Craig Keener: Bad Bible Proof-Texts (Part 4)

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1) Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." In this passage, Jesus is not providing a formula for receiving the material things that we desire. Rather, it is teaching us to not seek after our desires, but to seek him and trust that he will provide our basic necessities.
2) Hebrews 11:1 - "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." This passage is not teaching us how to receive material blessings by faith. Rather, it is giving us a future hope which we can trust even in spite of our current adversity, which the audience of Letter to the Hebrews was likely enduring.
It is said that you can make the Bible say almost anything you want it to say. That’s why paying attention to context is so important-it helps safeguard against proof-texting, which is the practice of bringing your ideas to the biblical text and forcing the text to prove your own presuppositions. In this series of Seven Minute Seminary videos, Dr. Craig Keener walks us through a number of biblical passages that are often ripped out of context and forced to say something the Bible never intended to say.

[@hisnewlife3543]

God bless Dr. Keener!

[@brotherjim5904]

Thank you, professor, all 4 of these videos on context were a great blessing. I learned the proper context of several passages which had not previously occurred to me.
Another of my past favorites, seeing as how I was delivered from 10 years bound in the hyper-faith movement, is Luke 6:38 and its "give, and it will be given unto you...." While many associate the passage with their giving of tithes and offerings, if examined in context they may hopefully better see that it's about agape' Love--and perhaps other Fruits as well.
(Similarly, the 1, 5 and 10 talents parable should also be seen as it implying matured Fruits of the Spirit--or so I assert. Oddly, that which most DO believe is about Fruits, "by their fruits you shall know them," is actually intended to be about those who are proselytized being a reflection of their mentors/leaders-- again, or so I assert. I.e., the fruits of our labors.)
Jim

[@slottibarfast5402]

Every minister has a retirement plan, insurance, savings accounts in spite of all this jazz about God providing. Perhaps God doesnt answer frivolus materialistic prayers but how about paying medical bills, medicine, getting rid of some of the pain of arthritis, back pain, dental pain, blindness, hearing loss. God is no ehere to be found. And the excuses are never ending .