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TWISBNWIM - "That's What It Says But Not What It Means", is the principle upon which multitudes of, shall we say, interesting doctrines are built, as well as some that are held by most of the Church to be true.
It's usually expressed as "Yes. that's what it says, but what it really means is...", at which point one inserts whatever "meaning" is required to support whatever doctrine it is that's being questioned. In same cases the "meaning" offered may have little or no obvious connection to what the Scripture actually says. In the worst cases the "meaning" will directly contradict what the Scripture actually says.
TWISBNWIM is a very powerful exegetical tool; one that allows the Bible to "mean" anything at all regardless of what's written there. With judicious use, any text can be a proof text, for any doctrine you'd care to name.
I can offer some examples, but I'd rather hear yours. (And I know you have 'em.)
It's usually expressed as "Yes. that's what it says, but what it really means is...", at which point one inserts whatever "meaning" is required to support whatever doctrine it is that's being questioned. In same cases the "meaning" offered may have little or no obvious connection to what the Scripture actually says. In the worst cases the "meaning" will directly contradict what the Scripture actually says.
TWISBNWIM is a very powerful exegetical tool; one that allows the Bible to "mean" anything at all regardless of what's written there. With judicious use, any text can be a proof text, for any doctrine you'd care to name.
I can offer some examples, but I'd rather hear yours. (And I know you have 'em.)
