Question 1

What is a logical fallacy in Bible study?

Accepted Answer

A logical fallacy is an error in reasoning that makes an argument appear stronger than it is. In Bible study, common fallacies include the appeal to tradition (a teaching must be true because it is old), the straw man (misrepresenting a scholarly view to knock it down), and circular reasoning (the Bible is true because the Bible says so). Recognizing these patterns helps you evaluate theological arguments on their actual merits.

Question 2

What is eisegesis and why does it matter?

Accepted Answer

Eisegesis is the practice of reading a meaning into a text rather than drawing meaning out of it (exegesis). It occurs when a reader approaches a passage with a predetermined conclusion and selects details that confirm it while ignoring context. In Bible study, this often produces interpretations that would have been unrecognizable to the original audience. Exegesis – reading out of the text – requires attending to genre, historical context, original language, and the surrounding passage.

Question 3

What is confirmation bias in Bible reading?

Accepted Answer

Confirmation bias is the tendency to search for, interpret, and remember information in a way that confirms one's existing beliefs. In Bible study, it manifests as selecting verses that support a view while glossing over passages that complicate it. The Bereans in Acts 17:11 are praised precisely for examining Scripture carefully rather than accepting Paul's teaching uncritically – a model of deliberately checking one's assumptions.

Question 4

How do I evaluate a Bible commentary or teacher?

Accepted Answer

Evaluating a Bible teacher or commentary involves checking several factors: their academic credentials and institutional affiliation, whether they cite primary sources (original languages, early manuscripts, archaeological evidence), whether they engage with interpretations different from their own, and whether their funding or ministry context creates financial incentives for particular conclusions. Frameworks like the CRAAP Test (Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose) provide a systematic checklist for this evaluation.

Question 5

What is the difference between a hermeneutical pitfall and a logical fallacy?

Accepted Answer

A logical fallacy is a general error in argument structure that can occur in any domain. A hermeneutical pitfall is specific to the interpretation of texts – errors in how someone reads, translates, or applies a written source. Examples of hermeneutical pitfalls include proof-texting (quoting verses in isolation), ignoring genre conventions, importing modern concepts into ancient contexts, and over-literalizing metaphorical language. Both categories overlap: a proof-texter often commits the fallacy of selective evidence as well.

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