Personal interpretation?

[kellyb32]

Please can someone direct me somewhere that I can find an easy explaination of why personal interpretation of scripture is dangerous and frowned upon by early Christians. I know there is someplace in the bible that touches on this, but I think it’s in regards to personal interpretation of prophecy.

My SIL is one who thinks that because we have been given the Holy Spirit, He will lead us into all truth and even though I asked her if that be the case why are there so many divisions among churches about interpretation, she said that how do we know that the RCC hasn’t been wrong all this time

I know, I know…it was a cop out of an answer on her part but she wants to know where in the bible it says that we shouldn’t personally interpret what the scripture says and why we should believe the pope.

I told her that I would get the answer and then pass it along to her.

This started after we watched a program on the rapture from the Discovery channel. I asked her who she thinks is right, pre, mid or post tribulation teachers. She thinks mid, her mom thinks pre and the RCC leans more towards post tribulation but they don’t call it that, at least that much I know.

Thanks for any help!

 

[Lazerlike42]

You are thinking of 2 Peter 1:20 - “knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation.”

Two important points. First, remember something: what Peter means by “prophecy” is not what people generally take it to mean today. Today, the word ‘prophecy’ is used to refer to predictions of the future. However, the Biblical meaning of ‘prophecy’ is simply some message of God’s. A prophet, in biblical language, is someone who delivers God’s word to His people. When Peter says no ‘prophecy of scripture’, he means ‘no message of God of scripture.’ Every teaching in scripture is a ‘prophecy’, properly speaking.

Secondly, it is critically important to read verse 21. It seems as though so many Protestant interpretations are the result of stopping one verse too early. Someone once said, 'if you want to understand the Bible, read all those verses in between the ones you underlined." Verse 21 is important because it tells us why verse 20 is true. Verse 20 is the what, verse 21 is the why:

“For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

The reason that no prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation is because it is not simply the production of men, but it was God speaking through men. This is important because God had a purpose when He spoke through men. Each line of Scripture was delievered by God to teach a certain thing. The fact is that there is not only no private interpretation of Scripture, but properly speaking there is no interpretation of Scripture at all. Scripture says what it says. What it says is what God means. The point Peter is making is that ultimately, regardless of what interpretations people come up with, Scripture carries the meaning that God intended it to. Anything aside from that is simply wrong. In other words, even the true meaning of a passage is not interpretation, but rather it is fact.

So if Peter is saying we cannot privately interpret, then he is binding us to believe what God actually intends Scripture to say. The only way for us is to recieve the official teaching. This is exactly what happens in Acts chapter 8:

“30So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.”

2 Peter 3:15-16 also makes this point pretty plainly.

 

[Lazerlike42]

Also, take a look at this thing that I wrote to a Protestant once:

Lazerlike42:

So my question to you is this: In our world, we have thousands of different denominations of Christians. Let’s not worry about that though, and take only two. Let’s take Baptists and, oh the Salvationists, just to through in a weird (uncommon) one. Between those two, there are millions of Christians. There have got to be hundreds of thousands in each denomination who are really, truly commited to Christ, and really, truly seeking the truth. Buuuuttt let’s not worry about that. Let’s just take one person from each. I think it’s more than fair to say that there’s at least one person in each of these denominations who is really truly seeking God. Now we have a problem. These two denominations have some very different theological ideas. Baptists, for instance, would say you must be dunked in the creek to be baptised, whereas the Salvationists don’t even baptize at all.

So we know from what happens in our world that the interpretation that the Holy Spirit was promised to all believers to guide them into all truth is wrong. It contradicts what happens in our world. What happens in our world is the truth of God. It can’t be otherwise, or God either A) is a liar or B) does not exist. If you want to say that this interpretation is correct, you have a huge problem here, because the interpretation does not at all mesh with what really happens.

However, the Catholic interpretation is not contradicted by what really happens. Whenever the Catholic bishops have taught in union with one another, it has been the same. It has been protected and has not changed.

Ask yourself this, too. Have you ever changed your mind about a doctrine? Did you used to believe one thing, but believe something different now? If so, when did the Holy Spirit really guide you, and why didn’t He before?

 

[kellyb32]

Thank you very much for taking the time to answer me. I am glad for the help. God bless!

 

[Todd_Easton]

I mean no insult to your SIL but St. Peter said this against private interpretation of Sacred Scripture:
So also our beloved brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, 16speaking of this as he does in all his letters. There are some things in them hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other scriptures. (2 Peter 3:15-16)
Apollos was a man well-versed in Scripture, fervent in spirit, and with an accurate understanding of Jesus yet that alone did not provide him with a completely accurate understanding of way of God. Apollos needed others (Priscilla and Aquila) to expound to him the way of God more accurately:

24Now a Jew named Apol’los, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, well versed in the scriptures. 25He had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26He began to speak boldly in the synagogue; but when Priscilla and Aq’uila heard him, they took him and expounded to him the way of God more accurately. (Acts 18:24-26)

If you read Acts 15 you will see that when individual Christians disagree about matters of faith and morals, the Holy Spirit leads the Church to the truth through its ordained leadership, which in this case was through the Apostles and presbyters of Jerusalem.

 

[Daniel_Marsh]

II Peter 1
20Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. 21For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Hi Kelly, the 2 Peter 1:20 is used out of context and therefore us protestants simply laugh behind your back at your ignorance of scripture. If you want to understand 2 Peter 1:20 read the book of Daniel where dreams are given to the king and then God reveals the meaning of those dreams to Daniel. The 2 Peter 1:20, text is simply saying that revelation is from God, not from man. The text of 2 Peter 1:20 has nothing to do with a person interpretating scripture — it is related to the source of scripture. In fact Psalms 119, speaks of people hidding scripture in their hearts, thus interpretation of scripture.

2 Timothy 2:15
your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

Acts 17:11
Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

Deuteronomy 11:18
Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.

Psalm 49:3
My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the utterance from my heart will give understanding.

Psalm 119:11
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

Proverbs 16:21
The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction.

Proverbs 23:12
Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.

Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

Revelation 1:3
Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.

Joshua 1:8
Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Psalm 1:2
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Psalm 119:15
I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.

Psalm 119:23
Though rulers sit together and slander me, your servant will meditate on your decrees.

Psalm 119:27
Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders.

Psalm 119:48
I lift up my hands to your commands, which I love, and I meditate on your decrees.

Psalm 119:78
May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause; but I will meditate on your precepts.

Psalm 119:97
m Mem ] Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.

Psalm 119:99
I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes.

Psalm 119:148
My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises.

Each of these texts and many many many more encourage personal interpretation of scripture. The issue is not personal interpretation, the issue is poor intrepretation of scripture.

Basically, to make your case, simply point out the various understandings of scripture. And, ask how does one know which to follow? Our answer will not be based on following what we view as man-made authority of the pope. our answer will come from an intelligent use of hermeneutics. Trying to prove the Pope’s authority is simply ignored as proof texting and as poor interpretation of scripture.

If you are honestly interrested in understanding hermeneutics then I suggest the following books:

Exegetical Fallacies
Carson, D. A.

The Hermeneutical Spiral: A Comprehensive Introduction to Bibical Interpretation
Osborne, Grant R.

Old Testament Exegesis (T
Stuart, Douglas

Gospel and Spirit: Issues in New Testament Hermeneutics
Fee, Gordon D.

Protestant Biblical Interpretation: A Textbook of Hermeneutics
Ramm, Bernard

A Guide to Old Testament Theology and Exegesis
Van Gemeren, Willem A.

Scripture Twisting: 20 Ways the Cults Misread the Bible
Sire, James W.

 

[martino]

how do we know if our private interpretation is right?

what if our interpretation conflicts with another persons interpretation…how do we decide who is right?

does it matter if we are right and what is our obligation to those who we think have it wrong?

 

[Philthy]

kellyb32:

My SIL is one who thinks that because we have been given the Holy Spirit, He will lead us into all truth and even though I asked her if that be the case why are there so many divisions among churches about interpretation, she said that how do we know that the RCC hasn’t been wrong all this time

I know, I know…it was a cop out of an answer

Well you need to make sure she understands it is a cop out also and that if the two of you wish to have an adult conversation then valid questions need to be addressed ( rather than ignored) before moving on to other topics.
All the issues you will discuss with her center around one foundational issue: Who or What is your ultimate authority in matters of faith and morals? She will claim it is the bible, even though Scripture never says that. It says that “the CHURCH is the pillar and foundation of truth” 1 Tim 3:15 Her readiness to use the Bible as her authority indicates that she has already placed her trust in someone to provide her with the Bible. The bible does not identify its table of contents: they were determined by councils of the Catholic Church guided by the holy Spirit. You need to do some reading of your own on this, and I recommend you to to the Library section of the Catholic Answers.com homepage.

kellyb32:

but she wants to know where in the bible it says that we shouldn’t personally interpret what the scripture says and why we should believe the pope.

Not only doesnt it say that we shouldnt personally interpret, but it doesnt say that we should look to the Bible to find all our answers - in fact the term Bible isnt in the bible. Go do your reading - you have a lot to catch up on!

 

[Philthy]

Daniel Marsh:

II Peter 1
20Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. 21For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Hi Kelly, the 2 Peter 1:20 is used out of context and therefore us protestants simply laugh behind your back at your ignorance of scripture. If you want to understand 2 Peter 1:20 read the book of Daniel where dreams are given to the king and then God reveals the meaning of those dreams to Daniel. The 2 Peter 1:20, text is simply saying that revelation is from God, not from man. The text of 2 Peter 1:20 has nothing to do with a person interpretating scripture — it is related to the source of scripture. In fact Psalms 119, speaks of people hidding scripture in their hearts, thus interpretation of scripture.

Each of these texts and many many many more encourage personal interpretation of scripture. The issue is not personal interpretation, the issue is poor intrepretation of scripture.

Basically, to make your case, simply point out the various understandings of scripture. And, ask how does one know which to follow? Our answer will not be based on following what we view as man-made authority of the pope. our answer will come from an intelligent use of hermeneutics. Trying to prove the Pope’s authority is simply ignored as proof texting and as poor interpretation of scripture.

If you are honestly interrested in understanding hermeneutics then I suggest the following books:

Exegetical Fallacies
Carson, D. A.

The Hermeneutical Spiral: A Comprehensive Introduction to Bibical Interpretation
Osborne, Grant R.

Old Testament Exegesis (T
Stuart, Douglas

Gospel and Spirit: Issues in New Testament Hermeneutics
Fee, Gordon D.

Protestant Biblical Interpretation: A Textbook of Hermeneutics
Ramm, Bernard

A Guide to Old Testament Theology and Exegesis
Van Gemeren, Willem A.

Scripture Twisting: 20 Ways the Cults Misread the Bible
Sire, James W.

Take note: “laughing behind your back” is not a fruit of the holy Spirit - I would be careful to listen to anyone openly admitting that they are laughing at you.Yes, Kelly go carefully through all of these quotes and see where it says “the bible is your only infallible authority for faith and morals” - you wont find it. In addition, the quotes refer to the OT, not the NT. BTW, I do agree that the 1P quote is often taken out of context as referring to personal interpretation rather than the source of its inspiration. The unanswerable question remains: why are there so many interpretations and how, therefore, are we to know which is of the holy Spirit?

 

[kellyb32]

Thank you all for your help. I’m a former protestant myself and reverted back to the RCC in 2004 with my husband and at the time 3 children (now there are 4 babies )

It was because of the protestant churches we were in that I got a lot of biblical knowledge but it was also because of the protestant churches that we were in that caused me to look at the oldest Christian Church for the correct interpretation of that biblical knowledge.

If any protestants laugh behind my back for “lack” of knowing the scriptures, well so be it. They don’t realize that I know it’s in there somewhere but my mind is not as sharp as it was back when we started seeking the truth 6 years ago. I’ve been sleep deprived these last 5 years since I’ve had my 3 newest additions to my family. I’m not as quick to reply with the verses but always tell those who ask me about my faith that I will surely find the scripture that backs up the RCC teaching on a topic and let them know. I’ve never been one to remember chapter and verse to begin with but was usually able find things quickly when using my concordance and study bibles. Now it’s like my brain isn’t moving as fast as my eyes are when I scan through the bible looking for that particular verse and I miss things as a result. So I need a little bit of help at the moment.

Once the babies are older, sleeping soundly through the night and I am too, then I think I’ll be able to be more ready for these discussions again. :yawn: Until then I’m just downright tired and moving in 2 speeds…slow and stop.

So thank you for the book suggestions (something I will definetly utilize when I can read more) and thank you for the good words.

God bless!