Exegesis and redundancy

Exegesis is just a fancy word for efforts to interpret the intended meaning of the Scriptures. The discussion of inerrancy and redundancy suggests some important principles of exegesis.

1. Always use Scriptures to interpret Scripture. An error in transcription, translation or interpretation of one text will be revealed in comparison with other texts.
2. Doctrines that are repeated throughout Scripture should be considered important.
3. Interpretations of a single passage or small group of passages that contradict the rest of the Scriptures should be considered unreliable.
4. Doctrines that are derived from only a single passage or small handful of passages, but appear consistent with the rest of the Scriptures, should be held lightly, and recognized as “disputable”. (Rom 14:1).

For example, the following recurring themes can be considered reliable:

1. Jesus died to provide a way for all people to be spared the punishment for their sins and be reconciled with the Father. (Mk 16:15-16; Jn 1:7,9; Jn 3:16-17; Rom 5:18; 1Tim 2:3-4; Tit 2:11; Heb 2:9; 1Jn 2:2; also: Gen 18:18; Ez 18:32; Mt 18:12-14; Ac 2:17-21; 2Cor 5:14-15; Col 1:18-20; 2Pet 3:9; Rev 5:9;7:9;14:6.)
2. Each person makes a choice whether to accept the gift of salvation. (Mt 7:13; Jn 1:11-12; Rom 10:9-11; Jam 4:7-8; Rev 22:17; also: Jos 24:15; Mk 16:15-16; Lk 13:24; Jn 5:24; Ac 16:31; Gal 3:6-7; Rev 3:20.)
3. Salvation is by grace, through faith alone. (Jn 5:28-29; Rom 3:21-24,28; 4:3,5-8,13; 9:31-33; 10:9-10; 11:5-6; Gal 3:6-9,11,24; Eph 2:8-9; Tit 3:5)
4. Everyone who knows Jesus Christ is an heir of the promise made to Abraham, and a priest in the temple of God. (Jn 1:12-13; Rom 8:15-17; 2Cor 6:16-18; Gal 3:6-7,26-29; 4:4-7; Eph 1:4-6; 3:6; Tit 3:4-9; Heb 2:9-11,17; 12:4-8; 1Jn 3:1; 1Pet 2:5,9; Rev 1:6; 5:10)
5. God hates divisions in the church. (Rom 16:17-18; 1Tim 1:3-7; 6:3-5; 2Tim 2:14; Tit 3:9-11; also: Jn 17:20-23; Rom 12:16; 14:19; 15:5-7; 1Cor 1:11-13; 3:3-5; 2Cor 13:11; Eph 4:3; Php 1:27; 2:2; 1Pet 3:8)
6. God created sex and marriage to be between a man and a woman (Gen 2:24-25; Ex 22:16-17; Lev 18:22; 20:13; Dt 23:18; Rom 1:26-27; 1Cor 6:9,16; 7:2-5; Heb 13:4).

The following interpretations contradict the rest of Scriptures, and should therefore be considered unreliable:

1. God predestines some people for hell. (Rom 9:14-24; contrast #1 above)
2. Salvation requires good works in addition to faith. (Jam 2:14; contrast #3 above)
3. Jesus bequeathed the power of the Holy Spirit exclusively to the 12 Apostles and their lineage. (Mt 10:1; 16:19; Ac 1:20-22; contrast #4 above)
4. God encourages people to divide the church as a way of demonstrating which group has God's approval. (1Cor 11:19; contrast #5 above)
5. Homosexuality is okay so long as the couple love each other. (1Jn 4:16; contrast #6 above)

The following doctrines are minimally supported, and should therefore be considered disputable:

1. Men should have short hair, and women should have long hair. (1Cor 11:14-15)
2. Elders should be married men. (1Tim 3:2-5; Tit 1:6)
3. Baptism should be by immersion. (Mt 3:16; Jn 3:22; Ac 8:36-39; contrast Mt 3:11; Mk 10:38; 16:16; Ac 1:5; 2:41; 11:16; 16:33; 1Cor 1:17; 12:13; Eph 4:4-6; 1Pet 3:21)

There are many, many other examples in each category, of course.