Why is the Bible Interpretable?

[PuzzledBread]

If god loves us all, why can the bible fit different interpretations and not just one? There are Christians who believe the only way to god is belief in Jesus, some believe good works are needed, some believe true belief in any other religion or lack of one can lead to heaven. Some believe a life with as little sin as possible is needed. The point is, there are many interpretations on the area of Christianity which should be the most solid. How do you reach the afterlife? With almost every single issue the bible provides insight into, there are groups pushing opposite sides of the spectrum. Slavery can be argued for, or against. Same with war, and many other ideas which god would preferably provide a solid moral ground to stand on.

My question is, why would god present his guide to the universe, his explanation of the afterlife, and his biography, as a poetic piece, instead of a clear cut piece? Why is it so complex, some spend their whole lives studying it and still end up with completely different ideas regarding the book? I'd really like to see your thoughts on this, not some preheated arguments that you're just regurgitating. Thanks for your responses!

 

[ebia]

If god loves us all, why can the bible fit different interpretations and not just one? There are Christians who believe the only way to god is belief in Jesus, some believe good works are needed, some believe true belief in any other religion or lack of one can lead to heaven. Some believe a life with as little sin as possible is needed. The point is, there are many interpretations on the area of Christianity which should be the most solid. How do you reach the afterlife? With almost every single issue the bible provides insight into, there are groups pushing opposite sides of the spectrum. Slavery can be argued for, or against. Same with war, and many other ideas which god would preferably provide a solid moral ground to stand on.

My question is, why would god present his guide to the universe, his explanation of the afterlife, and his biography, as a poetic piece, instead of a clear cut piece? Why is it so complex, some spend their whole lives studying it and still end up with completely different ideas regarding the book? I'd really like to see your thoughts on this, not some preheated arguments that you're just regurgitating. Thanks for your responses!

Because real, worthwhile, learning that changes lives is hard, full of mistakes, and somewhat ambiguous. Facts get memorised (at best). Stories change lives, thinking, behaviours, attitudes.

A view of learning that reduces it to clearcut facts memorised is such a poor thing - I wouldn't trade the rich ambiguity of the biblical story for that any day.

 

[theVirginian]

My question is, why would god present his guide to the universe, his explanation of the afterlife, and his biography, as a poetic piece, instead of a clear cut piece? Why is it so complex, some spend their whole lives studying it and still end up with completely different ideas regarding the book?

God did have it written so that it is cut and dried. A few scriptures cause problems because they don't translate cleanly into other languages and there is a general lack of knowledge of the societies of the times written about that would clarify some points. Most of the points you bring up are people twisting scriptures around to fit their view of how they want things to be rather than just accepting reality. The whole spectrum of Christianity is guilty of this to some degree.

 

[PuzzledBread]

God did have it written so that it is cut and dried. A few scriptures cause problems because they don't translate cleanly into other languages and there is a general lack of knowledge of the societies of the times written about that would clarify some points. Most of the points you bring up are people twisting scriptures around to fit their view of how they want things to be rather than just accepting reality. The whole spectrum of Christianity is guilty of this to some degree.

But there are a lot of lines which are clearly metaphors, like praying to Jesus allows you to move mountains. Obviously that isn't cut and dry. If it was cut and dry, than it would be obvious to all of us, not just you.

 

[theVirginian]

But there are a lot of lines which are clearly metaphors, like praying to Jesus allows you to move mountains. Obviously that isn't cut and dry.

I'm just guessing, but I would say He had it written the way He did to engage our critical thinking faculties.

If it was cut and dry, than it would be obvious to all of us, not just you.

Believe me, it gets frustrating waiting for the rest of the human race to catch up with me.

 

[Rajni]

If god loves us all, why can the bible fit different interpretations and not just one? There are Christians who believe the only way to god is belief in Jesus, some believe good works are needed, some believe true belief in any other religion or lack of one can lead to heaven. Some believe a life with as little sin as possible is needed. The point is, there are many interpretations on the area of Christianity which should be the most solid. How do you reach the afterlife? With almost every single issue the bible provides insight into, there are groups pushing opposite sides of the spectrum. Slavery can be argued for, or against. Same with war, and many other ideas which god would preferably provide a solid moral ground to stand on.

My question is, why would god present his guide to the universe, his explanation of the afterlife, and his biography, as a poetic piece, instead of a clear cut piece? Why is it so complex, some spend their whole lives studying it and still end up with completely different ideas regarding the book? I'd really like to see your thoughts on this, not some preheated arguments that you're just regurgitating. Thanks for your responses!

This is in no way the Official Christian Position, but here’s
what I’m speculating about what’s behind the way the
Scriptures are designed.

You’re right, it seems there are zillions of interpretations
about any given passage in scripture. I’m wondering if God
designed it that way so that the Scriptures reveal the truth
about us rather than us revealing the truth about Scripture.

For example, take those bible verses that speak about
divorce and remarriage. Proponents and opponents of
divorce/remarriage both have their own rationalizations for
why they believe the way they do, and they use Scripture to
“prove” their particular view.

It might not be a question of which side is right about the
Scriptures pertaining to that subject, but rather, the
Scriptures pertaining to that subject are revealing where
they are on the issue. For instance, those that wish to
believe that divorced people are “bad” people and are even
“worse” if they remarry someone else on top of that aren’t
saying what the Scriptures say, but rather the Scriptures are
revealing their heart on the issue. Meanwhile, those
who believe divorce/remarriage is okay are not telling us
that Scripture says it’s okay, the Scriptures are clarifying for
us that they think it’s okay.

Another example are verses dealing with the treatment of
women. Some people think that certain passages justify
treating their womenfolk like doormats, while others see
certain passages as justifying not only treating women as
equals, but even find reason to believe that Scripture says
God is in actuality a Goddess. Neither side will prove for
sure what Scripture “officially” says about the matter,
but, meanwhile, Scripture sure is shouting from the roof-
tops the official position of members of both camps on
the issue.

I'm thinking that we often read ourselves into Scripture.
There's a saying that we don't see the world as it is, we see
it as we are. How we see things more accurately reflects us
rather than that which we're seeing. In the same way, I
think we see Scripture not as it is, but as we are. It's
designed to reveal our inner being -- to bring into the light
that which hides in the dark.

Scripture, like any aspect of reality, works similar to a
mirror, reflecting back to us (and everyone who hears our
opinions about it) not what it says, but who we are.

Hope all that made sense!

 

[salida]

Lets ask ourselves who decides what a christian is? Christ does. God gave us a manual to life - its in the Bible. Why doesn't God let people interpret the bible as they see fit - because there is a correct interpretation of it and a wrong interpretation of it. There are divine laws like there is the law or gravity. Wouldn't the world be weird if there were variations of the law of gravity. In fact the Bible interprets itself - 2 Peter 1:20.

Each book of the bible has an intended purpose of why it was written. Many people like to misquote it to suit their own purpose and rationale and take scriptures out of context - this isn't christianity.

Eph 2:8, Gal 3:11 - explains faith
Faith and Works: James 2:17,18,20,22,24,26

Are you a good person? The Good Test Can you keep all the 10 Commandments all the time 100% of the time? Only Jesus did. This is why mankind needs a Lord and Savior. One can't work to heaven only because God's standards is why too high - so we have the gift of salvation. Saving faith will manifest good works. If a christian can't show by how he lives his life that he is a christian - then he probably isn't. Other religions they work their way to heaven alone - its man trying to get to God his way.

Christians arn't sinless but because of the Holy Spirit they don't have the desire to practice sin because they shouldn't be in bondage to it.

 

[christloved1122]

It complex to some, clearer to others. By nature people will understand things in their own unique way (no matter how clear it is). Some things are left for us to think of and actualize.

 

[drich0150]

My question is, why would god present his guide to the universe, his explanation of the afterlife, and his biography, as a poetic piece, instead of a clear cut piece? Why is it so complex, some spend their whole lives studying it and still end up with completely different ideas regarding the book? I'd really like to see your thoughts on this, not some preheated arguments that you're just regurgitating. Thanks for your responses!

He did have a very cut and dry covenant with the Jews. Look at what they did with it.. Instead using what was given to more closely worship God, the majority of Judaism turned the whole of their religion in a worship of the method of worship.. Meaning what God actually wanted was placed in a secondary position of importance, to their need to up hold their perception of the Law.

The reason the New covenant is not cut and dry is because it takes the potential power for one "religious" group or another to take control of the church. As it is now is speaks to everyone on their own specific level of social and intellectual limits and understandings..

The Catholic church tried to dominate the church during the dark ages, and I believe the only reason they were remotely successful was because they took the word of God from the common man. and then tried unify everyone under a singular "cut and dry" understanding..

As a believer our sins are forgiven, that's a given that most people understand.. But another way of looking at this is, as a believer, one who loves God with all of his/her being (Heart, mind, spirit, and strength.) If we turn this love toward God then where ever we fall short in our religious practices, those "sins" will also be forgiven. One thing we need to understand is that because of our finite nature our efforts will always be incomplete, or at times misdirected when it comes to worshiping God. That's not to say we will never get some aspects of worship right, it's just foolish to think that one of us has all of the correct answers when it comes to the "correct" worship of God..

 

[FutureAndAHope]

My question is, why would god present his guide to the universe, his explanation of the afterlife, and his biography, as a poetic piece, instead of a clear cut piece?

The bible says that the things of the Spirit are spiritually decerned, i.e. we need God to understand God. Those that reject God in their lives end up believing error, and twist the bible to match their own needs. The bible is clear to me and I do not see it as a poetic piece, rather a collection of stories and histories of peoples encounters with God. Based upon those past encounters I can build a foundation for my own real life searchings. I have from those things had real encounters with a real God.

 

[Zebra1552]

If god loves us all, why can the bible fit different interpretations and not just one? There are Christians who believe the only way to god is belief in Jesus, some believe good works are needed, some believe true belief in any other religion or lack of one can lead to heaven. Some believe a life with as little sin as possible is needed. The point is, there are many interpretations on the area of Christianity which should be the most solid. How do you reach the afterlife? With almost every single issue the bible provides insight into, there are groups pushing opposite sides of the spectrum. Slavery can be argued for, or against. Same with war, and many other ideas which god would preferably provide a solid moral ground to stand on.

My question is, why would god present his guide to the universe, his explanation of the afterlife, and his biography, as a poetic piece, instead of a clear cut piece? Why is it so complex, some spend their whole lives studying it and still end up with completely different ideas regarding the book? I'd really like to see your thoughts on this, not some preheated arguments that you're just regurgitating. Thanks for your responses!

Um... just because there are different groups does not mean the Bible can be interpreted differently and still be a coherent whole. I could go into detail, but it would probably be easier if you used specific passages for illustration and I showed you what I meant from that.

 

[Stinker]

I do not think that truly converted people ever took statements from the New Testament, and made them into doctrines. However, the unconverted would naturally do such a thing, and I believe that this is what happened.

There does occur misunderstandings of New Testament subjects such as the Holy Spirit. One of the most misunderstood is being able to tell the difference between
the power of the Holy Spirit, and, the person of the Holy Spirit. When a person got saved in the New Testament, their spirit had been baptized into the Spiritual body of Christ where it was washed clean of sins by Christ's blood, and that person's spirit then became the permenant guest of the person of Holy Spirit. If one of the Apostles later layed hands on this person to pass on the power of the Holy Spirit they would then be able to perform certain miracles to edify the church. [This is actually very basic and easy to see if secular false teachers had not come into Christianity and twisted it (and many other subjects) in order to segregate their own personal group from others.]