I’ve learned (from Facebook) the fastest ways to be dismissive of someone who has a stronger Biblical argument than you.
1. Say, “Don’t judge me!” This seems to be the only “Bible verse” that EVERYONE knows. They will have no choice but to bow the knee!
2. If that doesn’t work, say, “You are taking the Bible out of context.” This will send them running with their tail between their legs! Even if they post the ENTIRE BIBLE, stick with this one.
3. Tell them, “That is just your interpretation.” This works for anything. Even, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth,” can be dismissed with this (and the previous) argument.
4. If someone quotes something from the Old Testament, just say, “That doesn’t apply. That is the Old Testament. We’re under grace, not the Law.” If someone quotes something from the New Testament, say, “That was just to their culture, it doesn’t apply to ours.”
5. This one is a killer! When faced with a Scripture that you simply can’t refute any other way, say, “I prayed about it, and God showed me that this is the opposite of what you believe!” This argument is airtight! They won’t dare argue with God! 🙂
6. If all else fails, resort to name-calling and personal insults.
These are the best ways to ensure that you never end up having to change your position on anything!
The only other recourse is to actually read and study the Bible for yourself, so you know what the Bible really teaches. But that, of course, takes effort and diligence. These six methods will save you a lot of time and hassle.
Israel Wayne is an Author and Conference Speaker and the Director of Family Renewal, LLC. He is also the Site Editor for www.ChristianWorldview.net
I personally love #5 because, like you said, who could argue with God? 😉 I also must point out that it’s good to keep a sense of humor about some things, so thanks for the chance to laugh a little!
Thanks, Wendy! The joy of the Lord is our strength! 🙂
I often throw up my best Diana Ross ala Supremes hand and say, “Stop! In the name of Love!” I follow that up with a hearty, “In the beginning, God.” Then I turn and walk away with a smug grimace.
*tongue in cheek* lest anyone throw out a hearty 1-6 at me in the comments.
My personal favorite is “You just don’t understand Evolution”. This usually comes after you have provided sound arguments why the evidence does not support the idea that molecules spontaneously came to life and then morphed into a man after millions of years.
Reminds me of a counseling situation in our church in which a single couple that were sleeping together stated that they had prayed about their fornication and God had assured them that it was OK! That is taking # 5 to new levels of rationalization.
My sister knows a girl who basically has the same argument. She says she felt guilt for years for sleeping with her fiance but now she realizes it wasn’t wrong. As long as you are committed to each other and are *planning* to marry it is okay.
I love this, would have been fun to use when I was teaching Logic last year:)
Adding to – ‘don’t judge me’ – is the ‘we aren’t supposed to judge anyone’…. and ” God will let anyone into Heaven because of John 3:16 – Oh, how I pray our churches will begin teaching the full gospel.
I don’t have many arguments with biblically literate Christians because they are so rare. The ones I have encountered are usually humble enough to discuss and not argue.
In formal logic, to “argue,” means to state and defend your viewpoint or position. Classically, “argument” doesn’t have a negative connotation. The Bible tells us to avoid “quarreling,” and “vain and profane babblings,” and “the man of God must not strive,” so in that sense, I totally agree with you, but I would typically us the term “argue” in the genteel sense of the word. We agree in essence on this point, if not on definitions.
On the other hand, this whole essay is satire, so don’t think too hard about it. 😉
I just try to get to the heart of things by skipping 1-5 and jump right in to 6. Never settles anything, but at least I don’t waste time.
Number 1 doesn’t work, because in the bible it doesn’t say that judging is a sin, nor is judging the law. We are allowed to judge, it’s our nature. You might argue that in Luke 6:37-38 it says not to judge, but really, it’s just friendly advice explaining that you will be judged by the same judgement you place on another. Then as rule 2 says “you’re taking the bible out of context!” well.. I’m not. In fact, we know that Jesus will judge us, so if we are to follow in Jesus’ footsteps, then how can we not judge? rule 3. Your interpretation. Well, why don’t you try and see their perspective? It doesn’t mean that you will become narrow minded and think their way, but it means that you will be more open minded. Rule 4, in Hebrews 4:12 (this is in the new testament btw.) the word of God is alive and active. What is the word of God? Is it just the new testament? NO. Of course not. It’s the whole bible! Rule 5. you said when faced with scripture you cant refute any other way. Well, how can God explain something to you if it cant be refuted any other way? It’s not possible, since there is no opposite. Rule 6? I’ve got a verse for that one. Matthew 5:10. And really, the point of arguing is to get your point across, it’s not about winning anything. Arguments allow insight, but of course. only wise people listen to advice, in Proverbs 12:15 If you want to try and argue with me, reread what I had said about rule 3.
Whether anyone uses these things, 1.) We are called to judge others in the church, 1 Cor. 2.) Context? If you are in context it doesn’t matter, you are right. This is the weakest argument ever. 3.) If the Bible says something and it is definitive in several places and you can actually explain why the other argument is wrong then the, your interpretation thing doesn’t work either. 4.) You can’t apply CT. and disp. argument methods to destroy application and the fact that the author’s of the Bible had a clear message that is relevant for their day and ours. 5.) Someone’s epistemological conviction NEVER trumps scripture. Someone’s spiritual conviction NEVER trumps scripture. 6.) If they are going to reduce the argument to insults without patience or humility then they probably are not Christians in the first place, or are certainly NOT convicted by the Holy Spirit AT ALL proving my point in #5. – Yeah people use these arguments, but I am not going to bow the knee and ever say that these are valid or right to use.
I heard Paul Washer say that when people tell him “Judge not lest ye be judged” he just tells them “Twist not Scripture lest ye be like Satan.” LOL!!
1 Corinthians 2:13-16 🙂
Amazing, I’ve heard all of those same points all the way from #1 to #6. It would almost seem as though the same instigator is behind all those arguments!