Why So Many Different Christian Views?

[Aaron56]

Instead of a church growing organically as a family grows, with the elder generations teaching the younger generations; we accepted a congregational model that institutionalized the natural functions of the Body into offices and positions.

This structure was codified by the Roman Church in the 380s AD. Essentially, the church accepted the position as "State Religion" and agreed to organize like that Roman Empire: The Pope = Emperor; Cardninals = Senate; Bishops = Governors, etc.

 

[Rebelfortruth]

For several years, something hit me in the head. It felt like someone threw a brick at me! It was like someone started annoying me and won't leave me alone!

The Bible seems to be saying that we Christians, have the same "Holy Spirit" that guides us in all truth. I heard a pastor say, that unbelievers can't understand the Bible because they don't have the Holy Spirit. And yet at another Church I met a guy who claimed that even before He became a Christian He knew the Bible better than most Christians, simply because He enjoyed reading a lot. He became a Christian, therefor God did get a hold of him! But according to that one pastor, it was backwards.

When I log into Christian forums, I see an awful lot of "interesting" views. I wonder, if everyone has the same "Holy Spirit" then why does all these views exist? Some of these views set me on edge. Because of all the different Bible teachings I have ever heard, I've never come across some of these ideas. And other thing. I do the best I can. I listen to an audio Bible while I work. I've been through the entire thing from Genesis to Revelation, probably 4 or 5 times, and some of these ideas never even entered in my mind once! So when I read them, I'm like where on earth are these ideas coming from? When I look at the provided scriptures, at first glance, it looks like people are reading in between the lines, or taking things out of context to form their views. But why on earth, anyone who has the "Holy Spirit" would do such a thing? I suppose we could have some wolves in sheep clothing, but then again, we would have an awful lot of self deceived people. Which would make it really hard to determine who is and who isn't deceived. Because people who are deceived, don't know they are the deceived. That is what deception is...

So I guess, I'm curious, why do you think "Spirit Filled" people are messing up so bad?

Below are just scripture verses that I found before I started writing this post.

John 14:26
26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Romans 8:26
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.

John 16:13
13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

1 Corinthians 12
4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

According to the book of Revelation only two of the seven churches received a fair report - indicating their are problems in most of the churches. According to Peter the righteous scarcely be saved - also indicating there is a problem with the righteousness of those who consider themselves righteous.
The question is which of the different denominations are close to being correct?. Which of the denominations are actually led by the spirit of God?. If all churches were actually led by the spirit of God, there would be no division and this certainly was a problem in the days of Paul, considering his instructions not argue about scripture.

 

[Amanuensis]

I think the number one reason why saved people make mistakes when interpreting scripture is not because the Holy Spirit is not willing to show them the truth, but because they are not following basic rules of interpretation (called hermeneutics).

Things like context, what was he talking about before and after the text.
Who was he talking to.
What is the background information, such as history, cultural context etc
What would it mean to the people at the time.
Where else does the scripture talk about this same subject or idea.
What is the meaning of the words in the original languages
What was the intent of the author when he wrote it.
What is the plain meaning that most people should be able to get by reading it without needing any secret knowledge.

There are quite a number of rules but you can see that they are all common sense type rules of reading.

It is usually when people depart from one of these rules that they make their mistake and teach something that is not what the author intended for people to understand.

Saved people do it all the time. Those that are new to reading the bible or those that have never put in the effort to understand the bible as they need to will continue to make mistakes due to ignorance of basic facts. This can only be cured by following more serious study habits, like a systematic approach to becoming familiar with each book of the bible including background information and all the helps available through bible dictionaries, and reference books including referencing several good commentaries.

 

[soberxp]

Here's a classic example of what you've stated:

Matthew 7:21-23 NKJV - 21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' 23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!"

These theoretical people believe they were in proper alignment with Christ, though obviously, they are not. Therefore, how would they interpret Scripture compared to someone who has been Purified by Christ?

I KNOW for a fact that for the first 49 years of my life, I was exactly one of these people Christ mentions above. I Truly believed that I was Saved. But after receiving the Circumcision of Christ (the Operation of Faith that is undeniable), I came to realize how utterly lost I was. And this is why I have a completely, totally, drastically, and dramatically different view of God's Word.

I had the same feeling.
My understanding of the Bible is completely different from my original view of the Bible.
At first, I thought the Bible was a law about sin, which was used to punish the wicked.
But over time, I found that the Bible is actually a book of life, And the mysteries of life are shared with everyone.
Punishment is not an end. Life is its real value and where it starts from the beginning.

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. (Matthew 5:13)

Savour sounds a little bit as savior.

Savour of salt is an essential part of life, just as our Savior Jesus Christ is an essential part of our life.

If our understanding of the word of God changes to something else, it will be the useless as the salt that lost the Savour, even Jesus Christ does not know what it is.

 

[2ndTimothyGroup]

I think the number one reason why saved people make mistakes when interpreting scripture is not because the Holy Spirit is not willing to show them the truth, but because they are not following basic rules of interpretation (called hermeneutics).

Things like context, what was he talking about before and after the text.
Who was he talking to.
What is the background information, such as history, cultural context etc
What would it mean to the people at the time.
Where else does the scripture talk about this same subject or idea.
What is the meaning of the words in the original languages
What was the intent of the author when he wrote it.
What is the plain meaning that most people should be able to get by reading it without needing any secret knowledge.

There are quite a number of rules but you can see that they are all common sense type rules of reading.

It is usually when people depart from one of these rules that they make their mistake and teach something that is not what the author intended for people to understand.

Saved people do it all the time. Those that are new to reading the bible or those that have never put in the effort to understand the bible as they need to will continue to make mistakes due to ignorance of basic facts. This can only be cured by following more serious study habits, like a systematic approach to becoming familiar with each book of the bible including background information and all the helps available through bible dictionaries, and reference books including referencing several good commentaries.

I hear you, but do you REALLY feel that someone who has the Holy Spirit needs Hermeneutics? And, what did we do [before] Hermeneutics was first established (in the 15th century)?

I MUST stand with what God says in His Holy Word, which is the following:

Jer 31:31-34 NLT - "The day is coming," says the LORD, "when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. This covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and brought them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant, though I loved them as a husband loves his wife," says the LORD. "But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day," says the LORD. "I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, 'You should know the LORD.' For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already," says the LORD. "And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins."

And:

Jhn 14:26 NKJV "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you."

I first began learning about Hermeneutics prior to receiving Spiritual Circumcision of Heart . . . and I am saying that during those days, I was NOT a saved Christian. But AFTER receiving the Powerful Indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and AFTER receiving the said Circumcision of Christ, that's when I completely abandoned all of that Hermeneutics stuff, and commentaries, that the Bible began to become reasonable and rational (to me).

Depend on the Spirit folks, for your Spiritual education . . . leave manmade ideas behind like broken luggage.

 

[Blade]

"So I guess, I'm curious, why do you think "Spirit Filled" people are messing up so bad? " Are they all Spirit Filled? Some believe you don't have to ask as in Luke 11:13.

That said it can be so wonderful to read hear what someone else sees, understands from some verse or chapter that you never saw. Sometimes one can be weak in the faith vs someone strong so they can't understand meat ..yet. As long as WE tell everyone what Gods word really says and not take the time to pray read.. and also how we are living. The sweet holy Spirit will not say anything. For me it has to be from the heart.. be willing to be wrong.

I could have just said.. not sure I lean to .. maybe I need to search study that more to see what they see.. I could have missed it.

 

[Runningman]

I hear you, but do you REALLY feel that someone who has the Holy Spirit needs Hermeneutics? And, what did we do [before] Hermeneutics was first established (in the 15th century)?

I MUST stand with what God says in His Holy Word, which is the following:

Jer 31:31-34 NLT - "The day is coming," says the LORD, "when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. This covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and brought them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant, though I loved them as a husband loves his wife," says the LORD. "But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day," says the LORD. "I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, 'You should know the LORD.' For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already," says the LORD. "And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins."

And:

Jhn 14:26 NKJV "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you."

I first began learning about Hermeneutics prior to receiving Spiritual Circumcision of Heart . . . and I am saying that during those days, I was NOT a saved Christian. But AFTER receiving the Powerful Indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and AFTER receiving the said Circumcision of Christ, that's when I completely abandoned all of that Hermeneutics stuff, and commentaries, that the Bible began to become reasonable and rational (to me).

Depend on the Spirit folks, for your Spiritual education . . . leave manmade ideas behind like broken luggage.

Paul with the Holy Spirit openly opposes Peter with the Holy Spirit because he disagreed with Peter's hermeneutics regarding the scriptures concerning circumcision.

Galatians 2:11-13 NLT
11But when Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong. 12When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile believers, who were not circumcised. But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn’t eat with the Gentiles anymore. He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision. 13As a result, other Jewish believers followed Peter’s hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.

 

[Nehemiah6]

When I log into Christian forums, I see an awful lot of "interesting" views. I wonder, if everyone has the same "Holy Spirit" then why does all these views exist?

It would appear that too many are not receiving teaching on sound Bible doctrines in their churches (and many may not even be associated with any church). Also many churches have focused on entertainment. Therefore we have a wide spectrum of beliefs on Christian forums, and some seriously flawed views.

 

[Runningman]

For several years, something hit me in the head. It felt like someone threw a brick at me! It was like someone started annoying me and won't leave me alone!

The Bible seems to be saying that we Christians, have the same "Holy Spirit" that guides us in all truth. I heard a pastor say, that unbelievers can't understand the Bible because they don't have the Holy Spirit. And yet at another Church I met a guy who claimed that even before He became a Christian He knew the Bible better than most Christians, simply because He enjoyed reading a lot. He became a Christian, therefor God did get a hold of him! But according to that one pastor, it was backwards.

When I log into Christian forums, I see an awful lot of "interesting" views. I wonder, if everyone has the same "Holy Spirit" then why does all these views exist? Some of these views set me on edge. Because of all the different Bible teachings I have ever heard, I've never come across some of these ideas. And other thing. I do the best I can. I listen to an audio Bible while I work. I've been through the entire thing from Genesis to Revelation, probably 4 or 5 times, and some of these ideas never even entered in my mind once! So when I read them, I'm like where on earth are these ideas coming from? When I look at the provided scriptures, at first glance, it looks like people are reading in between the lines, or taking things out of context to form their views. But why on earth, anyone who has the "Holy Spirit" would do such a thing? I suppose we could have some wolves in sheep clothing, but then again, we would have an awful lot of self deceived people. Which would make it really hard to determine who is and who isn't deceived. Because people who are deceived, don't know they are the deceived. That is what deception is...

So I guess, I'm curious, why do you think "Spirit Filled" people are messing up so bad?

Below are just scripture verses that I found before I started writing this post.

John 14:26
26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Romans 8:26
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.

John 16:13
13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

1 Corinthians 12
4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

I understand your point and at one time I thought the same way until I realized my expectations weren't realistic. People with the Holy Spirit can disagree with each other and see things totally different.

For example, in Galatians 2:11-13 Paul and Peter had different perspectives which lead to a confrontation. Both Paul and Peter have the Holy Spirit and you believe you have the Holy Spirit too.

So why are two people with the Holy Spirit practicing different perspectives? Who's side do you pick, Paul or Peter, and since you all three have the Holy Spirit why isn't there mutual consensus?

Who do you agree with: Paul or Peter? Why or why not?

Galatians 2:11-13 NLT
11But when Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong. 12When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile believers, who were not circumcised. But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn’t eat with the Gentiles anymore. He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision. 13As a result, other Jewish believers followed Peter’s hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.

 

[2ndTimothyGroup]

Paul with the Holy Spirit openly opposes Peter with the Holy Spirit because he disagreed with Peter's hermeneutics regarding the scriptures concerning circumcision.

Galatians 2:11-13 NLT
11But when Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong. 12When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile believers, who were not circumcised. But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn’t eat with the Gentiles anymore. He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision. 13As a result, other Jewish believers followed Peter’s hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.

He disagreed with Peter's Hermeneutics? As in, the way that Peter was interpreting Scripture (that hadn't been written as of yet?)

Gal 2:11-13 isn't about physical circumcision, this text that you've quoted has to do with Peter's fear and the reverting back to the Law os Moses . . . which is the hypocrisy regarding how Peter was recanting on the True Gospel (that set the Jews free from the Law). The reference to circumcision was to identify the group of people whom Peter was siding with (this is the hypocrisy) . . . the Jews.

So here we have it . . . Hermeneutics is breaking down again.

Here's a different translation:

NASB - "But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he [began] to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision. 13 The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, "If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how [is it that] you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews? 15 "We [are] Jews by nature and not sinners from among the Gentiles; 16 nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified."

 

[Runningman]

He disagreed with Peter's Hermeneutics? As in, the way that Peter was interpreting Scripture (that hadn't been written as of yet?)

Gal 2:11-13 isn't about physical circumcision, this text that you've quoted has to do with Peter's fear and the reverting back to the Law os Moses . . . which is the hypocrisy regarding how Peter was recanting on the True Gospel (that set the Jews free from the Law). The reference to circumcision was to identify the group of people whom Peter was siding with (this is the hypocrisy) . . . the Jews.

So here we have it . . . Hermeneutics is breaking down again.

Here's a different translation:

NASB - "But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he [began] to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision. 13 The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, "If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how [is it that] you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews? 15 "We [are] Jews by nature and not sinners from among the Gentiles; 16 nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified."

Sure. Okay so you think Peter being guided by the Holy Spirit was wrong and Paul being guided by the Holy Spirit was correct?

 

[2ndTimothyGroup]

Sure. Okay so you think Peter being guided by the Holy Spirit was wrong and Paul being guided by the Holy Spirit was correct?

My apologies, this isn't making any sense. So I don't have anything else to say.

 

[Magenta]

Sure. Okay so you think Peter being guided by the Holy Spirit was wrong and Paul being guided by the Holy Spirit was correct?

Peter acceded to Paul. As he should have

 

[Runningman]

Peter acceded to Paul. As he should have

It's a trick question. There is no right or wrong answer here because a house divided against itself cannot stand.

Peter was becoming "all things to all men." To those of the circumcision (the Jews) Peter played that card. To those of the uncircumcision Peter was playing that card too. Peter was just playing a hand from Paul's own playbook, but Paul disagreed with the approach Peter took.

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 KJV
19For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 20And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 21To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. 22To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

 

[Runningman]

My apologies, this isn't making any sense. So I don't have anything else to say.

Okay just do what makes you feel most comfortable. I'm here if you change your mind and want to talk.

 

[DavidTree]

For several years, something hit me in the head. It felt like someone threw a brick at me! It was like someone started annoying me and won't leave me alone!

The Bible seems to be saying that we Christians, have the same "Holy Spirit" that guides us in all truth. I heard a pastor say, that unbelievers can't understand the Bible because they don't have the Holy Spirit. And yet at another Church I met a guy who claimed that even before He became a Christian He knew the Bible better than most Christians, simply because He enjoyed reading a lot. He became a Christian, therefor God did get a hold of him! But according to that one pastor, it was backwards.

When I log into Christian forums, I see an awful lot of "interesting" views. I wonder, if everyone has the same "Holy Spirit" then why does all these views exist? Some of these views set me on edge. Because of all the different Bible teachings I have ever heard, I've never come across some of these ideas. And other thing. I do the best I can. I listen to an audio Bible while I work. I've been through the entire thing from Genesis to Revelation, probably 4 or 5 times, and some of these ideas never even entered in my mind once! So when I read them, I'm like where on earth are these ideas coming from? When I look at the provided scriptures, at first glance, it looks like people are reading in between the lines, or taking things out of context to form their views. But why on earth, anyone who has the "Holy Spirit" would do such a thing? I suppose we could have some wolves in sheep clothing, but then again, we would have an awful lot of self deceived people. Which would make it really hard to determine who is and who isn't deceived. Because people who are deceived, don't know they are the deceived. That is what deception is...

So I guess, I'm curious, why do you think "Spirit Filled" people are messing up so bad?

Below are just scripture verses that I found before I started writing this post.

John 14:26
26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Romans 8:26
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.

John 16:13
13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

1 Corinthians 12
4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

We are 2,000 years from the days of Christ and the Apostles and satan has been very busy establishing religions.
Many who claim to be christians are not truly saved - born again by the Spirit.
And many who are saved have not been baptized in the Holy Spirit, again because of false teaching and religion.
Thirdly, MOST christians follow a denomination and follow 'respect of persons' whereby the scripture is interpreted from a denominational emphasis.

If the Apostles were around today, most churches would throw them out.

Read what the LORD said to the seven churches in Revelation.
Read how the churches turned against the Apostle Paul.
satan keeps himself busy disrupting Truth by establishing many many religions even amongst christians.

 

[Amanuensis]

I hear you, but do you REALLY feel that someone who has the Holy Spirit needs Hermeneutics? And, what did we do [before] Hermeneutics was first established (in the 15th century)?

I MUST stand with what God says in His Holy Word, which is the following:

Jer 31:31-34 NLT - "The day is coming," says the LORD, "when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. This covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and brought them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant, though I loved them as a husband loves his wife," says the LORD. "But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day," says the LORD. "I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, 'You should know the LORD.' For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already," says the LORD. "And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins."

And:

Jhn 14:26 NKJV "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you."

I first began learning about Hermeneutics prior to receiving Spiritual Circumcision of Heart . . . and I am saying that during those days, I was NOT a saved Christian. But AFTER receiving the Powerful Indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and AFTER receiving the said Circumcision of Christ, that's when I completely abandoned all of that Hermeneutics stuff, and commentaries, that the Bible began to become reasonable and rational (to me).

Depend on the Spirit folks, for your Spiritual education . . . leave manmade ideas behind like broken luggage.

No one has to read a book on hermeneutics in order to be doing it. It comes naturally. Or I should say if one is literate and can read they are already practicing most of the rules of interpretation (which is all that hermeneutics means).

It is pretty much impossible to abandon hermeneutics and make sense of a sentence in the bible.

You have to know what the author was talking about and read the context in order to know that you are interpreting it correctly. That is hermeneutics. The rule of context. You can't abandon it.

It is no more "man's way" than translating from Greek to English is "mans' way" which is also a rule of hermeneutics, analyzing the text in the original language to ensure that the translation into English conveys the same meaning it would have to the original speaker or Greek reader.

The Spirit was behind using these men to write in Koine Greeek (NT example) and therefore understanding Koine Greek when translating to English is a SPIRIT lead endeavor.

The Spirit does not tell us to understand a text in a way that it would be impossible for the author to have intended when he wrote it. Another rule of hermeneutics "discovering authorial intent"

Hermeneutics is just a word to reference all the common sense rules one should be using when interpreting scripture, something that people can do without knowing the word hermeneutics.

So yes, you can understand the bible without knowing what the word hermeneutics means, but you can't understand the bible without using these reading comprehension rules that are involved in hermeneutics.

If someone did not do well in English class in High School or they dropped out and they make a mistake of misunderstanding the definition of an English word but they don't ever reference commentaries they can misinterpret a sentence and think and teach something that the author never intended. If they had referenced a commentary or two they would have discovered their obvious mistake.

Are we going to say that the Spirit will show them when they are making simple mistakes like this and they don't have to use a dictionary to discover it on their own? I don't think that is correct. People are responsible to do the due diligence of research to make sure their interpretations are correct and one easy way to discover if they have misunderstood an English word is to reference a dictionary or a commentary or two.

Like I said, the most common reason people come up with the wrong interpretation, is that they did not discover what the author intended which could have been done by following a few common sense rules. Or ... Hermeneutics. (which is just more concise way of saying all of that. lol)

 

[SomeDisciple]

Peter was becoming "all things to all men." To those of the circumcision (the Jews) Peter played that card. To those of the uncircumcision Peter was playing that card too. Peter was just playing a hand from Paul's own playbook, but Paul disagreed with the approach Peter took

If only that were true. Peter was fearful of those of the circumcision- he was not walking in the Spirit.

 

[Runningman]

If only that were true. Peter was fearful of those of the circumcision- he was not walking in the Spirit.

Your interpretation strips apostle Peter of the Holy Spirit and mine doesn’t. Big red flag you’re under deception.

 

[Amanuensis]

If only that were true. Peter was fearful of those of the circumcision- he was not walking in the Spirit.

Yes, the text is very clear.

@Runningman, I am shocked. Are you really saying Paul was wrong here and that Peter was innocent of these charges? I just don't believe you really believe that. It's way too bizarre. You can't possibly believe it in your heart. You must be just saying stuff to provoke conversation. Tell me you aren't that far off the beaten path of common sense interpretation?

11When Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. 13The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.