Expert: Charlie B - 3/21/2011

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
Jeremy,
Thanks for your questions.  Here's answers to your questions:

1. why do you follow a particular denomination or accept certain interpretation?  I grew up Protestant, but converted to Catholicism 15 years ago -- the best decision that I ever made.  For me, it was not a large leap, rather a small one, actually.  

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?  The Magisterium of the Catholic Church -- the Vatican -- has helped interpret the Bible for over 2,000 years.  Beyond that, you may discern for yourself, yet we must all follow the 10 Commandments in our physical actions, through our word and thoughts in our minds.

3. Is every interpretation of the Bible a valid interpretation?  No.  Why is there 33,000+ dominations of the Protestant church?  Each one claims interpretative rights.. how come?

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.  The 2nd Vatican Council was clear on how we deal with other faiths.  See http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/interelg/documents/rc_pc_i...  Please take a moment to read it.

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. )  see above or clarify your question.

6. Could this ever justify a Holy just war?  Rarely, if not never.

7. And finally how literally should on interpret the Bible?  The Catholic Church provides your what-to-take literal and how to interpret Bible passages.  

God bless,
Charlie