Definitive Interpretations

Abstract

One of the most fundamental questions for religions that accept revealed scriptures as a source of doctrine and belief is whether believers can understand them correctly, or, to put it in another way, whether there can be definitive interpretations of revealed texts.¹ Indeed, this is essential for the justification of some of the actions taken by religious communities with respect both to their members and to those outside the communities. What else but the possession of a definitive understanding of what the divinity means can justify religious wars, religious confessions of faith, and much religious practice? The possibility or impossibility of definitive interpretations, in principle or in fact, is then an essential issue for communities of believers.