Bible Question: what is a good way of checking to see if someone is taking scripture out of context. I was taught to read the scripture before and after it but sometimes that is not enough. |
Bible Answer: Let me add my two cents I have found that God provides two or more witnesses (other scriptures) to any doctrine or precept He would establish for us to follow. I believe this is based on the following scriptures. Deuteronomy 19:15“A single witness shall not rise up against a man on account of any iniquity or any sin which he has committed; on the evidence of two or three witnesses a matter shall be confirmed. Matthew 18:16 “But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. John 8:17 “Even in your law it has been written that the testimony of two men is true. 2 Corinthians 13:1 This is the third time I am coming to you. Every fact is to be confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses. Jesus followed this principal in John 5:33-39 by pointing to four witnesses to confirmed He was who He said He was. John the Baptist John 5:33-35, witness of works John 5:36, witness of the Father John 5:37-38 and the witness of scripture John 5:39-47. I can not think of one doctrine, precept, statute, ordinance, or commandment that God gave to man that isn’t confirmed at least one other place in the Scriptures. Furthermore I get very cautious when I hear people say we must understand the traditions and the social customs of the time. I know we must have some understanding of them so we can correctly apply the teaching to our life. However, I also believe the Bible is just as applicable to us today as it was for those of the first century. I have heard many men explain that a particular doctrine or teaching doesn’t apply today because the writer was responding to “thus and such”. Or this isn’t for today because it is addressing a custom that is no longer in effect. Does anyone believe an all knowing, all seeing God that produced the Bible, the living Word, would be so short sighted He would allow the inclusion of doctrine, precepts, statutes, ordinances, or commandments that are no longer valid because of changing customs or social trends? Or that God would allow writer’s bias or prejudices to contaminate the writing? That's my two cents and I hope it helps you. I'll also be interested to see how people answer the two questions I asked. |