Beating Scripture to Death

James, Matthew, and Adam were getting ready to set out on the canals of the local marina to catch redfish. They woke up, made breakfast, and began getting their gear ready. As they headed down to the boat, Adam would get there first. Suddenly, Adam jumped back, letting out a very interesting yelp. James and Matthew quickly approached the boat to see what was happening. To their surprise, a 5-foot alligator had gotten in the boat. The boys were frantic, trying to figure out what to do. They were burning daylight and would not let the alligator ruin their trip. They tried pushing the alligator off with a boat paddle, throwing bait into the water, and using firecrackers to get the alligator to move. Nothing was working. Adam then came up with an idea. “What if we get a rope, tie it around the alligator's neck, and just drag him off?” In theory, it sounded like a good idea at the time. The boys quickly made a double clinch knot in the rope to release it easily. As the boys approached the alligator, James and Adam were going to distract the alligator while Matthew was going to get the rope using the boat paddle as an extension to get the rope around the alligator's neck. As the boys got close, the alligator began to hiss, warning the boys not to come any closer. But they were already an hour behind schedule. As the boys approached, all of a sudden, the alligator lunged at James and Adam. Fearing for their lives or possible loss of limbs, the boys turned and ran, only to hear the sound of what sounded like a big stick breaking. When the boys turned around, they realized that Matthew had turned the boat paddle into a baseball and hit the alligator several times on the head, knocking the alligator out and breaking the paddle. Thinking the alligator might have died, the boys decided to leave, go fishing, and deal with the alligator later. To their surprise, the alligator was gone when they returned to the boat dock.

Context and interpretation are key elements in expository preaching. The boys in the story should have known that a mere wooden boat paddle would not be enough to kill the alligator. Only stun it or knock it out. An alligator's hide is tough. To kill an alligator, hunters have to aim for an area about the size of a quarter right behind the alligator's head. Context would have been helpful in this situation. The same should be said about scripture. Context is important. “For the Christian, the unique significance of the Bible is that it gives us indispensable accounts of God’s acts in Israel and Jesus Christ. Without that scriptural record, we would know little about Israel and Jesus of Nazareth.”[1] As the Bible's story unfolds, there have been numerous debates about what specific passages mean. Multiple councils and significant debates have surrounded the context of scripture and what the church should believe. Many scriptures have been taken out of context to fit specific agendas. How can pastors avoid such pitfalls and preach the text in context and integrity? Perhaps it is wise to look at a couple of verses to see how they may be taken out of context and then offer some advice on preaching the text faithfully.

Almost every High School football team in America once had Philippians 4:13 as their team verse. “This verse sounds like ‘a wild-eyed pipe dream and can be easily misinterpreted.’”^[2] In Christ, all things are possible, but that verse is not about winning the big game as much as preserving faith during intense persecution. Paul, the author, is writing from prison to the church at Philippi. Paul, throughout his missionary journey, learned to be content in everything. “Some religions and philosophies prided themselves on secret knowledge. Paul had a different kind of secret. His secret was his reliance on Christ, gained through his Christian experience.”^[3] Philippians 4:13 encourages Christians that their strength does not come from themselves. It does not come from life's circumstances. It comes from Christ. If a pastor were to preach this text, they could use it to encourage their congregation regardless of whether they are in a season of joy or lament. Ultimately, they need to understand that their strength comes from Christ. It would encourage them to be more dependent on Christ and not themselves.

Preachers never want to lead their congregations astray by misinterpreting scripture. Study the context well, understand the original audience, and preach well.

[1] John Polkinghorne, Testing Scripture: A Scientist Explores the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press, 2010), 3.  

^[2] Derek R. Brown, Philippians: Lexham Research Commentaries (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2013), Php 4:1–23.

^[3] Max Anders, Galatians-Colossians: Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 263.