Several Guides to the Interpretation of the Holy Bible
When we read the Holy Bible, we need to do so with a couple of guidelines in mind, that will help us to understand and enjoy it, and also to interpret it fairly and honestly.
We need to try to examine the accuracy of translation. This can be difficult to try and do because the majority of us aren’t familiar with the original languages of Hebrew and Greek. We may analyze a large number of translations and scholarly commentaries and thereby arrive at the thoughts and opinions of men of learning. Our only other check is our own practical wisdom and the inspiration we can request and receive from God.
We should read each book within the Bible as a separate book, seeking to discover what we are able to regarding the people, author, language, and circumstances of the day. This we can do by studying a good quality Bible commentary and by looking at the finest historical works on the topic. Frequently the latter are not as prejudiced and more fair than books written and published by churches. The small book of Amos, for example, is considerably richer in meaning when we understand that Amos lived in the Eighth Century B.C. in Judea and traveled north to the Kingdom of Israel during a time when Israel was enjoying a post-war prosperity and they were self-righteous, shallow, and hypocritical in their “religious living.”
We ought to bear in mind the Spirit and emphasis on Jesus Christ. Christians, who view Jesus Christ as the great teacher, revelator of the father, the Son of God, and their Redeemer and Savior, are wise to ensure his life and teaching normative for their own interpretations of religion and scripture. He fulfilled and thereby did away with a lot of things found in the Old Testament. However, other principles he solidly affirmed and strengthened.
We need to have his concept of man and God in mind while we study all scripture. Whenever we come across ideas which appear to oppose his Spirit and teachings within the scriptures, we simply cannot accept them for ourselves and live by them. Either our interpretation is wrong, or there is an error of translation, or there’s a teaching adapted to individuals of unique needs, circumstances, or understanding, or there’s some other sort of human limitation in the picture. Great fundamentals of religion are located in the Bible, including the Gospel of Christ. The Gospel, although contained in the Bible, is greater than the Book. So to interpret all passages in the Bible we must use the Gospel as our foundation.
We ought to keep in mind the rich imagery and poetic character of Biblical writers. Even Jesus chose strong figures of speech to get across a great religious truth. He said, for example, “Ye are the salt of the earthYe are the light of the worldYe serpents, ye generation of vipersO Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets” The spiritual teaching implied in these sayings should be taken literally, but not always the figure of speech that makes the teaching remembered.
We should study the scriptures with humility, prayerfully seeking inspiration from God as we read. If they were written by men of God according to his inspiration, definitely the same sort of mindset is needed by the reader and by the student if he is to obtain what went into their writing. When we read poetry, we do it in a poetic mood, with thought as well as feeling, seeking the mood of the poem. Much scripture is also poetic and can’t be appreciated except with feeling, with hope, and with a want to worship. The Bible is not a treatise in philosophy, nor a scientific textbook, nor a scholarly, thoroughgoing historical chronicle, nor even a text in theology. It is a profoundly religious and moral work, seeking to instruct Israel and all men the way to serve and worship God and how to deal fairly and considerately with the rest of God’s children.
If you would like to find out more about the Bible and how God helps his children, or if you are interested in buying a bible of your own, check out some of Jeff’s other articles. He has written much more about the bible and how and what questions to ask if you are thinking about buying a bible


May 24, 2011
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Posted by Jeff Commerford
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