Theological Gimmicks

One of the phenomena that we come across frequently in religious (especially Christian) circles is that of gimmicks.  Some of the gimmicks that people resort to are a chief exemplification of the chicanery that goes on in daily life.  I would like to draw your attention to a frequent gimmick that people resort to in the community of Christians.

Christians often (sometimes intentionally, sometimes unintentionally) resort to quoting the Scriptures in support of their doctrine, position, or for their personal gain and benefit.  You may ask, "What then can or should we base our beliefs and practices on, if not the Bible?"  i do not intend to discourage believers from basing their beliefs and practices on Scripture.  But I do strongly discourage the habit of quoting Scripture without taking into consideration the context from which the Scriptures emerged.  One person may quote a biblical passage in support of her/his position on a given issue, and another person might quote another passage in support of an opposite position to the first person.  Or, in some cases, you may have two different people quoting the same passage of Scripture, but yet, arriving at different conclusions as to the meaning of that particular passage.

I always remember the story shared with me by a colleague in ministry. When he was having difficulties with his former spouse, a group of members of his church came to their house, and quoted to her certain Scriptures which spoke about the need for a woman to "submit" to her husband.  She took a magic marker, and deleted  those passages, and said to her visitors "Now it doesn't say it anymore."

How can we maintain a Scriptural position without resorting to proof-texting or using the literal or what some would call the "quick to verse" approach? Is it possible to base our beliefs on "what the Bible says" and at the same time avoid resorting to quotation of Scripture without taking context into consideration?  In order to attempt answering that question, the next series of essays will focus on biblical hermeneutics (interpretation).
I am not suggesting that a study of hermeneutical principles will result in our becoming "biblical experts," or that it will render an infallible and inerrant interpretation.  But I do believe that looking at each set of principles will enable us to approximate what the Holy Spirit through the original writers of Scripture intended for us to understand.  It will also enable us to compare our understanding of the biblical message with how others understand that same message.

As I lay out these steps, I invite you to examine each one carefully and prayerfully, seeking divine guidance, and at the same time, using common sense. I look forward to your engagement with us in this discourse.

Grace and peace,
Dr. Juan A. Ayala-Carmona