In my last post I wrote about blind spots or cognitive biases. One of them is called confirmation bias. It basically means searching for, interpreting, favoring, and remembering information in a way that affirms one's prior beliefs or opinions-and filtering out everything else that's contradictory. This is a very unbalanced way of thinking critically. Unfortunately, it is how many people read or study the Bible.
If you've heard of exegesis then you probably know it means studying text with a critical eye. In other words, you should study God's Word objectively by using critical analysis. Eisegesis is the opposite of Exegesis. It is when you study subjectively and add your own interpretation to the text. That's where confirmation bias is used to bring about wrong interpretation of the Bible. And it's a dangerous thing to do because it opens up the opportunity for false doctrines or heresies to be learned and taught.
A well known false teaching in many churches is the Once Saved Always Saved doctrine. Also known as OSAS. Those who believe in this doctrine teach that we are eternally secure once we repent and accept Jesus as our Savior. Is this true? The short answer is yes-unless. Unless what? Since the Word of God is the authority and guide let's allow it to speak to us.
20For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. II Peter 2
The above verse plainly shows that those who have believed in Jesus as their Savior can turn back to the sin of the world and be overcome. This is not talking about those Christians who struggle with temptation and sin and then have a repentant heart. (I John 1:9) Instead, it is describing those people who walk away from seeking His righteousness and turn back to the filthiness of sin.
12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; Hebrews 3
We must keep our confidence and trust in Jesus Christ until the end. He is the author and finisher of our faith. If we hold on to Him then He will never let go of us. On the other hand, if we refuse to continue to trust in Him then we have rejected the Way, the Truth, and the Life. We have walked away from Him.
43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 24
Once Saved Always Saved is a heresy invented by the enemy to attempt to corrupt the Word of God-just as Satan did in the garden of Eden. Jesus Christ is returning to this evil, sin-filled world again. Very very soon! We all need to make our calling and election sure. We must be ever ready!(II Peter 1:10,11)
Since there are many false doctrines in these last days we have to be diligent to constantly study God's Word for ourselves. Only when we know the reality of the true doctrine of salvation will we be able to discern the deceptions and errors rampant in apostate churches and ministries of today. For another related post go here.
Eisegesis ( the process of interpreting text in such a way as to introduce one's own presuppositions, agendas or biases. It is commonly referred to as reading into the text. It is often done to "prove" a pre-held point of concern, and to provide confirmation bias corresponding with the pre-held agenda.
19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. II Peter 1:19-21
Since there are many false doctrines in these last days we have to be diligent to constantly study God's Word for ourselves. Only when we know the reality of the true doctrine of salvation will we be able to discern the deceptions and errors rampant in apostate churches and ministries of today. For another related post go here.
Eisegesis ( the process of interpreting text in such a way as to introduce one's own presuppositions, agendas or biases. It is commonly referred to as reading into the text. It is often done to "prove" a pre-held point of concern, and to provide confirmation bias corresponding with the pre-held agenda.
