Bible Quote by Finis Jennings Dake
““Nevertheless, should you have any doubts that we are stating sound doctrines, look up the references and see exactly what the Bible says and believe it in preference to any man. You cannot go wrong with this kind of advice. But in doing this, be sure you adhere to what is written, and that you do not let preconceived ideas cause you to be biased on any point. Do not try to make the Bible conform to your ideas. Always reconcile your ideas to the Bible. Let the plain language of the references given be read and understood in the same literal way that we would understand similar statements in any other book””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Bible (various translations), 20th‑century evangelical teaching
The quote urges verifying doctrines against the Bible directly, avoiding personal bias, and interpreting scripture literally as one would any other book.
In simple terms: Check beliefs against the Bible, not personal ideas.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize scripture over personal interpretation.
Themes
faith
interpretation
authority
bias
scripture
literality
Mood
reflective
serious
inquisitive
Type
instructional
theological
advisory
When to use this quote
- personal study
- sermon preparation
- Bible study groups
- faith counseling
Key Concepts
theology
exegesis
epistemology
dogma
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance literal reading with contextual understanding?
- What biases might affect your interpretation?
A Different Perspective
Literal reading may ignore historical and cultural context, leading to misinterpretation.
