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How Can We Understand The Bible Correctly?
The fact that there are so many different interpretations of various scriptures is a major source of division among “Bible believers.” Why is this? An increasingly popular answer and “solution” is the notion that most of what the Bible teaches (AKA doctrine) is not really important anyway and so it doesn’t matter. Everyone should just “agree to disagree.”
This popular philosophy is a superficial solution because it only ignores the problem. This then creates another problem when it comes to Bible study: people don’t. If it doesn’t really matter, then why bother? The result is a divided and ignorant religion. Hardly a solution. Furthermore, Jesus Himself said that we cannot separate doing God’s will from knowing concerning the doctrine (read John 7:17).
We have dealt with this question several times over the last two years in this paper (the publication that this was originally printed in, jlp). We have done so because it is one of those basic problems which must be solved if TRUE Christianity is to be found and practiced. Again we point out that blame for this problem cannot be placed on the Bible for it was written to be understood (read Ephesians 3:1-6). Nor can we rest in ignorance for to acknowledge that the Bible is the Spirit-inspired Word of God is to admit the necessity for all of us to become students of it. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Romans 8:14).
Of course many today who read such passages say, “See, Bible understanding is not important, all you need is for the Spirit to lead you!” Do they know how the Spirit leads us? God has not left us to our own assumptions.
Paul, in the same letter in which he affirmed that we have to read what he wrote to understand the mystery of Christ, says the following: “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil...Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth,...and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ...taking ...the sword of the Spirit, WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD” (read Ephesians 6:10-17).
Knowing then that Bible knowledge is essential, we are back to our question, worded in a positive way, “How can I correctly interpret the Bible?” Our method of Bible study and the tools we use to aid our study are no doubt among the areas which need to be addressed. But our attitude perhaps more greatly effects our understanding of God’s word than anything else. This is clearly demonstrated in the scriptures.. By Kevin Sulc
