The Bible is one of the most influential books in human history. It has survived through numerous attempts to destroy it and everything it represents. It has been interpreted in different ways over the years, but two of the most important modes of interpretation are the traditionalist and the modernist views. The traditionalist perspective has existed for centuries and was born almost simultaneously with the Bible itself. The rise of modern biblical scholarship has been more recent, led by Charles Briggs in recent centuries. Along with this rise has developed a broad debate about which perspective is right and whether they can coexist. To determine whether the views are compatible one can examine the purpose of the mode of interpretation, the assumptions made by each, the levels of interpretation of each, and the purpose of the Bible in both modes of interpretation. Determining the Purpose of a How to interpret the Bible is vital because it sets the course. Purpose is the guiding compass for all interpretations that come. Ancient interpreters always viewed the Bible as a book whose primary purpose was spiritual nourishment and enlightenment. In fact, what the Bible explicitly says is not the most important aspect of Traditionalism. Kugel captures this concept excellently when he says that “there was something considered even more important, more powerful than the words of the text themselves.” This leaves the question of what exactly is this something more important? For ancient interpreters it was the underlying meaning of the words, the mission to serve and worship God. Knowing this is fundamental to understanding that the purpose of traditionalist views is to expose this mission of service in every part of the... middle of the page. .. reason. In the case of traditionalism and modern biblical studies, however, there is little room for agreement. Looking at the purpose of the mode of interpretation, the assumptions made by each, the levels of interpretation of each, and the purpose of the Bible in both modes of interpretation one can see conflicts in each area. Modernism is always in conflict with the vision of the ancient interpreters because, whether it was intended or not, it now replaces everything that Traditionalism teaches. Considering all this, if modern biblical studies remains as it is and does not return to what it was originally intended to be, the two can never be reconciled. Bibliography Holy Bible: The New King James Version. Nashville, TN: T. Nelson, 1982.Kugel, James L. How to Read the Bible: A Guide to the Scriptures, Then and Now. New York, NY: Free Press, 2008.