So the knowledge of this universe is 100% of which 50% has been acquired by humans, they will argue endlessly about the other half. It is because "no answer for the moment" is never acceptable by today's humans.

In dealing with this, God allows them to deviate in terms of knowledge but not in terms of salvation. The many denomination is actually a variation of knowledge but not the deviation of the salvation message which is basically governed by the contents of the Apostle's Creed. If on the other hand it's a deviation of the salvation message, it becomes a heresy.

 

[Righttruth]

I know Christians all have different believes beliefs and I wanna know why? Like why doesn't everyone believe in the exact same thing and have the same interpretation. Also why did god make the bible so hard to understand instead of making it set and stone?

The reason is that the people have fallen back on trusting the letters rather than the Holy Spirit! One of the reasons being Paul mania! Perhaps, the published book, "Did Saint Paul Deviate From The Gospel?" may help for a right perspective.

 

[PureTruth7]

2 Peter 1:20 "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation."
So because of 2 Peter 1:20, we can't trust anybody to interpret the Scriptures, not even ourselves. We can't trust books, seminars, videos, etc to interpret the Scriptures. So how do we read the Bible? The Bible itself has already made it clear in the following verses.

John 14:26 "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."
Proverbs 14:12 "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."
Isaiah 8:20 "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."
Isaiah 28:10 "For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:"
So when you're trying to understand one verse or passage in the Bible, compare it with other areas in the Scriptures and the answer will be made clear.

The KJV Bible is not difficult to understand. Do you honestly believe that your Creator who made the stars, moon, planets, suns, trees, animals, butterflies, flowers, and mankind himself, would write a book for mankind, that you cannot understand it? Truth is, even a simple child can understand the Scriptures. The problem lies in all the bogus Bible versions out there. This page from an online ministry explains how.. http://remnantofgod.org/B-BIBLES.HTM

All those denominations out there, like thousands of them, have different beliefs yet unite under the name "Christian". The fact is that they really are not Christians, but people who use the name of Christian to hide their shame. Isaiah 4:1 prophecies of this.. "And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach."
In Scripture the church or Christian is symbolized as a woman (2 Corinthians 11:2, Revelation 29:2, 9), bread would be the Word of God (John 6:35, John 1:1, 4), and apparel would be the definition of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10, Revelation 19:8). So, Isaiah 4:1 is saying, One day all Christianity will grab hold of Christ, and say they want to be called after His name, but, they will read the Word how they want to read it, and will walk in their own righteousness. They though, will still want to be called Christians to take away their shame.

 

[seashale76]

I don't know if you've seen this, but I've shared this with a few people around here before, and it might interest you. If you'd like to see an Orthodox view of the scriptures, here is a good podcast series by Dr. Jeannie Constantinou, who teaches Biblical Studies and Early Christianity at the University of San Diego. She delves into the ideas of inspiration and innerency, oral tradition, bible manuscripts, the canon, Christian and Gnostic apocryphal books, translations and versions, Patristic interpretation, the school of Alexandria, the Cappodocian fathers, the school of Antioch, and the Latin Fathers. There are around 25 podcasts in her Introduction to the Bible series, but you can go on where she approaches each book of the bible in additional podcasts.

Begin with lesson 2 as lesson 1 is simply an overview of what will be covered. http://www.ancientfaith.com/podcast..._the_bible_lesson_2_inspiration_and_inerrancy

It's a very good overview of how the bible is interpreted by various groups.

 

[Righttruth]

2 Peter 1:20 "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation."
So because of 2 Peter 1:20, we can't trust anybody to interpret the Scriptures, not even ourselves. We can't trust books, seminars, videos, etc to interpret the Scriptures. So how do we read the Bible? The Bible itself has already made it clear in the following verses.

John 14:26 "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."
Proverbs 14:12 "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."
Isaiah 8:20 "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."
Isaiah 28:10 "For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:"
So when you're trying to understand one verse or passage in the Bible, compare it with other areas in the Scriptures and the answer will be made clear.

The KJV Bible is not difficult to understand. Do you honestly believe that your Creator who made the stars, moon, planets, suns, trees, animals, butterflies, flowers, and mankind himself, would write a book for mankind, that you cannot understand it? Truth is, even a simple child can understand the Scriptures. The problem lies in all the bogus Bible versions out there. This page from an online ministry explains how.. http://remnantofgod.org/B-BIBLES.HTM

All those denominations out there, like thousands of them, have different beliefs yet unite under the name "Christian". The fact is that they really are not Christians, but people who use the name of Christian to hide their shame. Isaiah 4:1 prophecies of this.. "And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach."
In Scripture the church or Christian is symbolized as a woman (2 Corinthians 11:2, Revelation 29:2, 9), bread would be the Word of God (John 6:35, John 1:1, 4), and apparel would be the definition of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10, Revelation 19:8). So, Isaiah 4:1 is saying, One day all Christianity will grab hold of Christ, and say they want to be called after His name, but, they will read the Word how they want to read it, and will walk in their own righteousness. They though, will still want to be called Christians to take away their shame.

Excellent analysis. Jesus never said to look forward to new writings to understand the truth. Instead, He sent the Holy Spirit to understand Him, His ways, life and truth.

Only those who shed their encumbrances, worldly burden and family obligations can get guided by the Holy Spirit. More one empties himself more will be the filling of the Spirit!

 

[dcalling]

Don't catholics believe that you can get to heaven via good works?

I think all Christians believes that:
1. God told us to love God and Love our neighbors as ourselves, love and pray for our enemies.
2. No one is good enough for God, we can only saved by God's grace.

So based on that I would think even the Catholics believe no one can go to heaven via good works alone, because none of us is good enough for God. But I am not a Catholic so some real Catholic might need to confirm or clarify.

 

[seashale76]

I think all Christians believes that:
1. God told us to love God and Love our neighbors as ourselves, love and pray for our enemies.
2. No one is good enough for God, we can only saved by God's grace.

So based on that I would think even the Catholics believe no one can go to heaven via good works alone, because none of us is good enough for God. But I am not a Catholic so some real Catholic might need to confirm or clarify.

I'm not a Catholic either, but you're correct. There is no faith/works dichotomy (as some faith only people like to pretend). Everyone has to have faith and works both. One flows from the other. I've heard it put that we are to have a faith that works.

 

[dcalling]

I'm not a Catholic either, but you're correct. There is no faith/works dichotomy (as some faith only people like to pretend). Everyone has to have faith and works both. One flows from the other. I've heard it put that we are to have a faith that works.

Yes that is true, once you have faith the work will show up naturally. But faith alone is enough even if there is no work, the best example are the thief who died with Jesus (or all the people who accepted Jesus and repented on their death beds).

 

[Chicken Little]

I know Christians all have different believes beliefs and I wanna know why? Like why doesn't everyone believe in the exact same thing and have the same interpretation. Also why did god make the bible so hard to understand instead of making it set and stone?

for the exact same reason that scientist claims it can't agree on anything.

it seems knowledge never knows what it doesn't know.
and consequently neither does anyone else.
( edited to say , as if perfect "knowledge" was the end all, but wisdom is and you can only get that from him , salvation is about relationship to the king of the the Next millennial age , If you want to go there it aint "heaven " if you want to go there you let him create that age in you and you for it )

 

[oi_antz]

Yes that is true, once you have faith the work will show up naturally. But faith alone is enough even if there is no work, the best example are the thief who died with Jesus (or all the people who accepted Jesus and repented on their death beds).

He did have works though, as love, rebuking the mocker and standing up for the truth. Compassion was there too.

 

[ViaCrucis]

Don't catholics believe that you can get to heaven via good works?

That's a common misconception.

Disclaimer: The following is not what I believe, I'm a Lutheran, not a Roman Catholic.

Roman Catholicism teaches that salvation is by God's grace alone acting through faith and faithful works. That is, faith and our works wrought through faith, are the means by which God's grace operates in our lives. God infuses our life with grace and we respond by trusting in Him on account of Christ who alone suffered death for the whole world and by whose resurrection we have the hope and promise of eternal life with God--the reality of Christ's death and resurrection is brought into our life via the Holy Spirit, and God's graces which empower us and act in us to believe and do good works.

Good works do not save a person nor do they get us "into heaven", not according to Roman Catholic teaching anyhow; rather only God by His grace can accomplish this through the death and resurrection of His Son. But the fruitful activity of God's grace is present in our here and now through faith and good works and through these we freely cooperate with God and cling to God's work toward righteousness and holiness thus, on the final day, saving us as we enter into the eternal rest of God.

I'm sure a Roman Catholic can explain it better than I can, but I've done the best that I can to present what I understand to be the Roman Catholic understanding.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[RoyWM]

If you have the Holy Spirit God will do the interpreting. If you try to interpret under your own wisdom you will invariably fail.

 

[yesyoushould]

All that is of God, The written Word, is Holy. It can only be understood by believers in God, not doubters.

 

[yesyoushould]

If you have the Holy Spirit God will do the interpreting. If you try to interpret under your own wisdom you will invariably fail.

If your so mature, you won't disagree with me.

 

[yesyoushould]

I'm sure a Roman Catholic can explain it better than I can, but I've done the best that I can to present what I understand to be the Roman Catholic understanding.

-CryptoLutheran

I have no use for a catholic. A catholic isn't of God. We are people that believe in God, and separation of believers is hate for one another. We all know that hatred for another is proof of the absence of God in an individual.
Separating oneself from another believer in God is hatred. Christian is before man made "Catholicism."
Therefore, I have no interest in catholic.

 

[ViaCrucis]

I have no use for a catholic. A catholic isn't of God. We are people that believe in God, and separation of believers is hate for one another. We all know that hatred for another is proof of the absence of God in an individual.
Separating oneself from another believer in God is hatred. Christian is before man made "Catholicism."
Therefore, I have no interest in catholic.

I'm guessing you don't recognize the rather explicit irony in your post do you?

"Hate and division is a clear indication of the absence of God in an individual, which is why I hate and divide myself from Catholics"

Kind of like saying you hate being dirty, but instead of bathing with soap and water you roll around in a pig pen for a day.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[2PhiloVoid]

I know Christians all have different believes beliefs and I wanna know why? Like why doesn't everyone believe in the exact same thing and have the same interpretation. Also why did god make the bible so hard to understand instead of making it set and stone?

The answer is somewhat simple: The Bible has contents of which some parts are very hard to understand. And being that the Bible isn't comprehensive in everything it addresses, it leaves open a lot of room for discussion on various related subjects. On some topics we can apply hermeneutics and exegesis, working together to figure out the best or most likely meaning. Other topics are such that none of us will clearly understand until Christ fully reigns in the future.

As to your last question, I don't think that any ease of understanding necessarily comes as a byproduct of reading concrete words.

2PhiloVoid

 

[Job8]

I know Christians all have different believes beliefs and I wanna know why? Like why doesn't everyone believe in the exact same thing and have the same interpretation. Also why did god make the bible so hard to understand instead of making it set and stone?

You have got three questions here, which can be answered very succinctly, or very elaborately. Let's keep it brief:
1. HOW DO YOU INTERPRET THE BIBLE CORRECTLY?
2. WHY DO CHRISTIANS HAVE DIFFERENT BELIEFS?
3. WHY DID GOD MAKE THE BIBLE HARD TO UNDERSTAND?

1. HOW DO YOU INTERPRET THE BIBLE CORRECTLY?
a. You get saved and regenerated (which means you receive the gift of the Holy Spirit).
b. You diligently study the Word (which means you labor in the Scriptures)
c. You compare Scripture with Scripture, and use all legitimate study tools
d. You depend on God the Holy Spirit to teach you and guide you into all truth
e. You accept the teaching of SOUND Bible teachers and preachers and reject all others.

2. WHY DO CHRISTIANS HAVE DIFFERENT BELIEFS?
a. Satan in the arch enemy of Christ and Christians, and he is behind all divisions
b. Satan's strategy is to sow confusion, doubts, divisions, and false doctrine
c. Many Christians do not study diligently and have no clue about many things
d. Many Christians prefer to hold on to denominational errors
e. Many Christians elevate the traditions of men above the Word of God
f. Many false prophets, apostles, teachers, and messiahs have misled (and are misleading) people.
g. Many Christians follow charismatic leaders rather than the Holy Spirit
h. Many Christians believe that there is a "Pope" who is infallible
i. Many people join the cults for emotional reasons and get seduced.

3. WHY DID GOD MAKE THE BIBLE HARD TO UNDERSTAND?
God did NOT make the Bible hard to understand. But for the "natural man" (the unregenerated man) the Bible makes no sense. It is a spiritual book to be spiritually discerned with the help of the Holy Spirit.

 

[Phil B]

I know Christians all have different believes beliefs and I wanna know why? Like why doesn't everyone believe in the exact same thing and have the same interpretation. Also why did god make the bible so hard to understand instead of making it set and stone?

Yes, the Bible is set in stone. The Bible only be understood through seeking which is by the grace of God. Men have different views to promote their own agenda such as common grace and redeeming the world. This is what makes the teaching of the PRCA churches so unique and solidly bibical.