Personal bible study and caution against distortion《2Pe3:16; Jer23:25,28-29,32; 2Ti2:15; Ps119:18, 97; Jam3:1》

1. Distortion is possible with personal bible study and private interpretation of the bible.

1) "Distortion" is warned throughout the bible

Read <2Pe 3:16> <Jer 23:25,28-29,32>

2) If we keep our views under the authority of bible, prayerfully and reflecting, the bible will lead us closer and deeper to its real meaning.

Read <2Ti 2:15> <Ps 119:18, 97>

2. "Everyone has his or her own interpretation".

1) The loss of significant and meaningful bible study.

2) Subjectivism

3) The first principle of private interpretation should be: There is only one correct interpretation of any Biblical text, but there may be a multitude of applications.

* Some examples of prosperity gospel teachers distorting:

Read <Jas 4:2> <Jas 4:3> <Isa 53:5>

3. The issue of "private interpretation" happened historically.

1) The Roman Catholic Church ever tried to suppress private interpretation in the reformation.

2) Our responsibility: life-long christian education, theological education for the clergy.

Read <Jas 3:1>