Long before there was texting, there was “proof-texting,” the phenomenon of referring to Bible verses to support your beliefs.
Unfortunately, proof-texting often goes like this: you have just made a point in a discussion, when a person who disagrees with you says with a smirk on their face, “Yeah, but what about…” and then they try to put you in your place by using a biblical quote or reference as a zinger.
I know I have engaged in this — hopefully without the smirk or the zinging attitude. I recall visiting with two women during a break at a denominational meeting. They were talking about the vision of every tribe and nation worshiping God in Revelation 5:9 as if it meant that everyone will be saved. I tried to burst their bubble by reminding them that the same book of Revelation (22:15) states that many others will be left outside the walls of the New Jerusalem. I wasn’t trying to win a debate, but I’m guessing that I came across that way.
What I think I really wanted was how they held divergent biblical claims together, because I wrestle with those same tensions. They gave me no response. I probably just came across like a fussy conservative crossing t’s and dotting i’s.
The term “proof-texting” itself is problematic. The word “proof” immediately puts us in debate mode, or even in trial mode. Two parties are at odds. One will win, one will lose. One will be deemed guilty of false doctrine and the other will be vindicated as a champion of orthodoxy. And the decisive factor will be the evidence or proofs that are offered. The winner will be the one who amasses the best and greatest number of proof-texts in making their case.
We may, sometimes have to be in a theological courtroom. But our first instinct should not be to regard a sibling in Christ as a possible heretic. We might believe they are wrong about a particular matter, but even if we’re correct in that assessment, they are still a part of God’s family of faith. So a debate forum or a courtroom is not the place to begin.
What I do find helpful, however, about “proof-texting” (in spite of the adversarial connotations of that term) is that it provides a window into the biblical texts that have shaped our thinking on a certain matter.
I don’t think I’m engaging in proof texting when I share that for me a key idea (and verse) is found in 1 Corinthians 2:16. “‘For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?’ But we have the mind of Christ.”
My aim is to follow the mind of Christ. The first half of that verse warns us against thinking that we have God all figured out (and also shows Paul engaging in some proof-texting himself, for he’s quoting Isaiah 40:13). But the second half rejoices that we are not left completely ignorant about the ways of God. We have the mind of Christ and presumably are called to cultivate thinking in conformity to that mind.
Another important text is 2 Corinthians 10:5, “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” Paul is in an adversarial mode here. He is refuting the teaching of false apostles who have come to Corinth.
What I find compelling is the idea of making our thoughts captive to obey Christ. The idea of “captive thoughts” will sound off-putting to some. But like many other paradoxes of the gospel, I would contend that we think most freely when our thoughts are captive to obey Christ.
A renewed mind, having the mind of Christ is to be both faithful and creative. We don’t want to be so bound to “proof-texts” that we become like those New Testament scribes who couldn’t teach without reciting precedents and proof-texts for everything they said. We are told the people were astonished when Jesus “was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes” (Matthew 7:29). Instead of a numbing series of proof-texts, there was energy and freshness and authority. We want to think and speak outside the box, but not outside the Book.
What I appreciate most about some “proof-texting” is that it helps me to see what biblical texts moved someone to think this way or that. When I share the texts that move my soul (as I’ve done above), I don’t think of it as offering “proof” that my perspective is the best or only perspective. It’s a biblical perspective nonetheless.
The goal is not to prove who’s right, but make our thoughts “captive to obey Christ.” That last phrase about obedience is important. The church is full of people who have good, biblically-informed beliefs, but are not acting on those beliefs. It’s as if we think having the right beliefs is the sum total of God’s call.
If it’s really serving its purpose, a “proof-text” will empower us to act as followers of Jesus. An old maxim said, “The proof is in the pudding.” The idea is that we only really know the truth of a belief if we act on it. There is a time to debate Bible verses, a time to proclaim Bible verses, a time to converse about Bible verses, but most importantly, a time to act on Bible verses. That’s the best proof of all.
Gavel photo by KATRIN BOLOVTSOVA:
