Many
people believe the idea that truth is subjective, especially in religion. So some
think that whatever you believe to be true, to you it is true. But what another
person believes to be true, that is true for him. So, everybody has his own
"truth," even if it flatly contradicts other people's
"truths."
For
years people used this idea to justify disagreements and contradictions between
denominations. They say: "One person sees the Bible one way, and others
see it differently. One interpretation is as good as another." In effect,
this means that people cannot understand the Bible alike; so whatever it means
to you is right for you, even if it contradicts the way other people see it. As
long as you practice what you honestly believe the Bible says, God will be
pleased.
As a
result, some people will not even seriously listen to views that differ from
their own. They think it does not matter anyway, so why discuss it?
The
purpose of this study is to examine the idea that one belief or interpretation
of the Bible is as good as another.
Obviously,
different views of the Bible do exist. The question is whether or not all these
views are acceptable to God. Is it possible that we may be lost, even though we
follow a view of the Bible that we sincerely believe to be true?
What does it mean to "interpret" the Bible?
***********************************
"Interpret"
is defined: "to set forth the meaning of; explain ... to translate what is
said in a foreign language..." (Random House College Dictionary). An idea
or meaning may be properly expressed using different words, but to "interpret"
properly one must give the true meaning.
Illustration:
If a speaker expresses an idea in one language, an "interpreter" may
express the same meaning in the words of a different language. But if the
"interpreter" gives a different meaning, then his interpretation is
inaccurate. It is wrong!
So, it
may be proper to "interpret the Bible," provided one gives the same
meaning as is in the original language. For example, most of us do not speak
Greek or Hebrew, so we need an "interpretation" or translation of the
Bible into English. This is fine, as long as the translation accurately conveys
the meaning of the original languages.
Furthermore,
even in the same language it may be proper to use various different words,
illustrations, and applications to help explain the meaning of the Bible (cf.
Neh. 8:8). But proper interpretation requires giving a true and faithful
explanation of the real meaning and intent of the original message. To change
the meaning or to express a different meaning would be improper interpretation.
It would be a "perversion," not a true "interpretation."
What do
people mean when they say, "One interpretation of the Bible is as good as
another"?
*****************************************************
The
statement is nearly always made to justify people who defend conflicting and
contradictory views of the Bible. This is clear from the way the people make
the statement.
For
example, one person may say that baptism must be an immersion, so sprinkling or
pouring for baptism is not valid. Then another person says they believe
sprinkling and pouring are acceptable forms of baptism. Then someone concludes,
"Well, it really isn't important. It's all 'a matter of
interpretation.'"
In
short, people are saying that truth is subjective and varies from person to
person. This approach has been used to justify people who contradict one
another regarding whole hosts of beliefs and practices.
So the
real question we are studying is: May people get conflicting and contradictory
beliefs, doctrines, and practices from the Bible, yet all be pleasing to God?
To answer, let us consider some more specific questions and see what the Bible
says about them.
Question #1: Does the Bible Contradict Itself?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
If the
Bible actually contradicts itself, people could properly interpret the Bible
and end up disagreeing with one another, simply because the Bible disagrees
with itself! Since God wrote the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:20,21; 1
Corinthians 14:37, etc.), this would mean that God contradicts Himself. But
consider:
A
Kingdom Divided against Itself Cannot Stand - Mark 3:24,25.
======================================
If a person works against himself, how will he accomplish anything?
When parents give contradictory instructions, how will the
children know what to do?
If a
mechanic "fixes" your car so it goes into forward and reverse gears
both at the same time, how could you go anywhere?
So, if
God contradicts Himself - if He teaches people to believe and practice opposite
things at the same time - how can He expect to accomplish His purpose?
God Is
the Author, Not of Confusion, but of Peace - 1 Corinthians 14:33.
===========================================
Is the
existence of many conflicting doctrines a source of confusion? Of course. Yet
if proper Bible interpretation leads to all these contradictions, then who
would be to blame for the confusion? God would!
But the
Scripture says we should not blame God for the existence of confusion. He is
the source of peace. So God is not responsible for conflicting Bible
interpretations. He never wanted it this way.
It
necessarily follows that God's word has a true and correct meaning. Since the
Bible does not contradict itself, then when we interpret it correctly, we will
not contradict one another. Conflicting explanations are not correct, not true.
And since contradictory views are not from God, they must be from men. But in
religion, doctrines from men make our service to God vain (Matt. 15:9).
[See
also John 17:17; Psa. 119:128,137-144,151,160; 19:7-11; James 1:25.]
Christ
Is Not Divided - 1 Corinthians 1:13.
==========================
Paul
was not crucified for us, nor are we baptized in His name. Likewise, Christ is
not divided. He does not conflict and disagree with Himself.
To say
that Jesus contradicts Himself would be to say that He is either ignorant or
hypocritical. Either He is not intelligent enough to know that He contradicts
Himself, or else He is so morally bankrupt that He does it on purpose! Both
views are blasphemous.
But if
Jesus does not contradict Himself, then people who properly understand what He
says will not contradict one another either! If people do contradict one
another, it must be because someone misunderstands what Jesus said.
God's
will for man's salvation, as revealed in the Bible, is unified and harmonious
with itself. It does not contradict itself. It has a real and true meaning such
that all who understand its meaning will understand it alike. When people
disagree about its meaning, we should conclude, not they both have equally
valid "interpretations," but rather that one or the other or both
have misunderstood and misinterpreted its meaning.
Question #2: Is It Necessary to Understand the Bible?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Could
it be that God does not really care whether or not we understand His word?
Perhaps one interpretation of the Bible is as good as another, because God
accepts everybody regardless of whether or not we understand the Bible. But
consider:
The Importance of Knowing the Truth
=======================
Since God's word has a true meaning, how important is it for us to
understand that true meaning?
Ephesians
5:17 - We should not be unwise, but understand what God's will is. So, God has
a will for our lives, and He expects us to learn what that will is.
John
8:31,32 - We must know the truth in order to be made free (i.e., free from
bondage to sin - v34). We all need to be freed from sin, because we have all
committed sin, and the wages of sin is eternal death (Rom. 3:23; 6:23).
God's
word is truth (John 17:17), and only truth can set us free from sin. But Jesus said
truth frees us only if we know the truth. If someone does not know the truth,
but believes error, is he saved from sin? No, only by knowing the truth can we
be saved. This is why knowing the truth is so important.
1 Peter
1:22,23 - To be purified from sin, we must be born again by obeying the truth
of God's word. But again, you can't obey the truth if you don't know it. So one
who fails to know what God's word tells him to do to be saved, is a person who
cannot be purified from his sin. He is doomed to eternal death (Rom. 6:23).
[See
also Col. 1:9,10; Prov. 23:23; John 4:23,24; 14:6.]
The Danger of Not Knowing the Truth
=======================
If
conflicting "interpretations" of the Bible are acceptable to God,
then it really would not matter whether you accept the truth or false teaching.
What does the Bible say about this idea?
Galatians
1:8,9 - A person is accursed if he preaches doctrine different from the true
meaning of Jesus' gospel. So the idea that people can preach and practice
things that contradict the gospel, yet still please God, just simply is not so!
Hosea 4:6 - God said His people are destroyed for lack of
knowledge.
Romans
2:6-10 - At the judgment, those who have not obeyed the truth will receive
indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish. So knowing and obeying truth
leads to eternal life, but failure to know and obey truth leads to eternal
punishment.
To say
that "one interpretation is as good as another," would be to say that
people who do not know and obey the truth, are just as well off as people who
do know and obey the truth. The Bible says this simply is not so! To be saved,
we must understand what God says for us to do to please Him. So proper
interpretation of the Bible leads to eternal life, but improper
"interpretation" leads to eternal punishment.
[See
also Psa. 119:104,128; Acts 17:30,31; Matt. 15:14; 2 John 9-11; 1 John 4:1; 2
Thess. 1:8,9; 2:10-12; John 6:44,45; 2 Pet. 3:15,16.]
Question #3: Is the Bible Impossible to Understand?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Some
people believe that it is not possible to determine exactly what the Bible
really means. If this were true, then any interpretation would be "as good
as another" simply because nobody could figure out what it means!
But we
have just learned that we must understand the Bible to be saved. If in fact we
cannot understand it, we are all doomed! But consider also the following
evidence that we really can understand the Bible:
God's
Word Accomplishes His Purpose - Isaiah 55:11.
=================================
God's
word does not return to Him void, but it accomplishes His purpose and prospers
in the thing for which He sends it. But what is its purpose? He sent it to make
known His will for man (2 Timothy 3:16,17; Romans 16:25,26; Colossians 1:26-28;
Ephesians 5:17).
If the
average person cannot understand the Bible, then the Bible has failed and has
not prospered in accomplishing God's purpose at all. But God expressly said it
would not fail. So, people are able to understand it.
God's
Testimony Enlightens Men & Makes Us Wise - Psalm 19:7,8.
=======================================
It is a
lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). How could the Bible
enlighten and guide us if we could not understand it?
Jesus
Commands Us All to Understand His Words - Mark 7:14.
======================================
Jesus
here addressed great multitudes of common, ordinary people. The Bible was
written, not just for specially trained religious leaders, but for all people.
Every one of these people that Jesus addressed were commanded to hear and
understand what He said.
Jesus'
teachings were worded such that the average person can understand them if he
studies and meditates diligently (cf. Acts 17:11). It simply is not true that
His teachings "cannot be understood."
The
Scriptures Are Inspired to Profitably Teach Us - 2 Timothy 3:16,17.
===========================================
This
passage, like many others, tells us that the Scriptures (written words) contain
the very words of God Himself (cf. 1 Cor. 2:13; 14:37; 2 Pet. 1:20,21; Matt.
10:19,20; 1 Thess. 2:13). If these words "cannot be understood," then
either God could not or would not express Himself clearly.
But we
already know that God intended to reveal His will understandably. To say He
wanted to do so, but could not do so, would be to deny that He is all-wise and
all-powerful (cf. Matt. 19:26; Job 42:2; Jer. 32:17).
Further,
2 Timothy 3:16,17 clearly says that God's inspired Scriptures are profitable to
teach and instruct us, and to provide us completely to all good works. If we
cannot understand the Scriptures, how could they profit us in any of these
ways?
Instructions
for many products now come written in many foreign languages. How profitable
are those instructions to you if they are written in a language you cannot
understand? But God's word is profitable, so we can understand it.
We must
conclude that the Bible has a true meaning that we can all understand. If we
contradict one another about what the Bible teaches us to do to be saved, it
must be because someone does not properly understand. That misunderstanding
would be our fault, not God's. Either we did not study enough or we do not have
an open, honest heart. In any case, it simply is not true that "one
interpretation is as good as another." [Cf. Eph. 3:3-5.]
Question #4: Is Sincerity Enough?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
When people
"interpret" the Bible in contradictory ways, other people often try
to excuse the conflict on the grounds that the people who hold the views are so
sincere.
But we
have seen that God requires men to understand and obey His will to be saved. So
the question now is: will God overlook a person's error as long as he is
sincere? Put another way, will error save as well as truth saves, as long as a
person really believes the error to be true?!
Ways That Seem Right Often End in Death - Proverbs 14:12
=====================================
Suppose
a man accidentally boards a plane for Los Angeles, sincerely thinking it is a
plane for New York. Will that plane really take him to New York just because he
sincerely believed it would? Of course not.
And
likewise in religion. If a course of action is sinful, following that course
still leads to death, no matter how sincere the people are who follow it.
Zeal Without Knowledge Is Not Enough - Romans 10:1-3
===================================
The Jews had zeal, but not knowledge. Were they saved? No, they
still needed salvation.
A
visitor in our home once went to brush her teeth. She found a tube in our
medicine cabinet that she sincerely "interpreted" to contain toothpaste,
and started brushing her teeth ... until she realized she was brushing with
diaper rash medication! She made a wrong interpretation, but I'm confident she
did it in all sincerity. Was her "interpretation" just as good as the
truth?
Sincerity does not make a belief true. One must sincerely know and
obey the truth.
Saul Was Sincere, but He Was Still Lost - Acts 26:9; 23:1
===================================
As a
Jew, Saul really believed he should persecute those who believed in Jesus. Was
God pleased, just because Saul was sincere? No, Saul was "the chief of
sinners" because he was "ignorant" of the truth (1 Timothy
1:13-15). Sincerely believing a lie does not change the fact that it is a lie,
nor does it change the consequences to our soul if we practice that lie.
None of
this means we should be hypocritical or should deliberately violate our
consciences. The point is that being sincere is not enough. We may be wrong
even while we do what we sincerely believe to be right. We are right only when
we know the truth, and then sincerely obey it.
Error
is still error, no matter how sincerely we believe it to be true. Jesus said we
must know the truth to be saved. So we must not accept just any
"interpretation" of the Bible, but must diligently seek for its true
meaning.
[See
also Matt. 7:21-23; 2 Cor. 10:12,18.]
Question #5: Is Division Acceptable?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
What is
the real reason that people say, "One interpretation of the Bible is as
good as another"? It is because they hope that all sincere religious
people will receive eternal life, despite the fact that they contradict one
another. The doctrine is an attempt to justify people despite their religious
divisions. But what does God think about division?
Jesus Prayed for All Believers to Be One - John 17:20,21
==================================
He
prayed for unity as He and His Father are one. But when people say that all
different "interpretations" of the Bible are equally good, they
actually justify and perpetuate division because people see no reason to
change. The result promotes the very opposite of what Jesus prayed for.
There Should Be No Divisions Among Us - 1 Corinthians 1:10,13
=======================================
We
earlier discussed verse 13, which says that Jesus is not divided. He does not
contradict Himself. So if we all follow what He has really revealed, we will be
united, not divided. Division is here condemned. We must not accept doctrines
that rationalize division.
We Must Strive for Peace Based on God's Plan for Unity - Ephesians
4:3-6
============================================
True
unity is based on seven things of which there is only one each in God's true
plan. This includes "one faith." Just as surely as there is only one
true God and Father, so there is only one true faith. But there may be many
false ones!
We have
learned that this one true faith has a true meaning that is revealed in the
Bible in a way we can all understand. To be saved, we must study it, understand
it, believe it, and obey it. When we do so, we will be united in faith and
practice.
Since
God rebukes division and demands unity, we displease Him whenever we promote
doctrines that justify division. But the doctrine that "one interpretation
is as good as another" is a doctrine that justifies division. God neither
teaches nor accept that doctrine. On the contrary, He requires unity based on
the proper meaning of His word.
Conclusion
=======
When
two churches or teachers disagree about what people must do to please God, one
of three possibilities must be true: (1) the first view is correct and the
second view is wrong; or (2) the second view is correct and the first view is
wrong; or (3) they are both wrong and some other view is correct. But it is not
possible for two contradictory views to both be correct!
Every
accountable person needs to truly understand what God teaches about how to be
saved. That requires us to study and meditate diligently. When we do
understand, we will be united with all others who understand.
What
does the Bible teach about salvation? God says you must:
** Hear
the gospel - Romans 10:17; John 6:44,45.
**
Believe in Jesus and His gospel - Mark 16:15,16; Romans 1:16; John 8:24.
**
Repent of sins - Acts 17:30; 2:38; 2 Peter 3:9.
**
Confess Christ - Acts 8:37; Romans 10:9,10.
** Be
baptized (immersed) in water for the purpose of having your sins washed away in
Jesus' blood - Romans 6:3,4; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Mark 16:16.
**
Continue serving God faithfully - Matthew 28:20; 6:33; 1 Corinthians 15:58;
Revelation 2:10.
Have
you learned and obeyed God's true plan for your salvation? Are you living
faithfully as a Christian?
