A Dangerous and Forbidden Shortcut

John Stott:

To search for [Scripture's] contemporary message without first wrestling with its original meaning is to attempt a forbidden short cut.

It dishonours God (disregarding his chosen way of revealing himself in particular historical and cultural contexts),

it misuses his Word (treating it like an almanac or book of magic spells) and

it misleads his people (confusing them about how to interpret Scripture).

—John Stott, Between Two Worlds: The Challenge of Preaching Today (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1982), p. 221.

HT: Doug Wilson