Any examples of difficulty in spotting error in a fine-sounding argument that appears entirely biblical?

Question

I was reading the book of Job where Zophar chastises Job for maintaining his innocence, despite many dreadful afflictions. Zophar used the theological philosophy of his day to insist that all Job had to do was repent of hidden sin and "Life will be brighter than noonday". This conflicts with Psalm 73 and God was angry with Zophar for his error. Yet Zophar said a lot of things that were true about God! His exposition is very persuasive! (Job 11)

The Apostle Paul warns Christians not to be deceived by find-sounding arguments, saying that in Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col 2:1-4). Have you any examples of discovering error in an apparently sound biblical idea once you examined it against the revelation of Christ?

A fine-sounding argument is not necessarily a logical one! It may be fundamentally flawed - logically - but until that error is spotted, it might hold together really well. This shows the need to really listen, really think hard and the key lies in knowing God's truth about Christ.

One person referred to a jig-saw puzzle. Consider - if the key piece is the person of Christ and he's in the wrong place, the whole picture will be spoiled even though it looks great in places. Have you any examples of discovering truth once you realized your need to base everything upon Christ?

Answer 1

A friend of mine who worked in the health service told me about a technique used by some pharmaceutical companies to promote their drugs. Statement A can be proved to be true. Statement B can also be proved to be true. But Statement C turns out not to be true. Then A and B are linked to C and the declaration is made that since A and B are true, this proves C is the right conclusion. The name for this type of argument is Teleoanalysis. I've seen it at work within religions who try to prove their theology. Here's an example:

Jesus was born as a human and lived a sinless life (true)

Jesus was the 'Son of God' (true)

Before Jesus came to earth, God created him as Michael the archangel (false)

Because Jesus was born as a human (flesh and blood), was also the 'Son of God' and he was created by God, then that proves that although he was a perfect man he was not divine when he came to earth as a man (false).

Here's another one:

Jesus promised his followers that he was going to prepare a place for them in heaven (true)

Jesus said that everyone who believes in him will have everlasting life (true)

The Bible tells us there will be a new heaven and a new earth and that on this new earth there will be no pain or tears or suffering (true)

In Revelation 7:4 it says only 144,000 will go to heaven (false)

This proves that the majority of Christians will live forever on a paradise earth and will be governed from heaven by Jesus and the 144,000 (false).

It's very easy to be taken in by fine sounding, logical arguments - it all sounds so reasonable. But God's ways are not men's ways and God's thinking is higher than the thinking of men. That's why we must always seek the empowering of the Holy Spirit and use God's Word to test whatever claims are made by mere mortals.

Answer 2

I used to believe that the Trinity was a pagan doctrine. I had all the Bible quotes at my fingertips. Then I became a Christian. When I did, it was the person of Christ who shone through, and it was a revelation. You see, I had not realised that I had to worship him.

Bit like the cart before the horse - I was so convinced that Jesus was not God that I had failed to realise his divinity. Until the Holy Spirit got to work on me, that is. Then it all became crystal clear. I had been listening to the reasoning and the thinking of men. The arguments presented against the triune nature of the Godhead were formidable. Then the Holy Spirit and the Word of God broke through my barriers. Praise God!

Interesting that Hope of the Kingdom thinks people brought up to believe the Trinity cannot see past it. Yet my experience was the opposite.

Answer 3

I have noticed that people sometimes throw the name of Jesus around and act like they respect and worship Him. It is only later on that I realized they were coming from an Islamic or Later Day Saints position. It usually is in their answer, by the end it becomes apparent who they worship and its not really Jesus.

I don't have a lot of examples I can quote specifically, but I have learned to trust the Holy Spirit. When I listen or read the Holy Spirit nudges me when there is something wrong or when He wants me to pay extra attention to something. I think this point is extremely essential for all of us as Christians. Especially on this or any other website where people are expounding on ideas or theories or their revelations/wisdom the Holy Spirit can just cut right through the fine sounding words and just show it for what it is...or isn't. I used to rely on my human ability to understand/interpret/compare. I've always been very verbal and reasonably intelligent, but I've had to learn to not trust myself. Even with a fine mind I can still be deceived, but the Holy Spirit within me can never be deceived and He can help me see what is at the roots of what is said or show me the heart attitude of the one communicating. This is so much better than trusting human intellect. It levels the playing field spiritually. Some people who aren't very intellectual, but who trust the Spirit of Jesus can often get the important point and go right out and obey Jesus. I can't stress how important this is enough. Isn't it wonderful how God supplies what we all need. Discernment is there for any believer humble enough to trust God for it. It reminds me constantly to never trust human ability above God's gifts given through the Holy Spirit. Yes, we use what God has given us naturally, but we don't worship the gift,only the giver. A person with a limited human intellect can be a Christian, but there are many highly intelligent people who miss Christ because they value their human smarts more than simple faith in God. I had to learn this lesson myself and I see it over and over around me.

Answer 4

Hi Sasi,
I think my main problem is that I have been all my life a Bible student and church member(who is still learning). But I am presented with theological so called 'truths' which I do not find matched in scripture.

The 'Trinity' was decided hundreds of years after Jesus. If people have been persuaded of this idea they often cannot see past it.

Job is a good place to look at another problem. Satan/devil etc. = slanderer/adversary and in Job one we find God discussing Job's righteousness and how far he can be tested. Not the great all-powerful creature that churches and poets used in lurid ways. Jesus tells us sin/bad things come from within. The human mind is always capable of deception or worse unless kept in check.

Heaven-going - our reward, we are told, is in heaven and Jesus will bring it with him when he returns. Jesus went to heaven and is there now on the right hand of God as our Great High Priest and mediator. 'The earth is the LORD'S and the fullness thereof'. The Old Testament speaks of the kingdom on earth, Jesus said in his prayer 'Thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth ..'
I suppose these are my chief problems because many people have been brought up on these alternative ideas at 'facts'.

Because I believe these things I have been wrongly labelled by some folks on Q&A.

The inspiration of God in scripture means that we don't need extra theories to be tacked on.

Answer 5

Yes. Many. The agruement for Sunday sacredness, eternal torment in hell, the resurrection/rapture and the trinity doctrine, the immortal soul. All of these sound so plausible coming from the pulpit but when compared with scripture they are insupportable as concepts and can be proven as false doctrine. I wish I had time to illistrate all of that here. Love in Christ, ~J~

Answer 6

Anything written by man or interpreted by man, is bound to have faults as man is imperfect.

Therefore the bible is riddled with false assumptions and errors. But over all it is a good book of wisdom and lessons that people can learn from.

Answer 7

There are many, since many different "Christian" faiths have their own interpretation of the Bible. They can't all be right, can they? Yet, many believe what they hear. This is a particularly good web site to visit for the exposition of truth and the exposing of falsehood.

http://www.watchtower.org

Answer 8

I woke up one morning as a JW, and found out that I had all of the fundamental gospel wrong, not just one thing.
I believe that it was the spirit of God that has been working to straighten out my inaccurate theology, and I feel all the more blessed for researching my beliefs for the real truth.

Answer 9

I really don't express my thoughts when it comes to biblical matters because the bible says that all what is written in the bible has been inspired by God.

Answer 10

..There is only one fault with your question, you are asking us to look for Biblical error.

There aren't any.

Instantly we assume that the Bible is incorrect when our understanding of it is weak. Consider all of Job's three comforters, their intentions were for good but there advice was odiously misguided.

Consider Christmas as an example.
The very first commandment is to have no other Gods before the face of the Almighty Creator. Yet it is common knowledge that 25th December is a celebration dedicated to the Sun god. The second commandment is to worship no idols, look at the modern church and what do you see?

If we truly believe and have faith to move mountains, then maybe we should ask for guidance and explanation to our negativeness. Also, when it arrives maybe we should at least listen.

You will receive many answers that try to refute the word of God and unfortunately you will not be able to answer them because this is not a chat forum.