Common Misconceptions About The Bible
(Part 2)
by Rob Armstrong
Myth #2
Too Many Interpretations
“There are so many different interpretations of the Bible, there is no way of knowing which one is really right.”
Premise: There are many different interpretations of the Bible (there are different viewpoints about the meaning of passages in the Bible).
Conclusion: There is no way of knowing what the Bible really means.
While Myth #1 primarily focuses on the accuracy and reliability of translating the Bible from one language to another, Myth #2 is primarily focused on the interpretation or meaning of what the Bible is saying. Although there is a direct correlation between translation and interpretation, scholars typically distinguish between the two terms. The word ‘translation’ is generally used to refer to what the Bible is saying from one language to another, while the word “interpretation” is generally used to refer to what the Bible means by what it is saying.
Just like with Myth #1, the premise of Myth #2 is accurate. It is certainly true that there are different interpretations (viewpoints and opinions) about the meaning of various passages in the Bible. The problem with Myth #2 is its conclusion, which implies that because there are differing interpretations, it necessarily follows that there is no way of knowing the correct interpretation (i.e., the author’s intended meaning). However, even everyday experience demonstrates that the fact that people have different viewpoints about a subject (any subject) does not preclude the reality that there can be a correct viewpoint, nor does it preclude the fact that there can be a correct way of determining what the correct viewpoint actually is.
It is also important to keep in mind that although there are some passages that are more difficult to understand than others, each and every passage in the Bible has a specific and intentional meaning (the meaning the author wanted to convey). In the article Keys to Unlocking Scripture we provide some basic commonsense principles that make it possible, and even probable, for any thinking person to come to a reasonable conclusion about the actual intended meaning of a given passage in the Bible, regardless of the viewpoints of others.
Another way that Myth #2 comes up short is that it fails to recognize the reality that in many passages in the Bible, what the author is saying is so clear and straightforward that it would be almost impossible, and certainly illogical, for any thinking person to come up with more than one interpretation/viewpoint about the intended meaning. It has been my personal experience that whenever I read a passage for the first time (or for the first time in a long time), I generally understand at least 80-90% of what the author is saying without expending a lot of intellectual energy. And usually, if I read it again, taking into consideration the context and the other things the author has said, I am able to resolve any confusion that I had at first. With this in mind, I have to conclude that my (our) biggest problem in understanding the Scripture is that we don’t take the time to read and study it in the first place, even though many of us say that we believe that the Bible is God’s Word and therefore the greatest and most important book ever written. How inconsistent we can be?
Contrary to what Myth #2 implies, the fact that there is more than one interpretation/viewpoint about a particular passage in the Bible can actually be a benefit for the person who is trying to ascertain the correct meaning. Personally, whenever I come across a passage that is difficult to understand, I find that reading other people’s opinions and viewpoints can be very helpful. This is true even if some of their ideas seem to be incorrect, because it is usually fairly easy to recognize where someone’s logic is flawed or biased. Personally, I like to refer to books and commentaries about the Bible that were written by authors who have spent years or even an entire lifetime studying specific passages of the Bible (and who usually have much greater insight than I do!). As with any area of life, learning from the experience and wisdom of others, especially those who are specialists in their field, can be of great value.
Note: One commentary which I have used extensively and highly recommend is The Wiersbe Bible Commentary. The author, Warren Wiesrbe, spent almost his entire life studying and teaching the Bible and his writings are highly respected among Christian pastors and Bible teachers. I especially appreciate the fact that he is objective, concise and easy to understand. The Wiersbe Bible Commentary can be purchased online or at some Christian bookstores, or you can download the PDF files for free!
It has been my observation that people often use Myth #2 as a reason, or excuse, for not reading or studying the Bible for themselves. It's as if they are saying “Since there are so many different interpretations (opinions) about the Bible, it's pointless to investigate its claims and teachings for myself.” Applying this same kind of reasoning to any other subject reveals how completely illogical it is. All of us form our own conclusions and opinions about various issues we face on a daily basis. The fact that other people have different viewpoints does not, and should not, prevent us from using our own logic and reasoning ability to form opinions of our own (even while we are carefully considering the opinions of others). Nowhere is this principle more important than in our relationship with God and our eternal destiny. I would suggest that it is foolish for any of us to let the fact that other people have their own interpretations and viewpoints about the Bible deter us from forming our own.
Myth #2 Corrected: “The fact that, in some cases, there is more than one interpretation (viewpoint) about a given passage in the Bible should never deter us from forming our own conclusions. Nor should it lead us to think that there is not a correct way of determining what the correct meaning actually is. Considering what others (especially mature Christian authors and teachers) have written may also help us sort out the correct meaning for ourselves.
(Part 2)
by Rob Armstrong
Myth #2
Too Many Interpretations
“There are so many different interpretations of the Bible, there is no way of knowing which one is really right.”
Premise: There are many different interpretations of the Bible (there are different viewpoints about the meaning of passages in the Bible).
Conclusion: There is no way of knowing what the Bible really means.
While Myth #1 primarily focuses on the accuracy and reliability of translating the Bible from one language to another, Myth #2 is primarily focused on the interpretation or meaning of what the Bible is saying. Although there is a direct correlation between translation and interpretation, scholars typically distinguish between the two terms. The word ‘translation’ is generally used to refer to what the Bible is saying from one language to another, while the word “interpretation” is generally used to refer to what the Bible means by what it is saying.
Just like with Myth #1, the premise of Myth #2 is accurate. It is certainly true that there are different interpretations (viewpoints and opinions) about the meaning of various passages in the Bible. The problem with Myth #2 is its conclusion, which implies that because there are differing interpretations, it necessarily follows that there is no way of knowing the correct interpretation (i.e., the author’s intended meaning). However, even everyday experience demonstrates that the fact that people have different viewpoints about a subject (any subject) does not preclude the reality that there can be a correct viewpoint, nor does it preclude the fact that there can be a correct way of determining what the correct viewpoint actually is.
It is also important to keep in mind that although there are some passages that are more difficult to understand than others, each and every passage in the Bible has a specific and intentional meaning (the meaning the author wanted to convey). In the article Keys to Unlocking Scripture we provide some basic commonsense principles that make it possible, and even probable, for any thinking person to come to a reasonable conclusion about the actual intended meaning of a given passage in the Bible, regardless of the viewpoints of others.
Another way that Myth #2 comes up short is that it fails to recognize the reality that in many passages in the Bible, what the author is saying is so clear and straightforward that it would be almost impossible, and certainly illogical, for any thinking person to come up with more than one interpretation/viewpoint about the intended meaning. It has been my personal experience that whenever I read a passage for the first time (or for the first time in a long time), I generally understand at least 80-90% of what the author is saying without expending a lot of intellectual energy. And usually, if I read it again, taking into consideration the context and the other things the author has said, I am able to resolve any confusion that I had at first. With this in mind, I have to conclude that my (our) biggest problem in understanding the Scripture is that we don’t take the time to read and study it in the first place, even though many of us say that we believe that the Bible is God’s Word and therefore the greatest and most important book ever written. How inconsistent we can be?
Contrary to what Myth #2 implies, the fact that there is more than one interpretation/viewpoint about a particular passage in the Bible can actually be a benefit for the person who is trying to ascertain the correct meaning. Personally, whenever I come across a passage that is difficult to understand, I find that reading other people’s opinions and viewpoints can be very helpful. This is true even if some of their ideas seem to be incorrect, because it is usually fairly easy to recognize where someone’s logic is flawed or biased. Personally, I like to refer to books and commentaries about the Bible that were written by authors who have spent years or even an entire lifetime studying specific passages of the Bible (and who usually have much greater insight than I do!). As with any area of life, learning from the experience and wisdom of others, especially those who are specialists in their field, can be of great value.
Note: One commentary which I have used extensively and highly recommend is The Wiersbe Bible Commentary. The author, Warren Wiesrbe, spent almost his entire life studying and teaching the Bible and his writings are highly respected among Christian pastors and Bible teachers. I especially appreciate the fact that he is objective, concise and easy to understand. The Wiersbe Bible Commentary can be purchased online or at some Christian bookstores, or you can download the PDF files for free!
It has been my observation that people often use Myth #2 as a reason, or excuse, for not reading or studying the Bible for themselves. It's as if they are saying “Since there are so many different interpretations (opinions) about the Bible, it's pointless to investigate its claims and teachings for myself.” Applying this same kind of reasoning to any other subject reveals how completely illogical it is. All of us form our own conclusions and opinions about various issues we face on a daily basis. The fact that other people have different viewpoints does not, and should not, prevent us from using our own logic and reasoning ability to form opinions of our own (even while we are carefully considering the opinions of others). Nowhere is this principle more important than in our relationship with God and our eternal destiny. I would suggest that it is foolish for any of us to let the fact that other people have their own interpretations and viewpoints about the Bible deter us from forming our own.
Myth #2 Corrected: “The fact that, in some cases, there is more than one interpretation (viewpoint) about a given passage in the Bible should never deter us from forming our own conclusions. Nor should it lead us to think that there is not a correct way of determining what the correct meaning actually is. Considering what others (especially mature Christian authors and teachers) have written may also help us sort out the correct meaning for ourselves.
