Interpretation can be a dangerous thing. People "interpret" the bible in various ways, and they try to make it mean all sorts of things. Some have interpreted the bible to justify slavery, sexism, or kooky predictions about the end of the world. Many have offered a"spiritual" interpretation of passages that isn't as outlandish but has little do with the text itself.

 

        It doesn't have to be this way. The problem isn't so much the act of interpretation but the person doing the interpreting. Often people up distorting the original meaning of the text, and sometimes they do it on purpose. This usually happens when the reader approaches the bible with an agenda, but it can also happen when the reader doesn't understand what they're reading. (And sometimes both these things are true, and the results are really scary!) The bible wrestles with complex theological concepts, and it doesn't always provide easy answers. It sure doesn't support bigotry, hatred, or strange forecasts about the future.

 

        That's where methods come in. The interpretive methods listed below are a sampling of the many ways Christians (including Catholics) have read the bible over the years. They're tried and true, and their just as useful today as they were in times past. They're also pretty basic, and they can be used on other texts besides the bible. The difference here is that we want to use these methods to discover what God is trying to communicate to us about Himself, about us, and about our relationship with Him.

 

      Since the Bible was written in Hebrew and Greek (and some Aramaic), it's important to be attentive to the original text so we don't lose anything in translation. Since the Bible was written many centuries ago, we'll need to know some history to make sense of what the ancient authors wrote for their original audiences. Since the bible is a written text that we can look at again and again, we'll need to read closely and attentively to see what the Bible is actually saying and what it isn't saying. And since the Bible was written for everyone, it will help to draw on the perspectives of others to make sense of God's Word. No one knows everything, so benefiting from the wisdom and insights of others is essential.

 

        Try out some of the methods below. Each page gives an overview of the method that everyone can understand. Then you can see how the method is applied to the Parable of the Prodigal Son and also learn how to practice these methods further on your own. After you feel comfortable with one or more of these methods, you'll get an opportunity to create your own interpretation on any passage of the Bible. You'll also get to read some of the interpretations that other visitors of this site have offered. The Bible is an amazing text that has been read by some pretty amazing people, and hopefully their reflections will help you on your own faith journey.

Methods

Learn key methods for interpreting Scripture, and practice on the Parable of the Prodigal Son.

Your Own Interp.

Try out the methods you've learned on passages from the bible, and post your own interpretation on this website!