Which Interpretation is Right?

Not long ago I saw a “meme” on Facebook that read: “If everyone can interpret Scripture independently, who finally decides which interpretation is correct? (St. Thomas Moore).” That meme generates this article.

Who is St. Thomas Moore? A man who lived in the 15-16th century, and died as a martyr within the structure of the Catholic Church religious hierarchy.  There is an institution with this name in proximity to Ohio State University, “a Catholic campus serving the students at Ohio State.”

Did Thomas Moore actually say this? Perhaps, but whether he did or not, the Catholic Church would certainly accept the framing of the sentiment in the form of a question, with the unstated answer that no one can know which interpretation is true; thus, it is best to rely of the Catholic Church to give clarity to such an issue.

The Catholic Church subscribes to three sources of authority (Scripture, Tradition, and  Magisterium: the teaching authority of the Church); which authority source warrants this thinking? It is not Scripture, so it must be one of the other two. Yet, Scripture does not recognize two of the three sources of authority that Catholic Church makes use of. The only source of authority Christians accept (or should accept) is Jesus and Him crucified (1 Cor. 3.11), and His revealed will through those whom He chose (cf. John 16:13). This means that when another source of authority presumes to speak in the name of God, it is paramount for Christians to utilize the example of the Bereans, searching the Scriptures daily (Acts 17:11).

From Scripture we learn nothing about a “Catholic Church,” neither do we learn (read) anything pertaining the positions known as Pope (Bishop of Rome and successor of Peter), cardinal (bishops, but close collaborators to the Pope), archbishop /bishop (successors to the apostles), or priests (over a parish). For Christians, Scripture is our only source of authority.

To make the point further, notice:

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world (1 John 4:1).

But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we preached unto you, let him be anathema (Galatians 1:8).

Since there is no divine approval (or acceptance) for these positions in Scripture, from where do these positions come? Not from the Lord, but only from man. The Magisterium and Tradition are the words of man, not God.

It was Jeremiah who wrote, O Jehovah, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps (Jeremiah 10:23).

The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt: who can know it (Jeremiah 17:9)?

Why do people think the wisdom of man is greater than the revealed Word of God? Because man regards himself as sincere and determined he won’t lie in the name of the Lord. He may not lie (intentional), but he frequently is wrong.

How do we know which interpretation is right? “let us reason” together, “testing the spirits” to see if they have come from God or not. In this process, more is easily determined than you might think. In the end, only God is in the absolute position of determining which interpretation is correct. 

Ron Thomas