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SUBJECT: Bible
QUESTION:
Can the Bible be used in an
argument? Should we enter into Bible arguments?
ANSWER:
We received a letter just
the other day that said in part..
“I just received a letter
from my church which, in part, spoke about the Word of God
and how we should use it. Let me quote from that letter…
“So instead, think on better
things. Faith comes from the hearing of the Word of God
(Romans 10:17), so be sure to fill yourself with it, Read
and study your Bible—not to win arguments, but for
edification.”
Would your church agree with
this statement? Can’t the Bible be used in an argument?
No responsible Christian
could ever recommend that you quarrel with another person
but the Bible is replete with guidelines and admonitions on
how to use the Word of God. This is especially true when
you encounter a brother who is in error in the use of the
scriptures. The word “argument” means, “a coherent
series of reasons offered”. Nothing could be more
“coherent” than the Word of God. Let’s look at some
scriptures. The Bible is used for much more than just
edification.
2 Timothy
3:16-17
All scripture is given by
inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished
unto all good works.
Notice that this verse is
clear. The Bible is profitable for reproof, for correction
and for instruction in righteousness. The word “reproof”
means criticism for a fault or rebuke. The chief reason for
such criticism or rebuke would be for a brother that is
using the Word of God incorrectly to support his or her
argument. Notice the very next 4 verses in Chapter 4:
I charge thee therefore
before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the
quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach
the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove,
rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the
time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but
after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves
teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away
their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
1 Timothy 4:1-4:
“For the time will come
when they will not endure sound doctrine.”
A clear reference to a brother in the faith. Notice that
last verse: “And they shall turn away their ears from the
truth, and shall be turned unto fables. They will not
necessarily realize that they have turned from the truth and
they will use the scriptures to support these “fables”.
Jesus Christ, Himself used
the scriptures, in His argument with Satan that was using
the scriptures in error. This account is in the first
eleven verses of Matthew 4. Look at just one part of this
argument:
Satan:
And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself
down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge
concerning thee: lest at any time thou dash thy foot against
a stone. (verse 6)
Christ:
Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not
tempt the Lord thy God. (verse 7)
As I said, the Bible is
replete with scriptures that show that there is opportunity
to reprove your brother who is using the Word of God in
error to support his belief or argument. I offer them with
little commentary:
2 Peter
1:16
For we have not followed
cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the
power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were
eyewitnesses of his majesty.
Ephesians
5:6
Let no man deceive you with
vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of
God upon the children of disobedience.
Our greatest protection
against this type of man is the full armour of God including
“the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Eph.
6:17
Ephesians
4:14
That we henceforth be no
more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with
every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning
craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
1
Corinthians 2:4
And my speech and my
preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but
in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
Colossians 2:8
Beware lest any man spoil
you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition
of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after
Christ.
1 Timothy
1:6-7
From which some having
swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; Desiring to be
teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say,
nor whereof they affirm.
See also: Luke 6:46;
Jeremiah 23:36; 2 Corinthians 2:17; 2 Peter 2:1; 1 Samuel
15:23, 26; Matthew 15:9; 1 Timothy 1:4; James 3:14; Romans
10:2-3; 2 Corinthians 4:2; 2 Timothy 4:3-4; Colossians 2:4;
James 1:22; Titus 1:14 and Hebrews 13:9.
All of these verses identify
Christians who have strayed from the truth but attempt to
use the scriptures to support ungodly or unbiblical
principles just as Satan did with Christ. Christ used the
scriptures in his arguments and he is our example.
But even these type of
arguments cannot go on forever and keep you from the Work of
God. In the example of Christ and Satan in Matthew 4, Satan
departed from him. If the person does not depart, the Bible
gives us instruction:
Proverbs
14:7
Go from the presence of a
foolish man, when thou perceiveth not in him the lips of
knowledge.
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