Looking at only one part of scripture at a time without looking to oth

[Emily~Anne]

Does God intend that we determine what each verse means one at a time? Does he not want other scripture to influence how we understand a verse? What has me thinking about this and wanting a discussion on this is in the "Head of or head over" thread, there seems to be a great emphasis placed on making sure we only look at what one small part of scripture says and making sure we figure it out 100% before even looking at other verses. My gut knows this cant be right. But I cant quite put it in the right words.

[shepherdsgrace]

The Word of God speaks as a whole and entirety. Scripture is to be compared to scripture to understand the full meaning of an individual verse. One of the major problems in choosing just one verse to examine is that it is then not considered with other scripture on the same subject or that involves the same subject. A true student will always study background, surrounding scripture, and other teachings in the Word on the same subject. That way the teaching is rounded out. It becomes whole, instead of projecting only one aspect of a truth.

[exrockstar]

Does God intend that we determine what each verse means one at a time? Does he not want other scripture to influence how we understand a verse? What has me thinking about this and wanting a discussion on this is in the "Head of or head over" thread, there seems to be a great emphasis placed on making sure we only look at what one small part of scripture says and making sure we figure it out 100% before even looking at other verses. My gut knows this cant be right. But I cant quite put it in the right words.

it happens all the time.

sometime its good to check other sciptires to make sure everything lines up.

when a person is pretty much convinced on a certain matter, it's hard to reach them. ... 3xR0c|<stAr

[OopsMartin]

One verse, IMHO, should not a belief system make.

Peace.

VERY astute statement. Now don't forget this!

[GeneV]

Your gut feeling is right - 1.Why the Master said and did what He did. (OT) 2.What the Master said and did. (Gospels) 3. How to understand and apply what the Master said and did (Balance of the new Testament). Generally you will find this formula works

[Guest]

Your gut feeling is right - 1.Why the Master said and did what He did. (OT) 2.What the Master said and did. (Gospels) 3. How to understand and apply what the Master said and did (Balance of the new Testament). Generally you will find this formula works

Good one.

That's why we should compare scripture with scripture. That way you get the "full counsel of the Word of God".

[EricH]

There are actually several steps in doing theology.

1. Biblical Theology - trying to understand what a particular book or author believed about a certain topic

2. Systematic Theology - integrating what an individual author believed into the whole of the teaching of scripture

[apothanein kerdos]

Does God intend that we determine what each verse means one at a time? Does he not want other scripture to influence how we understand a verse? What has me thinking about this and wanting a discussion on this is in the "Head of or head over" thread, there seems to be a great emphasis placed on making sure we only look at what one small part of scripture says and making sure we figure it out 100% before even looking at other verses. My gut knows this cant be right. But I cant quite put it in the right words.

Cults and heresies are founded upon reading Scripture in a vacuum (ignoring the broader context of Scripture).

We must use scripture to interpret scripture.

[OopsMartin]

There are actually several steps in doing theology.

1. Biblical Theology - trying to understand what a particular book or author believed about a certain topic

2. Systematic Theology - integrating what an individual author believed into the whole of the teaching of scripture

Exactly. Step one before one can properly do step two. Without determining and understanding context and intent, one cannot accurately integrate into the bigger picture. Otherwise, it is just helicopter theology.

[apothanein kerdos]

There are actually several steps in doing theology.

1. Biblical Theology - trying to understand what a particular book or author believed about a certain topic

2. Systematic Theology - integrating what an individual author believed into the whole of the teaching of scripture

Exactly. Step one before one can properly do step two. Without determining and understanding context and intent, one cannot accurately integrate into the bigger picture. Otherwise, it is just helicopter theology.

That's a horrible hermeneutic though. Even though we must know the background of the author and the environment he was writing in, this is only placed above other passages when there is no supporting scripture to the passage in question. For instance, if we are examining Onan and his failure to carry on his brother's line, we have to look to why this was included in Genesis. There are no other concurring passages. If, however, we are looking at creation, then we must look to other passages before we look at the history of Genesis and background of the book. The reason for this is it provides an understanding of how other Biblical authors viewed the passage in question, or how they agreed with it and applied it.

Looking to a passage in a vacuum whilst ignoring the entire context of scripture, as I said, will always lead to heresy or cult-like beliefs in one aspect of a person's doctrine.