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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Twisting scripture with quotes | Matt 28:19 | EdB | 243206 | ||
A straw man is a common form of argument and is an informal fallacy based on giving the impression of refuting an opponent's argument, while actually refuting an argument that was not advanced by that opponent. The so-called typical "attacking a straw man" argument creates the illusion of having completely refuted or defeated an opponent's proposition by covertly replacing it with a different proposition (i.e. "stand up a straw man") and then to refute or defeat that false argument ("knock down a straw man") instead of the original proposition. This technique has been used throughout history in polemical debate, particularly in arguments about highly charged emotional issues where a fiery, entertaining "battle" and the defeat of an "enemy" may be more valued than critical thinking or understanding both sides of the issue. Allegedly, straw-man tactics were once known in some parts of the United Kingdom as an Aunt Sally, after a pub game of the same name where patrons threw sticks or battens at a post to knock off a skittle balanced on top. Many discussions on the forum of late are generated by quotes of noted Biblical scholars. However the truth is many Biblical scholar's theology is in opposition to each other. Some post a quote as if the quote Is the final answer to a theological question. When in fact the quote is nothing more than quoted author's opinion. Different schools of theology have existed since the beginning of the church. These differences come because not all scripture is interpreted the same by every reader. The one that does not agree is usually accused of twisting scripture. However that is a two way street as each points at the other. Another way to attempt to defeat differences in opinion is to charge the opposition of straw man arguments again usually a two way street. Problem different interpretations of scripture do exist! Question did Jesus expect this to happen? I think he did that is why he charged he disciples to remain in unity and to teach others what Jesus had taught them. We see in Acts when differences arose the disciples came together to resolve them. Paul was fairly clear saying if anyone teaches something different than did the were false teachers. The question is how what did Paul teach? Many take this part of Paul,s teaching and ignore others. Again a charge that can be brought against both sides of such discussions. |
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2 | Twisting scripture with quotes | Matt 28:19 | DocTrinsograce | 243207 | ||
Dear Ed, Here are a couple more phrases that would be worthy of definition. ad hominem circumstantial and ad hominem abusive In our day we hear these fallacies from politicians whenever they open their mouths. We ought to be particularly concerned when these are used by teachers and ministers. Our Lord did rightly say through Jeremiah, "For you will no longer remember the oracle of the LORD, because every man's own word will become the oracle, and you have perverted the words of the living God, the LORD of hosts, our God" (v23.36). I often think as I hold my Bible: I have Deuteronomy 4:2 in my left hand and Revelation 22:18-19 in my right hand. If that in itself is not enough to cause us to tremble, then what of these words spoken by our Lord Jesus: "The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." (Matthew 12:35-37) That being true of the careless words, what then of the carefully chosen words? The end never justifies the means in matters of our Lord, the Word Himself (cf Matthew 13:52). The other passage that frequently comes to mind in this context is Peter in his second epistle: "Therefore [in our confident expectation of coming glory v13], beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." (2 Peter 3:14-18) Those three words seem to stand out: untaught, unstable, and unprincipled; all tied, like cement overshoes, with "to their own destruction" (cf Jude 4). Contrariwise, we are to be apply dilligence so as "to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation" (v14). Lord, may we never be the former! Rather grant us the grace to "So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment" (James 2:12-13). In Him, Doc |
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3 | Twisting scripture with quotes | Matt 28:19 | EdB | 243209 | ||
I totally agree! My concern is the practice of presenting a doctrine from one school of theology through the use of quotes in such a way that readers are led to the false conclusion that it represents the only valid position. Lockman has cautioned all posters not to post denominational/theological bias. Fact! There are many schools of theology that are contained in the definition of "Orthodox" Christianity. Reformed - Evangelical Dispensationalism - Non Dispensationist Cessationist - Pentecostal Millennialist - Amillennianalist Calvinists - Arminiamists Trinitarians - Oneness Tribulationlist - Non tribulationlist Pre, Post, and Mid Trib Perterist, Historicist, Spiritualists, Futureists Baptism be immersion baptism by sprinkling Infant Baptism - Adult only Baptism in the name of the Trinity - Jesus only Jesus spiritually died on the cross - Jesus only physically died The list goes on and on. Fact! We have Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, Nazarene, Catholic, Pentecostal, Wesleyan, Church of Christ and many others, on this forum. To present a doctrine from one particular school of theology through the use of a quote as the only acceptable point of view or the only accepted theological stance is disingenuous. Likewise to deny the fact that almost every school of theology came into being because of differences of interpretation of scripture is ignoring the facts. I totally agree scripture clearly shows the way to salvation and developing doctrine external to scripture is wrong. That said. Almost every denomination/ school of orthodox Christianity holds to doctrine they insist is supported by scripture but differ significantly from other denominations and schools of theology. And that quite frankly divides the church. Not to mention the differences on divorce, abortion, homosexuality, drug and alcohol use, women in pulpit, divorced pastors, homosexual pastors, and again the lists goes on. There has always been dissention within the church but the church was united enough to come together in a council and set down accepted doctrine in a creed, confession of faith, or formal doctrinal statement. However that unity was lost when all human restraint was thrown off and it was decided that each man could decide for himself what scripture was saying. Thus we have what we have today numerous ( you pick a number) denominations each claiming to be Bible based, Bilble lead, scripture confirming entities each saying they have the right understanding of scripture that the others have missed. What the "World" sees is lack of certainties confusion, disunity. |
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4 | Twisting scripture with quotes | Matt 28:19 | DocTrinsograce | 243225 | ||
Wow, Ed... you could be reformed Baptist! See the quote from our confession in post #243224. I have a dear friend from Ghana. His father was saved when he found a NT in the middle of a dirt road written in Ewe, his native language. My friend's father was a priest of a Voodoo cult. Oddly enough, only the priests new how to care and feed the various idols. When he was saved he neglected them altogether much to the chagrin of his fellow villagers; yet there was nothing they could do. My friend was extremely angry at the many new churches in Africa that teach nothing more than a new kind of witchcraft. Whereas in the past, people were at at least had their lives controlled by specific mores and ethics, now the people are being taught that nothing they do cannot be forgiven. Instead of being pointed to the Bible, they are told that they have freedom to know truth in any way that they choose! My dear friend told me that he would rather they be lost in their old paganism than lost in their new teachings. The society is not held together in the face of such permissiveness. Now they all mutter in unknown tongues and listen to their own prophetic teaching without consulting the Bible. The pastors and elders in these cults take the young women to their beds, and assure them that such behavior is just the love of Christ. God forbid! I have met other Ghanan Christians who decry the situation in exactly the same way. Meanwhile, Reformed churches, sometimes take years to catechize a believer, since there is so much that they must unlearn. This fits with the practices of the early church. As you pointed out once, the great commission involves instructing new believers in what is to be believed, understood, and obeyed. Let us pray for the poor victims of easy-believism and libertinism. God will yet be victorious, even with so many that hold to a religion without power. In Him, Doc |
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Questions and/or Subjects for Matt 28:19 | Author | ||
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EdB | ||
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DocTrinsograce |