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by ImNotAnonymous-COAT of Maestro-ness on September 16th, 2008

ImNotAnonymous-COAT of Maestro-ness

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How can a person "interpret" the bible? Doesn't the act of interpretation eventually include adding new information to what is being interpreted? And isn't adding information to the bible distorting the word of god?

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Answers. 7 helpful answers below.

  • by The Chief on September 17th, 2008

    The Chief

    Just a little basics on communications here:

    EVERYTHING you receive as information is filtered by your own experiences and knowledge. You cannot avoid this. So by definition, every bit of information you hear or read is interpreted by you as it passes through those personal filters.

    It doesn't matter what the subject is...Bible, Shakespere, Movie, Baseball game, watching what's happening as you walk down the street...you interpret everything like this.

    'nuff said.

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  • by iwnit on September 17th, 2008

    iwnit

    1) If you consider the Bible as the word of God, you are probably already distorting it in the moment where you are reading it, because various people will certainly understand it in various manners.


    2) "Exegesis (from the Greek ἐξηγεισθαι 'to lead out') involves an extensive and critical interpretation of an authoritative text, especially of a holy scripture, such as of the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, the Talmud, the Midrash, the Qur'an, etc. Exegesis also is used to describe the elucidation of philosophical and legal texts.

    One may encounter the terms exegesis and hermeneutics used interchangeably; however, there remains a distinction. An exegesis is the interpretation and understanding of a text on the basis of the text itself. A hermeneutic is a practical application of a certain method or theory of interpretation, often revolving around the contemporary relevance of the text in question."
    Source and further information:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exegesis

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  • by no_one_special on September 17th, 2008

    no_one_special

    A person interprets the bible with scriptural harmonious reasoning. 2Timothy 3:16,17 tells us exactly that the bible is the final word on theological discussions. Interpreting may lead to adding new information, however this can be checked with and through the scriptures. And yes adding to the word of God is not permissible. NO church can override what the bible says because if you believe the bible is God's thoughts, then you can not change his thoughts.

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  • by ImaCatholic2 on September 17th, 2008

    ImaCatholic2

    Good question.

    For we write you nothing but what you can read and understand, and I hope that you will understand completely, as you have come to understand us partially, that we are your boast as you also are ours, on the day of (our) Lord Jesus. (2 Corinthians 13-14)

    Paul's second letter to the Corinthians was written about 57 C.E. All of the Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, and Revelation were written after Paul's letter and may or may not apply to this statement. And Paul would never have included the Old Testament in this instruction.

    The verse from 2 Corinthians would only be applicable to the documents that Paul and the other Apostles had written up to that time.

    The Jews had centuries of Holy Scripture interpretation by the priests and rabbis.

    In Acts 8:27-39: Philip asks the Ethiopian reading the prophet Isaiah, "Do you understand what you are reading?" The Ethiopian replied, "How can I, unless someone instructs me?"

    The original readers of the Epistles also knew Greek and all the slang and idioms used in their time. They knew (and lived) the culture, politics, and habits of everyday life of the first century C.E.

    If I knew the original languages in which the Bible were written, namely Hebrew, Greek, and a little Aramaic, archeology, and theology then maybe I would not need the Church to help me.

    The Catholic Church can also delve into the riches of almost 2,000 years of constant Bible study by the most intelligent and spiritual people of each generation. Why would I want to throw this treasure away?

    Translations are also an issue. Something is always lost in translation, no matter how good, how new, or how beautiful a translation is.

    On a practical note, being able to keep an eye on the big picture has kept the Catholic Church together for almost 2,000 years with currently over 1.1 billion living believers.

    Non-Catholic Christian Churches that interpret the Bible any way they wish keep splintering off each other to the point that there are now well over 10,000 non-Catholic Christian denominations.

    With love in Christ.

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  • by the artist formerly known as triorion on September 17th, 2008

    the artist formerly known as triorion

    the Bible was written by man, so it already is an interpretation of the word of God. then it was translated and reinterpreted to fit english. then it was retranslated to fit modern english. what you read already is an interpretation of text that is largely thousands of years old. you have to take what you read with a grain of salt. people constantly interpret the Bible to fit the meaning they want it to...

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  • by Lori K still ignores stalkers and trolls on September 17th, 2008

    Lori K still ignores stalkers and trolls

    I think the Bible was meant to be a personal guide. At different times in my life, portions of it has meant different things to me. It's not adding or distorting, instead, it's taking away what you need.

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  • by sentry0352 on September 17th, 2008

    sentry0352

    The Bible is quite simple. If it says don't do it. Then don't do it. I.E. Thou shalt not kill...
    If it says do it. Then do it. I. E. Giving 10% tithe to the Church.

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