Single Verse Christians

[ChristianRealist]

So many times, on forums such as this one, I see Christians dispense advice as follows: Someone asks for advice on a practical matter. Someone else looks up a single verse that seems relevant. Problem solved. Is this the type of advice we give to our friends and family members? Aren't we a little more thoughtful towards them, considering additional factors, such as their overall well-being and happiness? Aren't there usually multiple verses that apply to any given situation, as well as moral values to be derived from the Bible as a whole? Doesn't any choice we make (including doing nothing) have numerous consequences, both good and bad, and isn't making the right decision in the real world sometimes a matter of picking the lesser evil or the greater good?

 

[trek4fr]

I think you've hit on something there, ChristianRealist, but the practice of "proof-texting" is not likely to go away anytime soon. I, for one, don't use the Bible as an Encyclopedia Galactica to look up specific answers for things. While I am interested in what the ancient Hebrews and the early church had to say about things, I also believe that God gave me a brain to use, reason as a tool, and tradition to offer advice.

For instance, when my family is sick, I do not do as the apostle James says and take my family to the church elders for healing prayer. I think doctors and medicine are, for the most part, much more reliable in curing illnesses. Otherwise, our hospitals would be filled with elders and other Christians who are curing all the sick amongst us.

So not only do I not see a single verse as a "magic bullet" to address all of our problems, I don't even find that the Bible itself is everything that I need. Yes, God works through the scriptures, but he is not bound to a book.

 

[ChristianRealist]

I think you've hit on something there, ChristianRealist, but the practice of "proof-texting" is not likely to go away anytime soon. I, for one, don't use the Bible as an Encyclopedia Galactica to look up specific answers for things. While I am interested in what the ancient Hebrews and the early church had to say about things, I also believe that God gave me a brain to use, reason as a tool, and tradition to offer advice.

For instance, when my family is sick, I do not do as the apostle James says and take my family to the church elders for healing prayer. I think doctors and medicine are, for the most part, much more reliable in curing illnesses. Otherwise, our hospitals would be filled with elders and other Christians who are curing all the sick amongst us.

So not only do I not see a single verse as a "magic bullet" to address all of our problems, I don't even find that the Bible itself is everything that I need. Yes, God works through the scriptures, but he is not bound to a book.

Unlike Facebook, there is no "like" button to hit regarding what you wrote, but if there were I'd hit it : )