When I was a freshman in high school, an upperclassman on my
swim team started a conversation that left me perplexed, given that she was citing scriptural
reasons why, in her opinion, my faith did not qualify to reside under the
umbrella label of Christianity as hers did. While this particular incident left me hurt
and confused (especially considering my knowledge of the scripture at the time
was more focused on the broad details than the specific) what happened was a
small example of a common theme in Christian history—utilizing the scriptures
to form a personal opinion on how gospel principles should be played out in a
church.
In the protestant reformation, Martin Luther didn’t believe
that the actions of the Catholic Church matched up with those eschewed in the scriptures,
and this use of scriptural evidence in pointing out the faults of the church led
many people to branch off into different sects of Christianity.
Erasmus, when musing on those who use scriptures to prove
their point, writes that “they are like those who in the heat of battle turn
everything at hand, be it a pitcher or a plate, into a missile. Are people thus
affected able to form an objective judgment? Or is it not rather the result of
such disputations that both contestants part spitting upon each other in
contempt?” Arguments over scripture are often a matter of interpretation, and
cherry picking scriptures to prove a point seems to have been as common in
those days as it is today. As Erasmus points out, acting that way only lead to
contention.
Martin Luther, in his refutation of Erasmus’ discourse,
seems of a different mind when it comes to the scriptures, explaining that they
are “clear, open and manifest, just like all the other articles of faith which
are quite evident.” The scriptures, he argues, are clear in their meaning, and can
be used to define the principles that are to be followed as Christians.
Personally, I think that both hold truth in their opinions,
as scripture are the word of the Lord, and can be used as a guide to our
actions, with many instructions within being very clear cut. However, context
is very important, and scriptures really shouldn’t be used to breed contention among
Christian sects who should be united in their determination to follow Christ.
I definitely like your point about context being important. That is actually what I focused my post on because context determines not only who sees something, but our view of that information. Imagine if a friend came to you in a private place and asked for your help with something that had been weighing heavily on their mind. I think we would take that much more seriously than if we were in a large group and the same person yelled that they want some help and kind of laugh it off to make it seem less serious. The context makes it seem more important or less important. That same thing can be said about using the scriptures and reading the scriptures. Great post.
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