Q.
178
Why are there so many completely different
interpretations of the same scripture
passages?
Jim L. Robinson
A.
The question is easy. It’s an expression of a human brokenness
that is magnifi ed in a consumer culture (“the customer is always
right”). The marketing industry has convinced most of us that we
are the center of the universe. Consequently, we tend to read the scriptures
(and everything else) through the lens of our own self-interest.
Generally, the different interpretations represent efforts to validate previ-
ously held assumptions about the texts. Too often the differences are the result
of human intrusion into the text.
The hard part is reconciling the differences and moving from opinion to
truth. Increasing the diffi culty is an absence of consensus standards for biblical
interpretation. Too often, Bible study is an exercise in drawing our chairs in a
circle and “each one read a verse and say what it means to me” (a quote from
Fred Craddock).
How do we correct the situation? I suggest some initial steps:- Restore God to the center of the universe: “Seek fi rst the kingdom.. .”
Understand that the best thing we can do for our family, our career, our
marriage and everything else we hold dear is to put God fi rst. Put God
ahead of our career, and our career will be better than if we make it the
top priority in life. The same applies for family, marriage, and so on. - Let the Bible speak for itself instead of using it to validate what we
already think we believe. Our vision is limited. We “see through a glass
dimly” (1 Cor. 13:12). - Restore discipline to our faith. One becomes knowledgeable and
competent in any fi eld through discipline. Why should we expect faith to
be different? - Restore a sense of community to our faith. Instead of hiring an “expert”
to tell us what the Bible says, learn to trust the collective wisdom of a
community of disciplined brothers and sisters.
Hmmm. Sounds like church.