Interpretation is unavoidable, even for people who claim they are “just reading the text.” That is why clarity here can be genuinely life-giving.
Interpretation is the disciplined process of understanding meaning in context.
Everyone Interprets
The danger is swinging between two extremes: rigid proof-texting or anything-goes relativism.
How to Read with Integrity
Good interpretation pays attention to genre, context, and the whole biblical story. It helps us hear Scripture on its terms, not merely our own.
That is also why this topic matters pastorally, not only academically. When the language is clear, people can ask better questions, avoid false binaries, and move toward decisions that are wiser, kinder, and more truthful.
It also protects us from false confidence on one side and endless confusion on the other, which is why interpretation is a discipleship issue as much as an academic one.
Where Theology Meets Real Life
If you are looking to take these truths from your head to your heart—especially as we navigate the heavy realities of pain, trauma, and trying to live faithfully in a broken world—I want to invite you to explore my book, Forgiveness. Together, we look closely at one of the most challenging yet profoundly restorative commands of Jesus, discovering how it is possible to find healing and hope even when it feels impossible.
