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

soberxp said:

"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.

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Study the Fathers of faith in both the OT and NT. Do you think they had the amount of books to read regarding one subject and thousands of different global authors sharing their take on it. NO, they did not. They had the word of God speaking to them. They were humbled by God's call on them. They weren't boastful or pridefull. Most of the population didn't like them. You know, weird.

The reason for the division isn't lack of knowledge, certainly its lack of wisdom for sure, but it's mostly because of pride. Everyone wants to be right, or a better word, righteous about their rightness. The need for a water baptism, who's right, who's wrong? The need for tongues, who's right who's wrong? Is the earth really just 6000 years old? Who's right, who's wrong? But do you KNOW what the most significant thing is. Well, the bible was written to inspire us to; walk with Jesus and to KNOW HIM. In Him is "ALL" knowledge, in HIM is "ALL Wisdom", in Him is "ALL" power. He is spiritual with power not known to this Carnal Material Existence we live in. Signs and wonders will be more frequently seen, as well as Miracles. What's easier for God, to grant your petition to be saved, or to grant your petition to be healed. If you say God doesn't do miracles today, than are you saying Jesus doesn't have compassion anymore? Or maybe God has limited power today, for who know's what reason.

Personally, I identify with the saints in the bible. The ones who Jesus says "enter my good and faithful servant" (singular), and follows by saying; when I was thirsty and hungry and cold you took care of me. The saint replied: WHEN? that response of humility, not realizing that just being his pardaigm faith, he was caring for others without contemplation and walking in a manner that pleased God.

In other words, I don't mind what others think, I am only midful that God is watching me and His mercies are new every morning, I will follow HIM until I drop dead and rest in HIS word..."Come let us go to the otherside", and rest in that vessel with HIM.

Writer said:

In other words, I don't mind what others think, I am only midful that God is watching me and His mercies are new every morning, I will follow HIM until I drop dead and rest in HIS word..."Come let us go to the otherside", and rest in that vessel with HIM.

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Well said. Thanks.

[

Writer said:

The reason for the division isn't lack of knowledge, certainly its lack of wisdom for sure, but it's mostly because of pride. Everyone wants to be right, or a better word, righteous about their rightness. The need for a water baptism, who's right, who's wrong? The need for tongues, who's right who's wrong? Is the earth really just 6000 years old? Who's right, who's wrong? But do you KNOW what the most significant thing is. Well, the bible was written to inspire us to; walk with Jesus and to KNOW HIM. In Him is "ALL" knowledge, in HIM is "ALL Wisdom", in Him is "ALL" power. He is spiritual with power not known to this Carnal Material Existence we live in. Signs and wonders will be more frequently seen, as well as Miracles. What's easier for God, to grant your petition to be saved, or to grant your petition to be healed. If you say God doesn't do miracles today, than are you saying Jesus doesn't have compassion anymore? Or maybe God has limited power today, for who know's what reason.

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Agree.

1 Corinthians 2:4-5 NIV
My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words,
but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power,
5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.

[

The point is that there can be greater unity among the pieces (doctrines).

If there was one doctrine, would we truly have faith?

Jack said:

Rejecting the literal is the biggest problem. Many just don't like what God said!

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Bubba Bingo ride again!

In other words, you nailed it.

Those following catholicism and reformed theology definitely don't like what God says which is why they don';t accept the entire Word of God and elevate their own teachings above what God says in His Word.

Dash RipRock said:

Those following catholicism and reformed theology definitely don't like what God says which is why they don';t accept the entire Word of God

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By the term, the entire Word of God do you mean Jesus the Christ, the Word Who became flesh?

Or, the entire word of God as in every word that proceeds from the mouth of God?

I'm trying to correctly interpret what you are saying.

Dash RipRock said:

Bubba Bingo ride again!

In other words, you nailed it.

Those following catholicism and reformed theology definitely don't like what God says which is why they don';t accept the entire Word of God and elevate their own teachings above what God says in His Word.

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I can's speak for Roman Catholics, but I wonder why you say that "those who follow Reformed theology definitely don't like what God says which is why they don't accept the entire Word of God and elevate their own teachings above what God says in His Word." I am one of those who believes Reformed theology, and I certainly do like what God says, and I do accept the whole bible as the word of God. You only have to look at some of the Reformed Confessions of Faith to see the great reliance Reformed believers put on God's word. For example, the Westminster Confession of Faith, and the London Baptist Confession of Faith don't make a single theological statement without giving Scriptural support for that statement.

ScottA said:

Even so, it has been the plan of God to "confuse the language of all the earth" (Genesis 11:9); and only reveal truth "precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line, Here a little, there a little" (Isaiah 28:10); and not to "finish" until "the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound" (Revelation 10:7).

In other words, God has intentionally designed the times of mankind and this world to be under confusion of language (including the scriptures), putting off the finish...until the end.

And what did God tell Daniel to do about all that He had revealed to him? “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end" (Daniel 12:9). And what did He tell John who had a preview to the "finish" in "a little book" and "was about to write?" “Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them" (Revelation 10).

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So. Revelation is not a revelation after all?

Lambano said:

From post #12:


That doesn't seem to be working for us as promised either. Why?

Does anybody else understand the frustration with all the broken promises of, "Oh, if we'd just interpret our Bibles correctly, if we'd just allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in our lives, we'd find unity with each other and peace and victory over our own flaws and fellowship with Christ"?

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There are "many" who do agree. There are even more who agree with those "many", except for some minor details. The rest would say those "many", and anyone agreeing with them, must be a cult. Why? Because the majority disagree with them. But one might well ask, when has the majority ever been right? And while the majority may all disagree with those first "many", even though the "many" be a minority, the majority are divided over just about everything else. Oh, so what's the solution? Easy, said the chairman of the committee. Form a consensus, agree to disagree on the minor things, choose 3 or 4 base fundamental points to agree on, and then persecute everyone else. Job done. The majority wins. Democracy in action.


Ummm, did anyone mention the Bible?
Yes, came a quiet voice from the corner,
“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. ”
Isaiah 8:20 KJV
Unfeigned Bible
Really? Yep. Bottom line. Disagree all you like with everyone else, and ignore their railings and rants and abuse and put-downs. But agree with the scriptures.

Brakelite said:

So. Revelation is not a revelation after all?

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Oh, yes, certainly it is. But there is to be a final chapter, a final finishing revelation already recorded, and yet not revealed until the time of the end--as it is written. This is that time.

Brakelite said:

There are "many" who do agree. There are even more who agree with those "many", except for some minor details. The rest would say those "many", and anyone agreeing with them, must be a cult. Why? Because the majority disagree with them. But one might well ask, when has the majority ever been right? And while the majority may all disagree with those first "many", even though the "many" be a minority, the majority are divided over just about everything else. Oh, so what's the solution? Easy, said the chairman of the committee. Form a consensus, agree to disagree on the minor things, choose 3 or 4 base fundamental points to agree on, and then persecute everyone else. Job done. The majority wins. Democracy in action.


Ummm, did anyone mention the Bible?
Yes, came a quiet voice from the corner,
“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. ”
Isaiah 8:20 KJV
Unfeigned Bible
Really? Yep. Bottom line. Disagree all you like with everyone else, and ignore their railings and rants and abuse and put-downs. But agree with the scriptures.

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And yet, it should be understood--all have fallen short, leaving no one group fully inline with God and the scriptures.

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

The Bible is Knowledge, of Gods Approved Word.

The Understanding” of Gods Approved Word… is Two Fold.

Some “Understand” according to what “makes Logical Mindful sense to them.”
(And will even argue on that premise, saying “this or that makes No sense”)

Some “Understand” according to “Gods understanding”, as the Lord God Himself, Provides His Spiritual Understanding, TO they who “Are His, Belong to Him and Seek after His Understanding”.

Men engaging in a conversation regarding Spiritual THINGS of one using Carnal Understanding VS Spiritual Understanding …
Will be on polar opposite conclusions.

Thus the conundrum of differences between two who both believe.
One is a Saved Believer.
One is a Believer without having obtained Salvation.

Salvation is a Gift.
Knowing the Gift exists, is Offered…is not possessed by a man, UNTIL he TAKES the Gift (according to the Order, Way, (terms) God has set forth.)

First example of someone (what God set before them and Offered To them TO Take), But they Did NOT reach out and TAKE, have, eat, consume, posess.

Gen 3:
[22] And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

Same with the Gift of Salvation.
If a man doesn’t TAKE Gods Offered Gift.. they don’t Possess the Gift.

Glory to God,
Taken

Taken said:

Same with the Gift of Salvation.
If a man doesn’t TAKE Gods Offered Gift.. they don’t Possess the Gift.

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This assumes that everyone has received the "offer".
Countless billions have gone to the afterlife with no offer.
What about them?

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St. SteVen said:

This assumes that everyone has received the "offer".
Countless billions have gone to the afterlife with no offer.
What about them?

[

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I believe you recently quoted this scripture, "the Lord is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance". If you believe this, and I know you do, how do you know billions have gone to the grave (not a? fter life) without any offer of repentance? Is God playing games with the lives of those He died for?

St. SteVen said:

This assumes that everyone has received the "offer".
Countless billions have gone to the afterlife with no offer.
What about them?

[

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No, quite the opposite.

Per portion to the population, Few ARE Saved. (Converted “in” Christ)
The Lord Shall redeem them (Rapture).

During the Trib. Unconverted believers…
Believe in God, Believe in “Jesus”. ( but not having Taken his Offering ) who are killed during the Trib…God searches their heart…(truth), for their Belief… yes belief in Jesus ?
God shall save their soul.
God shall redeem them (First Resurrection).

Savior?
Christ
And
God

Redemption?
Different times.
Rapture
And
First Resurrection

John 10:
[27] My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
[28] And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
[29] My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

1 Thes 4:
[16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
[17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

1Thes 4:
[14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

Glory to God,
Taken

soberxp said:

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

​

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Its not "excessive interpretation" that causes confusion regarding Theology, its lack of spiritual discernment, regarding the verses.

Paul teaches us that the word of God, is "spiritually discerned", and that means its revealed by the Spirit of God as our "inner man" understanding, and when that is not how someone is "shown what the verses mean" then they are interpreting them based on logic, or analytical thinking or personal opinion, and that is going to end up as a theology = train wreck.

Ill give you an example.

A Calvinist, is lead of Calvin's theology to interpret the bible, according to Calvin's point of view.
So, Calvin was a demon possessed tool of the devil and his theology is like a mental virus that will blind your mind so that the word of God become a dark situation.
So, thats one theological "Train Wreck"....and then you have JW's theology, and Mormon theology, and so many other "man made" theologies, that are based on what some man//woman who was not able to discern the word of God, has created.

Hebrews 13:9, teaches you about this.....and tells you that these deceiver will capture your mind into their cult, unless you do something with your """HEART.""

soberxp said:

"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.

Click to expand...

Yes; offshoots of offshoots of error; spiral down, down, down into a burning ring of fire. It's why Orthodoxy and Fundamentalism are so important...

soberxp said:

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

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Yes, amen. My question is about the last statement. Unity in the Essentials. Did you read this in the bible or receive this directly from the Holy Spirit. I've heard this quoted before but out of interest, where is its origin in the bible?

Behold said:

So, Calvin was a demon possessed tool of the devil and his theology is like a mental virus that will blind your mind so that the word of God become a dark situation.
So, thats one theological "Train Wreck".

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Whether this Calvin guy was demon possessed or not I can't say for certain. But he seemed to be used by God for some purpose. I believe he and his acquaintances had an influence over the bible, KJV bible. Didn't these guys change the original 80 book KJV and reduce it to the 66 KJV that many read and live their life by today?