There are so many different ways that you can interpret the Scriptures. In fact you can easily make a case for differing positions in hundreds of issues. But, w can basically bring it all down to two primary rails on which to run. There is the “interpretation of varied texts“, and then there are the broader “theological themes”. Another way to say that is there’s a micro approach (verses) and then there’s the macro approach (major themes). It’s not an either-or, but an And -Also. However common to both is to read and interpret the Bible by reading “Jesus into it all“. He IS the WORD you know- unless John (Chapter 1) didn’t know what he was saying.
A hot issue in theological debate these days is on the topic of Hell! While some texts “seem” to teach final destruction of the lost, others “appear” to teach a salvation for ALL, as in everyone. Before a person gets too proud about whichever position they take, let’s list a couple of options.
Here are some of your options for consideration.
1-All will be saved!
2-Some will be saved (exclusivism)
3-Only those expressing a conscious mental faith in Jesus will be saved.
4-All religions lead to salvation with or without acknowledging Jesus.
5-Annihilationism: all who are not saved will be destroyed
Which color of galsses are you reading with, what paradigm did you bring to the Scripture? The very act of “reading is interpreting”
There are literally dozen of combinations of the above; however, for me it all comes down to the character of God that Jesus represented. And what I’ve come to is that God is restorative and not retributive! That doesn’t mean there won’t be a “balancing of the books” at the great white throne judgment (there is divine judgment), but that the “judgment” is to restore (Acts 3:21), not destroy, or be vindictive- retributive.
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