Hi,
I'm putting together a lesson on Scripture passages which we tend to interpret too narrowly. i.e. maybe we should interpret them more broadly than we normally do. Can the board here cite more examples of this? Here are some examples that I have:
1) Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. (2 Cor 6:14).
Normally read: "Don't marry an unbeliever."
But that's not what it says. It says do not be unequally yoked--alluding to two oxen of vastly differing strengths being yoked together. It doesn't work. Marriage is indeed one such arrangement--you ARE being yoked. But the principle holds true in any situation where you are entering into an arrangement with an unbeliever which later might force you to choose, or to compromise your belief. Such as a business partnership with an unbeliever, and the unbeliever may be comfortable with certain business practices you are not.
2) Whoever sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly. (2 Cor 9:6)
Normally read: Give generously.
Back to 2 Corinthians again: reading it closely in context, this verse clearly does indeed refer to giving. But the principle holds true, not just financially. The 2 Corinthians 9 passage refers to holding true to your word. You make a pledge (could be financial, could be something else), and you fulfill it. If a farmer literally sows some seed, the principle holds the same: you invest some sweat and time in sowing seed. God grows the seed. You harvest the crop. This is also true in how you invest your time and talents, in your "one-way" investments in relationships, you name it. Sometimes--and not just in financial giving--if you want to reap generously, you need to sow generously--and wait for God to grow the crop.
3) Revelation
Normally read: end times prophecy
Usually we interpret Revelation prophetically, as this hard-to-figure-out foretelling of the future. Even for a preterist, it's a foretelling of the events of 70AD (which at the time of Revelation's writing, was in the future). But Revelation has material for our own Christian living, today. For example, Revelation 5:8:
"And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God's people."
Pray, pray, pray. As Hebrews 4:16 says, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, and without fear. God is not "bugged" by us constantly nagging him with prayer. Our prayers are bowls of incense. He covets them.
4) Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. (Exodus 20:7)
Normally read: don't use "God" and "Jesus" as a swear word.
I would argue that using "God" and "Jesus" as swear words is not even the primary reference here. It is the use of "God told me..." this and "Jesus told me..." that, when He didn't. Or invoking some "truth" as having Biblical authority or God's authority, when really it is only your own opinion. Rubber-stamping something...anything...with God's name on it, when God is in fact NOT behind it--that is taking the Lord's name in vain. And it's worse. In the times of Exodus, you could be stoned for claiming you were a prophet, when in fact you were not. If you claim to do or say something in God's name, make sure it REALLY IS in God's name.
I'm trying to flesh out my Bible lesson. Do you have any more examples of Bible passages which typically we interpret too narrowly? And we should revisit other ways we should be applying that Scripture in our lives?
I'm putting together a lesson on Scripture passages which we tend to interpret too narrowly. i.e. maybe we should interpret them more broadly than we normally do. Can the board here cite more examples of this? Here are some examples that I have:
1) Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. (2 Cor 6:14).
Normally read: "Don't marry an unbeliever."
But that's not what it says. It says do not be unequally yoked--alluding to two oxen of vastly differing strengths being yoked together. It doesn't work. Marriage is indeed one such arrangement--you ARE being yoked. But the principle holds true in any situation where you are entering into an arrangement with an unbeliever which later might force you to choose, or to compromise your belief. Such as a business partnership with an unbeliever, and the unbeliever may be comfortable with certain business practices you are not.
2) Whoever sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly. (2 Cor 9:6)
Normally read: Give generously.
Back to 2 Corinthians again: reading it closely in context, this verse clearly does indeed refer to giving. But the principle holds true, not just financially. The 2 Corinthians 9 passage refers to holding true to your word. You make a pledge (could be financial, could be something else), and you fulfill it. If a farmer literally sows some seed, the principle holds the same: you invest some sweat and time in sowing seed. God grows the seed. You harvest the crop. This is also true in how you invest your time and talents, in your "one-way" investments in relationships, you name it. Sometimes--and not just in financial giving--if you want to reap generously, you need to sow generously--and wait for God to grow the crop.
3) Revelation
Normally read: end times prophecy
Usually we interpret Revelation prophetically, as this hard-to-figure-out foretelling of the future. Even for a preterist, it's a foretelling of the events of 70AD (which at the time of Revelation's writing, was in the future). But Revelation has material for our own Christian living, today. For example, Revelation 5:8:
"And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God's people."
Pray, pray, pray. As Hebrews 4:16 says, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, and without fear. God is not "bugged" by us constantly nagging him with prayer. Our prayers are bowls of incense. He covets them.
4) Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. (Exodus 20:7)
Normally read: don't use "God" and "Jesus" as a swear word.
I would argue that using "God" and "Jesus" as swear words is not even the primary reference here. It is the use of "God told me..." this and "Jesus told me..." that, when He didn't. Or invoking some "truth" as having Biblical authority or God's authority, when really it is only your own opinion. Rubber-stamping something...anything...with God's name on it, when God is in fact NOT behind it--that is taking the Lord's name in vain. And it's worse. In the times of Exodus, you could be stoned for claiming you were a prophet, when in fact you were not. If you claim to do or say something in God's name, make sure it REALLY IS in God's name.
I'm trying to flesh out my Bible lesson. Do you have any more examples of Bible passages which typically we interpret too narrowly? And we should revisit other ways we should be applying that Scripture in our lives?