Honest Research

The title of this little post simply refers to being truly honest in -how- we study any topic including Bible, political or you-name-it.

A friend recently posted in my Facebook, stirred up a little flak (like, I never do? HA!) and eventually emailed me an apology for doing so.

My first reply was that I know his heart- which I think I do after several years of back-and-forth on various issues. He sent a list of go-to sources to me via email. Here was my follow up reply to him to be clear on my reasoning about honest research:

"You work to get the details and I appreciate that.

To be very clear, what I meant was that we often go to sources that are less than balanced, deep and non-partisan if we're not careful, also of course leaning into our own political and/or otherwise views on issues we're looking into and then quote those that align with our own already-established views.

On the Bible end of things it's like "proof-texting" which means searching for what we already believe in the Word and not looking for (at times) the opposite or more balanced, or just not-our-already-held view.

The opposite of proof-texting/cherry-picking to find stuff that agrees with us is going to the Word with prayer and true open heartedness, find what it seems to clearly and contextually say (regardless of the issue) and aligning ourselves to it, that is, God's Word first, then accepting it regardless of any personal wish.

This sort of research is so often lacking- and I'm not saying at all that you don't have such heart, just to clarify what I meant re. sources my bro.

Blessings to you! -Glenn"

And as always, thanks for stopping by. -Glenn