When we refer to an interpretation or discuss interpretation theories, we do so to claim authority over the text or to avoid accountability. A written text in any language says what it says. You need only see with your eyes what is written on the pages. Note the use of the plural: “pages.” You have to take it all in, over and over again, paying close attention to the original languages. The act of searching the text is not theory. It is an action. Either you search the text or you don’t. We like to debate interpretations and theories of interpretation because it is much, much easier than spending the rest of our lives pouring over and hearing the words on the page. Unfortunately, the only way to hear what someone is saying is to actually listen to what they say. If we are not doing this, everything we say about the Bible is vain talk. So don’t ask what a word means. Instead, search the Bible from cover to cover and learn how the Bible itself interprets that word. In Matthew’s gospel, you’ll quickly discover that Matthew is talking about Matthew’s gospel. Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 24:9-14. Episode 372 Matthew 24:9-14; Music: Thatched Villagers by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4481-thatched-villagers License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license