Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 7
He says even topical teaching becomes wrong when we go to Scripture “looking to justify a particular topic or an end notion,” insisting we must ask, “What does the text have to say about this topic?”; what topics (cultural, political, therapeutic, church-traditional) most tempt you to use the Bible as support rather than as authority?
Another way to ask: He says topical teaching goes wrong when we use the Bible to prove what we already believe instead of letting it lead. What topics tempt you most to use Scripture as support for your view rather than as the final authority?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
The transcript doesn’t list specific modern topics, but it clearly warns that any topic can become dangerous when we approach Scripture trying to “justify” a pre-decided conclusion. The speaker’s corrective is to find Scripture texts and ask honestly what they say about the topic, keeping the “textual portion” at the core.
- He contrasts good topical study with misuse: going to Scripture “looking to justify a particular topic or an end notion… is really the wrong approach.”
- His method for topical teaching: “look for the scripture text and then ask the question, what does the text have to say about this topic?”
- He admits topical studies are “a little different,” but says “you can do the same thing if you do it well.”
- He notes church life includes recurring topics: “we have topics we teach here at the church regularly.”
- Even then, he tries “to not minimize the textual portion… [it] has to be… the core… informing how we think and… live.”