The golden rule of interpretation is: “When the plain sense of the scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense.” We take the Bible at face value, this is the common sense approach. Principle #1: The Literal Interpretation Principle If a person decided to read and learn from the Bible, and instead of getting answers, ended up with more questions, please note that the following principles when applied correctly, can clear issues on alleged contradictions. This is the purpose of biblical hermeneutics – to help us to know how to interpret, understand, and apply the Bible. A proverb should be understood and applied differently from a law. For example, a psalm should often be interpreted differently than a prophecy. It is knowing how to properly interpret the various types of literature found in the Bible. The science of interpreting the bible is called “biblical hermeneutics” This applies to Christian churches too, and this explains why there are Christian groups under different denomination/affiliation. However, there are different applications to the same message, it depends on the unique purpose in life of each believer. The real author of the bible is God, thus, there is only one message. Why even among professing Christians, there are different interpretations? Subject to hermeneutical principles, it is the foundation of Christian faith. The literal interpretation– the assumption on this approach is that the bible is the word of God. Thus, events and miracles on the scriptures are thought of as fiction. The liberal interpretation– the bible is viewed as neither the “infallible word of God” or inspired by God.There are different schools of interpretation, I would like to name at least two where readers can easily relate to. Why are there different interpretations of the Bible? It is written as it is with no censorship, as lesson for the rest of us who are not around during that time. To Christians, it is a source of wisdom for guidance, hope for a better tomorrow, encouragement despite of failure, fuel to change the not so good behavior, so on and so forth. This is so because we believe the s cripture is inspired by God.Īll Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness- 2 Tim 3:16īeyond the graphic description of war, prejudice, sexual perversion, sorcery and alike, is a lesson and principles that students of the bible should take note of. To non-christians, this is but a collection of different literature containing cultural and historical information, and fiction in some story. The amazing part is this, though the writers do not know each other and lived in different times, they all speak in agreement to one central theme: Old Testament -> looking forward to the coming of Jesus as savior and the New Testament -> looking back to what Jesus accomplished on the cross. It is also written in different times- victory, defeat, freedom as a nation, under the rule of another nation. It is written in three different languages, Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. Unlike other religious book, the bible is unique because it is written for over a period of 1500 years by 40 different writers, which include a Government Official, Military General, King, Shepherd, Medical Doctor, Fishermen, Tax Collector. So how do we read and learn from an ancient book? I believe the Bible can stand on its own and do not need me to defend itself. But, I will not answer point by point the issues raised on the letter. This blog post isto share a commonly accepted framework of Bible interpretation. Likewise, my objective for writing this post is not to convince anyone (we are free to think or believe the way we want to) or fan the flame, the issue had died (I think), so let’s all move on and be happy. Yes, I am a believer of Jesus Christ and I am not ashamed of that.Once, I saw her in a seminar, but we were not introduced. I know Miriam Quiambao as a celebrity but we have not met personally.The person, as I understand the tweet exchanges, would like me to react to that letter as a Christian who is standing by the side of Miriam.īefore I proceed, however, I would like to make this disclosure: One person responded to my tweet, and pointed us to a facebook page where an “open letter to Miriam Quiambao” was published. I did that because I believe the best way to move on is to agree to disagree and peacefully co-exist. In the midst of the Miriam Quiambao and the LGBT community misunderstanding, I shared a link via twitter to a post that suggests a sober approach to the issue.
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