How do we interpret the Bible?

Different religions interpret the Bible in different ways. People generally interpret the Bible in different ways. Christians interpret it in different ways. There are many different versions of the Bible which each is a separate interpretation in and of itself as they are variants of the original.

What is the best way to interpret the Word of God? Can we draw on resources in addition to whatever Bible translation/interpretation we happen to be using? Such as our own inner world where God created us in His image? thereby planting within us something very valuable?

How does a person claim that a Christian is only one who adheres to the Word of God by strictly following their Bible when the Bible itself is an interpretation and not the original Word? Who's to say one interpretation is better than another? How often do we make the Bible interpretation we are relying on our own interpretation? which really is someone else's interpretation? instead of having a true and original interpretation of our own expressed in our relationship with God?

[1still_waters]

Wow loaded post. Interpreting can be very easy and very complex.

Here are three easy steps to start with. Ask these questions.

1.What does it say?
2.What did it mean to its original readers.
3.How does it apply to us now.

You should consider a few types of context.

1 The immediate context. (What words are being used in a set of three verses or so? What is a passage saying in its confined area of three verses ahead and three verses after.

2. The chapter context. (How do the verses fit into the overall theme of the given chapter it's in?)

3. The book context. (How do the verses fit into the overall theme of the book you're reading?)

4. The Bible context. (How do the verses fit into the overall themes of the bible on a given topic?)

5. Historical cultural context.. (What historical and cultural contexts were these verses written in to? Does the given historical and cultural context help you interpret and apply it in today's times?)

For outside bible study aids I'd suggest a 1.Bible dictionary 2.Exhaustive Conconrdance 3.Hebrew and Greek word study guide. 4. Two other translations of the Bible.

That's a pretty simplistic starting point.

[Slepsog4]

A person would do well to have a very good English dictionary and a basic grammar book.