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DAN.GER.

There are a lot of heated articles going around on the internets these days. Most of them have to do with controversial and emotionally charged moral issues. A new trend is to use scripture to prove points. Now, I'm all about scripture, and I completely agree that it makes your arguments bulletproof...  provided you use it correctly.  Which is where the problem comes in.

Context. Context. Context. The Bible doesn't just say any old thing that you conveniently want it to at the moment. It says something specific, and most of the time it's really not all that gray. I promise.

For examples, below are a couple verses I've seen thrown around lately to prove points. Underneath each verse I'll summarize what the user used the verse to say, and then under that I'll tell you what the verse is talking about taking context into account. Ready? You'd laugh if it wasn't so dang sad.

John 10:16- And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

 User: Jesus validates a transgender lifestyle.

Context: Use cultural and textual context.
John 9:41-10:1-- Some of the Pharisees near him heard these things, and said to him, “Are we also blind?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains. “Truly, truly, I say to you...
Jesus was talking to the Pharisees. Thus, he's explaining how the Gentiles (the other fold) will be included in God's plan.

 Mark 11:15-  And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. 

User: Jesus took action against injustice like African-American rioters are doing now.

Context: Use textual context.
Mark 11:16-17-- And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” 
Jesus is objecting to the dishonoring of His Father's House. Need I say more...? I sure hope not.

Checking context before spewing verses is so simple. Even a kid can do it. It will take 5 extra minutes. And then you'll look smart instead of stupid. Win.
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