The evaluation and interpretation of the Biblical text is foundational to how one group or an individual understands God’s word. The resulting factors of not understanding properly how to interpret the scriptures is that one misinterprets what the Bible says. This process of misinterpreting the scriptures can create conflicts over doctrine and create confusion in a new Christian’s life. It is imperative that believers know how to study and to interpret the Bible properly and in its proper context.
For a believer or anyone for that matter, to misinterpret the scriptures is not of any great trial. There are numerous passages found in the Bible that people consistently take out of context and misinterpret. The key element about how one would misinterpret the Bible is through ignoring the interpretive process altogether. This causes one to evaluate the Bible as they would any book that is being printed off the press today. The Bible is the word of God and is also a historical book and needs to be read and interpreted in its proper context.
One of the things that most individuals do wrong when studying the Bible is that they assume the scriptures are saying something, from the way the language reads. They would follow the process of misinterpreting the Bible and then apply it to themselves. In doing this they are applying principles that are not in the scripture. An example of this is that in 2 Kings 4:1-7 the Biblical account where the widow ran out of oil. In the New Testament and in passages throughout the Old Testament a reference to oil sometimes referred to the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 1:9 – Matthew Henry’s Commentary). If one took the passage in 2 Kings 4:1-7 and interpreted oil as the Holy Spirit the application of this would be that believers today are not indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
Another example is found in Genesis 32:24-30. This is the passage in which Jacob wrestled with an angel. Some people would misinterpret this by saying that this should apply to us today that we need to wrestle with God in our prayer times in order for Him to answer. People often misinterpret scriptures, like these because the fail to take scripture in context. They want to allegorize when none is present and literalize an allegory.
In reference to misinterpretation one recalls the Neo-Calvinists who misinterpret the scriptures and believe in eternal security. They use passages like John 10:29 “My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” This is used to say that once we are saved, we can never be lost. This is not what the scripture is saying. It is saying temptations and trials given by the devil do not have to defeat us, we still have a choice as seen in passages like Matt. 15:1-6; Romans 6:22-23; 8:12-13; Galatians 1:6, etc. The important element to remember is that the scriptures always need to be taken in their proper context.
To misinterpret the Bible one just as to read it in one of the translations (ex. KJV) and read it in the language it was translated in and except that as what the scripture is saying. This person would continue on in not considering the historical setting of the book of scripture and why initially this book was written. Once an individual did this the value of reading the scripture diminishes for him/her because they begin to think that the scripture is full of contradictions. How one reads the Bible and how the attempt to apply it effects their Christian experience and ultimately in how they serve Christ.
The question of how one should interpret the Bible is found in the principles of interpretation that one must apply because it is a divine book written to mankind. The principles that effect interpretation are:
1. Principle of Simplicity: this involves in taking the scripture in its literal sense unless it is specified that it is to be taken figuratively. This is crucial in such passages as Isaiah 55 where it says the trees clapped. This obviously should be taken figuratively. Another example is found in which the Roman Catholics believe that they actually are eating Jesus’ flesh, because he said “take eat this is my body.” This is also to be taken figuratively.
2. Principle of History: When reading the Bible this is important to understand that the Bible is an historical book written in a certain time period to a certain group of people. We must take it in its original literary, political. Physical, religious, technological, ideological, and social context.
3. Principle of Context: When interpreting a passage of scripture one must take it in its immediate context (verse, passage, book, Bible). For example in order to understand Mark 10:11 one needs to look to parallel passages like Matthew 5:32
4. Principle of Harmony: God spoke without contradiction. The Bible contains parallel passages, similar ideas and balanced ideas. An example of this is found in James where it emphasizes works instead of faith. This seems to be a contradiction, but it is not for it is emphasizing one part of the Christian experience where Hebrews is expressing the other.
One should interpret the Bible by following a specific method. The method that most scholars support is 1) Read the Bible; 2) Observe the text; 3) Observe (ask questions about the text); 4) Begin to interpret the meaning (follow the principles of interpretation); 5) Once you apply the principles the next step is application.
The important elements of interpretation are based upon following the principles of interpretations in how to properly study the Bible. Most people who misinterpret the Bible claim it is full of mistakes and errors. The come to this conclusion because they fail to interpret the Bible properly. If one is to misinterpret the Bible it leads to false doctrine and heresy. Misinterpretation of scripture is what has led to cultic religious who read the Bible and applied their own understanding to the Biblical text. The principles of interpretation must be applied in order to properly understanding the Biblical text. The Bible must be interpreted properly in context. The unfortunate thing is that many people go to the Bible for a blessing or for guidance for the day, ignoring the interpretive process altogether. Without proper interpretation controls, people can attempt to make the Bible mean almost anything they want it to mean. Proper interpretation is imperative for an inductive study of the Biblical text.
Posted by Joseph 