Expert: Brian Thompson - 3/24/2011

Question
QUESTION: I have been studying sacred texts recently and after some theological reading I have more questions than answers, I would like you help me understand your perspective please. (Personally I came from a Christian perspective upbringing).
The bible has to be interpreted in order to put it into action. From my understanding it is not possible to simply read the Bible and do what it says unaffected by outside influence.
(such as culture, dominating social and political ideologies, and personal, subjective perception and context )
The Book is open ended. No one has the objective pure exact truth. Interpretive decision have to made today about what it means to be a Christian
With this in mind,
1.   why do you follow a particular denomination or accept certain interpretation?

2.   If the Bible is not the final be-all-and-end-all on all controversy and must be interpreted. What obligations (physical actions) does a Christian have, once they have interpreted the will of God for righteous living/ actions?

3.   Is every interpretation of the Bible a valid interpretation?

4.   Biblical Interpretations of righteous lifestyle, actions and morals shapes diverse religious interrelations; What is your interpretation of how one should relate to other faiths,          do we learn from  and give merit to some of their wisdom even if it is not from the God of the Christian religion.

5.   How are boundaries or intervention point established for the extremes of religious interpretations  and application, when no one is objective? ( i.e. anti semetisism, apartheid, the inquisition and religious justification for the slave trade. )

6.   Could this ever justify a Holy just war?

7.   And finally how literally should on interpret the Bible?
Thank you for assisting in my understanding
With all due respect,
Jeremy Hutton (17).

ANSWER: Hi Jeremy

Let me first say I find your question somewhat long and a little argumentative. I have no clear idea of the perspective you are coming from or whether this is some form of religious course assignment

1. why do you follow a particular denomination or accept certain interpretation?

I follow the path I do because of personal experience and confirmation through Scripture

2. If the Bible is not the final be-all-and-end-all on all controversy and must be interpreted. What obligations (physical actions) does a Christian have, once they have interpreted the will of God for righteous living/ actions?

I regard Scripture as the final arbitur. What is stated in Scripture is clear for those who seek guidance and not just confirmation of their own will. Therefore I place Scripture above tradition. The requirements for righteous living are obvious in Scripture. They do not need augmentation

3. Is every interpretation of the Bible a valid interpretation?

Obviously not. This is why we are given the Holy Spirit as Counsellor. The head of every man is Jesus, we need no intermeditary

4. Biblical Interpretations of righteous lifestyle, actions and morals shapes diverse religious interrelations; What is your interpretation of how one should relate to other faiths,          do we learn from  and give merit to some of their wisdom even if it is not from the God of the Christian religion.

I find no reason to consult other faiths when deciding what a Christian response should be. Why listen to those who don't have the truth when you already know you have the truth?.

5. How are boundaries or intervention point established for the extremes of religious interpretations  and application, when no one is objective? ( i.e. anti semetisism, apartheid, the inquisition and religious justification for the slave trade. )

I find no justification in Scripture for any of these attitudes. Therefore such extreme views are to be opposed

6. Could this ever justify a Holy just war?

We as Christians are not required to engage in a Holy? war. God has made it plain he needs no defense. The crusades in the middle ages were a foolish exercise


And finally I believe the Bible is to be interrpreted literally even though many examples are figurative. The meaning is clear

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thank you,

I appriaciate the answers and the time that you have given  
MY goal in this was trying to establish the multiplicity
of perspectives and where i sit amounst them

I appologies if the questions seemed a little argumentative
2 of the questions were for a Study of religion assignment however grades were by
no means my intention, all of the questions asked came out of my search for understanding
Your answers were helpful in directing me in your perspective i have followed up several of
your answers and tend to agree with your views

Answer
hello again

I urge you the press in and study the Word seeking the inspiration of the Holy Spirit for intrepretation. religion is not what this is about, it is relationship. We will not be measured by what we know but by how we have related to Jesus