“You talk about a straw man! The scriptures say that you can’t have your own personal interpretation of scriptures.”
No. It says that Scripture is inspired by God and goes on to say no PROPHECY came from private interpretation.
“Above all, you do well if you recognize this: No prophecy of scripture ever comes about by the prophet’s own imagination,”
Actually, in a larger sense, it is there in principal.
II Tim 3:15 - “...the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” However, churches are essential—they have had centuries to make and correct their mistakes. Unfortunately, some churches, although they may have Christians in them, are not run by Christians.