Different interpretations
The student who wishes to
study the Bible seriously has to face the problem that Christians of different
Churches, and even different Christians belonging to the same Church, can
interpret the Bible in different ways with equal sincerity. In this book we
cannot avoid this problem at certain points and where the problem arises,
different viewpoints will be presented in order to be fair to the differing
interpretations which can be held. In certain passages it may be difficult to decide
between one interpretation and another of the Bible but as much hard thinking
and effort is needed in the study of the Bible as in the study of mathematics,
physics or history. There is too much shallow and distorted interpretation of
Bible passages amongst modern Christians who may often take a verse or story
and use it to support individualistic ideas which are very far away from the
original intention of the Biblical writer.
Christians of all Churches
recognize the authority of the Church to teach God's word (Matthew
28: 19-20), and students of the Bible will be guided, in
differing degrees, by the teachings of their Churches.