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Religions not open to interpretation

To the editor,

In your collaborative editorial in Monday's Daily Wildcat, you asserted that "religions are always open to interpretation, and none can truly be categorized as representing only one faith or another." I disagree with your claim.

In the case of Christianity, the one with which I am most familiar because I am an adherent, the religion is a very definite belief system. Christianity is based upon what Jesus Christ believed, which is evidenced through his words, his actions, and his interactions with people throughout time. In the Gospels, Jesus makes it absolutely clear what it is that he believes. "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me. And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him . if you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free"(John 8:28-9,31b-32). It is clear that Jesus said He is God, He does the will of God, and that those who live in Him are "truly" his disciples. In light of this passage and the rest of the Bible that describes the character of God and His Son Jesus Christ, the definition for the religion of Christianity is obvious. Personal interpretation only serves to determine an individual's personal religion, not change what God says about Himself and us through Jesus Christ. And the interpretative differences that separate Christian denominations from one another are inconsequential in comparison to the foundational beliefs Jesus defines.

Of course, personal interpretation exists. It is by this process that one decides to pursue a particular belief system or neglect religious pursuit altogether. However, this does not mean that I interpret Christianity in terms of my personal beliefs. Rather, I define my personal religion through the beliefs and person of Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God.

Seth Pruitt

International Studies Sophomore