07/30/18 TO PROOFTEXTING OR NOT
REAL PROOFTEXTING IS.
There is more to Christian APOLOGETICS, but there is no such thing without using TEXTS THAT PROVE the point.
CLARIFY
I remember when PROOFTEXTING was understood to mean that a text was referenced in order to prove a doctrinal or Biblical point. It has become associated with TEXTS OUT OF CONTEXT.
Yes, that happens, but often times people reject Scripture because they call it 'prooftexting," which is presupposed to be an errant argument.
"YES" again, there is more to Biblical Apologetics than using a single verse or isolated passage. But that does not disqualify using "prooftexts" in discussion.
In fact, all Biblical Apologetics is about proving a truth, based on the texts of Scripture. It is possible for any study, any teaching, any preaching (including "EXPOSITORY" preaching) to be based on OUT OF CONTEXT Scripture.
In fact, some people hide their false doctrines in the chaos of supposed expositional preaching. They use long explanations to denounce clearly stated truths.
I like expositional preaching, but then again, I like all forms of good preaching. However, my observation is that popular "expositional" preaching often produces either shallow or nominal Christians.
It is the truth of Scripture that matters, more than the type of presentation.
A "prooftext" must be consistent with the rest of the word of God, regardless of how long or short that text may be.
