Dangers of out of context Biblical verses (Jesus, Earth, scriptures)

[Dr. Nosophoros]

Context is important, but sometimes a verse speaks for itself. If you find one that you feel is used out of context in a post, then by all means look it up and challenge it.

[robtex]

Actually just curious..since the book is thousands of years old how does one keep anything from it in context when applying it to today? Maybe if we see some of it thought backwards we can see a pattern emerge and than see what some of the Christians here constitute as effective and/or correct contextual application and what is beyond the scope of effective and/or factual contextual application.

[Dr. Nosophoros]

Take Romans 10:9 KJV for example:

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved"

how many Christians will challenge that? It seems the basis for all belief-minus the responsibility to maintain that "spirituality" which is explained further in that mythology- yet the base is still there. If I am mistaken, please enlighten me, I really am open minded- but, I am not stupid.

[No*s]

Originally Posted by robtex

Actually just curious..since the book is thousands of years old how does one keep anything from it in context when applying it to today? Maybe if we see some of it thought backwards we can see a pattern emerge and than see what some of the Christians here constitute as effective and/or correct contextual application and what is beyond the scope of effective and/or factual contextual application.

Excellent point. The books don't supply all their presuppositions and understandings, so we must add them when we read. No matter how learned the person...they aren't able to supply presuppositions that have long passed away. We can't even determine with certainty how a text should be read.

[Jayhawker Soule]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim of this Reality

I have noticed that many people tend to drop in a single verse to support their arguments.

Something they no doubt picked up from the authors of gMat.

[Pilgrim of this Reality]

Context is an interesting issue when its examined, as robtex notes. Context can also include the events surrounding the verse. This is where history steps in, such as why the tax collectors that Jesus talked to were no better than prostitutes. This idea is especially true when reading the epistles. To understand just why the auther is writing what they are would require an idea of what was happening at the time. Although the principles are universal.

Context also extends to similar principles. The verse taken (Romans 10:9) by Dr. Nosophoros could support the faith with no responsiblity, yet would conflict with other verses. Such as Mark 16:16 and Acts 2. When taken together since they are of similar idea, they paint a more complete picture by filling in the gaps each verse has in their idea. Of course this also could support an idea that wasnt originally meant by the authors. Care must always be taken for accuracy, logic, and honesty