Question about Scriptural 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.
G

garee

Banned
#161
Mar 28, 2016
15,954
1,528
113
#161
FollowHisSteps said:
Do you accept there is more than one interpretation of scripture?
Some want to argue "theirs" is the only one, like they have the hotline to God ...... oooooo

Actually it makes me laugh, some say
"Prophets do not exist anymore, or the gifts,
but I uniquely can tell you what this passage alone means from God"
which is what prophetic ministry is, lol. Bit of a problem when you get it wrong though.
Click to expand...
Prophets are those who bring prophecy "the word of God" declaring it called prophesying. If any person does declare the word of God that makes the person a prophet, sent by God, or a apostle. . If any man adds to it the whole they prove themselves as false apostles sent with false prophecy form the father of lies.


God is simply no longer bring any new prophecy. The idea is sealed up till the end of time with seven seals. why go above that which is written .How would that please God?
 
FollowHisSteps

FollowHisSteps

Well-known member
#162
Feb 15, 2019
3,674
1,201
113
#162
eternally-gratefull said:
Dude, My first response was a general response about people

As usual you twist. It

Consider yourself on report. You would think you would have learned about doin gthis type of crap the first time you have gotten banned. As usual. People who are stuck in their own problems can never learn.

Good day sir..
Click to expand...
I am sorry. You accuse me

"You slander many, You lie about them, You say things which are not true, You think they believe things they do not believe"

and then do not read my posts say one thing, then immediately change it to something else,
I am concerned for you, seriously.
This is not reasonable behaviour.

Have you no understanding of what libelous statements actually are, and how making up stuff
is not the way christians behave?
 
FollowHisSteps

FollowHisSteps

Well-known member
#163
Feb 15, 2019
3,674
1,201
113
#163
garee said:
Prophets are those who bring prophecy "the word of God" declaring it called prophesying. If any person does declare the word of God that makes the person a prophet, sent by God, or a apostle. . If any man adds to it the whole they prove themselves as false apostles sent with false prophecy form the father of lies.

God is simply no longer bring any new prophecy. The idea is sealed up till the end of time with seven seals. why go above that which is written .How would that please God?
Click to expand...
I thought some time ago that prophets had stopped.
But prophets spoke to Paul about what was going to happen to him.

And my understanding of prophecy is a specific word from the Lord to a person
or group of people. I have seen myself come under conviction about a particular
idea or message to hear it preached and shared. In the past I would not have
thought this was prophetic, but maybe I am actually wrong, not the first time
mind you

After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.
Coming over to us, he took Paul's belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, "The Holy Spirit says, 'In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.'"
Acts 21:10-11
 
S

seed_time_harvest

Senior Member
#164
Dec 9, 2011
14,131
1,803
113
#164
Chester said:
Which is best, or which is correct?

Does one study a particular text to determine what is overall Biblical doctrine?
OR
Does one use overall Biblical doctrine to determine the meaning of a particular text?
Click to expand...
I would say study the WORD of GOD and the WORD will have you nodding your head like THATS RIGHT,amen.

Get that kinsmen feeling.
 
S

seed_time_harvest

Senior Member
#165
Dec 9, 2011
14,131
1,803
113
#165
Chester said:
Thanks for the response: this is what I want to hear and have input on.

You said "we probably start with a summary of scriptural truth such as a creed". I might also have asked my question that way: With which approach should we start?

It seems you are saying the way it is usually done, but is this the correct (or best) way to do it?
Click to expand...
No that’s not the correct way,sounds like something those pharisees would do.

Go with study the WORD.
 
F

ForestGreenCook

Well-known member
#166
Jul 8, 2018
8,441
1,213
113
#166
Grandpa said:
Scripture can contradict one another in YOUR mind. But scripture itself doesn't contradict itself.

That's why I gave the example that I did in the order that I did. So you could see yourself thinking one way and then when you read the same verbiage presented a different way you see that what you might have originally thought was probably wrong.


There is a salvation we can obtain by our works? Why would you call it salvation if you can do it yourself? Salvation implies a Saviour. Deliverance implies a Deliverer. Especially in Christianity.
Click to expand...
Sorry I did not respond to you for so long. I actually forgot that I was participating in this thread. I can only blame it on being 84 years old. As I explained that the Greek interpretation of salvation = a deliverance. Romans 10 Paul says his prayer to God is that Israel might be saved. Paul is saying that they might be delivered (saved) from what? from their lack of knowledge. Paul said that they "have a zeal of God", which indicated that they are already regenerated and given a new heart, but they were ignorant of God's righteousness, and were going about to establish their own righteousness, and have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. After Paul preached to them about the righteousness of God and told them what they must do they were delivered (saved) from their lack of knowledge, not delivered eternally, they were already delivered eternally. God changed Jacob's name to be no more called Jacob, but his name was changed to Israel. Jacob is representative of all of God's elect. Most of the time we read Israel in a scripture it is talking about Jacob, or God's elect.
 
G

Grandpa

Senior Member
#167
Jun 24, 2011
11,551
3,190
113
#167
ForestGreenCook said:
Sorry I did not respond to you for so long. I actually forgot that I was participating in this thread. I can only blame it on being 84 years old. As I explained that the Greek interpretation of salvation = a deliverance. Romans 10 Paul says his prayer to God is that Israel might be saved. Paul is saying that they might be delivered (saved) from what? from their lack of knowledge. Paul said that they "have a zeal of God", which indicated that they are already regenerated and given a new heart, but they were ignorant of God's righteousness, and were going about to establish their own righteousness, and have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. After Paul preached to them about the righteousness of God and told them what they must do they were delivered (saved) from their lack of knowledge, not delivered eternally, they were already delivered eternally. God changed Jacob's name to be no more called Jacob, but his name was changed to Israel. Jacob is representative of all of God's elect. Most of the time we read Israel in a scripture it is talking about Jacob, or God's elect.
Click to expand...
That's ok. I didn't know you were 84. I thought you were much younger. I thought you were younger than me. And I'm "only" 48.

I disagree with your interpretation of Romans 10.

If they are not saved then they don't have a new heart and they aren't regenerated. Only after they submit to the Righteousness of God can they be regenerated.

They had a wrong zeal for the wrong thing but they THOUGHT they were right and they THOUGHT they were doing it for God.
 
F

ForestGreenCook

Well-known member
#168
Jul 8, 2018
8,441
1,213
113
#168
Grandpa said:
That's ok. I didn't know you were 84. I thought you were much younger. I thought you were younger than me. And I'm "only" 48.

I disagree with your interpretation of Romans 10.

If they are not saved then they don't have a new heart and they aren't regenerated. Only after they submit to the Righteousness of God can they be regenerated.

They had a wrong zeal for the wrong thing but they THOUGHT they were right and they THOUGHT they were doing it for God.
Click to expand...
To my interpretation, a person that has a zeal of God and are doing things that they think they are doing for God, does not fit the description I find of a non-regenerate man as described in 1 Cor 2:14. I believe there are many of God's children, who have been regenerated, that are going about to establish their own righteousness, by their good works, and not submitting themselves to the righteousness of Christ, many being on this forum. Eternal salvation is by the will and grace of God and not by the will of man.
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
#169
#169
Grandpa said:
That's ok. I didn't know you were 84. I thought you were much younger. I thought you were younger than me. And I'm "only" 48.

I disagree with your interpretation of Romans 10.

If they are not saved then they don't have a new heart and they aren't regenerated. Only after they submit to the Righteousness of God can they be regenerated.

They had a wrong zeal for the wrong thing but they THOUGHT they were right and they THOUGHT they were doing it for God.
Click to expand...
You are younger than me! (53)
 
Chester

Chester

Senior Member
#170
May 23, 2016
4,314
1,442
113
#170
FollowHisSteps said:
Do you accept there is more than one interpretation of scripture?
Some want to argue "theirs" is the only one, like they have the hotline to God ...... oooooo

Actually it makes me laugh, some say
"Prophets do not exist anymore, or the gifts,
but I uniquely can tell you what this passage alone means from God"
which is what prophetic ministry is, lol. Bit of a problem when you get it wrong though.
Click to expand...
There is only one correct interpretation of Scripture: though that interpretation could have several layers of meaning or fulfilment. There can be many applications of a Scripture.
 
Chester

Chester

Senior Member
#171
May 23, 2016
4,314
1,442
113
#171
mailmandan said:
Amen! I call that the isolate, build and ignore method of interpretation. Isolate a pet verse, build doctrine on it, then ignore the overall full message from the entire Bible on the matter. Some will also try their best to force the rest of scripture to "conform" to their biased interpretation of a pet verse. It's called flawed hermeneutics. We need to rightly divide the word of truth and properly harmonize scripture with scripture before reaching our conclusion on doctrine.
Click to expand...
There is value in what you say here, and I surely agree that some take a verse and use it to impose their doctrine on the whole Bible.

But the other way around is just as bad. Some people take their own theology and "overall understanding of doctrine" and impose it upon every verse in the Bible. They already have their own beliefs, and no study of the Scripture will change or add to what they believe.
 
Chester

Chester

Senior Member
#172
May 23, 2016
4,314
1,442
113
#172
FollowHisSteps said:
How vast is Gods word?
Infinite and eternal.
Someone described the bible as the first hypertext document in the world.
The interconnections are bigger than our minds.

One small passage like Cain and Able have within them the vastness of
sin, rebellion, alienation, sacrifice, listening, murder, judgement, our heart attitude etc.

The Lord laid these things down for a reason. They are to dwell in us, and become a part
of who we are. Jesus rebuked satan from Gods word, not His own authority.

It is our hearts and our relationship with God that gives us the insight we need.
Click to expand...
Agreed that the Bible is vast and broad - but doesn't change the fact that each Scripture means only what God intends it to mean.
 
Chester

Chester

Senior Member
#173
May 23, 2016
4,314
1,442
113
#173
Locoponydirtman said:
Neither. Each particular text should be held in the balances with all text, and doctrine formed as a result. If you take my meaning. So many people form their personal doctrine out of a few proof texts. Some people will argue unto a fight over it too. I have met some people who have taken one proof text so far out of context that I wish I had a pair of scissors when I talk to them so I could cut that scripture from their Bible, thus forcing them to read the rest of it.
Click to expand...
I think what you are saying here is very true. But I would add that the persons you are talking about here are not interpreting correctly. Any verse properly interpreted will not conflict with any other verses from Scripture.
 
G

Grandpa

Senior Member
#174
Jun 24, 2011
11,551
3,190
113
#174
ForestGreenCook said:
To my interpretation, a person that has a zeal of God and are doing things that they think they are doing for God, does not fit the description I find of a non-regenerate man as described in 1 Cor 2:14. I believe there are many of God's children, who have been regenerated, that are going about to establish their own righteousness, by their good works, and not submitting themselves to the righteousness of Christ, many being on this forum. Eternal salvation is by the will and grace of God and not by the will of man.
Click to expand...
I don't understand that.

How can a person be saved but not know the Righteousness of God?

How can a person be saved but still have the vail over their eyes?


It just doesn't make any sense to me. Not saying that it isn't possible...
 
Dino246

Dino246

Senior Member
#175
Jun 30, 2015
25,489
13,797
113
#175
garee said:
Prophets are those who bring prophecy "the word of God" declaring it called prophesying. If any person does declare the word of God that makes the person a prophet, sent by God, or a apostle. . If any man adds to it the whole they prove themselves as false apostles sent with false prophecy form the father of lies.

God is simply no longer bring any new prophecy. The idea is sealed up till the end of time with seven seals. why go above that which is written .How would that please God?
Click to expand...
Garee, despite having had the truth of the matter explained to you many times, you still hold to the notion that prophetic words today are additions to Scripture.

If you want to believe that prophesying is speaking the word of God, fine. I and many others disagree, but we're not going to settle that one. However, claiming that people who do believe in modern-day prophetic words DO NOT believe that such words are additions to Scripture. So PLEASE STOP asserting that we believe they are. Repeating error after you have been told the truth is not excusable.
 
FollowHisSteps

FollowHisSteps

Well-known member
#176
Feb 15, 2019
3,674
1,201
113
#176
Chester said:
Agreed that the Bible is vast and broad - but doesn't change the fact that each Scripture means only what God intends it to mean.
Click to expand...
Of course God has intentions for all of scripture, but this idea one view is everything is so limited.
Just listen to gifted preachers talking about the same passages with different emphasis.
And here on cc some ignore some scriptures while other say it must be followed and others that
God intends the core values to be honoured and not letter.

So I have to laugh a bit when people say there is only one view. Because what they mean is their
view. Jesus said we are to love, God and others. So that is the guiding principle to listen a lot
more than we speak and understand the whys and hows of others. And maybe we will see we
are closer than our words and ideas might imply.

But then who am I to speak? I am just letting Gods word speak with love from my heart.
 
FollowHisSteps

FollowHisSteps

Well-known member
#177
Feb 15, 2019
3,674
1,201
113
#177
Chester said:
There is only one correct interpretation of Scripture: though that interpretation could have several layers of meaning or fulfilment. There can be many applications of a Scripture.
Click to expand...
I wish I understood what you mean. What did it mean for Mary to wash Jesus's feet with her tears and dry
them with her hair? How should we handle transgender people or people with identity issues?
Should a husband be always the leader and women subservient to men? How do we resolve mental
illness and depression and provide counselling? How is cleansing of the heart put alongside a righteous
walk? Is the wine and bread transformed or is it just a celebration?

Now it is easy to say, one solution when clearly we do not have a one solution answer and maybe never will.
So I do not like these singular idealistic statements about complex and difficult issues when we are not God.
 
G

garee

Banned
#178
Mar 28, 2016
15,954
1,528
113
#178
Dino246 said:
Garee, despite having had the truth of the matter explained to you many times, you still hold to the notion that prophetic words today are additions to Scripture.

If you want to believe that prophesying is speaking the word of God, fine. I and many others disagree, but we're not going to settle that one. However, claiming that people who do believe in modern-day prophetic words DO NOT believe that such words are additions to Scripture. So PLEASE STOP asserting that we believe they are. Repeating error after you have been told the truth is not excusable.
Click to expand...
Hi thanks for the reply.

It does not mean God is no longer moving men according to His will as modern day prophecy .Just not adding to the written wittiness.

I do not believe that prophesying is speaking the word of God. Prophesying is speaking the word of the author who sends out his apostles .. To prophesy lies is false prophecy sent out by false apostles. If any man adds to the words of prophecy in the book of prophecy which is sealed with 7 seals till the end of time. God will send a strong delusion needed to beleive the lie.. We try the spirits to see if they are of men seen or God not seen by using the perfect. If any man say I had a dream, I had a out of body experience, my hand itched I made a noise, or have fallen backward we are to believe not.

If a person desires more than he has revealed the skies the limit just have a experience and believe.
 
FollowHisSteps

FollowHisSteps

Well-known member
#179
Feb 15, 2019
3,674
1,201
113
#179
There is a management training exercise which is principled around you can never solve the problem.
A task is given to a group and they are told to create a report for the morning about what they find.
The task is impossible to complete in that time and the lesson is to realise, this is life, you have to
accept losses and failure.

Scripture and walking with Jesus is the same. We know God is with us and will lead us through based
on our faith and trust in Him and letting love and repentance flow through our lives.

But it relies on us letting go and not knowing everything, but enough to take another step.
And that is the point, each step changes us, so we could never see the end now, because we
would never make it, because that person is different, and as we walk we see the next step.

A baby does not run the 100m sprint. So it is with us.
If you think you have finished you are Jesus, except you know that is not the case. :)
 
Chester

Chester

Senior Member
#180
May 23, 2016
4,314
1,442
113
#180
FollowHisSteps said:
I wish I understood what you mean. What did it mean for Mary to wash Jesus's feet with her tears and dry
them with her hair? How should we handle transgender people or people with identity issues?
Should a husband be always the leader and women subservient to men? How do we resolve mental
illness and depression and provide counselling? How is cleansing of the heart put alongside a righteous
walk? Is the wine and bread transformed or is it just a celebration?

Now it is easy to say, one solution when clearly we do not have a one solution answer and maybe never will.
So I do not like these singular idealistic statements about complex and difficult issues when we are not God.
Click to expand...
Most of what you are mixing up with interpretation is actually application.

The interpretation is what the text says and means: application is all the questions of how it applies to your life.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.