And even those who claim to read the Bible literally and…
““And even those who claim to read the Bible literally and to lead their lives according to its precepts are, in actual practice, highly selective about which parts of the Bible they live by and which they don't. Jesus' condemnations of wealth and war are generally ignored; so are Levitical prohibitions on eating pork, wearing mixed fabrics and so forth. Though legalistic Christians accuse nonlegalistic Christians of selective interpretation and relativistic morality (of adjusting the Bible, in short, to suit their own lifestyles and prejudices), what is usually happening is that nonlegalists are, as the Baptist tradition puts it, reading the Bible with Jesus as their criterion, while the legalists are, without any philosophical consistency whatsoever, embracing those laws and doctrines that affirm their own predilections and prejudices and ignoring the rest.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
People often pick and choose biblical passages that fit their personal preferences, ignoring teachings that conflict with their lifestyle.
In simple terms: Selective reading of scripture to suit personal bias.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and challenge your own selective interpretations.
Themes
religion
interpretation
morality
hypocrisy
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
ethical
When to use this quote
- personal decision making
- faith practice
- church teaching
- public discourse
Key Concepts
Selective bias
ethical consistency
scriptural authority
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you decide which teachings are essential?
- What biases influence your scriptural choices?
A Different Perspective
Selective reading can reinforce existing prejudices rather than promote deeper understanding.