WHY DO WE DERIVE SUCH DIFFERENT INTERPRETATIONS OF THE SCRIPTURES

I think that there are many reasons why Christians come up with different interpretations and theologies. For one thing, we are to seek understanding more than anything else, but I think that we rarely do. From my experience, few people even ask the important questions, perhaps because they believe that there are no answers, or they are afraid that the answers will demand that they make changes in the way they think and live. Instead, Scripture tells us to seek wisdom and understanding more than we do riches:

·       yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright…(Proverbs 2:3-7)

Another reason that we differ is because of immaturity. We are too new in Jesus to have meditated on the Word of God sufficiently in order to grow much in our understanding, but this is something we must do:

·       Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature. (1 Corinthians 14:20)

This type of growth is a process. It continues until Jesus returns:

·       So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32)

Freedom comes gradually. Likewise, the Scriptures warn us to meditate on the Word of God all the time (Psalm 1:1-3; Joshua 1:8; Deuteronomy 6:5-8). As we do so, we grow in the wisdom of the Scriptures. To understand any one verse, we need to understand it in the context of the rest of the Scriptures – a very great but fruitful task.

We are recovering lovers of the darkness (John 3:19-20). Our minds have been held captive by sin for so long that it takes time for the light to penetrate the strongholds of darkness, in which we had once delighted.

We only see in part. Therefore, our understanding will be very limited until our Lord returns for us (1 John 3:1-2):

·       For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. (1 Corinthians 13:12)

This means that there will remain areas of disagreement. However, we must bask together in the light that we share (Ephesians 4:1-5) and not in the areas of uncertainty. Our unity does not depend upon the things that we cannot know with certainty but in the truths that are well-exposed by the Light. Therefore, we must major in the majors and minor in the minors.

Also, many false teachers have come among us to ravage the flock of God. Therefore, Paul had warned:

·       I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.  And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.  (Acts 20:29-32)

If we are built up by the truths of the Scriptures, then we are torn down by their perversion. Therefore, we must be alert. I think that the Church is the most succulent prey for Satan. He seems to focus on those in whom he can do the most destruction, among those who have the most to lose. Therefore, he seeks to capture new recruits to his kingdom, those he has not yet devoured:

·       Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. (1 Peter 5:8-9)