I am constantly asking my readers to study Scripture in context. "Never read a single Bible verse" isn't a bad idea. Sure, sometimes the context will confirm that the understanding of that single verse is right, but it's certainly the wisest thing to know the context for full knowledge and confirmation. The Bible is its own context and we need to interpret Scripture with Scripture first.
Having said that, I think that Scripture is not the only thing that requires context. James wrote, "Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger" (James 1:19). I think it's a good idea. I think we should be slow to insert our thoughts and slower still to rise to anger before we bother hearing what's really going on. Context. You find examples of this in the news. "It's genocide!" the media and mobs cry, but if you pause long enough to examine the facts, Israel has never stated an intention to eliminate Palestinians; just the Palestinians (Hamas) who are attacking them. Hamas, on the other hand, has it as their openly stated, national goal to eliminate Israel. So which one is engaged in genocide? How much do we know about the context of how Jews ended up in Israel again? How much do we know about the Palestinians that occupied the area? How much do we know about what has been going on there for the past 75+ years since Israel was reinstated as a nation? How much do we know about the history of the conflict between Israel and her surrounding neighbors? (Hint: It's a much longer history than back to 1948. Think "Ishmael.") Context. Loud voices call for the removal of limitations on abortion, going so far as to demand you and I pay for it and some even calling for postpartum abortion -- killing that baby after it is born. (Both California and Maryland had bills in the works to make that legal.) This far-left view will not even consider the term, "pro-life." There is no context in which they can acknowledge the possibility. Anyone who wishes to limit "reproductive freedom" in any way is a hater and anti-women. Context. You can carry that thought through yourself when it comes to racism ("Racism is defined as 'white people' and all white people are racist.") or sexism ("All men are sexist pigs.") or so many of the other current, common attitudes of our culture. Context is important, and we're not willing to go there.
Scripture must be interpreted in context. Any interpretation that simply ignores context is dubious. In the same way, we, in our modern digital culture that demands sound bites, memes, short messages, and abbreviated communication, are all prone to ignore context and make snap judgments with minimal information. Worse, when offered context, we reject it in favor of the limited version we prefer. That could apply to a Bible verse or your favorite (or least favorite) political figure and so on. "Don't bother me with facts; I know I'm right." It's a popular idea, but it is a minefield. And those who are willing -- even preferring -- to draw conclusions and act without context -- Christians or not -- are destined to make some serious errors in judgment. We can't make people examine things in context, but we can be sure that we're not doing the same. Solomon wrote, "A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion" (Prov 18:2). Don't play the fool.
5 comments:
Prov 18:2 is so fitting for our world today. We so often spout the headlines without reading. I just heard of a report that says that porn is neither good nor bad and sited multiple studies as proof. But if you actually go in and read the studies they are saying the opposite of his point.
I agree that Christians--of all people--should be well-informed and sober-minded, using the faculties of reason and intelligence with which God has endowed us. People who don’t mind publicizing their ignorance on topics on which they are not knowledgeable are an embarrassment to themselves, and certainly Christians in this category blacken God’s name. It is quite possible for someone to quietly yet firmly hold strong convictions--in all sorts of areas, including politics--and allow them to guide his/her life choices and daily behavior, while the individual remains self-effacing, humble, and teachable; those rare people are a pleasure to know and love.
Taking things out of context is one thing. Outright lying is another. I think what you're describing in your post is more the latter than the former. It's not like the context is typically hidden, so even if one has taken something out of context, when reminded of the context from which it was derived, holding fast to the out-of-context position suggests lying.
I believe those that say those things typically do so because they actually believe the things they say. That is, they aren't trying to deceive you (lying); they're just, plain wrong. Because they haven't considered the whole situation. Sometimes intentionally. For instance, I think those who pound the table and demand "women's reproductive rights" actually believe that is the issue at hand, primarily because they're not thinking it through or examining the evidence -- just going on how they feel.
Again, I was referring to those who have had the context presented to them after honestly overlooking it. Someone who claims to, say, seriously and prayerfully studied Scripture yet still ignores context when using a verse or passage to push something different, is likely unconcerned with the context being thus ignored, though it might be an honest error. Then, when context is presented and it is explained how the verse or passage fits within it to imply an entirely different meaning, at the very least, it would be appropriate to press pause and indulge in deeper study to confirm or deny the objection to how the passage or verse is being misused. From here, we can assess how the person proceeds...to either accept the clarification or to continue on with the incorrect usage despite the correction.
Clearly I'm beating about the bush as I have someone in mind...call him a mutual friend. How one feels only goes so far.
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