Interpreting the Bible

All Christians believe the Bible is the Word of God, in some way. All Christians believe it tells us about God and what God wants for humans. All Christians believe it is a way God can communicate with us.

However, Christians sometimes interpret the Bible differently.

Some think that the bible is the direct word of God, passed down through the writers as if they were secretaries, taking notes from a heavenly voice. These Christians believe that everything in the Bible is true and most things should be taken word for word. These Christians can be Fundamentalists.

Some think the Bible came to the writers from God, but that the personalities and writing styles of the authors have been included in the writing. The authors interpreted the message they received from God. They were not simple secretaries typing a dictated letter.

Some Christians go further than this. They say the authors were human and so could make mistakes. The authors were influenced by ideas around them. The Bible contains the word of God but it isn't directly the word of God. These Christians can be called liberal Christians.