I am not good at arguments. I tend to lose just about every argument I get into (especially with my wife). Anyone who knows me knows that I am not an arguer. I don’t like getting into arguments. Maybe it is because I am bad at it. Maybe it’s because I don’t like confrontation. It’s likely a combination of these and more. But the truth is, I’m not good at arguing.

However, I am good at asking questions. I love sitting down with others and asking them about their day, week and lives. I love to hear what is going on in life, about how they got to where they are and what they believe about it all. This is where I often hear others thoughts on God, religion, Jesus and more. There are multiple views on each of these topics and arguments to go along with each. But there is one topic that seems to stir up lots of controversy and argument…the Bible.

We read the entire Bible at face value and in light of its immediate context, but also through the lens of Jesus’ life and teaching.

James Emery White

One argument regarding the Bible you may have heard is what I will refer to as “The Jesus Argument”. It goes like this: a debatable topic comes up, someone mentions what the Bible has to say about this topic and then a reply comes, “But Jesus never said anything about..[insert said topic here]”. James Emery White addresses this in an article he titled “The Really Bad Jesus Argument“. White gives 4 reasons this is a really bad argument.

READ THE ARTICLE

What do you think? Is it a bad argument or not? If not, why not? I tend to agree with White. When someone defends a position with, “Jesus never mentioned…”, a good question may be needed to help them see their unsure footing. I don’t like this argument for the reasons White said, but also because if that is the logic we use to create our morality, I’ve seen the Bible used to justify immoral things the other way as well. All that to say, the words of Jesus are in the Bible, but it’s not just the words of Jesus that make the Bible. “In the past, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son…” (Heb. 1:1-2).

As always be with the Lord’s people on the Lord’s day.

Until Next Time…