Whose Interpretation of the Bible is Correct?

All theology and church history is scripture interpretation. Some believers like the Catholics believe that theology is only possible within the communion of the church and in subjection to the church's norm of the church's living tradition (Kasper, 6). Historical recording and interpretation of experience whether they be recorded within the canon of Biblical writings or other historical writings all contribute to scriptural understanding. Many rules of faith were lived out in the church before dogma were defined and before rules and regulations were actually formulated.

The divine nature of God is not "an image formed by the art and thought of man" (Acts 17:29). Paul stated, "I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ." (Gal 1:12). The Bible itself is not the only revelation, it is not even an infallible record of or witness to revelation. "We are all agreed that theology must keep in close touch with its Biblical sources, but to try to exclude non-Biblical categories is absurb" (Macquarrie, 11). There are many places within the Bible, such as the book of Jude, which make reference to other noncanonical works, such as the Book of Enoch.

Clariity of scripture has always been a concern. It was hoped the Bible would not contradict itself - it does. It was hoped that any interpretation would be according to its literal translation and meaning, but whose? Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic? It goes beyond the literal meaning of the text to what the reader is clearly understanding within their framework of experience as well. Grammatical construction, historical context, as well as philosophical background all need to factor into interpretation. Theology is always part of a particular culture, time and geographical area. Consciously or unconsciously, "it will be guided by the prejudices of the culture and region, and by specific interests and concerns that play a part there" (Kasper, 12).

Martin Luther did not confine his theology to a single text (Luther, 473) and stated, "no fixed rule for the interpretation of the Word of God, since the Word of God, which teaches freedom in all other matters, must not be bound" (Luther, 593).

Christians must handle accurately the Word of Truth (2 Tim 2:15). When Paul reasoned with the Bereans, he encouraged them to search the Scriptures to see that he was telling the truth well aware of the differences in interpretations between the different factions. The church was told to avoid vain philosophies and arguing over the text (Col 2:8) and many times the interpretations were given to us by angels (Luke 1:26) or prophets (Eph. 3:2-11). There are many theological sources one can draw from such as literature, art, the historical lives of the saints, teachings by church leaders, non-canonical documents such as the apocrypha and pseudopigrapha as well as the community of believers' experience as a whole.

Language itself can limit the possibility of understanding experience since it is difficult to put into words sometimes what one is feeling or has experienced. Plurality of faith makes it imperative that the church keep an open mind as to interpretation of text, but yet hold fast to the importance of tradition and wisdom down through time. The Holy Spirit acting upon the church helps it to arrive at authoritative "norms" for the Christian community (Sanks, 113). People may change, laws may change, cultures may change, but the Holy Spirit and the truth, wisdom and constancy that the Holy Spirit imparts do not change. Whose interpretation is correct? That which is good, true, honest, compassionate, reasonable, rational, constant, kind and in harmony with the Bible both Old and New Testaments and with one's own experience. Faith which is based primarily on feelings, mob or majority mentality, that which is incoherent, unreasonable and dogmatic most likely are not correct. But the surest sign is to watch that the Holy Spirit (and that includes Old Testament Holy Spirit) have major emphasis in the tradition and/or if the authentic and original Bible are taken seriously (this would be the same texts the ancients relied upon). If these two elements have been altered to a high degree or dismissed, the faith tradition would probably be in error.

All faith traditions are important and remember the majority of the world's population may not believe the same way that you do! I believe it is imperative that everyone look into the teachings of various other religions to better understand their own. However, once a personal commitment has been made based upon truth and experience, you will need all the courage, confidence and conviction necessary to hold fast through these turbulent times we live in.

TEXTS CITED

Kasper, Walter, Theology and the Church, NY: Crossroads, 1989.
Lull, T. "The Freedom of a Christian," Martin Luther's Basic Theological Writings, Minn. MN: Fortress, 1989.
Macquarrie, John, Principles of Christian Theology, 2nd Edition, NY: Scribner, 1977.
Sanks, T. Howland, "The Church: Context for Theology," Faithful Witness: Foundations of Theology for Today's Church, NY: Crossroad, 1989.
Van Harvey, The Historian and the Believer, NY: Macmillan, 1966.