Context is King

[ChristineM]

Yes. Especially when it comes to the Bible. Many people tend to believe doctrines based off proof texting, which is hopping from unrelated scripture to unrelated scripture in order to prove a point.

Precisely

 

[Samael_Khan]

While ignoring how the seemingly unrelated, relate to the whole.

One would think that the immediate context of each book informs the overall context.

 

[Samael_Khan]

I won't name names but there are several RF users guilty. I often think they believe the bible was written using a time machine to flit from one passage to another

I think that those people pay more allegiance to their group than to their actual holy book.

 

[ChristineM]

I think that those people pay more allegiance to their group than to their actual holy book.

Hence the myriad schisms resulting in around 50,000 versions of Christianity. Each with their own interpretation of the particular version of the bible they see as the correct bible.

 

[exchemist]

"When you take the TEXT out of CONTEXT you are left with nothing but a CON"

Yay or Nay?

Yea. Definitely.

Context is essential to correct understanding. The practice of "quote-mining" is always tendentious and objectionable.

 

[Samael_Khan]

Hence the myriad schisms resulting in around 50,000 versions of Christianity. Each with their own interpretation of the particular version of the bible they see as the correct bible.

I blame Martin Luther. Because of him, people thought that they can interpret the bible by themselves (even though that isn't what he meant. Even he was shocked by the consequences) and then charismatic individuals to this day manipulate others to fill their pockets by taking scripture out of context.

 

[Samael_Khan]

Yea. Definitely.

Context is essential to correct understanding. The practice of "quote-mining" is always tendentious and objectionable.

Yet too often it is the case.

 

[Wandering Monk]

"When you take the TEXT out of CONTEXT you are left with nothing but a CON"

Yay or Nay?

Fundies I grew up with had a very narrow view of what constituted context. Word meanings, surrounding verses, surrounding chapters, comparison with other biblical passages were pretty much all there was. They made no attempt to read the passages in relation to cultural and historical contexts. There was no comparison with contemporary literature, nor with later Jewish commentary.

 

[Samael_Khan]

Fundies I grew up with had a very narrow view of what constituted context. Word meanings, surrounding verses, surrounding chapters, comparison with other biblical passages were pretty much all there was. They made no attempt to read the passages in relation to cultural and historical contexts. There was no comparison with contemporary literature, nor with later Jewish commentary.

Same here. The problem with a lot of fundies is that they aren't humble. They are arrogant enough to think that they are special and can understand something that they have no knowledge in. They then use eisegesis, proof texting scriptures that suit their agenda and linking them to make a cohesive story while ignoring other scriptures. A lot of fundies are not quite literate as well, so how they read books is also warped.

 

[exchemist]

Yet too often it is the case.

True and oddly enough it is commonplace among a certain sort of evangelical Christian. By quote-mining you can make almost any point you like and pretend the bible agrees with you!

 

[ChristineM]

I blame Martin Luther. Because of him, people thought that they can interpret the bible by themselves (even though that isn't what he meant. Even he was shocked by the consequences) and then charismatic individuals to this day manipulate others to fill their pockets by taking scripture out of context.

Henry VIII cannot stand blameless either

 

[McBell]

The phrase "Context is King" means that context is the most important aspect of a piece of writing. A big reason is that because if you take the context out of a sentence, you can misrepresent the author and make the sentence mean anything you want.

you said that taking text out of context leaves you with con.

I want to know how king fits into that context....

 

[stvdv]

"When you take the TEXT out of CONTEXT you are left with nothing but a CON"

Yay or Nay?

YES

Great play of word

Interesting is to find out (know) if this is done on purpose or by accident

IF it's done on purpose THEN I simple reply from now on "You try to CON me, don't you?"

 

[icehorse]

"When you take the TEXT out of CONTEXT you are left with nothing but a CON"

Yay or Nay?

sometimes yes, but sometimes there is an even BIGGER context

 

[Samael_Khan]

Henry VIII cannot stand blameless either

True. Very true. At least Martin Luther was genuine. Henry VIII was participating because he wanted a divorce?

 

[ChristineM]

True. Very true. At least Martin Luther was genuine. Henry VIII was participating because he wanted a divorce?

Celebrity marriages eh!!!

 

[Samael_Khan]

you said that taking text out of context leaves you with con.

I want to know how king fits into that context....

So by making context king, interpreting text in their context, you will be prevented from being duped by people who want to con you into following them by saying that they are following the book, when in fact their views differ significantly from the authors intent. To the religious, making context king will lead you to truth whereas not abiding by that will lead a person far away from what the author meant. To those searching for truth, reading the book and knowing the context matters, as you won't be fooled by people claiming that their beliefs are true based on a holy book, when in fact they are conning you by cherry picking.

 

[Samael_Khan]

YES

Great play of word

Interesting is to find out (know) if this is done on purpose or by accident

IF it's done on purpose THEN I simple reply from now on "You try to CON me, don't you?"

A very cool play on words. Unfortunately I didn't make it up, but heard it often said by hosts of a Youtube channel I watch.

I think that those who do so on purpose are those who originate the thought in many cases. The followers are those who get conned and pass the reasoning they are convinced of to others.

 

[Samael_Khan]

sometimes yes, but sometimes there is an even BIGGER context

I have heard that been said. I used to even use that reasoning myself.

The question is: How do you conclude that there is a bigger context?

I would stand firm in saying that overall context is determined by the common thread in the immediate context of various components.

 

[paarsurrey]

Agreed. I would even say that the whole book must be read otherwise even a chapter could be taken out of context.

Yes, the value of word is determined from the sentence it has been used and the value of a sentence from the passage, and value of a passage from the chapter and the value of a chapter from the whole book. Right friend, please?

Regards