Originally posted by galveston75Yes, of course. How can you know the meaning of the Bible except through interpretation? It is only a fundamentalist fantasy to view interpretation as corruption, as though to the fundamentalist, his immediate reading is a direct insight into the text without any interpretative activity on his part.
Is the Bible and it's messages open for our own interpretations? Can there be truth in all interpretations?
Originally posted by Conrau KBut the Bible says NOT to lean on our own interpretations or understandings. Correct? The reason for this thread is because as sincere as RJH is in his belief of the trinity, he really does little in the way of answering with absolute truth or fact. He makes comments many times that he thinks, or feels or assumes in his answers. Again I know he really believes what he says but is never conviencing with facts from the Bible such as with the trinity.
Yes, of course. How can you know the meaning of the Bible except through interpretation? It is only a fundamentalist fantasy to view interpretation as corruption, as though to the fundamentalist, his immediate reading is a direct insight into the text without any interpretative activity on his part.
I also know he belongs to a church but apparently they are not able to give factual answers to him on this subject.
2 Peter 1:20-21
Good News Translation (GNT)
20 Above all else, however, remember that none of us can explain by ourselves a prophecy in the Scriptures. 21 For no prophetic message ever came just from the human will, but people were under the control of the Holy Spirit as they spoke the message that came from God.
Proverbs 3:5
Amplified Bible (AMP)
5 Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.
1 Corinthians 1:10
Good News Translation (GNT)
Divisions in the Church
10 By the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ I appeal to all of you, my friends, to agree in what you say, so that there will be no divisions among you. Be completely united, with only one thought and one purpose.
Deuteronomy 12:8
New Century Version (NCV)
8 Do not worship the way we have been doing today, each person doing what he thinks is right.
So since we are not allowed to use our own understanding and perseption, how do we learn?
Originally posted by galveston75I think there are universal truths that are not open to debate that are taught through the bible. However some areas are grey and open to cultural and other interpretation.
Is the Bible and it's messages open for our own interpretations? Can there be truth in all interpretations?
I don't believe that the bible is inerrant at least the transmission of what we have today. I don't think God even cares or meant it to be that way. However I believe the message is inerrant. The message of God as the creator and redeemer of mankind is not open to debate. Think of this Abraham He did not have an old or new testament to read yet he knew God
Manny
Originally posted by galveston75Be all of these things in God but why take some blokes interpretation that works in Brooklyn New York over your own or anyone's ?
But the Bible says NOT to lean on our own interpretations or understandings. Correct? The reason for this thread is because as sincere as RJH is in his belief of the trinity, he really does little in the way of answering with absolute truth or fact. He makes comments many times that he thinks, or feels or assumes in his answers. Again I know he really be ...[text shortened]...
So since we are not allowed to use our own understanding and perseption, how do we learn?
Manny
Originally posted by menace71So as you say were are not supposed to take some blokes word, how do we learn?
Be all of these things in God but why take some blokes interpretation that works in Brooklyn New York over your own or anyone's ?
Manny
And as far as listening to blokes words, has that not what has been happening in all religions?
Originally posted by menace71So why are there gray areas and if they are gray, are they supposed to remain that way forever?
I think there are universal truths that are not open to debate that are taught through the bible. However some areas are grey and open to cultural and other interpretation.
I don't believe that the bible is inerrant at least the transmission of what we have today. I don't think God even cares or meant it to be that way. However I believe the message is in ...[text shortened]... nk of this Abraham He did not have an old or new testament to read yet he knew God
Manny
Originally posted by galveston75Example: Paul stating that women should cover their heads when in church. Grey area. Going to a building to worship or praying out in a field. Grey area. When and what foods men should eat. Grey area.
So why are there gray areas and if they are gray, are they supposed to remain that way forever?
Manny
PS: here the question to you? Why should we believe the Watchtower? Why are they the sole giver and interpreter of scripture?
Originally posted by galveston75So since we are not allowed to use our own understanding and perseption, how do we learn?
But the Bible says NOT to lean on our own interpretations or understandings. Correct? The reason for this thread is because as sincere as RJH is in his belief of the trinity, he really does little in the way of answering with absolute truth or fact. He makes comments many times that he thinks, or feels or assumes in his answers. Again I know he really be ...[text shortened]...
So since we are not allowed to use our own understanding and perseption, how do we learn?
But even that selection of quotes is an interpretation. I honestly cannot see what 1Corinthians 1.10 or Deuteronomy 12.8 have to do with the present discussion, but presumably you have inferred some relevant meaning.
Furthermore, those quotes you provided are translations and translations are also the products of interpretations. For the record, I strongly distrust those translations after consulting the original languages.
And just to preempt a misunderstanding, I am not advocating private interpretations. I do not believe that the importance of interpretation means 'anything goes' or 'think what you will'. I just believe that objective study of historical context, literary form, reception and so on, are essential to understanding what the Scriptures mean. Interpretation needn't equal schism or dissent.
