There is the Bible, and then there is one’s interpretation of the Bible. Because we are so prone to cognitive error, these two are quite often not the same. None of us are inspired and/or infallible in our ability to interpret, so we must diligently maintain a clear distinction in our minds between the model presented by the actual facts of the Bible and the model that exists in our minds as the result of our interpretation of the Bible.
It is interesting to see which of the two is given the greater importance by any given reader. Many assert that the texts could not be possibly be wrong. Meanwhile, there are some who have come to believe that their own interpretation of the texts could not possibly be wrong. The latter make it their habit to default to their standing interpretations all the time, even when the actual words of the texts are put forth in contradiction thereunto.
They will never see it this way, but at that point they are setting up a scenario in which either the texts or their interpretations are right, but not both. People of functional humility do the same thing, of course, but they are willing to be wrong in their interpretations, and to correct themselves accordingly. Those of corrupt mind, however, will default to their standing interpretations and ignore the texts when the two disagree. In this they show us the truth about themselves: that they do not really care about the facts after all, but only about their own established beliefs. They have replaced the original religion–in part, at least–with one of their own invention. And even so, they have done it in the name of God.
This is ironic, for a person of that sort could simply forgo the Bible altogether and declare that his own imagination is its superior. Indeed, I wish they would do this, rather than to keep muddying the waters for us honest seekers of the truth by claiming that their model is indeed the Bible’s model. But alas, their actions are not mine to choose. Not even God intervenes to make them stop it. If I understand the Bible, however, he will most certainly raise the issue with them later—when they have no further chance to reform themselves.
The fool picks out and settles on doctrines without examining the whole of the Bible with regard to the subject at hand. He overestimates his knowledge and his manner of reasoning. He does not continue to work the Bible as he would a puzzle with many pieces, for he simply does not care to see it all put together. Rather, he is content to snatch up a piece that he thinks he likes, and then to insist on telling us all what it means. He cannot possibly know whether he has got it right or not, for he refuses the rest of the information. Yet he is adamant all the same.
Ironically, he claims all along that the whole Bible is delivered to us by none other than God himself. Yet while he scorns us about the importance of his one piece of the puzzle, he himself ignores the hundreds of pieces he has not yet begun to put into their proper places. He is utterly incurious about the rest, and will even tell you when pressed that they are unimportant inasmuch as they are not “core”, not “essential”, or do not constitute a “salvation issue”.
His religion, therefore, is a monument to his own self assurance, and the actual facts of the Bible are of no use to him outside of their availability to be commandeered for the purpose of suiting himself in the name of God.
Feigning certainty as to a part when one is ignorant of the whole is a fool’s errand.
