literature

Logical Arguments

Deviation Actions

generalarin's avatar
By
Published:
863 Views

Literature Text

Okay, because I believe this is very important, I'm going to be writing about logic.
More specifically, Logic and Christianity.
No, they are not incompatible.

I just finished (or at least I believe I finished) talking arguing with someone on the topic. In the middle of the topic, I learned some tactics of Apologists, people who argue on the behalf of Christianity. I'll be sharing some of that too.

I think the best way to describe the proper place of logic is to define it.
Logic is a process of thought. It is using reason to come to a conclusion in a non-random fashion. Logic is reasonable (able to reason).

Now, God, with all his power and might can't do some things.
Before you shout "Blasphemy" and try and burn me at the stake, wait a moment and let me name them.
God cannot lie. (Hebrews 6:18 NLT; "So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie...")
God cannot sin (1 John 1:5 NLT; "God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all...")
God cannot create a new, sixty-year old man. Not a man that who's biological age is equivalent to sixty, not one who looks sixty, that has existed for sixty years. Why not? Because that's illogical. You can't make something that's brand new and sixty years old. They can't be 0 years and 60 years at the same time. God is logical. He does things in ways that make sense. He is a logical god. He is not random.

Now, Who remembers this?
a=b; b=c; so a=c
Basic logical algebra.
Love=God. God=Logical. Love=Logical.
See how that works?
God is Love. God is Logical. So, love must also be logical.
The Christian love, though it can surpass understanding, works in ways that are logical and make sense.
This is not the sort of love that goes around forcing a hug upon the first person they see and shouting that they're being loved.
I mean, you can. It might work. It's more likely to scare away people, though.
Love listens. Love pays attention. Love considers.
Love is reasonable (able to reason).

If you are hurting, how do you want your best friend to respond? Do you want them to show you some random act of love?  Or do you want a customized response based on your pain?
I mean, giving people bear hugs and patting them on the back are appropriate sometimes, but when your friend has a hurt spine, it might not be the best plan. Someone who needs love doesn't need the generic plan of action, they need someone to pay attention to their real need and work to amend that.

Since people are far to varied to have a truly generic plan of action, you need to learn to customize the response for the person. Find out what they think. Find out why they think it. Find out the real need behind it. Hold that for a moment, I'm about to jump to the Apologetic part.
"God doesn't exist." Is not an argument. It's a claim. So, throwing out example after example on why God does, isn't the way to go. You do a lot more work then you need to and they don't need to think when you give them all the arguments. Make them do work. Ask them "why." Why has always been my favorite question. I always ask it! "Why is this like this," "Why did they do that," and on and on. Don't know why it never occurred to me to ask that in an argument.
"Why do you think that?" Normally, they can't give much besides an opinion. You don't need to do the work proving yourself right, because they can't do that themselves. Some arguments prove themselves wrong.
"You shouldn't judge people." "Then why are you judging me?"
The trick is to wait. Pick your battles.
Find out that they really think. What they really believe and why.
Then you can make the argument fit them. Have them reason for themselves.

Jesus is a perfect example: (as usual)
Luke 20, Jesus's Authority is being challenged.
First Jesus was asked who gave him the right to do what he was doing.
"Let me ask you a question first," he replied. "Did John's authority to baptize come from heaven or was it merely human?" The elders who asked feared the people's response if they said he was merely human, but if it came from heaven they would be asked why they didn't believe John. So, they said they didn't know. Jesus then said that they wouldn't know who gave him the right either. (verses 1-8)
Jesus asked a wise question first, forcing the elders to think for themselves. When they did not give an answer, the argument was over.
Next, Jesus was asked if taxes were right. Again, Jesus asked a question: "Show me a Roman coin. Who's picture and title are stamped on it?" They answered. Jesus finished. They were stunned. He used a thing they were familiar with to teach the lesson, then had them reason for themselves. A well-placed question does more then a thousand points.
Asking a question is not only a good way to get them to think for themselves, it also gets you out of the hot-seat. You aren't as pressed for an immediate answer. This is especially good if you can't think of that really good response until a couple minutes after. Then you not only have time to gather your thoughts, you can focus the questions more.
Asking a good question also shows that you care about their opinion. There's a saying that "people don't care what you know unless they know that you care." (And keep in mind that this isn't a question just to trip them up or trap them. Those sort of responses do have their place, but it's normally better to ask a genuine question.)

A final point for arguing:
Remember to focus. Focus on the original point, and don't let yourself be dragged along on tangents. Focus on the person. The issue at hand usually isn't nearly as important as the person themselves. Don't be rude about it or stupid about it. "Don't answer a fool in his folly." Be careful not to fall into using the same method of arguing they are. If they're being angry, calling names and the lot, be calm and keep a gentle voice. "A gentle word can break bones." If they're giving short, half-baked claims- don't argue it. Don't give them your counterpoints before they give their points. However, you do need to answer wisely (even if it's a wise question) "...or they will become wise in their own estimation."

That's all I have to say, so I hope that it makes sense.
Please let me know if there's any problems in my reasoning, grammar, spelling, quoting... and anything else!
After arguing with one person, learning how to properly argue, then finishing the argument, I figured that this is really important.

I've actually come to like being questioned about what I believe. Especially the questions that leave me stumped for a couple days. It really helps me sort out what I know, what I believe and why.

Honestly, how many Christians out there believe things just because?
I mean, doing things "because God said so" is fine, but it's not a lack of faith to question why God said it. The bible says to "be ready to give an answer" to those who ask you about the faith. (I've been doing so good with finding the verses on my Bible app! Why can't I find this one?!)
God says "ask and you will receive." It's hard to get an answer if you don't ask a question.
© 2011 - 2024 generalarin
Comments26
Join the community to add your comment. Already a deviant? Log In
ServantofJesus's avatar
While I agree with most of this, there's just a small thing I'd like to comment on...
God cannot create a new, sixty-year old man
I partially disagree with this, because God made a fullly grown adult that was Adam during the 6-day Creation week [out of the dust of the earth] - and then Eve out of Adam's rib.

They may not have been 30 years old chronologically - thus only a day old - it still shows God can still create objects, not only ex-nihilo , but out of dust (or as one nutritionist calls it, "out of the minerals of the earth" - as we need these minerals in our diet to stay healthy). This is more according to our time frame to which we would put a time on such a thing based on its appearance.

And an extension to that, the same applies to the rest of the 6-day Creation week, where God did create the universe ex-nihilo - and with all of it fully functional.

That is, until He finished His creative work and no longer would do this today; even though He will create a new heavens and earth when this one passes away.