Direct Answer
The analogy confronts any approach to Scripture that begins with a desired doctrinal result and then builds a case for it. The transcript specifically mentions studying salvation, but the same stated principle applies to any doctrine we approach with prior conclusions that Scripture must be made to support.
Support from Transcript
- Bercot says his title clients want him to begin “with a blank mental slate.” - They do not want him to have “preconceived ideas as to what sort of title problems” he will find. - He says, “The last thing my clients want me to do is to examine title with a slanted mindset.” - A “biased, slanted title examination would be worthless to them.” - He states the principle: “To find truth, you must start with a blank slate.” - He later applies this to “a study of what the Scriptures teach about salvation.”
Discussion Follow-ups
If we study only to defend grace, obedience, faith, assurance, freedom, or salvation as already defined, we may be acting like a biased title examiner rather than a truth-seeker.