Why I Get Nervous About Biblical Proof-Texting

Imagine if you went to Koorong and saw a teacup that said, “For it is by grace you have been saved – not by works” Eph 2:8-9. Would you buy that cup? Possibly. Now imagine next to sits another cup that says this: “Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child” 1 John 3:10. Would you buy that cup? Not likely!

Both teacups have a legit bible verse on them. Both are true. Why are we comfortable with one and not the other? You may answer, Oh – the second is quoted out of context. It is, as is the first. Both, within their given contexts, reveal a fuller biblical truth.

Last week I introduced the idea of diagonalization. I suggested that whereas the world often falls either to the left or the right, God, in his word, often invites us to hold two truths in tension via a diagonal.

To announce that we are saved by grace and not works is true, but it is to highlight one side of the diagonal. Paul goes on to say in Eph 2 that God has prepared good works for us to do. Likewise, announcing that doing right demonstrates sonship is also true but unbalanced. We are sons because the Father has lavished love on us (1 John 3:1).

I see a lot of biblical proof-texting that tends to cite one side of the truth in an unbalanced and misleading way. We hear references to grace without mention of obedience, love without justice, blessing without suffering, and God’s sovereign control without reference to human agency and responsibility.

We may think a bible verse of encouragement helps a friend in need. I am not so sure it’s that simple. Pauls says to the Ephesians: “For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.” (Acts 20:27)