Reasons for the misinterpretation of Scripture?

Answer 1

Answer:

There is no one answer to the misinterpretation of scripture.

While there are a number of good "translations" extant... certainly, no single one of them may be thought to be "totally accurate"... being translated by "sincere" but somewhat less than "inspired" translators.

A comparison of Bible "versions" would be advisable in one's study of God's Word, to ascertain that the "translation" is compatible with the original manuscripts' intent.

But, assuming one has a reputable "translation" of The Bible... for instance, the KJV has been a trusted English translation for centuries... yet, the antiquated English words used throughout has caused some people to misinterpret some of what is being said.

Other reasons for misinterpretation exist, however... like, because a given religious denomination "teaches" that the Bible can't be understood... which results in a mental block in the minds and hearts of their flock.

Another reason for misinterpretation is that the reader "doesn't like what God's Word is saying."

God's Word says: "...all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for REPROOF, for CORRECTION, for instruction..." (II Tim.3:16).

Human nature does NOT like reproof or correction. No one LIKES being told that THEY ARE WRONG! But, God's Word tells us that we are wrong... that we need to repent of our ways... and that we need to learn to obey God's Commandments - for our own good and well-being.

"Thou shalt keep therefore His statutes, and His Commandments, which I command thee this day, THAT IT MIGHT GO WELL WITH THEE, AND WITH THY CHILDREN AFTER THEE, AND THAT THOU MAYEST PROLONG THY DAYS UPON THE EARTH..." (Deut.4:40).

Having things go well for ourselves and our children and living a long life is a good thing. It's what everyone in the world wants. But, being naturally "carnal minded" (which is naturally rebellious to God - Rom.8:7)... every man has his own idea as to how to achieve it.

And when a carnal minded person, who is not spiritually attuned to God's revealed Word, reads certain words of rebuke and correction... words that he doesn't like... his mind balks at God's Truth and rejects it. And he may either part from any further reading... or twist it and turn it and misinterpret it into what he wants it to say, rather than what it does say.

Although many other reasons for misinterpretation of scriptures exist... one more reason scriptures are misinterpreted is because many people don't read the Bible like any other book they read. They don't read it and accept it for exactly what it says, instead of twisting it to mean what they heard someone else said it says.

People don't misinterpret a "school text book." When people read a novel, they don't take what's written to mean something else. They take it at face value.

That's why there are hundreds of denominations in modern Christianity professing all sorts of "beliefs" which the plain words of the Bible don't support. They all believe what they were "taught" by someone else... not from what the Bible says.

For instance, when they read Jesus' own statement: "...no man hath ascended up to heaven, but He that came down from heaven, even the Son of Man which is in heaven..." (John 3:13); hundreds of Christ-professing denominations reject the simple Truth of His words... simply because they were "taught by men" to the contrary.

Every other religion in the world teaches some kind of afterlife or heavenly reward... but Jesus Christ says that NO MAN HAS EVER GONE TO HEAVEN, except for Himself, the only man who came from there.

His Words are so simple, so straight forward, so plain.

But men don't like what He says. So, they twist it to mean what they want it to mean - in this case, the very opposite of what He plainly says. They believe instead that heaven is just jam-packed with all kinds of people and loved ones.

How can Jesus Christ... the One they worship and adore... say something so contrary to what they were always taught by their parents and preachers and even strangers?

Could Jesus actually be saying it BECAUSE IT'S TRUE?

"...This people honoureth Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. Howbeit in vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men... full well ye reject the Commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition." (Mark 7:6-9)

Another reason for the misinterpretation of scripture is in the way it's presented.

The complete picture the Bible paints isn't found all in one place. Little bits and pieces of the puzzle are scattered throughout the 66 books... so that it takes diligent study to get the whole picture.

People read a passage and think they know from it what the Bible says about whatever subject the passage spoke of. But, other passages elsewhere speak of it, too... and they add information and insight and clarity to the subject that just one passage doesn't provide.

And misinterpretation can result. And it can fool people and make them think they know what the Bible says when they don't.

"...the Word of the Lord was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken." (Isa.28:13)

These are some reasons for the misinterpretation of the scriptures.