Taking the Bible out of context?

Question

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This was my previous question about the verse that says long hair is disgraceful and therefore Jesus would've been disgraceful. Now, people say I've taken this out of context, which is funny because a lot of Christians I know do this. Hell, it's been done in the past as well. People have tried to justify slavery, spontaneous generation, and the world being round by using the bible. And now (as I'm sure we all know), versus are pulled out to justify homosexuality is a sin, although it does say that marriage is defined as being between a man and woman. Did these aforementioned people use the bible out of context as well? I heard a quote one day that said "Even the Devil could use the Bible to his advantage." Thoughts, anyone? Elaborations?

Answer 1

Long hair on a man was indeed viewed as disgraceful.

The exception to this in the Bible is a Nazarite (a person who has taken a Nazarite vow to separate themselves to God; to keep themselves celibate etc; it is possible that Jesus took such a vow). One of the indications of a person who took such a vow was long hair.

Actually, I am unable to recall any specific verse in the NT that indicates that Jesus had long hair...

Cordially,
John

Answer 2

Now you know why so many Christians spend so much time trying to rationalize the Bible. It's ALL about context. For instance:

Jesus died for our sins.
Jesus committed suicide.
Jesus died for sedition.
Jesus was crucified because he was a heretic.

All 4 phrases are entirely correct depending upon what context one views the death of Jesus Christ (as told in the Bible) compared to the context someone else views the same events.

This is where I have problems with the crap about the Bible being either the literal word of God, or even inspired by God. You'd think that something inspired by the all-powerful, all-knowing, Master of the Universe would be a little less open to interpretation.

-SD-

Answer 3

Its done constantly. And yes, even Satan is well versed in scripture. Satan quoted scripture to Jesus during his temptation in the wilderness after being baptized by John the Baptist.

There is a correct way to read the Bible and a whole lot of wrong ways. It should always be read in context with surrounding verses. An entire Book, or at least chapter should be read together to get the proper meaning. Anyone can take almost any verse out of context, standing all alone, and make it mean almost anything you want it to.

Answer 4

Most people have not even answered your previous question anyway. I thought it was a geniune question just that yr interpreation of it was incorrect.

I don't know why people are so emotionally charged up, try and find fault in what you say, misinterpret it and find it very sensitive.

In reality, lets say that someone has stolen your winning lottery ticket but need you to claim it. But you refuse to give them a share of the winnings. You would find some people would actually tear up the ticket than for you to claim so that both will end up with nothing. The devil is similar to the one who stole yr lottery ticket, he will do anything he can to stop you from claiming the prize (Heaven). Most of the time he will create doubts in yr mind and he probably knows more of the bible than you do so I will not be surprised that he will use the bible to dissuade you.

Thats why it is good to join a cell group where you can support each other as you grow in faith. As most of the time the devil will prey on the new believers can creat doubt and fear into them. It also good for the welfare of each member.

Answer 5

Well yes that is the fundamental problem of all holy books and teachings...they are all open to interpretation depending on the particular outlook of the particular person doing the interpreting...so naturally some person is gonna think that the Bible supports or disapproves this and that. Perhaps to you one teaching means this...but another believes that same teaching means something else entirely.

Yes even the Devil can use the Bible...he can read right?

Answer 6

well it happens to all the Holy Books. be it Torah, Zabur, Bible or Quran, although Zabur revealed to David-pbuh is hardly ever mentioned. people love to give out of text contexts.

as CHRIS C said u need to read the verses that are above as well as below the quoted verse. but many people tend to forget this rule when it comes to QURAN. they always give out of context and bash muslims.

when u are reading any Holy Book for that matter, just dont read it to find faults, then u will never understand the essence. read it with an intention of knowing the thruth and gaining a new insight(knowledge). so that way u will understand things better. but it also applies to Quran and Torah too.

it happens to all of us all the time. so nothing new in it.

Answer 7

Lucifer was an angel, of cousre he can do that. How do you know what Jesus Looks like? The bible does state that and if that is the case that means Jesus could not have had long hair. He had hair because the biible says he did, but was it long or short. We do know that it wasn't strait or waivy. And if you can tell me of any other people that has lived in and is curretnly living in the conddition that the bible speaks other than black people, which the Lord calls his heritage. You tell me,...it's in the book

Answer 8

When it says long hair friend, it means uncut long hair like womans hair. Women should cut the split ends and make it neat but not cut it short. Where in the Bible does it say Jesus had hair down past his shoulders?

Slavery isn't justified by the Bible, Israel had servants but God warned against mistreating them, and after 7 years of working for somebody, they could choose to stay or leave. Most servants stayed with their masters in early Israel because they were treated well, of course that slowly changed as Israel started to stray from the Lord.

The world is said to be round in the Bible, spontaneous generation... no its called creation and it happened in 6 days.

Homosexuality is a sin friend, but the Bible mentions it i think twice, compared to pride and selfishness which is warned against hundreds of times, these 2 sins we should concentrate on but still not leave the other undone.

Search the words marry, married, marriage in the Bible, and tell me where it talks about man on man.

Answer 9

2 Peter 3:16 In them, however, are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unsteady are twisting, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. The bible does not say that Jesus had long hair, that is mans idea.

Answer 10

These verses were not taken out of context:

1 Corinthians 6 v 9 - 10

9 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
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There is no mystery or hidden meaning here - it is stated simply - and there is no question of what it means.