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Make a mistake in the interpretation of one of…

“Make a mistake in the interpretation of one of Shakespeare’s plays, falsely scan a piece of Spenserian verse, and there is unlikely to be an entailment of eternal consequence; but we cannot lightly accept a similar laxity in the interpretation of Scripture. We are dealing with God’s thoughts: we…” quote by D. A. Carson
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“Make a mistake in the interpretation of one of Shakespeare’s plays, falsely scan a piece of Spenserian verse, and there is unlikely to be an entailment of eternal consequence; but we cannot lightly accept a similar laxity in the interpretation of Scripture. We are dealing with God’s thoughts: we are obligated to take the greatest pains to understand them truly and to explain them clearly.”

D. A. Carson

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Interpreting Scripture demands rigorous care; mistakes in literary analysis are minor, but errors in biblical understanding have eternal stakes.

In simple terms: Bible study requires great precision.

Key Takeaway

Study Scripture with humility and diligence.

Themes

faith interpretation responsibility truth

Mood

serious reverent

Type

educational inspirational

When to use this quote

  • Bible study groups
  • sermons
  • personal devotion

Key Concepts

theology exegesis epistemology

Questions to Reflect On

  • What methods ensure accurate biblical interpretation?
  • How do we balance humility with confidence in understanding?
A Different Perspective

Human fallibility can lead to misinterpretation despite best efforts.

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