"Is excessive interpretation the root cause of differences in understanding and doctrinal divisions in the Bible?"

[Lambano]

At least I got a laugh out of our brother in Xi'an.

 

[soberxp]

At least I got a laugh out of our brother in Xi'an.

LOL,Don't be frustrated. When people realize that they are eating the fruit of the tree of life and the tree of good and evil, it's all over.

 

[ScottA]

Sorry, I don't know what you mean. The Old Testament tells us the reason God confused languages at the Tower of Babel, as I said, so how is believing what God's word says about it taking away the key of knowledge?

The light to lighten the Gentiles refers to Jesus Christ. It occurs in elderly Simeon's praise on seeing the infant Jesus:

“And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man [was] just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: "Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to [bring] revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel."” (Lu 2:25-32 NKJV)

You are correct that Jesus was that Light unto the gentiles (Isaiah 49:6). However the blessing upon all nations began with Abraham--and even Adam. Thus, just as David's crying out to the Lord regarding his own suffering, initially only regarded his own life experiences and words, but were not just for or about him but also about Christ--every word and event from beginning to end in all the scriptures was and is a part of that light and coming out of darkness. And that is just one of countless events that confirm God's use of former events to foreshadow what was to come...including the Tower of Babel.

 

[Ronald Nolette]

"Is excessive interpretation the root cause of differences in understanding and doctrinal divisions in the Bible?"

Biblical Context:​

1. The Danger of Adding to Scripture
   • "Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you." (Deuteronomy 4:2)
   • Adding human interpretations can distort God’s Word and lead to confusion.
2. The Role of the Holy Spirit in Understanding
   • "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth." (John 16:13)
   • Proper understanding relies on the Holy Spirit, not human wisdom alone.Unity in the Essentials
3. While some doctrinal differences are inevitable (e.g., eschatology), core truths (e.g., salvation through Christ) must remain central.
4. The Problem of Human Tradition
   • Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for prioritizing tradition over Scripture: "You nullify the word of God by your tradition." (Mark 7:13)

Conclusion:​

Excessive or speculative interpretation can indeed lead to division, but the root cause is often a lack of reliance on the Holy Spirit and a failure to prioritize Scripture over human ideas. Unity comes from focusing on the Bible’s clear teachings and allowing the Spirit to guide understanding.

This is true. But also what is just as true is the fact that so many of the "interpreters" fail to learn how words were used in ancient times, the culture they were spoken in and so on.

 

[LittleTuneAlright]

"Is excessive interpretation the root cause of differences in understanding and doctrinal divisions in the Bible?"

Yes it is. basically I prefer to go out and mingle with everyone and just see how people smile at everything I smile at, like babies and children, and animals and nature...
And when people are sad like when they loose someone, or when they are grieving...I can always understand that.

 

[soberxp]

We tend to forget that mercy is always an option in judgment.

James 2:13 NIV
... Mercy triumphs over judgment.

[

God judges people’s secrets
through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares

 

[St. SteVen]

God judges people’s secrets
through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares

Choose a synonym to replace "judges".
- considers
- evaluates
- reveals
- unveils

[

 

[soberxp]

Choose a synonym to replace "judges".
- considers
- evaluates
- reveals
- unveils

[

reveals

 

[St. SteVen]

reveals

See how that gives it a different personality?
Works better in context too.

God reveals people’s secrets
through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares

[

 

[soberxp]

See how that gives it a different personality?
Works better in context too.

God reveals people’s secrets
through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares

[

God also reveals Jesus Christ to them through people's secrets.

 

[St. SteVen]

God also reveals Jesus Christ to them through people's secrets.

I don't think that is the thrust of that passage.
Where did you get the idea?

[

 

[soberxp]

I don't think that is the thrust of that passage.
Where did you get the idea?

[

Secret, can not say,if I said no one believe

 

[St. SteVen]

Secret, can not say,if I said no one believe

How did you verify its truthfulness?
Did you prove it with scripture?

[

 

[soberxp]

How did you verify its truthfulness?
Did you prove it with scripture?

[

For example, I saw a straight column of cloud From the sky to the ground.
It is God shows himself to me.

 

[St. SteVen]

For example, I saw a straight column of cloud From the sky to the ground.
It is God shows himself to me.

How does that support this?

God also reveals Jesus Christ to them through people's secrets.

I don't see the connection.

[

 

[soberxp]

How does that support this?

I don't see the connection.

[

I hear voices from heaven, but I can't see them, in a more scientific word, from another latitude, Among the voices I heard were the voices of Jesus and thousands of saints, the voices of people I knew who were not Christians, and the chanting of Buddhists.

Don't ask me if I'm hallucinating, don't ask me if I'm do drugs, my answer is no.

If you believe me,so be it.
If you don't believe me, time will tell.

 

[St. SteVen]

I hear voices from heaven, but I can't see them, in a more scientific word, from another latitude, Among the voices I heard were the voices of Jesus and thousands of saints, the voices of people I knew who were not Christians, and the chanting of Buddhists.

Don't ask me if I'm hallucinating, don't ask me if I'm do drugs, my answer is no.

If you believe me,so be it.
If you don't believe me, time will tell.

I believe you.
But how does that support this?

soberxp said:
God also reveals Jesus Christ to them through people's secrets.

[

 

[soberxp]

I believe you.
But how does that support this?

soberxp said:
God also reveals Jesus Christ to them through people's secrets.

[

Romans 2:14-16 NIV
16 This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets
through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

 

[St. SteVen]

Romans 2:14-16 NIV
16 This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets
through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

How is Jesus Christ revealed to people in revealing people's secrets?
And to what end? This is happening in the judgment/evaluation in the afterlife.

[

 

[soberxp]

How is Jesus Christ revealed to people in revealing people's secrets?
And to what end? This is happening in the judgment/evaluation in the afterlife.

[

I only know that God is a good teacher,
The Gospel of Luke
18:26 And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?
18:27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.