How to rightly divide the word of truth.
This is a continuation of my previous post Contending for the Faith in which I began the discussion challenging Papa Pepper, in particular, but the Hebrew Roots/Torah Observant members of Steemit in general, on how I believe they are not rightly dividing the Scriptures.
The last post was more a response to that particular post/video of @papa-pepper, but it opened up the discussion to why I am posting this series in general. So, other than direct responses within his videos I don't plan on addressing each and everyone of his videos in particular. Rather, I hope to display my objections to the doctrines and "food for thought" he has presented in a more systematic approach.
For, I believe, that if foundational doctrines and concepts can be clearly established first, then the more difficult doctrines and concepts that tend to lead people astray from the True Gospel can be avoided. I know I won't be as thorough and as scholarly as others who have dealt with these issues before me, so these posts/videos won't be comprehensive and may not be 100% correct. I encourage you all to dig deeper on your own. I will, however, do my best to unpack and shed light on the confusion and misunderstandings of Scripture that those that believe and teach in the Hebrew Roots/Torah Observant movement can and are creating among Christians.
Much of my concern and contention with @papa-pepper ‘s teachings in his Spiritual Food for Thought series is that he chooses to use an approach of interpretation of Scripture, and by extension in his teaching, called Eisegesis rather than the proper approach of interpreting and teaching Scripture known as Exegesis.
What are the differences between eisegesis and exegesis, you may be asking?
That’s a really good question, I’m so glad you asked!
GotQuestions.org has a really good answer for your really good question.
I am going to quote their website instead of reinventing the answer in my own words. Why waste the time since they did such a bang up job?
Question: "What is the difference between exegesis and eisegesis?"
Answer: Exegesis and eisegesis are two conflicting approaches in Bible study. Exegesis is the exposition or explanation of a text based on a careful, objective analysis. The word exegesis literally means “to lead out of.” That means that the interpreter is led to his conclusions by following the text.
The opposite approach to Scripture is eisegesis, which is the interpretation of a passage based on a subjective, non-analytical reading. The word eisegesis literally means “to lead into,” which means the interpreter injects his own ideas into the text, making it mean whatever he wants.
GotAnswers.org continues to compare and contrast the two approaches as follows:
Obviously, only exegesis does justice to the text. Eisegesis is a mishandling of the text and often leads to a misinterpretation. Exegesis is concerned with discovering the true meaning of the text, respecting its grammar, syntax, and setting. Eisegesis is concerned only with making a point, even at the expense of the meaning of words.
If you take the time to look into the ins and outs of the proper approach to studying Scripture, you will undoubtedly come across many scholarly articles that can take you even further into the science of proper interpretation, called Hermenuetics.
I hope all those who believe in the inerrancy of Scripture would “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
While at the same time not arguing or striving over words that don’t profit anyone. This can cause "catastrophe," or the overthrow, of the faith of those who hear it. (2 Timothy 2:14)
Also, I would hope that all those who believe in the inerrancy of Scripture would be like the Bereans as recorded in Acts 17:11, that they “received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”
Lastly, I don’t want to be accused of “verse dropping”, as if my point is to win some theological argument by randomly dropping a Scripture into the conversation. Rather, the extensive use of the Scriptures in my posts, comments, and replies is to show their proper exegetical context and how they fit into the greater theological context being debated. I do not post a verse to prove a point without giving my commentary as to why I believe I am interpreting those verses correctly.
This approach is part of the overall aim of “reasoning from the scriptures” together. My reasoning is meant to be a two-sided affair. I invite others to come and reason with me. I invite you to show me, through thought out responses why, after your own exegetical research, you have come to a different conclusion than me. Then, together, we can begin to understand what the Scriptures actually say. If I am wrong in my understanding, I will be the first to admit it. My goal isn’t to “WIN” and argument, but to show myself approved unto God by contending for the faith so that those who are teaching or being taught things that don’t conform to sound doctrine may be corrected. EVEN IF THAT PERSON IS ME!!!
All I ask, is that you come to the discussion ready to reason together with a humble heart full of love.
Please refrain from name calling and associating others with Satan and demons, unless you can prove from Scripture that the beliefs and actions exhibited are labeled as such by Scripture. Even then, just because a person is believing something and/or teaching something that IS associated by Scripture with Satan and demons, that doesn’t automatically mean the person believing something and/or teaching that false doctrine is purposefully working on Satan’s behalf. That person could just be wrong and in need of loving correction through proper exegetical reasoning from the Scriptures.
It is my hope that this Contending for the Faith Series will help not only @papa-pepper, but also all those who have been bewitched by human philosophy and vain deceit into believing a false gospel, which really is no gospel at all, to be set free to walk in the freedom and love that God wants for all those who call upon the Name of His Son, Jesus.
Thanks for Reading!
As Always,
