Understanding Scripture

[valentino]

Why is it that so many people have difficulty understanding scripture?Even most Catholicsknow that when they think they know the meaning of a passage of scripture questions can still arrive that they have no answers for.Even the clergy have disputes over scripture passages.

 

[TheGateway]

Because the Bible was written by dozens of men (if I say “authors”, I’ll get a “you’re wrong” answer) across dozens (??) of generations.

That, in addition to the Bible only recently being translated directly from the Aramaic and Greek texts directly into English or other common languages, as opposed to only from Greek to Latin… adds to some confusion, along with different sects of Christianity.

Different persons have different understandings based on a “sound bite” that appealed to them. For example, I like dropping the “Woe to you, scholars of law… for you have hidden the keys…” bit, due to the nature of my tangling with “the law”. I also have a few other favorites that explain how Christ was far different from what most people likely imagine Him to have been like. “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it.” Very good stuff when talking about Constitutional Rights that our society has forgotten.

Also, I can attribute the lack of understanding, considering the abundance of modern translations from original texts, to people who just don’t care, or are confused because the Christians of Old will not adapt to new “technologies” and “discoveries” in understanding discrepancies in translations. The “full of grace” bit is somewhat of an example. Catholics require this to be in the Bible, because of tradition, even tho it was never in Scripture. Some folks just don’t want the Truth.

If we really wanted to understand scripture, then we would. But most are too busy dealing with the troubles of modern day life to deal with “obsolete” knowledge. What would the point in that be? If only the CC promoted the translation that people are “most” likely to understand. One does exist.

 

[CountrySteve]

Why is it that so many people have difficulty understanding scripture?Even most Catholicsknow that when they think they know the meaning of a passage of scripture questions can still arrive that they have no answers for.Even the clergy have disputes over scripture passages.

i do alright when understanding Scripture, its just some people like to use there own interpretation and even when you point the info to some and it contradicts protestant beliefs they just dismiss it still, so much for sola scriptura or at least that’s how it is with the protestants i know

 

[Big_Dummy]

Each person is simply at different places in their walk with God, thus our understanding is limited to where we are. Also, our cultures we were raised in effects our reading as does our education level, even our political leanings play a part. And, who taught us what comes into play. A Jehovah’s Witness for example can read their translation of the Bible and come to the conclusion that Jesus is not God. Whereas, A Christian can read the scriptures and see clearly that Jesus is God, second person of the Trinity.

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

Because the Bible was written by dozens of men (if I say “authors”, I’ll get a “you’re wrong” answer) across dozens (??) of generations.

That, in addition to the Bible only recently being translated directly from the Aramaic and Greek texts directly into English or other common languages, as opposed to only from Greek to Latin… adds to some confusion, along with different sects of Christianity.

Different persons have different understandings based on a “sound bite” that appealed to them. For example, I like dropping the “Woe to you, scholars of law… for you have hidden the keys…” bit, due to the nature of my tangling with “the law”. I also have a few other favorites that explain how Christ was far different from what most people likely imagine Him to have been like. “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it.” Very good stuff when talking about Constitutional Rights that our society has forgotten.

Also, I can attribute the lack of understanding, considering the abundance of modern translations from original texts, to people who just don’t care, or are confused because the Christians of Old will not adapt to new “technologies” and “discoveries” in understanding discrepancies in translations. The “full of grace” bit is somewhat of an example. Catholics require this to be in the Bible, because of tradition, even tho it was never in Scripture. Some folks just don’t want the Truth.

If we really wanted to understand scripture, then we would. But most are too busy dealing with the troubles of modern day life to deal with “obsolete” knowledge. What would the point in that be? If only the CC promoted the translation that people are “most” likely to understand. One does exist.

The Bible was written by dozens of God inspired authors, united as one in the body of Christ, which is His Church That Church received the scriptures, along with the tradition and interpretations of what they had written. The same Church kept the scriptures, traditions and interpretations, through generation after generation, so that we have it today.

Understandings became different once the reformation occurred, through private interpretations of men without the Church’s influence. The reformation took place in the 1500s.

 

[bogeydogg]

The wonderful thing about Scripture is that while there are many things which are very hard to understand, the message that God loves all men and desires their salvation and provided a means by which men can be saved is clear.

And that is good news.

God Bless

 

[valentino]

Each person is simply at different places in their walk with God, thus our understanding is limited to where we are. Also, our cultures we were raised in effects our reading as does our education level, even our political leanings play a part. And, who taught us what comes into play. A Jehovah’s Witness for example can read their translation of the Bible and come to the conclusion that Jesus is not God. Whereas, A Christian can read the scriptures and see clearly that Jesus is God, second person of the Trinity.

I think that’s very good.

 

[valentino]

Could it also partly be that as time goes on with our new discoveries in science and in say things like the dead sea scrolls that we are still growing in our knowledge of Christ’s message?

 

[Crumpy]

Why is it that so many people have difficulty understanding scripture?Even most Catholicsknow that when they think they know the meaning of a passage of scripture questions can still arrive that they have no answers for.Even the clergy have disputes over scripture passages.

Why? …the usual reasons.

One of the big reasons is that the Hebrew language was limited and it had no dictionary available to help understand the text. Hebrew had no vowels or punctuation. It’s a guess which vowels to supply, as it affects what words result.

All we have is the text itself to try to figure out what somebody meant, when they were writing.

the meaning is very important, so people naturally ask questions to make sure they understand the text.

Practical reason: The clearest meaning seems to come from very deep investigations of the text in the original language. Everyone is not that skilled in doing that sort of thing.

There are different manuscripts that have variations in them.

The oldest text of the OT is not in Hebrew, but in Greek (the Septuagint). Some people just make the executive decision that the oldest Hebrew text is superior, but without any more backing than their hunch about it.

Different groups of people “go into” scripture looking to prove their own point of view and they use texts selectively, to bolster their position. For example, feminists tend to criticize verses which they find to be sexist (in their view),.

Some do not read the texts with faith, which is the first requirement.

etc. many things come to bear.