Q:   ISN'T WHAT YOU SAY ABOUT THE BIBLE JUST A MATTER OF INTERPRETATION?  WHAT IF OTHER PEOPLE INTERPRET THE BIBLE DIFFERENTLY THAN YOU DO?

The existence of various denominations and sects within Christianity has led many to conclude that there must be all sorts of different ways to interpret the Bible.  Since most Christian churches say that the Bible is the Word of God, observers assume that every practice or belief of a Christian church must be based on a particular interpretation of the Bible.  If another group has a different practice or belief, that must be because they have a different interpretation.  This produces the conviction in people's minds that the Bible does not speak clearly, and that one person's interpretation of it is just as good as anyone else's. But is this true?

If everybody was really going to have any number of different ideas about what the Bible was saying, there would be no point in writing the Bible at all.  The reason authors write books is because they believe that they can expound their ideas clearly and have other people understand and perhaps accept those ideas. When people read books, it shows that they believe they will be able to understand the ideas which the author wanted to express.  We read newspaper stories and magazine articles and books of philosophy in the belief that the clear communication of ideas is possible.  We may disagree with what we read, but that is not the same as having a "different interpretation" of what the author was saying.

The Bible is no different from any other book in that it is meant to be read and understood just as it is written.  If we find a certain verse or passage confusing, we should not simply make up an interpretation: rather, we should reserve judgment until we have carefully examined the surrounding verses, chapters and books to see if we can understand what the Author was trying to say.  We would do this with any human book of philosophy; why do we not do it with the Word of God?

We cannot interpret the Bible correctly unless we examine it as a whole, coherent work (in context) instead of in little bits and pieces (out of context).  But how else can we be sure of interpreting the Bible correctly?  After all, there are denominations, sects and cults which do try and use Bible verses to back up their teachings.  How do we know if they are right or wrong?

Paul urged Timothy to "Study to shew thyself approved unto God...rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Tim. 2:15)  If Paul was anxious to find Timothy rightly dividing (or handling or interpreting) the word of truth, then it must be possible to wrongly divide the word of truth--to abuse or carelessly misinterpret it.  Peter confirmed this when he spoke about Paul's writings, "...in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction." (2 Peter 3:15-16)  Yes, it is possible for people to misuse or twist the words of the Bible to suit their purposes.  This is not due to any fault or lack of clarity in the Bible, however, but due to the ignorance or carelessness or wickedness of the human heart.  To use an analogy, a man may pick up a hammer and use it to kill another man.  The fact that the hammer was designed as a tool for construction rather than a weapon does not prevent its being misused -- successfully -- to commit murder.  But does that mean the hammer is to be blamed for the crime?  If the hammer had not been present would not the murderer have found some other weapon just as convenient?

For our part, if we want to be sure that we really know what the Bible says, we must read and examine it for ourselves.  We cannot put our trust in other people or writings to tell us what the Bible says, because if we rely upon a preacher or upon some non-Biblical book, we can be deceived.  The Bible does not tell us to follow religious leaders blindly and not doubt their word or ask them any difficult questions -- quite the opposite, in fact.  In the book of Acts, the people of the city of Berea were commended by Paul and his companions because "they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily to see if these things were so." (Acts 17:11)  God wants us to use the minds He has given us to study His Word carefully so that we will not be easily misled by anyone.  And any truly spiritual leader will, like Paul, be delighted to find that his listeners are testing his words against the Word of God.

Finally, if we want to be sure of interpreting the Bible correctly, we must pray and ask God to help us and keep us from error.  He is able to show us what His Word really says.  A person who does not have the Holy Spirit dwelling within him will find many things about the Bible to be puzzling, for as Paul said, "The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Cor. 2:14)  But for the Christian, "we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God." (1 Cor. 2:12)

With careful study and prayer, anyone who is really seeking the truth can be sure of finding it in the Word of God.  Some truths in Scripture are deeper and take time to appreciate, but every verse has a definite message.  The Bible is not "just a matter of interpretation".

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