“Writers on the biblical message of salvation often treat the relevant passages without due consideration of their historical, cultural, and human context. What the Bible says and what it teaches are not the same thing. Only the overall teaching of the Bible (on a particular issue) can be considered authoritative for Christian faith, not the apparent teaching of any specific passage. Individual passages must be placed in the context of the broader teaching of the Scripture as a whole. It may also be the case that the Bible teaches more than one thing or has more than one emphasis, and that these teachings might be in tension with each other.
Further, no one does presuppositionless exegesis of Scripture, or interpretation without some pre-understanding or theological commitments. There are always larger theological issues to be taken into account before one can pronounce that 'this is the teaching of the Bible' on a given subject. We as interpreters are changed by our readings of the Bible. Our theology is continually being revised, modified, and deepened as we submit ourselves to God’s word. It is not helpful, therefore to come to the study of “universalism” with our minds made up, as is often the case.”
Universal Salvation? The Current Debate, edited by Parry and Partridge, William Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids Michigan, 2004. “A Wideness in God’s Mercy: Universalism in the Bible”, Thomas Johnson, p.78.
The Chrtistian Church has always been guilty of exemplifying and teaching a lazy exegesis contrary to the above statement. The best example is Pastor Rick Warren's book, "Purpose Driven Life", and it's popularity with the flock. gg
