Dungan - Hermeneutics

D. R. Dungan's Hermeneutics: A Text-Book: Chapter III.
little more at the conclusion than at the beginning of his studies.
There are a great many hindrances, which we will not now name, of the same kind. But let this
suffice. Anything that will prevent thorough and continued study, will prevent knowledge, to the full
extent of its influence. Whether we read hurriedly or slowly is a small matter, for each has some
advantages; but the reading that is not pondered, is nearly worthless. [41]
SEC. 22. INTERPRETING FROM SINISTER MOTIVES. (1.) This is frequently done to save property.--
Being found in the possession of goods that it is not right for us to have, we begin to excuse ourselves by
some peculiar theory on that subject. Then the mind is drawn out in the defense, not simply of the theory,
but of the property which the theory protects. We did not first advocate slavery in this country, and then
seek the slaves. The property came into our possession, we could scarcely say how. And rather than to let
the servants go, the Bible was brought into the defense of the institution. Legislators make laws to shield
themselves in the possession of property, and many interpret law for personal gain, or for protection in
the business which they know to be ruinous to the people. Of course they will quote and apply the
Scriptures in the same way. Many, perhaps, do no intentional wrong in the matter. They have simply
permitted themselves to become blinded by their own interests. This desire for security in their business
and property, colors all their interpretations and vitiates all their exegesis.
(2.) A wish to do as we please; to continue our customs, or begin new ones which we prefer.--Many
men to-day are in the condition of the prophet Balaam; they are very anxious to do and say whatever the
Lord may direct, provided the Lord will direct them to do and say the things they prefer. When Judah
heard that his daughter-in-law had played the harlot, he was so indignant that he wished her to be burned;
but when she showed the cane and the bracelets, which he had left with her, there was a wonderful
modulation in the tone. In the days of Christ, the Pharisees and lawyers were ready to lay grievous
burdens on the shoulders of others, [42] but they were not willing to touch one of them with even a little
finger. The rules they would make for others were strict, but those they would make for themselves
would be quite different. So it has ever been with the world. I knew a man who had a hobby on marriage.
He was of the opinion that no man could marry twice without being a polygamist--in heaven, if not on
the earth. His wife might die, but that had nothing to do with it; if he married again he would be guilty of
polygamy. You could not talk with him five minutes without having his hobby brought out and made to
canter in your presence. But his wife died, and in less than a year from that time his theology changed on
that point. Almost anything that men want to do, they can find some text of Scripture that will sound like
giving it support. And it is exceedingly difficult to make any man see that he has been preaching that
which is not true. He has posed before the people on that subject, and is not willing to incur the
humiliation of saying, "I was wrong, and my opponents were right." The question, "How religiously
dishonest can an honest man be?" is hard to answer. Whether this is the right way to state it or not, may
be doubted; but one thing is certain--a man's wishes will blind his mind to the truth, if they happen to be
on the contrary side. During the last war, good men would read the same dispatches, and reach opposite
conclusions from them. During a political campaign they will do the same. We should be as far above
such prejudice as possible.
(3.) Sectarianism is responsible for much of the wrong interpretation that prevents the world from
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