No Private Interpretation: How This Prophecy Thing Works…knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:20-21)
IS THAT REALLY WHAT IT MEANS?
Many potentially enlightening Bible discussions have been avoided by fluffing off differences as merely a matter of opinion. “You believe it your way, I believe it my way” is a sad but all too common Bible conversation closer. I recall one discussion when I had simply read a passage of Scripture, and before I could say anything about it, a hostile accusation was levied, “That’s your interpretation!” The person was not really interested in what the Bible said, let alone what I might have to say about it.
The Bible is Not Open To Our Private Interpretation
For several years in the early 2000s, we featured two articles each week in our bulletin. The first addresses a variety of topics, and the second is a response to supposed Bible contradictions. Some promote skepticism about the Bible, which I am ok with, so long as it is sincere skepticism. The Skeptic’s Annotated Bible website has been a major source of these alleged errors.
Sincere Skepticism: Critical Thinking And Analysis For Better Bible Interpretation