Prooftext

In biblical interpretation, a proof text is a passage of scripture presented as proof for a theological doctrine, belief, or principle.¹ Prooftexting (sometimes "proof-texting" or "proof texting") is the practice of using quotations from a document, either for the purpose of exegesis, or to establish a proposition in eisegesis (introducing one's own presuppositions, agendas, or biases). Such quotes may not accurately reflect the original intent of the author,² and a document quoted in such a manner, when read as a whole, may not support the proposition for which it was cited.³⁴⁵⁶ The term has currency primarily in theological and exegetical circles.