How to resolve differing interpretations of the Bible Part 1

The Text:

2Pe 3:17  Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. (KJV)

2Pe 3:17 So, dearly beloved, since you have been forewarned, you must always be on your guard against being led astray by the errors of lawless men, and so against falling away from your present firmness; (Williams NT)

2Pe 3:17  Dear friends, you already know these things. So be on your guard not to be carried away by the deception of people who have no principles. Then you won’t fall from your firm position. (GW, God’s Word translation)

2Pe 3:17  My dear friends, you have been warned ahead of time! So don’t let the errors of evil people lead you down the wrong path and make you lose your balance. (CEV, Contemporary English Version)

The Challenge:

“and yet you still quote from the Bible, which every Christian denomination interprets differently”

My Response:

Your statement:

“and yet you still quote from the Bible, which every Christian denomination interprets differently”

is a rather broad overstatement and over-generalization. Bible believing Christians are more in agreement than disagreement. Where there is disagreement, following the rules of interpretation I have shared with you will usually establish the correct interpretation of the Bible.

If you think not, please provide a specific example of a text of the Bible upon which Bible believing Christians are known to disagree, and I may be able to furnish you an example of how applying the rules of interpretation work to resolve such differences.

Reply to Me with a Helpful List of Verses:

1. Matthew 16:18 (Roman Catholicism vs. Protestantism): “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Catholics interpret this as Jesus establishing Peter as the first pope, a foundational argument for the papal authority. Protestants typically interpret “this rock” as Peter’s faith or Jesus himself, rejecting the Catholic doctrine of papal succession.
2. Ephesians 2:8-9 (Lutheranism vs. Catholicism): “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Lutherans emphasize salvation by faith alone, while Catholics hold that faith must be accompanied by good works.
3. James 2:24 (Catholicism vs. Protestantism): “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.” Catholics cite this to support the necessity of faith and works for salvation, contrasting many Protestant views that emphasize salvation by faith alone.
4. 1 Corinthians 11:24-25 (Catholicism vs. Lutheranism): “This is my body… This cup is the new covenant in my blood…” Catholics believe in transubstantiation, where the bread and wine become Christ’s body and blood. Lutherans believe in consubstantiation, where Christ is present “in, with, and under” the elements but they do not change their substance.
5. Acts 2:38 (Pentecostals vs. Baptists): “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Pentecostals emphasize baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues, whereas Baptists emphasize baptism as a symbol of professing faith.
6. 1 Timothy 2:12 (Egalitarian vs. Complementarian denominations): “I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet.” This verse has sparked debates over women’s roles in church leadership, with egalitarian denominations allowing women pastors, while complementarian ones do not.
7. Romans 9:13-18 (Calvinism vs. Arminianism): “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated…” Calvinists use this passage to support the doctrine of unconditional election and predestination. Arminians argue for conditional election based on God’s foreknowledge of faith.
8. 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 (Egalitarian vs. Complementarian denominations): “Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak…” Similar to 1 Timothy 2:12, this verse affects the interpretation of women’s roles in the church.
9. Matthew 28:19 (Trinitarian vs. Oneness Pentecostalism): “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Trinitarians use this to affirm the doctrine of the Trinity, whereas Oneness Pentecostals advocate for baptism in Jesus’ name only, rejecting traditional Trinitarian formulas.
10. Revelation 20:1-6 (Premillennialism vs. Amillennialism): Descriptions of a thousand-year reign of Christ are taken literally by Premillennialists, while Amillennialists interpret them symbolically or metaphorically.
11. Hebrews 6:4-6 (Calvinism vs. Arminianism): “It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened… if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance…” Calvinists interpret this as a warning to non-elect, while Arminians see it as a possibility of apostasy.
12. Acts 10:44-48 (Baptists vs. Pentecostals): “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.” Pentecostals see this as a normative pattern for receiving the Holy Spirit post-conversion, while Baptists view it as unique to the early church.
13. Titus 3:5 (Catholicism vs. Protestantism): “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy…” This verse supports the Protestant emphasis on salvation by grace, not by works, contrasting Catholic views.
14. John 6:53-56 (Catholicism vs. Protestantism): “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you…” Catholics see this as support for the doctrine of the Eucharist; many Protestants interpret it symbolically.
15. Ephesians 4:11-12 (Charismatics vs. Cessationists): “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers…” Charismatics believe in the ongoing gifts of prophecy and tongues, while Cessationists believe these gifts ceased with the apostolic age.
16. Romans 5:12-19 (Original Sin – Augustine vs. Pelagius): This passage discusses the doctrine of original sin, which Augustine championed, arguing that all humans inherited sin from Adam. Pelagius denied this, claiming each soul is created pure by God.
17. Matthew 5:32 (Various denominations on divorce): “But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery…” This verse impacts differing views on the permissibility and conditions for divorce.
18. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (Sola Scriptura advocates vs. Tradition-oriented denominations): “All Scripture is God-breathed…” Proponents of Sola Scriptura argue that the Bible alone is the ultimate authority, contrasting with denominations like Catholicism that also hold to sacred tradition.
19. Luke 14:26 (Literal vs. metaphorical interpretations): “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.” The interpretation of “hate” here varies, influencing views on discipleship.
20. 1 Peter 3:21(Baptismal regeneration – Lutheranism vs. Baptist): “Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you…” Lutherans believe in baptismal regeneration, the idea that baptism imparts grace and saves, while Baptists view baptism as a symbolic act following salvation.

And Another List of Controversial Verses:

1. John 20:23 (Catholicism vs. Protestantism): “If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” Catholics interpret this as Jesus granting the apostles—and by extension, priests—the authority to forgive sins, supporting the practice of confession. Most Protestants see this as a general call to proclaim forgiveness through the gospel.
2. 1 Corinthians 7:15 (Views on Divorce and Remarriage): “But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace.” This verse is pivotal in discussions about the legitimacy of divorce and remarriage, especially within evangelical circles compared to more conservative denominations.
3. Romans 13:1-7 (Political Engagement): “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities…” This passage is often debated regarding the extent of Christian submission to government and involvement in political activism, particularly between Anabaptists who advocate for separation from state affairs and other groups that promote civic engagement.
4. Mark 16:16 (Believer’s Baptism vs. Infant Baptism): “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” This verse is central in the debate over believer’s baptism versus infant baptism. Denominations like Baptists insist on conscious belief before baptism, contrasting with Presbyterians, Catholics, and others who support infant baptism.
5. Acts 15:28-29 (Dietary Laws): “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals…” This decision from the early Church council in Jerusalem influences discussions on Christian liberty and adherence to Old Testament laws.
6. 1 Corinthians 5:11-13 (Church Discipline): “But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy…” This passage is foundational for practices of church discipline, a topic on which denominations differ, particularly in how and when to exclude a member from fellowship.
7. Matthew 7:21-23 (Assurance of Salvation): “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven…” This passage is often discussed in the context of true faith versus nominal Christianity, impacting the theological views on assurance of salvation between denominations like Calvinists and Arminians.
8. 2 Peter 1:20-21 (Interpretation of Scripture): “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things.” This is often cited in discussions on the clarity and interpretation of Scripture, affecting views on personal Bible study versus authoritative interpretations by church leaders.
9. Hebrews 10:25 (Church Attendance): “Not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another…” This verse influences the emphasis different denominations place on the importance of regular church attendance and communal worship.
10. 1 Timothy 3:2, 12 (Clergy Marriage): “Now the overseer is to be above reproach, the husband of but one wife…” This has been a key verse in discussions about whether clergy (like priests or bishops) can marry, particularly debated between the Roman Catholic Church, which requires celibacy, and Protestant denominations that allow clergy to marry.
11. Revelation 13:16-17 (End Times Theology): “It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads…” Interpretations of this passage vary widely and influence eschatological views, particularly concerning the nature of the “mark of the beast” and its relevance to contemporary technology or ideologies.
12. 1 Corinthians 14:22-25 (Speaking in Tongues): “Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers…” This passage is central to Pentecostal and charismatic beliefs about the purpose and practice of speaking in tongues, contrasting with denominations that view this gift as ceased or less emphasized.
13. Galatians 2:16 (Justification by Faith): “Know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ.” This verse underpins much of the Protestant Reformation’s emphasis on justification by faith alone, contrasting with denominational views that emphasize a synergy of faith and works.
14. Luke 22:19-20 (The Lord’s Supper): “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” Interpretations of this verse affect views on the Eucharist/Lord’s Supper, particularly debates over the real presence, symbolic presence, or memorial view.

15. Matthew 5:17-20 (The Law and the Gospel): “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” This verse is debated concerning the relationship between the Old Testament law and New Testament grace, affecting views on moral, ceremonial, and civil law observance in Christian life.
16. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (Inclusion vs. Traditionalism): “Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived…” This verse is frequently debated in the context of discussions on LGBTQ+ inclusion within church communities.
17. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (Preaching and Teaching): “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” This verse is pivotal in discussions about doctrinal purity versus adapting messages to contemporary culture.
18. Ephesians 5:22-23 (Marriage and Gender Roles): “Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.” This passage is central in debates over gender roles within marriage, influencing differing views between complementarian and egalitarian perspectives.
19. Acts 4:32-35 (Economic Practices): “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.” This early Christian practice influences discussions on Christian community, stewardship, and socialism versus capitalism.
20. Matthew 25:31-46 (Social Justice and Salvation): “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” This passage underpins debates on the role of social justice in Christian practice and its relationship to salvation, particularly relevant in discussions about faith’s role in addressing societal issues.

My Reply:

Thank you for providing such good lists of Scripture passages upon which there is considerable disagreement about their proper interpretation.

I have provided the information needed to correctly resolve nearly all of the varied interpretations for these verses in either my book, The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, my digital resource, The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury, as well as my Real Bible Study website (use the search feature to access specific passages discussed there).