Why is the bible so open to interpretation?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
16,872
3,601
113
#61
I'll step out on a limb here and say most likely only in heaven
What are we to do? Hope for the best? If we don't have truth, then why is man held accountable? Accountable to what? 70% truth? 80% truth? 90% truth? 99% truth? If what we've got is not 100% trustworthy, then what is a man supposed to do?
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
16,872
3,601
113
#62
When a person does not properly divide the Word they then take things out of context leading to misinterpretation.
Agreed, we are to study the word and rightly divide it. But not everyone is in agreement where the divisions are made.
 
L

LaurenTM

Guest
#63
What are we to do? Hope for the best? If we don't have truth, then why is man held accountable? Accountable to what? 70% truth? 80% truth? 90% truth? 99% truth? If what we've got is not 100% trustworthy, then what is a man supposed to do?

oh we see through a glass darkly now John and that means all of us

however, we are blessed with the infilling of the Holy Spirit and God has also blessed us with teachers, anointed and chosen by Him to teach

no one has 100% truth and that is why we take counsel from others and we do our best to divide the word of truth correctly

we have also the gift of discernment, which is honed through study, practice and comparison and it is also a spiritual gift

deception is rampant in this world and will continue to get worse, so it is best to get behind the leader now, Jesus, as He says His sheep hear His voice and they follow Him! :)
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
16,872
3,601
113
#64
oh we see through a glass darkly now John and that means all of us

however, we are blessed with the infilling of the Holy Spirit and God has also blessed us with teachers, anointed and chosen by Him to teach

no one has 100% truth and that is why we take counsel from others and we do our best to divide the word of truth correctly

we have also the gift of discernment, which is honed through study, practice and comparison and it is also a spiritual gift

deception is rampant in this world and will continue to get worse, so it is best to get behind the leader now, Jesus, as He says His sheep hear His voice and they follow Him! :)
If it ain't 100% truth, then it ain't truth. I don't want something that's not trustworthy.

Question: Would God give us His word, instruct us to live by His word, and not give it to us? God is going to judge us according to what we've done with His word. Why would God hold us accountable to something that we don't have?

How do I defend my beliefs to a lost world when what I've got is not trustworthy?
 
L

LaurenTM

Guest
#65
If it ain't 100% truth, then it ain't truth. I don't want something that's not trustworthy.

Question: Would God give us His word, instruct us to live by His word, and not give it to us? God is going to judge us according to what we've done with His word. Why would God hold us accountable to something that we don't have?

How do I defend my beliefs to a lost world when what I've got is not trustworthy?

well Jesus has that covered, see?

He says "I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. John 14:6

I allow the Holy Spirit to speak through me when I am witnessing and I have to say, He really does bring to my mind what I have 'heard' (read, studied etc)

are you a bit upset? sorry if I am wrong, but you seem a bit upset here...:(

I will add that God does not hold us accountable anymore. Jesus has paid our debt and it is paid in full. We continue in Him and He keeps us by His Spirit.
 
L

LaurenTM

Guest
#66
anyway, I'll have to be back later because I have to be somewhere else right now :D
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
30,742
3,669
113
#67
oh we see through a glass darkly now John and that means all of us

however, we are blessed with the infilling of the Holy Spirit and God has also blessed us with teachers, anointed and chosen by Him to teach

no one has 100% truth and that is why we take counsel from others and we do our best to divide the word of truth correctly

we have also the gift of discernment, which is honed through study, practice and comparison and it is also a spiritual gift

deception is rampant in this world and will continue to get worse, so it is best to get behind the leader now, Jesus, as He says His sheep hear His voice and they follow Him! :)
Yep, the Scriptures give us 100% truth, problem is our filters are a bit clogged :p
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
16,872
3,601
113
#68
well Jesus has that covered, see?

He says "I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. John 14:6

I allow the Holy Spirit to speak through me when I am witnessing and I have to say, He really does bring to my mind what I have 'heard' (read, studied etc)

are you a bit upset? sorry if I am wrong, but you seem a bit upset here...:(

I will add that God does not hold us accountable anymore. Jesus has paid our debt and it is paid in full. We continue in Him and He keeps us by His Spirit.
Not upset, I love talking about the word of truth, the Holy Bible. How can the believer be sanctified after salvation..."Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth."

Salvation is not the end of the line for the believer. We will be judged at the JSOC for the things done in our body whether it be good or bad, according to the word of truth. Our works will be tested by the fire, the word of truth. Our rewards are hanging on our obedience to the word of truth. Would God not give it to us?
 

Dan_473

Senior Member
Mar 11, 2014
9,054
1,051
113
#70
first, it's a good thing to read and study they Bible.

second, different people have different levels of linguistic ability. one can read the original languages, another can't read any language.

can only good readers have a deep relationship with God?
 

Angela53510

Senior Member
Jan 24, 2011
11,783
2,952
113
#71
first, it's a good thing to read and study they Bible.

second, different people have different levels of linguistic ability. one can read the original languages, another can't read any language.

can only good readers have a deep relationship with God?

No! Anyone can have a deep relationship with God. BUT, the Bible helps us on our journey. I am sure there are those who are not capable of reading, who may have that simple and pure relationship with God.

My husband is not a "reader." But he has persisted in reading the Bible, over the years. And he has a solid relationship with Christ. He is always very excited when God opens up the Scriptures to him.

So I would say that unless we are incapable of reading, for mental or physical reasons, we do need to persist in reading the Bible, daily! Some might need a simpler translation, like the Living Bible or the Good News Bible. I am sure God will teach them how to grow closer to him, and probably improve their reading skills as they do it.

Yes, the way to learn to read better, is to read! And that certainly includes the Bible, or even only the Bible. Or maybe an audio version! (Says the teacher!)
 

Dan_473

Senior Member
Mar 11, 2014
9,054
1,051
113
#72
No! Anyone can have a deep relationship with God. BUT, the Bible helps us on our journey. I am sure there are those who are not capable of reading, who may have that simple and pure relationship with God.

My husband is not a "reader." But he has persisted in reading the Bible, over the years. And he has a solid relationship with Christ. He is always very excited when God opens up the Scriptures to him.

So I would say that unless we are incapable of reading, for mental or physical reasons, we do need to persist in reading the Bible, daily! Some might need a simpler translation, like the Living Bible or the Good News Bible. I am sure God will teach them how to grow closer to him, and probably improve their reading skills as they do it.

Yes, the way to learn to read better, is to read! And that certainly includes the Bible, or even only the Bible. Or maybe an audio version! (Says the teacher!)

good points!

I think God meets us where we are

if we are good readers, he expects us to use that

if we don't even have a bible in our language, he will use other tools
 
L

LaurenTM

Guest
#73
Not upset, I love talking about the word of truth, the Holy Bible. How can the believer be sanctified after salvation..."Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth."

Salvation is not the end of the line for the believer. We will be judged at the JSOC for the things done in our body whether it be good or bad, according to the word of truth. Our works will be tested by the fire, the word of truth. Our rewards are hanging on our obedience to the word of truth. Would God not give it to us?
ok good, I wasn't sure so I asked

salvation is not the end of the line; of course not

I actually am one of those people who don't care about rewards, you now? I figure if the elders can cast their crowns down I certainly don't need merit points

10the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11“Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.” Rev 4

God knows how I see it and I don't want a big villa in town either :)

I'm not sure what it is you are getting at, truthfully

sanctification is a process and we do not sanctify ourselves
 
L

LaurenTM

Guest
#74
I've read it, most parts seemed kind of boring, lots of repitition

uh oh LOL!

I don't have time right now to point out a few things, but when I do, I'll do a post for you about it
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
16,872
3,601
113
#75
ok good, I wasn't sure so I asked

salvation is not the end of the line; of course not

I actually am one of those people who don't care about rewards, you now? I figure if the elders can cast their crowns down I certainly don't need merit points

10the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11“Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.” Rev 4

God knows how I see it and I don't want a big villa in town either :)

I'm not sure what it is you are getting at, truthfully

sanctification is a process and we do not sanctify ourselves
The word of truth is what sanctifies the believer. You read it, study it, believe it and obey it. All part of the sanctification process of becoming more like Christ. So my question has been, do we have the word of truth that God says sanctifies us? I believe we do.
 

Dan_473

Senior Member
Mar 11, 2014
9,054
1,051
113
#76
uh oh LOL!

I don't have time right now to point out a few things, but when I do, I'll do a post for you about it
Thanks, that would be great!
 
T

TonyJay

Guest
#77
God gives a few simple guidelines to scripture

"Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God"
"Take the plank out of your own eye before you take the speck out your brothers eye"

"If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Luke 11:13

Scripture is a spiritual book, with the right spiritual approach it changes you, speaks to your heart, but without this how will you ever understand it.

This forum illustrates that the same verses speak very differently to people and they feel 100% justified in their positions while we all look at the same book.

One contributor once suggested reading the law was wrong and brought condemnation to him. I would suggest if any of scripture brings condemnation to your soul, you have issues that need resolving.

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Heb 4:12

But sadly people have so changed its meaning, they no longer respond to the very ministry of the word.

Some use lenses and condemn men of God as lost sinners who never resolved their walk with God.

This is why I am sceptical of interllectualism by itself, because the heart will justify itself and hide a multitude of sin while finding ways of justifying it through scripture. For me a simple clue is in being honest with oneself and life. The more complex ones theories the further from truth you have become.
I think it is fairly clear that the OP is just a Trojan horse.
Peter Jens is just fishing for permission to interpret and redefine the Bible in any way that he sees fit.
He dismissed my post as just intellectualism - a very thin disguise for: don't confuse me with facts.

It is just as obvious that he redefines the meanings of words to suit his arguments.
I took him to task on the meaning of the word grace - once pushed into a corner he grumpily replied that he would not accept the meaning of the word i.e unmerited favour that I gave and stated that he would interpret the word in the way that he wanted to.
Furthermore, in his wild tirades he rants on about hyper-grace, mysticism and other rather odd terms in describing and attacking the doctrine of salvation by faith through grace.
The substance of what he says, an argument it can't be called, is characterised by complete flight of ideas with no coherent link between one point and another.
It is clear rational argument will not sway Peter, or his cohorts for that matter.

I propose, instead, a concerted campaign of prayer to break the strongholds in Peter's life, and others. The Holy Spirit is the only entity that can achieve a breakthrough here.
All these individuals are precious in the sight of God and so let us raise them up to the Lord in prayer.
In the precious name of Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour.
 
Nov 22, 2015
20,436
1,430
0
#78
One point I want to mention about bible interpretation is that:

"Everything in the scriptures is truly stated but not everything is a statement of truth."

For example : Job - The Lord says to Job's 3 friends in chapter 42:7 that they have not spoken what is right about God. So, all the chapters and verses that they talked about God is truly stated in that they did say those things but they are not statements of truth.

For example: John 3:26 - John's disciples said to John that Jesus was baptizing. This is truly stated in the scriptures but it is not a statement of truth. John 4:2 - says that Jesus Himself was not baptizing but that His disciples were. - This is the statement of truth.

Another obvious one is that the serpent in the garden told Eve " You shall not surely die". It is truly stated but it is not a statement of truth.

We need to be aware of this when we read and study the scriptures.
 
Mar 28, 2016
15,954
1,528
113
#79
If it ain't 100% truth, then it ain't truth. I don't want something that's not trustworthy.

Question: Would God give us His word, instruct us to live by His word, and not give it to us? God is going to judge us according to what we've done with His word. Why would God hold us accountable to something that we don't have?

How do I defend my beliefs to a lost world when what I've got is not trustworthy?
Give them the gospel, the book of the law, the bible, as it is written.

We defend the faith of Christ not or own faith as a commentary or private interpretation of His, as the same spirit of faith according as it is written. It alone is God's interpretation to us .It is self teaching as we seek the approval of God according to the commandment .There is no law that says we are to seek the approval when studying God's interpretation of any man.
In fact it warns of of those who would seduce us to believe that we do need a man to teach us. He reveals it is the ideology of the antichrists.

2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Continue seeking His approval as you do study seeing he is the one who commands us. he would not command us to seek his approval it it was not true.As long as your opinions called heresy does not deny the grace of God we can have his confidence he will continue to teach us to the very end.

Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
 
Mar 28, 2016
15,954
1,528
113
#80
For example : Job - The Lord says to Job's 3 friends in chapter 42:7 that they have not spoken what is right about God. So, all the chapters and verses that they talked about God is truly stated in that they did say those things but they are not statements of truth.
I see that a little differently. I think it was more in how they stated what they perceived as truth. . The scripture does not say they were not truth in all cases. . It’s like the man in Mathew 7 who offered wonderfull works .He did not say they were not true but how the truth was presented, as if it came from them, as if they were a daysman ( infallible interpreter) set between God and Job..

For example: John 3:26 - John's disciples said to John that Jesus was baptizing. This is truly stated in the scriptures but it is not a statement of truth. John 4:2 - says that Jesus Himself was not baptizing but that His disciples were. - This is the statement of truth.
In John 3, the discussion in respect to the Old testament ceremonial law of baptism of a new priest into the priesthood as to the foundation of water baptism .They knew John was a Levi and was authorized as a officiator seeing Christ was of the tribe of Judah.. After Christ was baptized, he to being a new member of the Levitical priesthood could baptize as he did his own disciples. His disciples were not baptizing it was Christ baptizing them

When therefore the LORD knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) Joh 4:1-2

Another obvious one is that the serpent in the garden told Eve " You shall not surely die". It is truly stated but it is not a statement of truth.
It a statement of truth that it was a lie . The whole Bible, as the perfect law of God (no theories as oral philosophical traditions of men) is written that way, to be against us as the one reforming authority in any generation.
 
Last edited: