do christians ever take the bible out of context?

Question

or are atheists the only ones? i hear many opposing viewpoints from christians on the bible, certainly this must mean one side is taking things out of context. wouldn't you agree?

Answer 1

I have seen it every day..especially on here.

Answer 2

Some find it necessary to do so to "prove" that their belief is the true one. Here's an example: one religion claims to have received "new light" whenever it changes it's doctrine, which is fairly often, and uses this text to "prove" that only those in their religion have access to this new light. Proverbs 4:18

But the path of the just is like the shining sun,
That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.

And most of the religion's members accept this, but if the text is put in context, from verse 14, the meaning is altered:

14 Do not enter the path of the wicked,
And do not walk in the way of evil.
15 Avoid it, do not travel on it;
Turn away from it and pass on.
16 For they do not sleep unless they have done evil;
And their sleep is taken away unless they make someone fall.
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness,
And drink the wine of violence.
18 But the path of the just is like the shining sun,[a]
That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.
19 The way of the wicked is like darkness;
They do not know what makes them stumble.

It's obviously talking about the differring outcomes of those who choose to live a Godly life style and an ungodly lifestyle.

The bottom line is that the Bible can be used in this way to make a point seem valid, but doing so doesn't prove anything, except maybe the one using it is being deliberately deceptive.

Answer 3

Yes, we do. We might as well admit it. There are no doubt a lot of people who would pounce on any time we did that.

But may I say a couple of other things. One, we may refer to a verse to reply to a question, with the note to read the context. Another is that some verses are more-or-less stand alone verses, such as John 3:16. Finally, there is one verse or two or a brief passage to simply give the correct reference.

This is not, I repeat NOT, the same thing as someone who takes a verse from one book, and another unrelated verse from a different book or even a different Testament, to either set up so-called contradiction or to try and make Christians look foolish. That kind of thing isn't fair and isn't right--I mean, someone would have to look at a passage and find the verses they want to (mis-?)use, right?

Anyway, thanks for a most thought-provoking question.

Answer 4

No. While it is possible that some Christians take the Bible out of context, just because different people have different viewpoints does not mean that any of them are necessarily taking things out of context. Passages in the Bible are often subject to reasonable differences of opinion. That's one of the main reasons for there being so many different denominations of Christianity. They each have their different take on it.

There's nothing wrong with that. We each come to the conclusions we reach in good faith, and God doesn't get upset with us if we reach a different conclusion.

Answer 5

Many "so called" Christians do take the Bible out of context, especially verses that contradict their teachings.

For example, Jesus said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16).

However, some denominations teach that you are saved by just believing. That, however, is NOT what the verse says. It does not read...

He that believeth and is saved, can be baptized.

By saying you are saved by faith alone, you have distorted the verse from Mark 16:16 and have ignored many other verses regarding the necessity of baptism.

So yes, some proclaiming to be Christians twist the scriptures and take them out of context.

Answer 6

Yes Christians can take the bible out of context. That is unfortunate, but it does happen. Because as Christians, there are times in our lives when we want the Bible and God to fit our lifestyle instead of we following His. that is sad.

Answer 7

You might as well ask if Christians ever breathe. There are plenty of times when people try to bend a verse into saying what they want it to mean, irregardless of what the original language and the context may indicate.

A friend of mine has a saying that her pastor once told her, and it fits this situation perfectly: "Text without context is pretext."

Answer 8

sure a Christian has. No it is not merely non-Christians. there are countless the rationalization why Christians take passages of the Bible out of context. some have carried out so definitely out of lack of information. looking returned, i'm conscious of having carried out maximum of circumstances no longer intentionally, yet quite out of lack of information by loss of craftsmanship or information. some Christians achieve this in a fashion that seems to be cheating because of private motives. a similar might properly be pronounced of non-Christians, some are cheating of their misapplications and teachings others are truthful yet lack the right understanding.

Answer 9

Yes, unfortunately they do. We arent told to be verse pickers, but to "STUDY to show ourselves approved unto God, a workman that doesnt need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth."

All scripture should be read IN CONTEXT AND COMPARED WITH OTHER SCRIPTURE. The opposing viewpoints comes from NOT following the admonition given us by God in the above verse found in 2 Tim 2:15. When we mix Judaism and Gods instructions to them under the LAW, with Christianity and Gods instructions to WE who are under GRACE, there is much confusion.

If you would like to learn how to study your Bible GODS way, please join us at www.graceteacher.com

Answer 10

No, many Christians do all the time. The two greatest offenders in this are the Pentecostals and the Catholics. The Pentecostals are understandable, they are not a hundred years old, and not even organized yet. But Catholics, with the education required for their priest??? I don't see how they manage to completely misrepresent scripture. There are many excellent Bible scholars that are Catholic, but honestly, some of these guys really come up with some pretty goofy interpretation.
(Mormons and JWs don't count)

Answer 11

Anyone can take passages from the Bible and use them out of context, even Christians.

If you do it out of ignorance God will not be angry with you, but if you do it to make "your" point, than you be held accountable.