Why saying "Show me where it says it in the Bible" doesn't Always Work

The Bible is complicated no doubt about it.  It is really hard to interpret correctly and often misused. It is life giving yet simultaneously dangerous.

The Bible has been used both to create a case for and against some of the greatest social battles in history. In a recent article Rachel Held Evans listed few of these incidents including interracial marriage, slavery, the mass murder of Native tribes, and women’s suffrage (still somewhat of an issue in the church).

All of these issues are understood clearly in retrospect, but at the time biblical interpretation was a great source of confusion. Now someone would not even need the use of the Bible to make a case against any of these injustices. This brings me to my point.

Most times when someone says, “Show me where it says that in the Bible” or demands I take their side on an issue because they can show me specific verses that defend their position I readily dismiss their argument. Not because I lack respect for the Holy Scripture but because I have a very great respect for it.

Though I may sometimes be accused of dismissing what the Bible says or elevating reason over scripture I am doing my best to pursue just the opposite.

All truth is God’s truth. This means I cannot dismiss reason or scripture but must hold both with an open hand.

If I cannot first make a valid argument for my position without the use of scripture then I am in all likelihood projecting my own selfish desires onto scripture. If my argument without scripture makes me out to look like a bigot, then perhaps I have elevated my fancy for scripture over my relationship with its Creator. And because my greatest respect goes to the Creator of all space and time I need to be wary of putting words in His mouth from my isolated position.

For example, arguments can be made from scripture both for and against honoring women with high roles in ministry. It is much more difficult to make an argument against women in ministry without the use of scripture and maintain a Christ-like character. If I  have to sound intolerant or prejudice to make my argument without the use of scripture perhaps my interpretation of scripture lacks honest intent.

I evoke reason along with scripture because I want to be honest before God, so he can use it to truly guide me, and so that with my often ill-intended heart I do not misuse scripture.