Hermeneutical Magic

How Scripture Is Manipulated for Power

My friend, Pastor James Nwobu, speaks of something he calls "hermeneutical magic." For those unfamiliar with the term, hermeneutics is the art and science of interpreting Scripture. Much like a magician who relies on distraction and sleight of hand to mislead an audience, hermeneutical magicians in American Christian nationalism use Scripture to misdirect, distort, and deceive.

I've seen this happen many times. It often involves misquoting Scripture by subtly replacing a word or two to change its meaning or ripping a passage out of context to support an argument the original author would never have intended. This practice is not new, and Scripture itself warns us against it. The apostle Paul cautioned Timothy, saying:

"The Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared" (1 Timothy 4:1-2).

Proof-Texting: A Common Sleight of Hand

One of the most prevalent forms of hermeneutical magic is proof-texting—quoting a verse with little to no regard for its original context to support a predetermined argument. Proof-texting gives an illusion of divine authority while rarely withstanding thoughtful biblical scrutiny.

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This method is rampant in American evangelical culture, appearing in sermons, political rallies, and even bumper stickers. A striking example occurred at a political rally I attended in 2022. A speaker, advocating for American Christian nationalism, cited Exodus 20:15: “Thou shalt not steal.” He then concluded that capitalism, which protects personal property, must be the godliest economic system. But the original hearers of this commandment lived in an ancient, agrarian society and would have had no concept of capitalism. The speaker’s intent was not to honor the original meaning but to harness Scripture’s authority to promote his political ideology.

Leveraging Scripture for Political Ends

Consider the following list of voting priorities, frequently circulated online and in chain emails. Notice how each statement is paired with a Scripture reference, creating the illusion of biblical endorsement:

How I Will Vote in November

• I will vote for the most pro-life candidate because God hates the shedding of innocent blood (Proverbs 6:17).

• I will vote for the most pro-Israel candidate because God blesses those who bless Israel and curses those who don’t (Genesis 12:3).

• I will vote for the most pro-debt-reduction candidate because the borrower is a servant to the lender (Proverbs 22:7).

• I will vote for the most pro-work candidate because God says if a man won’t work, let him not eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10).

• I will vote for the most pro-marriage candidate because God is for marriage as defined in (Genesis 2:24).

• I will vote for the candidate who most closely believes the government’s purpose is to reward good and punish evil (Romans 13).

• I will vote based, as close as I can, on God’s Word (2 Timothy 3).

What’s striking about this list is not just what’s included but what’s missing. There is no mention of biblical commands to care for the poor, the immigrant, the widow, the prisoner, or the orphan. There is no reference to the moral integrity of leaders, though Scripture repeatedly emphasizes righteousness in governance.

A Longstanding Tradition of Misuse

This misuse of Scripture is deeply embedded in American history. Long before the rise of contemporary Christian nationalism, European settlers—Spanish, Dutch, French, and English—arrived in North America under the belief that they had a divine right to claim the land. Rooted in the Doctrine of Discovery, religious leaders invoked Scripture to justify colonial expansion, the forced removal of Indigenous peoples, and the enslavement of Africans. Anglicans, Calvinists, Congregationalists, and Catholics alike wielded biblical texts as tools of oppression and conquest.

When God’s Word is distorted for personal or political gain, people suffer, and injustice flourishes. The church must remain vigilant, discerning the difference between true biblical teaching and hermeneutical magic. Scripture should lead us toward justice, mercy, and humility—not manipulation and control.

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Want more?

For more resources on engaging Christian Nationalists, check out the Disarming Leviathan podcast, our website, DisarmingLeviathan.com, and the book Disarming Leviathan: Loving Your Christian Nationalist Neighbor.