Sunday, March 29, 2020

Christian Anti-Intellectualism and the Role of the Holy Spirit in Bible Interpretation


The following video by Ben Stanhope is an excellent discussion about how, even if one believes in the "personal testimony" of the Holy Spirit does not mean that one should jettison scholarly works and commentaries. He also has a good discussion of 1 Cor 2:14, a common "proof-text" and the common (anti-intellectual) interpretation many read into it (via eisegesis):

Christian Anti-Intellectualism and the Role of the Holy Spirit in Bible Interpretation



Sadly, many Latter-day Saints also believe that "the Holy Spirit is their scriptural commentary" and they do not need anything else. However, while the Holy Spirit can and does bring to our mind the remembrance of things we previously learned, note that we had to first learn it ourselves(!) Anyway, I hope those who watch this video will rethink such a naive (and frankly, dangerous and stupid) attitude.

Update: an example of an anti-Mormon arguing like Hovind et al:
 

This passage goes on to say that without the Holy Spirit, men would not be able to comprehend the things of God (v. 14). Thus, saved men must rely on Him to teach them the doctrines that are expressed through His Word. Being a good student in this way equips husbands to teach their wives. If this link in the chain is missing, the man’s role as teacher dissolves and he is left with nothing more than self-help books and his own thoughts, which are, of course, disastrous opinions (Leviticus 10:1-3, Jeremiah 17:9). (Jeremy Howard, You’re the Husband: A Blueprint For Leading in Marriage [Greenville, S.C.: Ambassador International, 2017], 49)