[Ester]

Almost everyone (I really think everyone) has at one point or another misunderstood a biblical book, chapter, or verse thereby misapplying the message originally meant by the author of the bible.

A fact that testifies to this is the different denominations and faith groups preaching different doctrines and advices to their congretions. As learned fellas, people with ability to place wordings in context, I would like us to discuss principles that would lead to an understanding of biblical teachings and if possible, by way of examples.

Principle number 1- Contextual reading.
How do you place verses in their proper contexts?

Principle number 2 - Historical perspective
How do you separate between a timely and a timeless advice? For example the advice that Moses removes his shoes because he was standing at a holy ground is interpreted by some religious people to apply to all believers when attending places of worship. How do you conclude that it was not a timeless advice?

Principle number 3 - Original writing style, grammar, and words
We do know that bible authors themselves did not separate their books into chapters and verses, they wrote in a language void of punctuation marks, and used words that mean totally different things today. How do you arrive at the original and intended meaning? A case example is the statement "I say unto you today you shall be with me in paradise" that Jesus said to the thief on the cross. Since punctuations were missing people have punctuated it as either "I say unto you, today you pall be with me in paradise" or "I say unto you today, you shall be with me in paradise" which are two different things.

Principle number four - biblical self interpretation
Some books like Daniel and other prophetic books contain a lot of imagery. Should you follow the understanding in other books of the same bible that seem to unearth the meanings of the imagery?

We should explore these and many more principles as may arise.