Christians, why do you utilize quoting scripture in attempts to prove you are right?

Question

I am asking this as a serious question and I am NOT trying to be inflammatory. I often notice Christians answering questions regarding Paganism, Wicca, etc. will quote Biblical verses. The target audience would have to accept, like you, that the Bible is the infallable word of God for this to be an effective tool. Obviously they don't. So why do you think quoting a Biblical verse is going to carry any weight whatsoever?

I understand the you think it is truth. What I want to know is: Given the fact that the people you are quoting it TO will not see it as having any validity at all, why utilize it? Why not try some other method of arguing your case? And, Loviingly Yours...How in the world did you infer that I think everyone thinks like me from that question?!?!?

Answer 1

As a Christian I often wonder the same thing. Quoting scripture is perfectly appropriate for persuading a Christian audience, but for non-Christians or skeptical Christians makes little sense -- by doing this Christians assume what they set out to prove, and are therefore "begging the question."
A classic example, in my opinion, is the "trilemma" used by Josh McDowell in "More than a Carpenter." He argues that based on Jesus' claims to self-divinity in the Gospel of John and other NT writings that he must either be: 1) lying, 2) a lunatic, or 3) telling the truth -- meaning he is Lord. Since most would be unwilling to call Jesus a lunatic or liar they are "forced" to concede that Jesus is Lord.
The problem with this is that it rests on the assumption that Jesus actually made the claims about himself that we see in the Gospel of John -- something which many skeptics would contest. Essentially the trilemma, like many other Christian apologetic arguments assumes what it sets out to prove. (I do believe that Jesus is Lord -- but the trilemma is not a sure-fire argument to "prove it")
To effectively persuade someone you must base your arguments on shared assumptions.

That being said, many Christians quote scripture to those they are trying to reach out to because they believe that the Bible is the Word of God, and that it is so powerful that even a skeptic or unbeliever might be moved by its power when they hear it read/proclaimed.

It is important for Christians to remember that we have four sources for theology: scripture, reason, experience, and tradition. That means that our discussions need to go beyond merely quoting Bible verses :)

Answer 2

In general, I understand and agree with what you are saying. You can't force someone to accept the Bible as true just by repeatedly quoting the Bible.

However, there are some times when it is appropriate for a Christian to use scripture when asked a question by a non-Christian:

1. If the question deals with "Why do Christians..." This is a common type of question. We do it because it is in the Bible, so quoting the scripture is appropriate. If you didn't really want to know, you shouldn't have asked.

2. If the Biblical quote is particularly poetic, meaningful, or especially appropriate. If a non-Christian asked me what is the meaning of life, I would probably find some meaning in the Bible. It's no different from quoting anything else.


Also, as Christians, it is our goal to get people to believe the Bible. It is somewhat hard to get there without actually having them read it. Forcing it down someone's throat is not appropriate, but a part of the validity of the Bible comes from it's great wisdom. Without sharing it, it IS a little difficult to share the message with anyone.

Answer 3

I don't use it to prove I am right. I use the scripture because it sustains me. Everything it says I have as promises of God I have.
I go to the scripture because in it is life and I want to speak life to people that are looking for answers in life. I also use my own testimonies of what The Lord has done in my life. The scripture is truth and life.
What ever situation a person is going through it is in the word of God. There is always an answer in the word.
I have to say that if a christian is using the scripture to PROVE someone wrong than that christian is wrong. The word of God should not be used to condemn someone, it should be used to encourage and only prove the love of Jesus.

Answer 4

Matt: This is a good question. I think there are two answers, (or at least I can think of only two) 1. We believe there is power in the word. If you think about it, when Jesus was tempted he quoted scripture to answer Satan. He didn't make arguments. When dealing with Wiccan or even cults, we are really dealing with Satan or his demons. 2. What Jesus said was true. Because we believe he was God in the flesh, what he said can't be refuted. For example, Christians are usually creationists, and believe in the world flood and Noah and the ark. Jesus refered to the days of Noah, so he was giving credit to the whole flood theory. Because some will not accept even scripture, it does sound like a rather dumb way to prove your point. However, we are not called to prove our point, just to preach the gospel. The Holy Spirit will convict a person of what it is that is said. Perhaps only about 10-15% will accept the words of Christ. The rest will have to deal with him at a later date. Hope that helps.

Answer 5

Most Christians do believe the Bible is the be all and end all of any discussion on Religion. It would be the answer to any topic of paganism or wican etc.

Most Christians probably know very little or nothing about those two factions of " religion" either, so, the discussion would have to include what they do Know.

Neither of these groups have the Power or the Knowledge to " prove" they are " right"; I am Christian enough to KNOW I Don't know it all. I also have enough Faith, to believe what I feel.

Answer 6

I think it depends on what kinds of questions you've asked. If you ask specifically for Christian answers, we have to turn to what we believe. But, I know tons of us quote things in inappropriate ways. If you ask what we think or feel, we might still quote, but that would certainly be less appropriate in some cases. We do think for ourselves.

It's strange, because I once looked into Wicca very seriously. I know exactly what you're describing. To you, I'm sure we seem very close minded, but I can tell you that we're motivated by joy, not hate. It just comes our wrong sometimes.

Answer 7

I think its an intellectual thing... Its the same as a scholar will quote other scholars... Some times actors will quote lines from plays... or a reader will quote lines from authors and novels...
Christians quote lines from the bible in the same way... a certain line or word or phrase can relate to a personal situation.
I think thats the reason the bible is around and so many people quote it. Sum christians, like myself, take it Not as a book of RULES but as a book of REFERENCE. Its stories are guidance for people to live their individual lives as best as they can.

Answer 8

Well the Christians do it, the Muslims do it but nobody seem to notice that, others do it, and amazingly they're all quoting God/ Prophet whatever, did anybody ever notice that God seems to be on both sides in every war?. Could it be that God has nothing to do with any of it and it's just man hiding behind God to further his own ends?

Answer 9

It has been my experience in most cases, that a non-Christian (you fill in the blank) will demand a Bible scripture in order to shut down the Christian...in hopes the responding Christian does not know, or cannot find it.

This is then used to bolster the unbeliever's position even more. When they ask for a scriptural reference to an issue, I do my best to give them one, even when I have to fan through my Concordance.

When an unbeliever, usually a smug Athiest, is responded to with authentic, albeit obscure, scripture quotes, they usually will not respond, but rather quietly drift off.

Knowledge is power. Learn and know your faith. Peter told us to always be ready to explain and defend why we believe what we believe. Be prepared to give the answer to the question.

Answer 10

Many Christians (NOT all of them) are taught that the Bible has all the answers, despite the fact that it was written so long ago in a completely different world. They are not taught to think for themselves at all, so their only available response to a challenge to their beliefs is to recite chapter and verse of the Bible. I don't think they can comprehend that it does not have the same power and effect on everyone.