What The Bible Says Depends On Individual Interpretation
The word interpretation means to explain the meaning of
Two of the most ridiculous claims I have ever heard is what the Bible teaches depends on how it is interpreted, and one person's interpretation of Scripture is just as legitimate as anyone else's.
Certainly everyone is entitled to interpret passages from the Bible whichever way they choose however, but just because you think the passage means this or that does not mean you are correct.
Why not?
Simply because the meaning of every single Biblical passage was determined by the original author. Therefore, "interpretation" has to be strictly limited to the meaning that the writer intended to convey thus it is our responsibility as readers to discover what that meaning is. In other words need to draw the meaning out of the text (exegesis) rather than superimposing a meaning onto the text (eisogesis).
This is especially important because the God of the universe was the ultimate author - His thoughts, plans, commands etc. conveyed by His written word.
Not a good idea to treat His words recklessly or irresponsibly.
Unfortunately, even orthodox Christians tend to interpret Biblical passages according to preconceived ideas even adding in words to make their case. The list is a very long one.
See Authorship of The Bible
Impossible to explain by purely human methods
See Critical Misinterpretations and Mistranslations of Biblical Texts
Some of the interpretations are as far fetched as it comes - especially the ones New Agers and Spiritualists come up with.
Esoteric Interpretations of Biblical Passages
Here are some examples of how some have tried to find the hidden spiritual meanings of Bible verses especially when it comes to Jesus' teachings. In other words they interpret Scripture 'esoterically'.
David Spangler, an American spiritual philosopher and self-described "practical mystic" is considered one of the founding figures of the modern New Age movement. He helped to define and organise the spiritual curriculum of the Findhorn Foundation in Scotland then became the spiritual director of the Lorian Association in Issaquah, Washington.
In his book The Laws of Manifestation he wrote that when Jesus said, "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness" (Matthew 6:33) the Savior was teaching His disciples to seek "the state of identification with one's true individuality, the source within, the Divine center, that I AM THAT I AM"? [01]
Elizabeth Clare Prophet, Church Universal and Triumphant leader interprets Jesus' statement "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me" (Matthew 11:29) to mean he was teaching His listeners to "take my consciousness of my sacred labor, my Christhood bearing the burden of world karma...and learn of my Guru, the Ancient of Days"? [02]
Mary Baker Eddy Christian Science founder argues that when Moses composed the creation account in Genesis he intended that the name Adam represents a dam (as in the dam at Niagara Falls) that "stands for obstruction, error, even the supposed separation of man from God" [03]
See Section on The New Age
Isn't it strange that when we read any other written passage be it in a book, a magazine or a newspaper, or even hear someone make a statement the meaning of which is not entirely clear, we will usually think "I wonder what he or she meant by that". But, somehow we neglect to ask that question when it comes to the Bible - instead we proceed to impose our own ideas onto the text and the heck with what the original author meant to say.
As Douglas Groothuis professor of philosophy at Cornerstone University, so aptly points out - just try doing that with the IRS. (Emphasis Mine)
You may, in fact, "interpret" the bright, large orb that irradiates the solar system as being a remarkably durable and powerful satellite constructed by Peruvian peasants in A.D. 300. You have a "right," so to speak, to interpret things that way; but that in no way makes your view correct. Your interpretation is either true or false; you are either right or wrong....
Having "your own interpretation" about the Bible does not, in itself, legitimate that interpretation as truth any more than "your interpretation" of your IRS return legitimates itself before the penetrating eyes of an income-tax auditor. He goes by "the book," not your book. The it's-my-interpretation cop-out may land you a big fine or even time behind bars (which no amount of creative interpretation will dissolve). [04]
If you as a Christian took a passage from one of the writings of the founders of another religion or from one of the many mystical texts floating around and made it sound like it supported orthodox Christianity, you would surely (and rightly) be accused of reading something into the text that it neither said nor implied.
But, as usual hen it comes to the Scriptures, what's sauce for the goose isn't sauce for the gander.
The End Purpose Of The Scriptures
The sole reason for the Scriptures is to offer mankind forgiveness for his sins which will keep him from being on the receiving end of Divine justice - And to offer him eternal life in a perfect world. Also the Scriptures clearly tell us what the consequences of not accepting His offer are.
See The Wrath of God, The Message of The Bible, The Warning of The Bible, Jesus' Primary Message,
Salvation,
Thus in order to clearly and coherently communicate this message the Father would have to use language in its literal and plain sense without any secret or hidden message behind the words. If we were to rely on esoteric interpretations everyone would come to different conclusions as to what He meant.
And that they do.
For example, Benjamin Creme and David Spangler have completely different understandings of Jesus' Second Coming,.
New Ager Benjamin Creme, for example, believes that references to the second coming of Christ in the New Testament point to the coming of a single individual known as Maitreya. [05]
Other New Agers, such as David Spangler, believe these same references point to an incarnation of the cosmic Christ in all of humanity, and are not fulfilled in a single individual. [06]
The point being that there is no way to tell whether Creme is correct, whether Spangler is, or whether they are both wrong.
However, a plain reading of Scriptures indicates that Christ Himself will physically and visibly return to earth in a dramatic event that will be seen by every single person living and dead. It is at this time He will separate the sheep from the goats i.e. those who have believed, followed, and kept His commandments from those who have not.
And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were watching, and a cloud took Him up, out of their sight. And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, then behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them, and they said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven." (Acts 1:9-11 NASB)
For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every person according to his deeds. (Matthew 16:27 NASB)
For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be. (Matthew 24:27 NASB)
behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. (Revelation 1:7 NASB)
In summary, we have a sacred responsibility to understand God's words correctly - for our own sakes.
Interpreting the Bible Literally
'Words say what words say'
When applied to the Bible, this phrase means we are to interpret the Scriptures very similarly to how we interpret any other literature. When questioned by the high priest about His teaching the Messiah replied
I have spoken openly to the world; I always taught in synagogues and in the temple area, where all the Jews congregate; and I said nothing in secret. (John 18:20 NASB)
He then told the high priest to ask those who have heard what I spoke to them - they know what I said." (V. 21).
Christ was clearly telling the high priest that He had said nothing in secret (i.e. there were no hidden meanings behind His words) thus His disciples took Him at His word and would clearly be able to tell everyone else what He said and meant.
We should also note ...
How Jesus Understood the Old Testament
There is no question that the Savior referred to several Old Testament events as literal occurrences. For example, He spoke of the following as historic facts.
The Creation of Adam and Eve
But from the beginning of creation, God created them male and female. "for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother, and the two shall become one flesh; so they are no longer two, but one flesh. (Mark 10:6-8 NASB)
The Flood and Noah's Ark
In Matthew 24 and Luke 17:26 Jesus told His disciples that His second coming would be preceded by conditions very like those that existed before the flood.
For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be.(Matthew 24:38-39 NASB) See Days of Noah
Sodom and Gomorrah
Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment, than for that city. (Matthew 10:15 NASB)
It was the same as happened in the days of Lot: they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, and they were building; (Luke 17:28 NASB)
Jonah And The Whale
In Matthew 12 He spoke of Jonah and the whale as a real life happening
But He answered and said to them, "An evil and adulterous generation craves a sign; and so no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah the prophet; for just as Jonah was in the stomach of the sea monster for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. "The men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation at the judgment, and will condemn it because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. (Matthew 12:39-41 NASB)
God's Commands
When He was thrice tempted by Satan in Luke 4, He responded by quoting Deuteronomy 8:2, 6:13 and 6:16 quite obviously taking them as God's authoritative commands.
He also told the Pharisees that it would be "easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one stroke of a letter of the Law to fail. (Luke 16:17 NASB)
Literary Genres
Just as we do not limit ourselves to one mode of expression, neither do the Scriptures.
The text often uses figures of speech. For example,
Psalm 36:7 says "... the sons of mankind take refuge in the shadow of Your wings"
Similarly, Jesus was emphasizing the seriousness of sin when He said, "if your right hand is causing you to sin, cut it off and throw it away from you (Matthew 5:30).
Besides which the Bible contains a variety of literary genres such as law, poetry, parables, history, prophecy, wisdom literature, epistles or letters to specific individuals or groups, and apocalyptic literature that warns of cataclysmic events. It is impossible to interpret the text accurately unless one recognizes what form is being used.
Here are some of the modes of expression used in the Bible.
Historical Narratives:
such as the exodus of Israel from Egypt are to be understood as literal events. In the New Testament Jesus' miracles of turning water into wine (John 2:1-11) the feeding of the 5,000 (Matthew 14:13-21) and his many miracles including raising the dead (John 1:1-17) are taken as literal events testified to by the disciples. See The Reliability of The New Testament
Poetry
The Psalms are Hebrew poetry and virtually all poetry is well known for its figurative language that is not meant to be taken literally but used to draw vivid mental images. For example, words are neither 'wind' as William Shakespeare said, nor is life a "box of chocolates" as bullets' as Forrest Gump (or his mother) did. Both expressions simply paint a colorful image of the thought being conveyed.
Besides which, the psalms are often expressions of emotions and must be read as such. So let's not get carried away when the Psalmist said he was "brought forth in iniquity" and conceived in sin.
See Original Sin.. Fact Or Fable? Filthy Rags and None That Seeketh?
Parables
are short, simple, colorful, and easily remembered stories used in the Bible to emphasize spiritual lessons. However, they have to be rightly interpreted which means they have to be in harmony with other teachings. (An outstanding example of a parable being completely misinterpreted is the one our Lord told about The Rich Man and Lazarus. Since people do not go to heaven or hell based on their financial status we know that the parable is not literal. (Sadly, the traditional interpretation uses preconceived ideas to decide that certain parts of the story are literal).
Wisdom literature
is a collection of a short pithy instructive sayings that often employs metaphorical and poetic language that cannot be understood as straightforward teachings.
Apocalyptic literature
with its generous use of some often really bizarre symbolism often presents the most challenges. For example, the "beast" with ten horns and seven heads that rises from the sea in Revelation 13:1 is not a literal creature but describes the rise of the final world empire.
See A Dragon and Two Beasts
Although Daniel's and John's visions occurred centuries apart, the first beast seen by John was a composite of the four seen by Daniel, but particularly shared the characteristics of Daniel's fourth beast.
See Overview of Revelation
General Principles of Biblical Interpretation
1.) The Author's Intention.
As said earlier interpretation must be based on the author's intended meaning and not the reader's . One method of determining the author's exact meaning is by paying close attention to the context.
2.) Interpret It Literally (As far as possible)
You have to understand every passage literally - just as you would understand any other literary work. That is take the plain meaning of the text at face value.
However, when a literal interpretation does not make sense you are are probably looking at a figure of speech. that are colorful expressions (It's raining cats and dogs anyone?) Biblical examples include,
Genesis 4:10 has God telling Cain that the voice of his brother's blood is crying to Me from the ground.
Psalm 65:13 says the valleys shout for joy and sing
Psalm 98:8 says "Let the rivers clap their hands, Let the mountains sing together for joy "
Similarly, the New Testament depicts wisdom as having children (Luke 7:35) , creation groaning (Romans 8:22), righteousness speaking ((Romans 10:6), water and blood testifying, 1 John 5:7-8) etc.. etc.
3.) Do NOT Ignore The Immediate And Broader Context
Every sentence in the Bible is part of a paragraph; every paragraph is part of a book; and every book is part of the whole of Scripture. In other words, no single verse in the Bible is standalone but has an immediate and a broader context.
The immediate context is the surrounding paragraphs that should always be taken into consideration.
"Interpreting a text apart from its immediate context is like trying to make sense of a Rembrandt painting by looking at only a single square inch of the painting, or like trying to analyze Handel's "Messiah" by listening to a few short notes. The immediate context is absolutely critical to a proper understanding of individual Scripture texts. [07]
The broader context is the whole of Scripture simply because the Bible is a cohesive whole. In other words, the interpretation of a specific passage must not contradict the total teaching of Scripture.This because "each of the Biblical writers wrote within the larger context of previous biblical teaching. And they all assumed that all of Scripture -- though communicated through human instruments -- had one Author (God) who didn't contradict Himself (2 Pet. 1:21). [08]
Sound doctrine cannot be based on isolated proof texts (a verse here, and a verse there), but has to be based on the total teaching of Scripture.
Also See Context is CRUCIAL
4.) Interpret Difficult Passages By Clear Ones
To put it simply - the Bible is God's word thus cannot contradict itself. No doctrine can be based on an isolated and obscure passage but has to be in complete harmony with other passages.
Jesus and His Parables
Jesus' often taught using parable that, as said earlier, are short, simple, colorful, and easily remembered stories used to emphasize spiritual lessons. This fact is often used to disprove the idea that Jesus' teachings were open and clear.
But perhaps we should let the Savior tell us why He used parables.
In Matthew 13 after Jesus told the parable of the sower, the disciples " came up and asked why He spoke to the crowd in parables. His reply
To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted. For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him. "Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. (Matthew 13:11-13 NASB)
There are two questions to be asked - why were the parables Jesus told so designed that believers could understand His teaching but unbelievers could not? And what did Jesus mean by the word mysteries?
Only Believers Would Understand His Teaching
Jesus' reply to the question the disciples put to Him was largely a quote from Isaiah.
And He said, "Go, and tell this people: 'Keep on listening, but do not understand; And keep on looking, but do not gain knowledge.’ "Make the hearts of this people insensitive, Their ears dull, And their eyes blind, So that they will not see with their eyes, Hear with their ears, Understand with their hearts, And return and be healed." (Isaiah 6:9-10 NASB)
In both Isaiah's and Christ's time (indeed throughout history) people did what people often do i.e. they close their eyes to the truth. The disciples who had willingly accepted Jesus' message had been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven which is why Jesus followed up what He said by explaining the parables of the sower and the parable of the weeds to them.
However, the parable concealed truth from those who continually rejected Jesus' teachings. They would see but not see, hear but not hear, and certainly would not understand (V. 13)
As perfectly said by Scottish theologian William Barclay
The parable conceals truth from those who are either too lazy to think or too blinded by prejudice to see. It puts the responsibility fairly and squarely on the individual. It reveals truth to him who desires truth; it conceals truth from him who does not wish to see the truth."
As Jesus went on to tell the disciples
But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. For truly I say to you that many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. (Matthew 13:16-17 NASB)
Note the blind eyes and deaf ears expression was first used in Deuteronomy,
Yet to this day the LORD has not given you a heart to know, nor eyes to see, nor ears to hear. (Deuteronomy 29:4 NASB)
About this verses commentator Adam Clarke wrote "some read this verse interrogatively: And hath not God given you a heart, etc.?" which has to be an accurate understanding because a verse in the very next chapter reads thus
If only they had such a heart in them, to fear Me and keep all My commandments always, so that it would go well with them and with their sons forever! (Deuteronomy 5:29 NASB)
See Calvinism
It is a tragedy of immense proportions that so many are ready to defend the reformed position at all costs - even if it means throwing out Biblical truth
Mysteries?
the word 'mystery' usually means something that is not fully understood or that baffles or eludes the understanding; an enigma. However, in the Scriptures, it means something revealed that was previously hidden. For example until Cornelius none of he apostles had the slightest idea that the Gentiles would be given the Gospel. The Berean Study Bible puts it very clearly
To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27 BSB)
There were many other 'mysteries' in Scripture - things that were once unknown but now revealed
Behold, I am telling you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, (1 Corinthians 15:51 NASB)
and pray in my behalf, that speech may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, (Ephesians 6:19 NASB)
but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then the mystery of God is finished, as He announced to His servants the prophets. (Revelation 10:7 NASB)
In Closing
Jesus said the words that He spoke are spirit and life. Only those that believe in Him have the right to become children of God and will not be judged.
1.) But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name, (John 1:12 NASB)
2.)The one who believes in Him is not judged; the one who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. (John 3:18 NASB)
3.)Truly, truly, I say to you, the one who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. (John 5:24 NASB)
4.) It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh provides no benefit; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit, and are life. (John 6:63 NASB)
Jesus' life-giving invitation is extended to everyone - as He said His words are spirit and life.IF taken at face value. However, putting our own spin on what He said will result in out being judges and condemned to eternal death.
Think carefully - your eternal destiny is at stake.
End Notes
[01] David Spangler, The Laws of Manifestation (Forres, Scotland: Findhorn Publications, 1983), 23-24. As quoted in Esotericism and Biblical Interpretation by Ron Rhodes. https://www.ronrhodes.org/esotericism-and-biblical-interpretation
[02] Mark L. Prophet and Elizabeth Clare Prophet, The Lost Teachings of Jesus 3: Masters and Disciples on the Path (Livingston, MT: Summit University Press, 1988), 273-74. As quoted in Esotericism and Biblical Interpretation by Ron Rhodes. https://www.ronrhodes.org/esotericism-and-biblical-interpretation
[03] Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures (Boston: The First Church of Christ, Scientist, 1971), 338. As quoted in Esotericism and Biblical Interpretation by Ron Rhodes.
https://www.ronrhodes.org/esotericism-and-biblical-interpretation
[04] Douglas Groothuis, Confronting the New Age. Publisher - Wipf and Stock (January 4, 2010) Pg. 86.
[05] Benjamin Creme, The Reappearance of the Christ and the Masters of Wisdom (Los Angeles: Tara Press, 1980), 48, 55.
[06] David Spangler, Reflections on the Christ (Forres, Scotland: Findhorn Publications, 1981), 86.
[07] Esotericism and Biblical Interpretation by Ron Rhodes.
https://www.ronrhodes.org/esotericism-and-biblical-interpretation
[08] ibid.
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