Christians always say atheists take scripture out of context so why does it only make sense in catechisms?

Question

where they take a dab from the New Testament and a slice of the Old to make an answer for one question.

Then later they answer another using the New Testament and point out that the Old Testament law is no longer relevant.

Isn't showing something in light of something else taking it out of context?

Isn't Paul applying the law about not yoking a donkey and an ox to marriage taking it out of context?

Answer 1

It makes sense in catechisms and other scholarly Christian books because the authors and contributors to those books have spent most of their lives studying the Bible and reading between the lines to interpret the meanings so that the average Bible reader doesn't have to.

Obviously you should realize that Bible interpretation can't be a free-for-all, where everyone who believes in the Bible as the Word of God can interpret it in his or her own way and still be right.

That would be cultural relativism, which Christianity rejects due to the claims Christ repeatedly made that He alone is the Way, Truth and Life.

Answer 2

When a verse is taken "out of context", it is removed from the scriptures before and after it. Such as quoting John 3:16, without including John 3:15 and John 3:17. Nothing wrong with doing that. As you pointed out, even Paul did that several times. Or the gospel of Matthew which does it 90 times.

But often people will deliberate lift a verse out of context, knowing that by only quoting a small part of, they can alter or confuse the meaning of the words. That is what is wrong. Not the "taking of context", but the doing it to deceive and confuse.

For example, the Bible says "The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God.'" I have had it quoted to me that the Bible says "There is no God". Yet when you read the whole verse (context) you can see that is not what it says.

The answer is simple, when you are presented with a scripture in a catechism (or elsewhere), take the time to look it up, read where and when it was said, and the verses before and after. Then you will know whether the verse is being correctly quoted and interpreted, or not. Unfortunately, with over 3.6 million words, it is not possible or practical to teach every word at every service or in answer to every question.

That's why every person is suppose to study the book for themselves. When you read all of the book, then you get all of the answers.

Answer 3

This is difficult to answer because you have been general and vague rather than disussing specific issues you might have problems with.

In short, yes, you are right, it is *possible* for a chatechism to take something out of context. Christians do sometimes make mistakes, just like everyone else.

However, it will more commonly be the case that a question in a chatechism has been carefully researched and the teaching of the bible as a whole has been taken into consideration. To make it easier for the learner, a concise summary, perhaps only quoting one or two key passages, would be provided.

You have to be careful when you say the Old Testament (OT) is no longer relevant. It will always be the word of God. However, every part of the bible has to be understood in context--the very point you're raising--and the context in which a statement was made may or may not apply to you.

So for example, when God commanded, "An eye for an eye", it has to be understood in the context in which it was given, namely, it was the sentence to apply in an Israelite criminal trial when someone was found guilty of deliberately assaulting someone and causing blindness. Note the context carefully: an Israelite criminal trial. That's the only situation to which this law applies, and one which no longer exists today.

When Jesus said "you have heard it said 'an eye for an eye', but I say 'love your enemies'", he wasn't contradicting the OT command, but telling people off who were themselves taking it out of context, using "an eye for an eye" as an excuse to be vindictive rather than showing the same mercy to others that God shows to them. That is something that most definitely applies today.

The OT law applies in some ways, but not obvious ones, and does require some interpretation and reasoning. For example, we could say that the underlying principle is that criminals should be brought to trial and the guilty punished in proportion to their crime (no less and no more).

In summary, you're completely right in stating that every passage from the bible should be understood in context. However, without a careful study of the Christian faith, it is often difficult to see exactly what the context is.



Showing something in the light of something else is not necessarily taking things out of context. You might see someone shoplifting and think that they're a thief. However, you might investigate and discover that he's trying to help a friend in serious need of food when neither of them have any money. Doesn't make the stealing right, but the extra information offers a better understanding of what's going on.

So for example, Jesus is called "the faithful witness" in Revelation. Why? To shed light on this you need to look at the OT passage where God called the Israelites to be his witnesses and the OT history that proved them unfaithful to God. Suddenly the term applied to Jesus makes a lot more sense.

In fact, you can't even understand the NT without the context of the OT. All the major themes of the OT--god, creation, man, sin, death, atonement, priest, king, God's people, blessing to the nations--find their ultimate fulfilment in one person, Jesus Christ. It is impossible to understand his person, teaching and work that are presented in the NT without the light of the OT.

Answer 4

>>>where they take a dab from the New Testament and a slice of the Old to make an answer for one question.

Then later they answer another using the New Testament and point out that the Old Testament law is no longer relevant.>>>

Probably because in the first case, the New Testament is backing up and reaffirming something that appears in the Old.

Whereas in the second case, the New doesn't back up or reaffirm the Old.

That's why it's ridiculous to try to refute the Bible's condemnation of homosexuality by bringing up something like its condemnation of eating shellfish.

Because the NT backs up and reaffirms the OT's condemnation of homosexuality -- but it doesn't back up or reaffirm the OT's words about eating shellfish.

.

Answer 5

Why Do Christians continually Take Scriptures From The Bible Out Of Context? They continually Say The Bible Is Swell and then proceed To Take Scripture Out Of Context In An attempt to instruct This. no rely if it is so for sure Swell, Why would desire to you are attempting this? in uncomplicated terms Simpletons Will Fall For Such Trickery..

Answer 6

I talk with both Christians and Athiests, and sadly I find Athiests know more about the Bible than most Christians do. For most so-called Christ-ians are focused on and promote sacrifice(slaughter), which is what God(His Grace) will NOT have, and the "not" part of the will of God is not then, not now, not ever: Ps 40:6; Ps 51:16; Hos 6:6; Mt 9:13(repeated from Hos 6:6 as a go figure what it allegorically meaneth); Mt 12:7; Heb 10... which also notes sacrifice (which is of the law and by the law) NEVER pleased God, who NEVER desired sacrifice for sin.

So most so-called Christ-ians are not Christ-like nor God-ly; For "Christ" is defined as "the end of the law": Romans 10:4 and sacrifice(which is of the law and by the law) is not Godly, but awful lawful... to the point of bloodshed up to the horses' bridal.

I find Athiests are not offended when told Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ; But are offened when told they are sinners going to hell. Sadly most so-called Christ-ians still law impute sin and death for the "hell" of it; Not knowing it also condemns and accurses them. Forgive "them", because they "know not" what they do.

The GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ with you all. Amen.

Answer 7

Christians take more out of context than anyone

Answer 8

If you don't believe in God and all what He stands for, why comment. How are you commenting on nothing? You probably need Him the most, your life probably is so chaotic you need the peace of God to rest on you. Stop playing and blaspheming against a power that you don't have a clue about. Proverbs says A fool says there is no God in his heart!!!!!

Answer 9

i see catechism as taking all things out of context as well,
:pfffft

Answer 10

They're just upset about having their own tactics used against them.