Types of Bad Hermeneutics
Why can’t I Read the way I want?
Throughout the years, numerous preachers and writers have understood and interpreted individual Bible verses in ways that are contrary to their original context. In doing so, they have suggested meanings and formed doctrines that are not supported by the text itself, and neither is their meaning found in any standard commentary by reputable authors.
Below is a list of certain types of bad hermeneutics that are being used today.
Types of Bad Hermeneutics
A) – Isolationism: is the practice of isolating a verse of scripture from its proper context so as to change its meaning or support an unbiblical doctrine.
Example: Quoting Philippians 4:13 (“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”) to justify unrealistic personal ambitions without considering the context of enduring hardship.
B) – Spiritualizing: is the reading of a spiritual idea or concept into the text even though the particular text does not support it.
Example: Claiming the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37) represents hidden symbols about end-times prophecy rather than a call to love one’s neighbor.
C) – Culturalizing: Interpreting a scripture verse in light of changing culture instead of going back to the cultural context in which it was written.
Example: Dismissing the biblical teaching on marriage in Ephesians 5:22–33 as outdated rather than understanding its cultural and theological significance.
D) – Nationalizing: Reading one’s own country into a warning and/or promise that was given specifically to the nation of Israel.
Example: Applying 2 Chronicles 7:14 (“If my people… humble themselves and pray… I will heal their land”) to a modern nation without recognizing it was addressed to ancient Israel.
E) – Redefining: Assigning new meanings to biblical terms to suit one’s own theology.
Example: Changing the definition of “sin” to mean only societal injustices, ignoring its broader biblical meaning of rebellion against God.
F) – Generalizing: Assuming that a historical event or promise in scripture is normative and universally applicable today.
Example: Believing that God’s promise of land to Abraham (Genesis 12:7) applies directly to individuals or nations today.
G) – Emotionalism & Experientialism: Interpreting the Bible subjectively based on one’s emotions and personal experiences.
Example: Deciding God’s will based on feelings after reading a verse, without considering its intended meaning or broader context.
H) – Individualizing: Reading oneself into the text of scripture and claiming that the elements and characters in the text are about oneself.
Example: Seeing oneself as David in the story of David and Goliath, interpreting every “giant” as personal struggles to overcome.
I) – Numerological eisegesis: Taking various numbers in the Bible out of their context and assigning irrelevant meanings to them.
Example: Claiming that the number of fish caught in John 21:11 (153 fish) holds hidden codes for predicting end-times events.
J) – Assuming a false premise: Quickly jumping to conclusions about the meaning of a certain verse or passage of scripture, thereby resulting in a false interpretation.
Example: Interpreting Matthew 7:1 (“Judge not, that you be not judged”) as forbidding all judgment, without considering the call for righteous judgment elsewhere in Scripture (John 7:24).