Too Heavenly Minded - Part 1
For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine [Romans 1:11-12].
There is an old adage which states, “He is so heavenly minded that he is no earthly good!” Alas, but it is sometimes the truth. Sometimes we Christians can imagine ourselves to be floating on silver clouds and playing golden harps. But if we are so busy soaring into the wild blue yonder, our feet lose their footing on earth. If we fancy ourselves eerily spiritual, we likely haven’t a clue when it comes to daily living. We very well might wind up being no good to anybody!
Such is often the case for some Christians, when it comes to understanding the Bible. It is possible to hold to a man-made doctrine or set of doctrines to such an extent, that we practice eisegesis instead of exegesis. The word eisegesis refers to taking our beliefs and reading them into the Bible. It is to use the Bible for our own purposes, even though we might not be aware we are doing so. The word exegesis is to read the Bible literally and pull out of it what it teaches. It is to allow the Bible to use me for the Lord’s purposes.
The verses we quoted in Romans 1 are a case in point. Verse 11 affords a wonderful opportunity to practice eisegesis, should I be so inclined. Let’s read it once more, shall we? For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established.
Someone is befuddled and demands to know, “How does that verse foster the practice of eisegesis, teacher? I don’t get it!”
And a right fine query you have made, kind sir. Here’s how. The original manuscripts of Scripture as inspired by the Holy Spirit did not contain any chapters or verses. Chapter and verse divisions were inserted into the text by man circa 1000 A.D. If we use them for their right purpose—viz., to navigate our way through the length and breadth of the Bible—then we will be fine.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Genesis: Volume 1 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. For more info please visit these sites to purchase my books:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
There is an old adage which states, “He is so heavenly minded that he is no earthly good!” Alas, but it is sometimes the truth. Sometimes we Christians can imagine ourselves to be floating on silver clouds and playing golden harps. But if we are so busy soaring into the wild blue yonder, our feet lose their footing on earth. If we fancy ourselves eerily spiritual, we likely haven’t a clue when it comes to daily living. We very well might wind up being no good to anybody!
Such is often the case for some Christians, when it comes to understanding the Bible. It is possible to hold to a man-made doctrine or set of doctrines to such an extent, that we practice eisegesis instead of exegesis. The word eisegesis refers to taking our beliefs and reading them into the Bible. It is to use the Bible for our own purposes, even though we might not be aware we are doing so. The word exegesis is to read the Bible literally and pull out of it what it teaches. It is to allow the Bible to use me for the Lord’s purposes.
The verses we quoted in Romans 1 are a case in point. Verse 11 affords a wonderful opportunity to practice eisegesis, should I be so inclined. Let’s read it once more, shall we? For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established.
Someone is befuddled and demands to know, “How does that verse foster the practice of eisegesis, teacher? I don’t get it!”
And a right fine query you have made, kind sir. Here’s how. The original manuscripts of Scripture as inspired by the Holy Spirit did not contain any chapters or verses. Chapter and verse divisions were inserted into the text by man circa 1000 A.D. If we use them for their right purpose—viz., to navigate our way through the length and breadth of the Bible—then we will be fine.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Genesis: Volume 1 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. For more info please visit these sites to purchase my books:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
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