An Argument Against Arguments

EWe all feel bogged down in an argument.  We tend to want to zinger our way through point after point, convincing as we go.  We want the listeners’ good graces until they give in.  But if we are inadequate to rebuke or exhort in some of the more difficult issues, there is a perfect solution to success when arguing about evolution, eternal consequences, abortion, and gay rights, etc.  Why argue?  Try this!

 

Simple ones in the room, hear my call!  But what is simple about being a Christian? I once saw a bumper sticker to that effect that said, “God said it, I believe it, that settles it.”  Wow!  Sometimes we overly complexify the way we do things, but simplicity begins in the heart.  The age-old heart question of “Does my life legitimately belong to my LORD,” falls short of asking the simplest question of all.  Literally, “Who is God?”

 

Elohim ḥayyim.  The Living God.

The closer I am to God, the more I hate the Bible being laughed at.  I want to explain the reasons God feels the way He does and “defend” His views.  Entrusted with the very oracles of God, the Holy Scriptures, we are understood to be some of the most sophisticated and philosophical people there are.  People mock us at times, but when there is a question about true spirituality, they will typically speak with someone of faith.  In those times, when we are searching desperately for the argument that will get them “saved,” we can get a certain thrill from being the person with all the answers.

 

I’ve heard myself say a time or two, “And now you want answers from me?”  What is utterly lacking in specialness is the quality of my answers at that point.  When I am the person everyone looks up to, then I have a reputation to maintain.  It can be stressful at times to live up to the person you want to be.  Pressure can be on when the person that you’re speaking to knows more about world events and heresies than you do.  It becomes difficult to argue on their level when you’ve had your nose stuck in the Bible.  But, since we have all the answers in scripture, why would we need to study evolution, or genetic discoveries of homosexual DNA, or any other man-made reason for why we exist?

 

“But,” you say, “Debate is important.  People need to know the arguments, the whys, and wherefores. It’s enlightening.”  Yes and no I’d say.  Yes, they need to be enlightened about what God says about the subject, but they do not need to be taught about my worldview.  If the subject of scripture is brought up, make it the heart of the matter, or as a side note?

 

Take evolution for example.  We could go for days arguing back and forth: The picture of the missing link was fabricated.  It’s just a theory but has been taught as fact.  Darwin himself didn’t believe it.  There are so many arguments.  Here’s my favorite one: 

 

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth,” and “He created mankind into His own image, both male and female He created them.”

 

Who can argue?  If you did, I would listen.  You can tell me I’m narrow-minded; you can tell me I’m short-sighted, that I don’t think on my own… I’ve heard these things before.  The way I see it, I gave you scripture and if you were to argue now, you would not be fighting against me, you’re fighting against God.  It’s nice to know that I got out of the way.  God doesn’t need my help.  God can defend Himself.

 

There are times when an off-topic answer is required, when a person earnestly believes, “If I could just understand this one aspect of life in general, I would believe.  When you don’t have the right thing to say, wait for God to speak.  You might be surprised at the answer.  It’s an argument to say, “I don’t have the answers now, but I can get them and get back to you.”  For there are times when the Bible is silent, and in those times, God urges us to ask for wisdom.

If we take life at face value and don't get bogged down with endless verbal juxtapose, it can help us remember not to add or subtract from the explanations found in the Word of God.  

 

I was watching I, Robot the other day.  In this movie, a detective, Dell Spooner, gets a hologram from a deceased doctor.  The doctor left this hologram to give the detective clues as to why he died.  When Dell asked a question that couldn’t be answered, the hologram’s answer was, “My responses are limited; you must ask the right questions.”