Counsel #6 — Context

Picture: Counsel #6 — ContextCCW 8.1

Imagine looking down at your phone and reading a text that says, “I’ll be there in ten minutes!” The only problem is this text was written three months ago. Even though your friend wrote the text, it doesn’t apply to your current context. Most of us would never use messages from people this way. But many of us approach Scripture without considering context at all. While God’s word does contain principles that can be used in many ways, we need to keep in mind that individual verses and passages are part of a bigger whole that determines what those principles are. First, a verse is part of a book a prophet wrote with a particular message in mind. Second, the book is part of the canon (collection) of scripture, which goes even further to use and interpret those messages.^{[7]https://www.southern.edu/thecollegelife/bible_context.html}CCW 8.2

“These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” Acts 17:11 NKJVCCW 8.3

“In order to sustain erroneous doctrines or unchristian practices, some will seize upon passages of Scripture separated from the context…. Others, who have an active imagination, seize upon the figures and symbols of Holy Writ, interpret to suit their fancy, with little regard to the testimony of Scripture as its own interpreter, and then they present their vagaries as the teachings of the Bible.” Ellen White in The Great Controversy 520.4CCW 8.4

Reflect: Considering the importance of context, how can separating passages from their context lead to misunderstandings and erroneous interpretations?CCW 8.5