Thursday, July 27, 2006

Interpretation

In some ways it's perfectly reasonable to assume that when two people approach any text in scripture they may interpret it differently. After all, each person has their own baggage, history, and presuppositions that they can never totally distance themselves from. Therefore, it is quite possible for two people to approach a text, both feeling quite certain that they are appoaching it "objectively" and come away with wildly different interpretations. How then, one might ask, can someone tell if their interpretation is the "right" one? Is it possible that this isn't even a good question?

On one hand, we have 3 pound brains that will forever be reaching for the infinite God. On the other hand, we have the promise of God's Holy Spirit living in us and guiding us. Scripture has inspired some of the most beautiful and truly good acts in human history and scripture has been used to justify genocide and other things too horrible to mention. Using scripture, some people espouse that God loves everyone while others (also using scripture) espouse that God chose some to love and others to hate and condemn. The list goes on and on.

I don't presume to have this all figured out. I do, however, believe that scripture works on more than one level. Is it possible that our interpretations of scripture say something about the kinds of people we are becoming? Could it be that our interpretations function like a spiritual Rorschach test, which clues us in to the kind of heart we are cultivating? I have to admit that I find it odd that the people who seem the most certain about their interpretations often seem the most unChristlike in their character (not necc. refering to morals here). As important as it is for us to think about how we are interpreting scripture, perhaps we should spend some time reflecting on what our interpretations say about who we are...how scripture is interpreting us
AE

6 comments:

Phil said...

Brian McLaren talks about letting the text read us, which I think goes along with this whole idea.

Keith Brenton said...

Well, Adam, you subjective idgit, if you'd just keep an open mind and read what the Bible says, you'd understanding exactly the same way as all of us perfectly united, right-thinking, objective people who have no preconceptive prejudices or personal baggage.

All both of us.

(And I'm not too sure about the other guy.)

Matt Wilson said...

Nt Wright "The Last Word" does an excellent job to discuss what you were talking about as well.....

Kenny Payne said...

Adam,
I noticed in your book list some titles by Yoder and Hauerwas. Is this something for class? Or did you finally discover Yoder and his disciples?

Kenny

Dana said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Dana said...

So what happened to all the links to your friends and family? Do you think you are to much of a "big deal" to put ordinary people on your blog now? uh huh... well I love you anyway you name dropper.