Talking Scripture with Protestants

[JRKH]

Another point to keep the thread on topic is…How can you talk Scripture with someone who believes he/she can interpret Scripture however it pleases them? When I started a Bible Study, I always ask for a priest or deacon to be there. By doing so, it allows us to better understand the Scripture and not go off in a crazy direction or belief.

At a Protestant bible study this past summer, we read a verse in Matthew (I can’t remember the exact verse) and everyone had a different view of it. That is a wonderful example of why there are so many denominations.

While I understand your point - I think that the expression “however it pleases them” is a bit glib and unfair in many cases.
Most people are genuinely trying to correctly understand Scripture properly and the Sola Scriptura person no less than others. Most that I have talked with seek to use Scripture to support Scripture…So in the case that you describe above where a verse in Matthew has different interpretations, the protestant will start to look for other references relating in some way to the same subject - whatever it is.
Of course this is not always definitive because, as we know, we can often times find support for more than one position on a given matter.
But - I think it important to recognize that most protestants are not interpreting to “please themselves” but rather they are trying to understand and to be “convicted” in their conscience of the Truth of God.

Peace
James

 

[cheezey]

Another point to keep the thread on topic is…How can you talk Scripture with someone who believes he/she can interpret Scripture however it pleases them? When I started a Bible Study, I always ask for a priest or deacon to be there. By doing so, it allows us to better understand the Scripture and not go off in a crazy direction or belief.

At a Protestant bible study this past summer, we read a verse in Matthew (I can’t remember the exact verse) and everyone had a different view of it. That is a wonderful example of why there are so many denominations.

Did not God give us our own thoughts, though? The ability to think independently? Not necessarily act independently, but…Thinking brought us to this forum. Not agreeing or disagreeing, just wondering how that reconciles with the various Christian denominations.

 

[aidanbradypop]

While I understand your point - I think that the expression “however it pleases them” is a bit glib and unfair in many cases.
Most people are genuinely trying to correctly understand Scripture properly and the Sola Scriptura person no less than others. Most that I have talked with seek to use Scripture to support Scripture…So in the case that you describe above where a verse in Matthew has different interpretations, the protestant will start to look for other references relating in some way to the same subject - whatever it is.
Of course this is not always definitive because, as we know, we can often times find support for more than one position on a given matter.
But - I think it important to recognize that most protestants are not interpreting to “please themselves” but rather they are trying to understand and to be “convicted” in their conscience of the Truth of God.

Peace
James

I agree it may seem unfair in some cases but holds true in other cases as well. We know have the Queen James Bible, Bible for Him/Her, Bible for the teenage boy/girl…etc…etc. There are many translations out there to fit the interpretation of individuals of a certain faith. If they cannot find scirpture to back up there belief, they write it like Joesph Smith. Am I wrong?

Did not God give us our own thoughts, though? The ability to think independently? Not necessarily act independently, but…Thinking brought us to this forum. Not agreeing or disagreeing, just wondering how that reconciles with the various Christian denominations.

Many denominations have sprung up for certain interpretations of Scripture. Some were born from differences in doctrine also. Many of you know of Cabo on this forum. She believes Christ in not present in the Eucharist and it is merely symbolic but takes the 7 days of creation as literal. That is how different denominations arise from different interpretations. We can think our own thoughts as long as they do not contradict that of Church Teachings.