When Christians cite individual Bible verses, are they taking it out of context?

Question

Or does that only apply to atheists?

Answer 1

This is a very generalized question. It really depends on the context. Besides it also depends on how literal they are about the Bible and their interpretation. Christianity is not uniform about how historically accurate certain passages are, but each one has a meaning behind it that was relevant to the events of the time and was useful to help people review what went wrong or to prevent it.

I am a Catholic and I do not think that things happened like it says in Genesis, but the morals in the stories are important. God rested on the seventh day, because that was the day of rest historically for the Israelites. The creation story was written to counteract the creation story of the Babylonians who had captured the Israelites and exiled them.

P.S. Do atheists cite the Bible? That is pretty much the last thing I would expect them to do.

Answer 2

Citing the Bible is no different than citing any other text in support of an argument. You need to understand the quote within its immediate context and in the larger framework of the author's beliefs and the rest of the work being studied. You also need to examine the source material for accuracy and to understand the social and ethical atmosphere of the time in which it was written.

Quoting from the Bible is a matter of understanding how research and literary criticism are done. Whether you agree with the content or not has no bearing on citing a reference work correctly. That's a matter of logic and how well the person builds their case.

Answer 3

If scriptures were not taken out of context then explain all the divisions in the "christian" faith. Catholics, Methodist, etc. etc. They also have divisions within.
The best thing to do is take the bible as a whole and not focus on one scripture on one subject. Instead look at all the scriptures that deal with that subject and you will get an over all view.

Answer 4

Usually. But then, it could just as easily be in the context of the conversation. It really depends on intent. Are you speaking within the intent of what God meant? Or are you twisting words to fit your own agenda? Both are possible. Only one is acceptable.

Of course, I wouldn't expect an atheist to discern the difference.

Answer 5

No it is not out of context.
The bible explains it this way, some are so new to Gods teachings that they need to feed on milk like a babe.
They need more guidance, patience and help to understand the bible.
But all have the responsibility to press forward to maturity, to eat the meat, in other words, to understand and comprehend the deeper things of God's word.

Answer 6

Anyone can take the Bible out of context. That is why it is beneficial to study history and particularly Greek and Hebrew so you can read the Bible for yourself and know exactly what the words meant.

Answer 7

not all take it out of context

2 rules of backing your evidence:

1) if there are verses that say explicitly that what you are saying is wrong, you are wrong. Jesus' words are confusing, but if God said it, it has a serious serious meaning.

2) is Scripture seems to contradict itself, your interpretation is wrong. So if you see "why do you call me good? only God is good" and you see "I am the Son of God" several times, you must logically and spiritually conclude that you're outta context if you're saying Jesus aint God.

and btw, when Christ said that, he may have been testing the man's faith, as he was rich and may have made his possessions like an idol, or Christ may have been referring to his humanity, as He proclaimed that everything he did was by God's (the Holy Spirit and the Father's) power, as he was in a human body with limitations. Logic and the fact that these two rules (to my knowledge) have been followed would dictate that these answers are either right, or atleast close.

Answer 8

The majority of the time that is true. To truly understand Gods intention with one Verse one must at least read the entire Passage.
Running in the wrong direction with one verse is how false teachings get started.

Answer 9

Sadly to say that some Christians who are not well learn in the Bible do sometimes take God's Word out of context but it is most others who have no idea of who God is that have that market cornered. May God Bless U.

Answer 10

Non believers usually try to use Gods Word (the Bible) to justify their own cause. Where Christians are looking at what is written as what God said and backing that. Usually non-Christians are the only ones taking Gods word out of context! Getting a non-Christian to admit that is a different story.