Sometimes we can be accused of selective hearing. Unfortunately, as Bible students, teachers
and preachers we can often be accused of selective reading. D. A. Carson, with more an academic
evaluation notes that "As a general rule, the more complex and/ or
emotional the issue, the greater the tendency to select only part of the
evidence, prematurely construct a grid, and so filter the rest of the evidence
through the grid that it is robbed of any substance."[1]
I think you will remember that Satan pulled
this stunt on Jesus, “and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw
yourself down, for it is written, “ ‘He will command his angels concerning
you,’ and “ ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your
foot against a stone’ ”” (Matthew 4:6, ESV). He quoted from Psalm 91. In many churches today he would have been
applauded. He brought a 'Bible-based'
message. Jesus far from applauded
him. “Jesus said to him, “Again it is written,
‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test’ ”” (Matthew 4:7, ESV).
Carson quotes an example that I will be
dealing with in my preaching schedule.
He quotes 1
Corinthians 14: 33– 36 showing how some use this text to support the notion
that women should always keep silent in the church. Unfortunately such people
ignore the reality that three chapters earlier Paul gave instruction how women
could pray and prophesy in a godly, orderly way. That's far from being 'silent'.
The point is that when we read a passage
that seems to delineate a truth we need to ask, "What else does the Bible
say about this topic?" Admittedly
some of the problem is a unique pride that seeks to long for originality and a
propensity to be right, rather than a desire to be faithful to the full
revelation of Scripture. The latter
takes work.
The Book of Proverbs intentionally applies
this principle. For example in Proverbs
26:4 (ESV) we read, "4 Answer not a fool according to his
folly, lest you be like him yourself."
Sounds good. But don't stop there!
In the next verse we read, “Answer a fool according to his folly,
lest he be wise in his own eyes.” (Proverbs 26:5, ESV). Why the apparent contradiction? The point of the Book is the need for wisdom
to determine what course to take. Do you
answer? Do you not answer? "Proverbs 19:11 says it is a glory to
overlook someone’s offense. However, 19:19 says not to spare a man of great
wrath. In certain situations, the offense should be overlooked, but in other
situations, it should not."[2]
One of the very practical tools that I use
(it is not all comprehensive) is the cross-referencing index in many good
Bibles. Another excellent resource is
The Thomson
Chain Reference Bible.
The bottom line is that we learn to ask,
"What else does the Bible say about this?" Often this kind of search gives to the Bible
reader a balanced and a more comprehensive view of the matter. It will also relieve some of the tension and
conflict within the church because Christians start to see topics in a wider,
more gracious fashion.
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