Problems with Prooftexting (sometimes “proof-texting” or “proof texting”)

Ever been in a conversation with someone when that person pulls a piece of scripture seemingly out of thin air to prove a point? But you still have to do some mental gymnastics to follow their reasoning? Well, that’s called proof texting.

What is proof texting?

the practice of using isolated, out-of-context quotations from a document to establish a proposition in eisegesis (introducing one’s own presuppositions, agendas, or biases).

One of my (R.C.’s) personal favorites used to be Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. I used to apply this to wrestling, school, and other life experiences. When, in context, that scripture, and more to the point that truth, has nothing to do with my wrestling or grades or anything else for which I abused it.

Thomas’ example of the root of the word and also window vs. mirror approach to scripture

There are a few reasons why we proof-text or take scripture out of its context

Unable to see the bigger picture or narrative of scripture

This is seeing the scriptures from the vantage point of God’s Eternal Purpose

All of scripture points to a climax of the Father summing all things up in Christ Jesus so that Jesus may hand over all things to the Father so that God may be all in all (1 Cor. 15:1-28). This does not take away the situational context in any given passage but gives greater meaning to it. John 5:39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me

Tradition

We’ve heard someone quote scripture and simply believe it never taking the time to look into it for ourselves.

Misunderstanding/Ignorance

Sometimes we just don’t understand  what a scripture means and simply need help

Using scripture to push one’s own agenda which can often lead to proof-texting

Prosperity teaching

Old Covenant eyes

So what context are we talking about?

The worldview of the writers and audience (versus Reading through modern worldview) and

The eternal purpose

Proverbs 23:6-8

6 Do not eat the bread of a man who is stingy; do not desire his delicacies, 7 for he is like one who is inwardly calculating.“Eat and drink!” he says to you, but his heart is not with you. 8You will vomit up the morsels that you have eaten, and waste your pleasant words

John 20:29-31  29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Is. 55:6-9 “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. 9For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Is. 55:10 “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 11so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

“For I know the plans I have for you,