Adventures in Bad Hermeneutics

Hermeneutics is the science and art of correct Bible interpretation. It's a science because it involves guiding principles, rules, and methods. It's an art because the more one uses the guiding principles, the more skilled he/she may become at interpreting the Bible well. Of course the goal of hermeneutics is "rightly dividing the Word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15).

And make no mistake about it:
The goal of rightly dividing the Word of truth is to know and love God so much that it fills your entire being and overflows into loving people. (See 1 Timothy 1:5-6.)

Note: If your approach to interpreting the Scriptures makes you arrogant and less loving of people, you're doing it wrong.

Sometimes a great way to understand what something is, is to understand what it is not. (Note how John does this when trying to explain the nature of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 22:3-5.) Hence, this post will be an ongoing adventure in bad hermeneutics.

Warning
Many of these examples of less-than-stellar hermeneutics below are simply for fun—illustrating absurdity by being absurd—and, hopefully, make a point in the process. (See picture above.)  If satire and sarcasm are two words you know not of, abandon this post now! You have been warned.

However, if you like to smile, laugh AND think deeply about God, the Bible, culture and life, this post is especially for you. Enjoy.

Adventures in Bad Hermeneutics...
* The next time you read the book of Leviticus
* God wants me to spend winters in Phoenix.
* Road rage in the Bible.
* Tickle me Esau.
* God is love, love, and only love.
* "Christian" pick up lines.
* Knowing the Bible and missing God.
* I feel sorry for this Bible verse.
* God loves everyone I love and hates everyone I hate.
* I love God for the benefits, not for God himself.
* The Old Testament is not germane to us today.
* Woe to you when all people speak well of you.
* Why read the Bible when you can just see the movie?
* The biblical approach to finding a mate.
* A story you wish was from Babylon Bee but sadly it's not.

Now that you know what NOT to do, you might want to explore this FREE video course on hermeneutics.

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