All Christians interpret the bible with the same goal in mind. We read Scripture hoping to learn more about God and God's will for us, and we also want to know what path our lives should take. This is a noble pursuit, but we must be careful not to assume there's only one path to reach this goal. There are actually several paths - or methods - that help us break open God's word and find meaning for our own lives today.
To read Scripture from a Catholic point of view therefore is to keep an open mind. There are multiple pathways at our disposal and multiple interpretations we can create from the same passage. A parable from the gospels might show one person how to be more loving, and it might reveal to another person the incredible generosity of the kingdom of God. As long as we're not reading too literally or approaching a passage with a hidden agenda, we can find all sorts of treasures by using all sorts of methods.
Below are some of the more common methods used by Catholics today, as well as by many other Christians. Some require more expertise than others, but all are useful in helping us understand the bible better. The best interpretation draws on multiple methods when reading a passage, but don't feel the need to use all or them. Find one or two you like the most (or possibly more!), and practice those for a while. There are no bad choices here.
Languages
What the Text Really Says
Dig beneath the surface to discover what the original text actually says.
History
People, Places, & Cultures
Learn about life in biblical times and other historical facts that explain the biblical text.
Literature
Reading Closely
Read the bible as a piece of literature, paying careful attention to clues in the text.
Unique Perspectives
Benefiting from Others
Read passages of Scripture through the eyes of others.