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Eisegesis
…is “a reading of one’s own ideas into a passage of the Bible” (World
Book Dictionary). It involves approaching the Scriptures prejudicially.
It is a coming to the Bible with a doctrine, rather than allowing the
Bible to indoctrinate the reader. Whereas ‘exegesis’ is “a scholarly
explanation or interpretation of the Bible or of a passage in the
Bible,” eisegesis brings a slanted view and bias to the Holy writ.
Consequently, Eisegesis is a destructible practice. Instead of
buying the truth and selling it not (Proverbs 23:23), its practitioner
buys a perverted truth (which, by definition, is not the truth). This is
serious, for our eternal destiny depends on our obedience to the
unperverted gospel of Christ (Galatians 1:6-9; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9).
The Scriptures are replete with illustrations of those who
handled God’s word with such a bias. The Jews of Jeremiah’s day looked
for prophets who were preaching “peace, peace,” rather than for
spokesmen who were speaking the truth (Jeremiah 5:30-31). The Sadducees
of the first century came to the ‘burning bush passage’ with the false
notion that there is no resurrection (Mark 12:18-27). And then there
were the
Pharisees, who squinted at nearly every scripture through
‘tradition-tinted glasses.‘
If not careful, we can ourselves become guilty of the practice of
eisegesis, coming to God’s word with our own preconceived notions,
rather than reading the Bible for what it says.
Sadly, a great host of people seem to be employing this procedure
today with Bible passages that address the subject of ‘divorce and
remarriage.’ Seeking to find authority for their unscriptural
relationships, they bring a slanted view to their studies. And, if they
find a commentator or preacher that agrees with their thinking, their
view becomes ten times more emboldened. Yet this is but one
illustration. Space would not permit even a condensed listing of the
things that can happen when one comes to the Bible looking for
Scriptures to prove his line of thought. Nothing, it seems, is beyond
twisting by such revisionism.
Brethren, beware! The one who comes to God’s word with ideas
pre-fixed in his mind, who comes looking for loopholes, will be
‘successful’ every time -- to his own destruction!
May each of us strive to fulfill the charge given by Paul to
young Timothy: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a
workman who does not need to be ashamed; handling accurately the word of
truth” (2 Timothy 2:15; NASB). May we shun the practice of eisegesis.
--Mike Noble
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