Drive-By Scripturing
Some people like to isolate certain verses and then wield them like a weapon to support their doctrine of choice.
Have you noticed this?
I call it, “drive-by Scripturing.” I’m no better or different. That’s why I’m trying to switch to the “long division” method of Scripture citation.
I’ve found that it’s almost never helpful to pull individual Bible verses out of their given context. Fortune cookie Scripture reading lends itself to easily to the building up (and tearing down) of lifeless straw men. That’s why I’ve become a fan of citing really long portions of Scripture. It may not be the most efficient method of communication, but it certainly is the safest.
If you take a verse out of it’s context, you can make the Bible say anything you want. Many cults do this. When you isolate Scripture verses from their context, it’s like taking diamond out of an engagement ring. Sure, the ring is nice by itself–it is gold, after all–but the real “SHAPOW!” comes when that gem is nestled nice and tight into it’s setting.
Can I ask a favor? Don’t do a “drive-by” here, on Twitter, Facebook, in your church or anywhere else. People could get hurt.
Justin,
Did I use your version of “Drive-by” scripture on your mormons and ipad post? Just wondering because it made me remember that comment.
Matthew 18:15-20 is what stands out the most to me. The context of the scripture is about “correcting another believer” but so many times in prayer I have heard, “Lord, you say that when 2 or more are gathered in your name…” I always expect admonishing at this point but it never comes.
::LIKE::
In my opinion, the “get back to the Bible” rhetoric of a lot of pastors I've been around lately leads to the “drive by Scripturing” you're talking about. While I think that we need to take a stand on the authority of the Bible, I also think that we need to do a better job of explaining what it means to say that the Bible is authoritative, inerrant, etc. We need to communicate that there is space to do hermeneutics and to wrestle with the text. It isn't true that you can only be a liberal or a fundamentalist–the questing and honest middle is OK, too.
I tend to use BeDeviant.com blog posts to support my points, whenever possible.
Yes!
I need to get that like button installed. Spoken like a true gentleman … Wrestling doesn't mean you're a liberal and claiming authority doesn't mean you're a conservative. At least, I hope not
Oh no, Steve. Certainly not! I didn't feel like that was a drive-by at all! No worries, bro.
Is posting a bible verse on facebook considered “drive by scripturing”?
Depends. How is it being used?
I can say I have put a verse up in hopes somebody would read it, I still have mixed feelings about it. I probably should have left my “Jr. Holy Spirit” badge at home that day. Other than that, I usually post something that I love.
Yeah. I mean, I'm certainly not against making Scripture a part of our daily digital lives, but too often context suffers.
One thing that I've found helpful is including a really good verse and then providing a link to the larger passage. Keeps me accountable!
Is posting a bible verse on facebook considered “drive by scripturing”?
Depends. How is it being used?
I can say I have put a verse up in hopes somebody would read it, I still have mixed feelings about it. I probably should have left my “Jr. Holy Spirit” badge at home that day. Other than that, I usually post something that I love.
Yeah. I mean, I'm certainly not against making Scripture a part of our daily digital lives, but too often context suffers.
One thing that I've found helpful is including a really good verse and then providing a link to the larger passage. Keeps me accountable!