Give a biblical viewpoint not your opinion!

Okay, this has festered on my heart for quite some time now and I think it is therapeutic to get it out now.
"To have a proper biblical viewpoint we must let the Bible first be the authority, and then let the Bible set the agenda in our biblical viewpoints."

I have debates and conversations with people frequently about Scripture and beliefs and so on. What I find most common is that people will state what they believe, yet either
A. not have the Scripture to back up what they say.
B. Use what another said in a commentary and use it as their own.
C. Use a passage that vaguely is contextually correct for their argument.

Now grant it we are not perfect beings. But I think we (this includes myself) get lazy when it comes to proper exegesis of passages. I think we get so engaged with being "right" or to "win" a debate that we take passages out of context: linguistically, historically, and theologically. Its sad to hear Christians in a conversation (in order to make them feel good) say well thats what you believe and I believe this.
Now I am taking into account many different variables which I do not find the time nor space to write out. But there is a proper hermeneutic and exegesis to Scripture.

First we accept that Scripture is authoritative. Its says it is:

2 Timothy 3:16-"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, ¹⁷that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

If Scripture can correct, reproof (rebuke), and train for righteousness it must be authoritative.

Now for our example:
For example: I hear this one alot

God doesnt want you to have tattoos, or to smoke or to pierce your body because:
"your body is a temple." (citing 1 Corinthians 6:19)

Now lets see the whole passage:
verse 13-The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.

verse ¹⁵ "Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ?
**This verse continues to tell us the importance of our bodies but yet that we should not join ourselves to a prostitute.

Verse ¹⁸ "Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.

**Once again the context is clear---sexual immorality

Contextually here we can understand that this passage is talking of:

1. sexual immorality
The Greek word for this is "porneia"
It means any sexual act conducted outside of a marriage between a male and a female is immoral. (includes homosexuality, pedophilia, adultery, etc)
Interestingly the Greek word also can mean idol (image) or a sexual image combined with both words. Hence this is where we get our English word for pornography.


Here Paul is emphasizing yes that our bodies are not just vessels to throw around (contextually sexually) with the temple prostitutes that would have been in the Corinthians places. He even appeals back to Genesis--1 man 1 woman, joined together. He places the importance of sexual purity, and the importance of its place under the banner of God.
At the end of the passage we get the exhortation: So then glorify God in your body."

Could this be loosely translated into obesity, smoking, tattoos-----some will try, but it wouldnt be proper hermeneutics. This passage is intended for the subject of sexual immorality. That why Paul wrote it and passionately defended it. He didnt appeal for Adam and Eve being perfect bodies and not destroying it but rather focused on the their joining together.

Should we glorify our bodies for God, yes! I believe though that there are better passages to be used in place though. We cant just throw out any verse we think says something that may relate to our argument.

Other such instances:

Any passage dealing with justification:
Paul uses it differently than James, and from Matthew, Luke, Mark and so on. Are there similarities...sure but people forget that they were written to specific communities.

So how can we properly exegete Scripture:
1. Linguistically---get a hold of a Greek lexicon, or some sort of Greek commentary that goes with the language. (This goes for Hebrew too!)

The language plays such a role:
example--Proverbs 31-The Woman of Noble Character---incorrectly translated, actually its mighty warrior, but for some reason scholars deemed it to be noble.
*David and Jonathans covenant was done under the thigh, but it was actually done with the genitals. They held each others genitals to make the covenant. This isnt odd once you examine culture, and the overall use of genitals in the OT.

2. Historical Context
This is important as you have to know the history behind why that phrase was used, why, what would have influenced that. Under this I would place customs, culture, etc... What would a holy kiss have been in that time period? What did Jesus mean when he said to deny your mother and father in a culture where that was essential to living?

3. Intertextuality
My personal favorite--how does that passage team up against several other passages? Though it may be fun to find a passage that gets to your point but does you no good if it doesnt line up with the rest of Scripture ( 2 tim. 3:16)

4. Theological Center
What is the point of that passage? How does it line with Jesus Christ being the theological center? I mean he is the point of all Scripture right?

Okay I am done ranting for the night. But by all means these are important things to think about. I think instead of thinking about WHO WE THINK God is and reading Scripture to see the True and Holy God as He IS it would change the way we think, live, and act.

Think biblically! Live loud.