That’s not what you meant and you know it. But I will say this. Who told you how to interpret Scripture? Why should I follow someone who is not of my religion? You can argue Scripture all day long, but I have heard three people take the same passage from the Bible and interpret it in three different ways. I used to listen to Pat Robertson and Jim Bakker, and they would take passages out of the Bible and interpret them to tell their listeners and viewers to send them money. This is why I take Scriptural interpretations by others with a grain of salt.
RE: That’s not what you meant and you know it.
I meant EXACTLY WHAT I SAID.
RE: . But I will say this. Who told you how to interpret Scripture?
Scripture ( especially the New Testament ) was written in plain Koine Greek (common ) so that common people can read it.
AS for who teaches people how to interpret scripture, why can’t one use reason, the common tools of hermeneutics, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit to learn to understand it for himself? Why do we need some group of elite people in Rome to tell us what it means when the language is plain?
As for Pat Robertson or Jim Bakker, I’m glad you mentioned them. I don’t use them as a resource for me interpreting scripture either.
And unlike you, I don’t take scriptural interpretations by others (even Catholics) with a grain of salt.
I use reason, common sense, discernment and the mind that God has given me through the help of His spirit to interpret scripture. I believe God’s spirit guides individuals who are sincere in trying to understand his Word.