Bible Question:
When using scripture to discuss Christian topics and support your viewpoint, how do you know how much context to use? To provide an overly simple example, 1 John 4:8 "The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love" Some people might argue from that verse that God wouldn't send anyone to hell, but in the context of the whole New Testament, or 1 John for that matter it obviously isn't true. So to be fair you can't use "sound bytes". To give a real world example, Romans 9:11 "For though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God's purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls," Now, if we look just at this one verse it seems to be the perfect verse in support of predestination. On the other hand, when you look at it in the context of Romans chapters 9,10,11 you see that Paul is explaining that just because the Jews have the birthright as God's chosen people that does not guarantee salvation for them. God can choose to use the Gentiles, and branch Israel could repent and be grafted back in to the tree. So, what real world rule of thumb do YOU use? Huron |
Bible Answer: When in doubt quote the entire paragraph Huron: In the examples you give, which are perfectly fine examples, I'm not sure it's merely a question of considering context, although that is always important. Carried to an extreme, the principle of looking at the context could be the basis for quoting the entire Bible, rather than singling out the verse(s) under discussion. A related factor necessary in interpreting scripture is the principle of the analogia scriptura. "One of the basic principles of biblical interpretation is the analogia scriptura, the analogy of Scripture. In other words, we must compare Scripture with Scripture in order to understand its full and proper sense. And since the Bible doesn't contradict itself, any interpretation of a specific passage that contradicts the general teaching of the Bible is to be rejected." (To read the full quote, go to (www.gty.org). Click on "BIBLE FAQs". Under "SALVATION" click on "Is baptism necessary for salvation?" When you arrive at this page, search for "analogia scriptura".) Having said that I will address your question, "When using scripture to discuss Christian topics and support your viewpoint, how do you know how much context to use?" When in doubt, I would quote, at the very least, the entire paragraph in which the verse appears. For paragraph divisions, see the English Standard Version, the NIV, or other Bible translations. You need not quote the ESV or NIV, but consulting either of these will show you where each parapgraph begins and ends. Grace to you, kalos |
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Questions and/or Subjects for Bible general Archive 2 | Author | ||
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MsGrant | ||
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justme | ||
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Marathonman1025 | ||
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eowens | ||
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Huron | ||
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Huron | ||
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Huron | ||
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Robert McCullough | ||
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Huron | ||
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EdB | ||
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kalos | ||
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Huron |