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Scriptures Taken Out of Context [message #12884] |
Mon, 21 October 2019 17:33 |
james Messages: 2142 Registered: April 2008 Location: Birmingham, AL |
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II Peter 3:16 tells us that some wrest scripture (or take out of context; twist) to their own destruction. I know there are quite few that comes to mind to anyone who has been following after The Lord for many years and been involved in different groups of believers or 'denominations'. Some lay hold to certain scripture and ignore or place very little emphasis on others. I've witnessed this several times through the years, and i'd imagine you have too.
I John 3:9 is one I've seen and discussed before, there are people who believe they are sinless and cannot sin based on their take on this scripture. Never needing to confess or repent after their salvation experience. I don't agree with this and don't think that's the correct understanding of what John was saying.
Another verse that had a huge impact on my life was Romans 13:8A "Owe no man any thing..." Taken literally and without context, it was hammered into the members of our assembly as a law. Now in principle this is a very good way to manage finances and do life; Proverbs tells us it's wise and prudent to follow this advice. And I wholeheartedly agreed, I obeyed from my heart and sold property to 'get out of debt' and paid off all credit cards, ect. in 1982 and haven't been 'in the red' since.
But even though I've been debt free for the last 35 plus years (btw: if anyone reading this happens to be in debt, this isn't in any way a condemnation of your situation), I don't believe that is at all what Paul was writing to the church at Rome about. The context shows an entirely different teaching. It's about loving others and when we're obedient we will be fulfilling God's law...one won't steal from, kill, commit adultery, or lie to or about another person if we love them.
Any thoughts on this verse from Romans or another scripture you've seen taken out of context?
“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,”
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Re: Scriptures Taken Out of Context [message #12885 is a reply to message #12884] |
Mon, 21 October 2019 18:19 |
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william Messages: 1463 Registered: January 2006 |
Senior Member Administrator |
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james wrote on Mon, 21 October 2019 17:33II Peter 3:16 tells us that some wrest scripture (or take out of context; twist) to their own destruction. I know there are quite few that comes to mind to anyone who has been following after The Lord for many years and been involved in different groups of believers or 'denominations'. Some lay hold to certain scripture and ignore or place very little emphasis on others. I've witnessed this several times through the years, and i'd imagine you have too.
I John 3:9 is one I've seen and discussed before, there are people who believe they are sinless and cannot sin based on their take on this scripture. Never needing to confess or repent after their salvation experience. I don't agree with this and don't think that's the correct understanding of what John was saying.
Another verse that had a huge impact on my life was Romans 13:8A "Owe no man any thing..." Taken literally and without context, it was hammered into the members of our assembly as a law. Now in principle this is a very good way to manage finances and do life; Proverbs tells us it's wise and prudent to follow this advice. And I wholeheartedly agreed, I obeyed from my heart and sold property to 'get out of debt' and paid off all credit cards, ect. in 1982 and haven't been 'in the red' since.
But even though I've been debt free for the last 35 plus years (btw: if anyone reading this happens to be in debt, this isn't in any way a condemnation of your situation), I don't believe that is at all what Paul was writing to the church at Rome about. The context shows an entirely different teaching. It's about loving others and when we're obedient we will be fulfilling God's law...one won't steal from, kill, commit adultery, or lie to or about another person if we love them.
Any thoughts on this verse from Romans or another scripture you've seen taken out of context?
Rom. 13:8 can be taken out of context but I don't think it's too much of a stretch to be reading along and see that Paul is talking about taxes (tribute) and see that as a literal/physical payment for something that you owe to the physical rulers of the principalities and municipalities we find ourselves under.
He moves from the pivot point (Rom. 13:8) to our spiritual responsibilities to love our neighbors, etc., and in so doing we assure ourselves that we are fulfilling one of the main tenets of our Christian faith. The "owe no man any thing" encompasses 4 areas:
1) Tribute - I don't see how this can mean anything but money.
2) Custom - One of the listed meanings is: toll, custom (indirect tax on goods).
3) Fear - One meaning: respect or reverence.
4) Honour - This one includes the idea of reverence but also: a valuing by which the price is fixed.
(All definitions are from the Blueletter Bible. Since the server move I haven't gotten the links working yet but hopefully I'll get that fixed soon!)
Anyway, the fact is, Paul gives both a practical aspect and a spiritual aspect in describing our responsibilities. If owing someone something is deemed to be a lack of love toward that 'someone' then we're told not to "owe".
Open to any other interpretation, but that's how I see it.
Blessings,
William
[Updated on: Mon, 21 October 2019 19:15] I want to believe!
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Re: Scriptures Taken Out of Context [message #12886 is a reply to message #12885] |
Mon, 21 October 2019 18:38 |
james Messages: 2142 Registered: April 2008 Location: Birmingham, AL |
Senior Member |
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Good job brother, I had forgotten you were a shade tree theologian. Seriously though, my point was the turning part of a section of scripture into a set in stone law and the rest mostly ignored.
Another was Mark 11:24 Jesus said this in teaching followers to walk in faith, faithfully doing the will of God, being forgiving of others and quick to seek forgiveness ourselves...Not to "name it and claim it" as I've also witnessed.
“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,”
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Re: Scriptures Taken Out of Context [message #13036 is a reply to message #12884] |
Sat, 28 December 2019 11:20 |
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Gary Messages: 1025 Registered: August 2008 Location: Indiana |
Senior Member |
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james wrote on Mon, 21 October 2019 17:33II Peter 3:16 tells us that some wrest scripture (or take out of context; twist) to their own destruction. I know there are quite few that comes to mind to anyone who has been following after The Lord for many years and been involved in different groups of believers or 'denominations'. Some lay hold to certain scripture and ignore or place very little emphasis on others. I've witnessed this several times through the years, and i'd imagine you have too.
I John 3:9 is one I've seen and discussed before, there are people who believe they are sinless and cannot sin based on their take on this scripture. Never needing to confess or repent after their salvation experience. I don't agree with this and don't think that's the correct understanding of what John was saying.
Another verse that had a huge impact on my life was Romans 13:8A "Owe no man any thing..." Taken literally and without context, it was hammered into the members of our assembly as a law. Now in principle this is a very good way to manage finances and do life; Proverbs tells us it's wise and prudent to follow this advice. And I wholeheartedly agreed, I obeyed from my heart and sold property to 'get out of debt' and paid off all credit cards, ect. in 1982 and haven't been 'in the red' since.
But even though I've been debt free for the last 35 plus years (btw: if anyone reading this happens to be in debt, this isn't in any way a condemnation of your situation), I don't believe that is at all what Paul was writing to the church at Rome about. The context shows an entirely different teaching. It's about loving others and when we're obedient we will be fulfilling God's law...one won't steal from, kill, commit adultery, or lie to or about another person if we love them.
Any thoughts on this verse from Romans or another scripture you've seen taken out of context?
26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
I think this scripture is pulled out of context. This is talking about our salvation in Christ Jesus.
Some people quote this verse to prove women are called to the five fold ministry.
I have always thought anyone can make the Bible say what they want it to say without considering the context it was written.
In Him,
Gary
[Updated on: Sat, 28 December 2019 11:24]
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Re: Scriptures Taken Out of Context [message #13068 is a reply to message #13036] |
Thu, 02 January 2020 17:13 |
james Messages: 2142 Registered: April 2008 Location: Birmingham, AL |
Senior Member |
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It's been said before by many that you can make scripture back up most anything, IF you take words and verses out of context or isolate portions.
"Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old."
Isaiah 43:18
Now how many other places are we admonished to REMEMBER the former things God has done, to meditate upon them?
"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope."
Romans 15:4
“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,”
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