Thought of the Day 04.25.08

In general, there are three ways to refute any argument. You can show that the premises are false, that the pattern of reasoning is faulty, or that the conclusion itself is false. That’s why the Bible can be so useful. It will tell us why particular arguments are wrong, not by explaining the flawed pattern or premises, but by definitively rebuking the conclusion.

No matter how persuasive the rhetoric and ideas given in support of adultery or of dishonoring your parents, when someone voices them to you, all you have to know is that the Bible is clear that these conclusions are wrong. “But why?” your misguided opponent asks. “Because God said,” you reply. This may not be enough to persuade him, but it is a very nice place to start in your own thinking.

When the Bible is clear, the arguments don’t really matter. And replying to a variety of very interesting ideas by saying, “That’s all fine, but the Bible refutes your conclusion,” is precisely what is meant by the phrase “standing firm on the rock of God’s Word.”