Everyone's misinterpreting the Bible!

1 July 2009

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ZJ: Sometimes I mention certain excerpts from the Bible in the course of examining various Christian beliefs. And in response, many Christians have told me that I've misinterpreted the Bible verses in question. This would mean that there is a correct interpretation of the Bible, which I have deviated from. The problem is, Christians can't seem to agree on what the correct interpretation is.

Consider all the different sects of Christianity: Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, Pentecostal, Evangelical, Methodist, Lutheran, Baptist, Southern Baptist, Presbyterian, Congregationalist, Seventh-Day Adventist, Anabaptist, Unitarian, Latter-Day Saints, Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Science, and so on. There are actually thousands of denominations of Christianity. Why? Because they can't agree about what the Bible says, and this leads them to adopt a variety of different beliefs.

Some of them believe the Bible is a literal accounting of real historical events. Others believe it's a collection of parables offering moral guidance. Some of them believe salvation is by faith alone. Others believe good works are required. Some of them baptize infants, others will only baptize adults. Some of them restrict communion to members of the church, others allow anyone to receive communion.

Some of them believe women can serve as clergy, others don't. Some of them believe priests must be celibate, others don't. Some of them encourage the veneration of saints and the Virgin Mary, others believe this is idolatry. Some of them believe Mary was conceived without original sin, others do not.

Some of them believe Hell is a real place of eternal torture, others describe it as a state of separation from God. Some of them believe people can speak in tongues, others believe this is nonsense. Some of them believe their religion requires them to deny evolution, others believe evolution is compatible with the Bible. Some of them believe homosexuality is immoral, others believe it's acceptable. Some of them encourage bringing guns to church, others do not. Some of them believe the Pope is the antichrist. Others believe Barack Obama is the antichrist.

So, what is the correct interpretation of the Bible? Many of these beliefs are mutually exclusive and incompatible. And I'm just scratching the surface here; there are countless theological disagreements between the denominations of Christianity. And rather than working towards some kind of consensus that all Christians can agree on, the history of Christianity is characterized by its tendency to constantly split into different sects that believe they are the only true Christians, and everyone else is misguided.

And this guarantees that no matter how you interpret the Bible, there's going to be someone to tell you you're doing it wrong. Well, if I am, there are a lot of Christians who are also misinterpreting the Bible. Could you maybe work this out between yourselves before you insist that I'm the one who's wrong?

If I've missed the mark, there has to be a mark to miss. But Christians are all over the map, so I really don't think I'm that far off. At least, no more so than they are.

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