Christian writer Jonathan Merritt wants to set the record straight. What are perceived to be inspirational passages from the Bible are not a "one size fits all" statements even if they are well intended, and they shouldn't always be used to give comfort to the downtrodden. In his view, when they are used in the wrong context , they could even do more harm than good.
In his article on Religion News, Merritt is critical of people loosely using these popular quotes thinking they are from the Holy Book when in truth, they are nowhere to be found in Scripture.
He cites pastor and Bible scholar Adam Hamilton who takes the issue to task in his latest book "Half Truths: God Helps Those Who Help Themselves and Other Things That The Bible Doesn't Say". Hamilton highlights three popular clichés that are favorites to quote.
The first is: "Everything happens for a reason."
Merritt clarifies that these are not the exact words from the Bible but rather an interpretation of Romans 8:28: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
When used to console those who are experiencing trials, he thinks it may give the impression that God wanted the misfortune to happen but instead, what the Scripture suggests the opposite, he believes. Tragedies sometimes happen in spite of God's will, not because of it.
"The context for this verse is temptation, not trials or tragedies. As Hamilton writes, 'It's not that God won't give you more than you can handle, but that God will help you handle all that you've been given,'" Merritt explained.
Another popular "quote" from the Bible is "God won't give you more than you can handle."
Merritt called for a deeper understanding of this passage as he feels people have at time been given more than they could handle, and that the passage is actually referring to God promising to help in times of temptation. Saying something like "God won't give you" may be misunderstood to mean that God gives bad things to us.
Another cliché Merritt has an issue with is "Love the sinner, hate the sin." In his opinion, it's just not very gracious.
He concludes: "Instead of loving others because you perceive them to be sinners, perhaps you should focus on loving them despite the fact that you are. If we all learn do this, perhaps the most damaging cliches in our collective vernacular will slowly be replaced by more gracious, life-giving–and yes–biblical words."
