“CONVICTING
THOSE WHO
CONTRADICT”
HELPING SAINTS PREPARE TO ANSWER
AND PERSUADE THOSE IN ERROR
INTRODUCTION
• Title: “Convicting Those Who Contradict” (Titus 1:9)
• Our Three-fold Goal:
3. Use “sound doctrine” to persuade those “who contradict”.
2. Determine what is “sound doctrine” versus
“contradiction”.
1. Consider how to determine what is “sound doctrine”.
2
• Selection: Significant, Local Threats to Christianity
ASIDE: APPROACHING PEOPLE
• Welcome to Visitors! 
• Class questions represent “worst case” hostility.
• “A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word
stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1; Romans 12:17-21)
• “Speech with grace, seasoned with salt … know how
to answer each one” (Colossians 4:6)
• Patiently “reason”, explain … not browbeat, intimidate
(Acts 19:8-9; II Timothy 2:25-26).
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• Say what each person needs (Mark 10:21-23).
• Start with love’s benefit of the doubt (I Corinthians 13:48). Assume they are – at worst – innocently mistaken or
confused, not willfully blind and hardened.
• React on an individual level with other person’s best
interest in mind (I Corinthians 13:4-8):
“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly,
comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient
with all.” (I Thessalonians 5:14; see also Jude 22-23)
• Realize “power” is in the “gospel” (Romans 1:16;
Ephesians 6:17), not socialization (I Cor. 2:1-5).
• Work toward fundamental point of difference!
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ASIDE: APPROACHING PEOPLE
INTRODUCTION …
• Motivation: Why have this class?
• Integrity …
Personal conscience for self and before the Lord.
• Integrity! ...
Answer others fairly, accurately, and appropriately.
• Integrity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Teach our children to teach their children, teach
others, and have integrity themselves.
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2. Even if we have studied these topics previously, why
might this class be important for us to study now?
INTRODUCTION …
• Direction: Answer 2 questions on every topic:
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1. How do I know “they” are not right?
2. How can I convince “them” of the truth?
ADMINISTRIVIA
• Questions available in the back …
• Audio, slides, and questions on church web-site:
http://www.pepperroadchurch.org
• Questions in “Member Files” section …
• … always being updated.
• Material divided into sections with questions …
• Cover roughly 10 questions per class …
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• All quotations from NKJV, unless …
SYNOPSIS – SECTIONS
Introduction to Careful Bible Study (~4)
Catholicism (~2)
Calvinism (~5)
Common Denominational Errors (~3)
Charismatic Errors (~3)
Introduction to Answering Cult Errors (~1)
Seventy Day Adventist (~1)
Mormonism (~3)
Jehovah’s Witnesses (~3)
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1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
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“AXE LAID TO THE ROOT …”
“Give me six hours to chop down a tree
and I will spend the first four
sharpening the axe.”
– Abraham Lincoln
“If the ax is dull, And one does not
sharpen the edge, Then he must use
more strength; But wisdom brings
success.” (Ecclesiastes 10:10)
See also: Luke 3:9
SECTION #1
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INTRODUCTION
TO CAREFUL
BIBLE STUDY
OVERVIEW OF THE BIBLE
• Authorship
• Organization
• Unity of Message
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1. Imagine you were beginning a study with a neighbor,
and they asked, “What is the Bible about?” How would
you explain the central theme of the Bible?
UNITY OF MESSAGE
1. Imagine you were beginning a study with a neighbor,
and they asked, “What is the Bible about?” How would
you explain the central theme of the Bible?
• God’s plan to save a remnant of mankind from their sins.
• Old Testament (Galatians 3:24-25; Romans 7:13)
• New Testament (Ephesians 3:10-11; Colossians 1:2729)
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• Tree of life lost, regained (Genesis 3; Revelation 22).
MAJOR BIBLE PERIODS
I.
Patriarchal – Hebrews 1:1 … Genesis 6:13; 7:1;
18:19; 26:3, 24; 28:13; Job 1:5 …Genesis 14:18;
20:7; Numbers 22:1-20; Exodus 18:1-12; Job 42:710
II. Mosaical – From giving of the Law of Moses to Jesus’
death on the cross. (One special people, Israelites).
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III. Christian – From Jesus’ death on the cross until …?
Open to all people!
OVERCOMING BARRIERS TO
BIBLE STUDY
“Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn
away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and
she will preserve you; Love her, and she will keep you.
Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom.
And in all your getting, get understanding. … When you
walk, your steps will not be hindered, And when you run,
you will not stumble. Take firm hold of instruction, do not let
go; Keep her, for she is your life.” (Proverbs 4:4-13)
15
1. What spiritual virtues are essential for a proper
understanding of God’s Word and resolving differences
about the meaning of Scripture?
OVERCOMING BARRIERS
16
BARRIER #1 –
FAILURES IN
MOTIVATION
4. “BUT, I AM ALREADY A CHRISTIAN!”
I. Unity:
A. Division Is A Barrier To Evangelism
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“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will
believe in Me through their word; that they all may be
one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also
may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You
sent Me.” (John 17:20-21)
4. “BUT, I AM ALREADY A CHRISTIAN!”
I. Unity:
B. Unity Enhances the Work of the Church
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“Now the whole earth had one language and one speech.
... And the LORD said, ‘Indeed the people are one and
they all have one language, and this is what they begin to
do; now nothing that they propose to do will be
withheld from them.’” (Genesis 11:1-6)
5. “ONE IS AS GOOD AS ANOTHER!”
II. Salvation:
A. Division Is Not Acceptable:
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“Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord
Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that
there be no divisions among you, but that you be
perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the
same judgment.” (I Corinthians 1:10)
5. “ONE IS AS GOOD AS ANOTHER!”
II. Salvation:
B. Believing False Doctrine Can Condemn You or Me:
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“And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus
and Philetus are of this sort, who have strayed
concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is
already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. (II
Timothy 2:17-18; also, Galatians 5:4; Matthew 7:21-23;
Luke 6:39)
6. “I DON’T ARGUE ABOUT RELIGION!”
A. We do not have to “argue”.
B. Inappropriate Fighting is Condemned:
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And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle
to all, able to teach, patient, … (II Timothy 2:24)
6. “I DON’T ARGUE ABOUT RELIGION!”
C. However, We Must Correct and Contend:
… in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God
perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know
the truth, and that they may come to their senses and
escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by
him to do his will. (II Timothy 2:25-26)
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Beloved, … I found it necessary to write to you exhorting
you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for
all delivered to the saints. (Jude 3)
TIP #1: WATCH SPEECH AND TONE
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Let your speech always be with
grace, seasoned with salt, that you
may know how you ought to
answer each one. (Colossians 4:6)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Unbelieving
• There is no Bible.
Rational
Mystical
• Bible is Hopeless.
Hierarchical
Majority
• Man is Hopeless.
Allegorical
Literal
• Bible has no literary
orientation.
Spiritual
Reflects upon God as Revelator and Creator
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FLAWED METHODS OF INTERPRETATION
OVERCOMING BARRIERS
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BARRIER #2 –
INSUFFICIENCY
OF SCRIPTURE
7. “WORDS CANNOT CONTAIN INFINITE GOD!”
1. The Bible contains what we need to know:
“… as His divine power has given to us all things that
pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of
Him who called us by glory and virtue.” (II Peter 1:3; also,
II Timothy 3:16-17)
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2. No one limits God, but God can limit Himself (Titus 1:2;
Hebrews 6:17-18; II Timothy 2:13).
7. “WORDS CANNOT CONTAIN INFINITE GOD!”
3. The Bible IS sufficient! It can be read and understood:
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“… how that by revelation He made known to me the
mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which,
when you read, you may understand my knowledge in
the mystery of Christ), which in other ages was not made
known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by
the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets.” (Ephesians
3:3-5)
9. “I JUST DON’T GET IT!”
“… be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot
and blameless; … as also our beloved brother Paul,
according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you,
as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things,
in which are some things hard to understand, which
untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction,
as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. You therefore,
beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest
you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led
away with the error of the wicked;” (II Peter 3:14-18)
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1. Some parts of the Bible are difficult to understand:
2. Understanding them requires diligence:
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker
who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the
word of truth.” (II Timothy 2:15)
3. God designed us as well as the Bible. If He said we
can understand, then we can understand!
“Who has made man's mouth? … Have not I, the LORD?”
(Exodus 4:1)
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good
courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD
your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
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9. “I JUST DON’T GET IT!”
8. “THAT IS YOUR INTERPRETATION!”
1. Presumes one interpretation is as good (or, as bad) as
another.
“… God, who cannot lie …” (Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:17-18)
“For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as
in all the churches of the saints.” (I Corinthians 14:33)
2. Despairs that truth (God’s Word) is essentially
unknowable or non-existent, but it is knowable and
sufficient for all we need (II Timothy 3:16-17).
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3. “Do you believe you are right?”
TIP #2: ADAPT!
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For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a
servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the
Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those
who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win
those who are under the law; to those who are without
law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but
under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are
without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might
win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I
might by all means save some. Now this I do for the
gospel's sake, that I may be partaker of it with you. (I
Corinthians 9:19-23)
OVERCOMING BARRIERS
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BARRIER #3 –
WRONG
STANDARD
“HOLY SPIRIT HELPS INTERPRET”
1. So, the Scriptures are insufficient? I can’t read and understand?
2. How do you know it is the Holy Spirit leading you?
•
•
Could be the Devil or his servants! (II Thessalonians 2:9-12; II
Corinthians 11:13-15)
Could be yourself! (Jeremiah 14:14; 23:16-36; 29:8-9)
3. Modern revelation cannot contradict the ancient.
But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel
to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.
As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any
other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
(Galatians 1:8-9)
See also: I John 4:1, 6; I Corinthians 14:33, 37; John 5:31-47
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•
“I FEEL THIS IS RIGHT!”
11. If you were talking to a friend, convicting them of some
sin, and they responded, “I feel this is right,” how would
you answer?
• Our feelings cannot be trusted:
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“There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is
the way of death.” (Proverbs 14:12; also, Proverbs 16:2;
Jeremiah 10:23)
“I FEEL THIS IS RIGHT!”
• For example, Paul was sincerely wrong:
Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, “Men and
brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God
until this day.” (Acts 23:1)
“… I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an
insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it
ignorantly in unbelief.” (I Timothy 1:13)
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“I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and
delivering into prisons both men and women …” (Acts
22:4)
“MY PARENTS COULD ANSWER …”
12. What if you were studying with a schoolmate, and they
answered, “My parents and my pastor could answer all
of these questions!” What would you say?
• Who comes first, Jesus or ancestry?
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“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and
mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his
own life also, he cannot be My disciple.” (Luke 14:26;
also, Matthew 10:34-39; Galatians 1:13-14)
“MY PASTOR COULD ANSWER …”
•
“Great! I would love to study with him too. ”
•
Whose traditions comes first, God’s or man’s?
He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress
the commandment of God because of your tradition? …
‘And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the
commandments of men.’” (Matthew 15:3, 9)
We stand on our own before God on Judgment – not with
anyone else including one’s pastor:
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that
each one may receive the things done in the body, according
to what he has done, whether good or bad.” (II Corinthians
5:10)
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•
“ALL CHRISTIANS BELIEVE THIS!”
13. Imagine you were talking to a schoolmate about
instrumental music, and they responded, “But, all
Christians use mechanical instruments in worship!”
What would be your answer?
• Previously, God condemned the world and saved few!
39
…who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine
longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was
being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were
saved through water. (I Peter 3:20)
“ALL CHRISTIANS BELIEVE THIS!”
• Jesus has foretold that only a few will go to heaven!
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is
the way that leads to destruction, and there are many
who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and
difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few
who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)
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Lesson: How can the majority be a standard, if the
majority are not even going to heaven?
APPROACHING THE BIBLE
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REQUIRED
ATTITUDES
AND VIRTUES
ULTIMATE LOVE OF TRUTH
• II Timothy 3:6-8 – “… always learning and never able
to come to the knowledge of the truth”
• Romans 10:1-3 – “… that they be saved. … they have a
zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.”
• Matthew 13:14-15 – “Their eyes they have closed,
Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their
ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and
turn, So that I should heal them.”
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• Luke 16:15 – “You are those who justify yourselves
before men, but God knows your hearts.”
“The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of
Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all
unrighteous deception among those who perish, because
they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might
be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong
delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may
be condemned who did not believe the truth but had
pleasure in unrighteousness.” (II Thessalonians 2:11-12)
1. People hear the truth, and they reject it and love of it.
2. God sends “strong delusion”.
3. People believe the lie instead, and are condemned.
43
ULTIMATE LOVE OF TRUTH
… in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before
time began … (Titus 1:2 NKJV, see also, Hebrews 6:18)
Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God
cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But
each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires
and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin;
and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. (James 1:13-15)
“Thus says the LORD: ‘Behold, I will fill all the inhabitants of this land - even the kings who sit on David's throne, the priests, the prophets,
and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem -- with drunkenness! And I will
dash them one against another, even the fathers and the sons
together,’ says the LORD.” (Jeremiah 13:12-15)
Recall: Jehu & Ahab, Assyria & Israel, Babylon & Assyria & Judah
44
GOD CANNOT LIE OR TEMPT UNTO SIN
MORE ON LOVE OF TRUTH …
• Common, repeated, and emphasized theme throughout
the Scriptures:
• John 3:19-21 – “… this is the condemnation, that the
light has come into the world, and men loved darkness
rather than light, because their deeds were evil”
• II Chron. 18:1-34; I Kings 22:1-36 – Ahab & Micaiah
• Proverbs 23:23 – “Buy the truth and sell it not!”
• Psalm 11:4 – “His eyelids tests the sons of men”
45
• Isaiah 66:2-4 – God says, “they have chosen their own
ways, … So will I choose their delusions.”
MORE ON LOVE OF TRUTH …
46
• II Corinthians 3:14-4:4 – Blinded minds – even while
reading Scripture – by the god of this age through crafty,
deceitful handling of Scripture.
• John 7:17 – “If anyone wants to do His will, he shall
know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God”
• Romans 1:28-32 – God “gave them up to a reprobate
mind”, because they did not like to “retain God in their
knowledge”.
• Matthew 11:25-27 – Truth was hidden from wise and
prudent, but revealed to babes by God’s design.
• I Corinthians 1:18-31 – Cross is foolishness, a
stumbling block – “not many wise … not many mighty …
not many noble”
• II Peter 3:5 – “this they willfully forget”, “willfully
ignorant”
• Proverbs 18:13 – “He who answers a matter before he
hears it, It is folly and shame to him.”
• Luke 22:67-68 – Asking questions with intent to ignore
answer.
• Acts 22:21-22 – Prejudicial listening. Rejection upon 1
word.
47
MORE ON LOVE OF TRUTH …
• Jeremiah 5:30-31 – “The prophets prophesy falsely …
And My people love to have it so”
• Isaiah 30:9-15 – Wanted prophets to speak smooth
deceits, turn out of the path, and remove God from
before them.
• Deuteronomy 16:19 – “A bribe blinds the eyes of the
wise and twists the words of the righteous.” What is
the Devil offering?
• Jer. 23:16-32; 27:12-28:17; 29:8; Ez. 13:1-16 – Speaks
against self-induced dreams and visions. People dream
what they want to dream and hope it is from God.
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MORE ON LOVE OF TRUTH …
• exegesis – interpret, “lead out” meaning
• eisegesis – inject meaning
… Thus says the Lord GOD: “Everyone of the house of Israel
who 1sets up his idols in his heart, and puts before him
what causes him to stumble into iniquity, 2and then comes
to the prophet, 3I the LORD will answer him who comes,
according to the multitude of his idols, that I may seize the
house of Israel by their heart, because they are all estranged
from Me by their idols.” (Ezekiel 14:4-10)
• The Bible pattern is to always hear then believe – not
believe then hear! (Rom. 10:17; John 6:45; Acts 2:41)
49
EXEGESIS VS. EISEGESIS
OVERCOMING BARRIERS
50
BARRIER #4 –
EMOTIONAL
ESCAPES
14. “AS LONG AS YOU ARE DOING YOUR BEST”
• “Why do you think your judgment of yourself is enough?”
51
For I know nothing against myself, yet I am not justified
by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. (I Corinthians
4:4)
14. “AS LONG AS YOU ARE DOING YOUR BEST”
• Sincerity and good works in Jesus’ name is not enough!
Lesson: Obey the standard by which we will be judged
(John 12:48).
52
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter
the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My
Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day,
‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast
out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in
Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew
you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”
(Matthew 7:21-23)
15. “AS LONG AS IT’S TO GOD’S GLORY …”
• How does disobedience ever glorify God?
• God desires obedience over sacrifice. Devoting to God
does not justify (Matthew 15:3-6).
53
Then Samuel said: “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt
offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the
LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to
heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of
witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and
idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the
LORD, He also has rejected you from being king.” (I
Samuel 15:22-23)
16. “YOU’RE ONLY ONES GOING TO HEAVEN?”
• What “we” think is irrelevant. “We” are not the authority.
• Furthermore, there is no “we”. It’s only God and us.
• Let “us” determine what God says “we all” must do.
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• “I think whoever pleases God will go to heaven. Let’s
study the Bible to learn how we can do that together!”
17. “BUT, JESUS TOLD US NOT TO JUDGE!”
• Not a blanket, absolute statement. Refers only to a
certain kind of judgment:
“Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with
righteous judgment.” (John 7:24)
“For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be
judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by
the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the
world.” (I Corinthians 11:31-32)
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• Ours is not a judgment of condemnation but of warning
before unavoidable condemnation is upon us all:
TIP #4: DO YOUR HOMEWORK!
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be
ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a
reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and
fear … (I Peter 3:15)
57
Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt,
that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
(Colossians 4:6)
UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE
58
REASONABLE
INTERPRETATION
OF SCRIPTURE
UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE
59
REASONABLE
INTERPRETATION
OF ANYTHING
COMMON SENSE OBSERVATIONS
60
• Put Everything Together – Titus 1:1-3, 9; I Corinthians
14:33
61
PUTTING EVERYTHING TOGETHER?
• Put Everything Together – Titus 1:1-3, 9; I Corinthians
14:33
• Context, Context, Context!
• Let Simple Clarify Difficult – II Peter 3:15-18; Hebrews
5:13-14
• Consider Parallel Passages
• Beware Unnecessary Speculation – Deut. 29:29;
Coloss. 2:18-19; I Timothy 1:3-7; II Timothy 2:14-15
• Beware Allurement of the Fantastic & Mystical – II Cor.
11:2-3; Colossians 2:6-8; I Corinthians 1:22-31
62
COMMON SENSE OBSERVATIONS
UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE
63
BIBLE EXAMPLES
IN CAREFUL
REASONING
“ARE YOU NOT OF MORE VALUE?”
18. Explain the reasoning that Jesus expected us to use to
move from a recognition of God’s care of the birds and
the lilies to a confidence that we would be fed and
clothed (Matthew 6:25-31).
Argument from the lesser to the greater:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Demonstrate truth in “lesser” case.
Identify cause for truthfulness in “lesser” case.
Demonstrate increase of cause in “greater” case.
Conclude truth with greater certainty in “greater”
case.
64
•
“… Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor
reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father
feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of
the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I
say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not
arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the
grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown
into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you
of little faith? …” (Matthew 6:25-30)
65
“ARE YOU NOT OF MORE VALUE?”
“SEEK AND YOU WILL FIND”
•
Context: Don’t worry about wealth (Matthew 6:19-34).
•
Consider the parallel passage in Luke 11:9-13 …
•
Put Everything Together: “Asking amiss”, praying for
our “lusts” or “pleasures” is ignored (James 4:1-5).
•
Guarantee for spiritual blessings that we need (for
example, James 1:5-8)
66
19. Does Jesus’ promise recorded in Matthew 7:7-11, that
our seeking will always yield results, apply to all things
for which we could seek, or just some specific types of
things? How do you know? Also see, Luke 11:9-13.
“SEEK AND YOU WILL FIND”
67
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find;
knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who
asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who
knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among
you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?
Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you
then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your
children, how much more will your Father who is in
heaven give good things to those who ask
Him!” (Matthew 7:7-11)
“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and
you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For
everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds,
and to him who knocks it will be opened. If a son asks
for bread from any father among you, will he give him a
stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent
instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer
him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give
good gifts to your children, how much more will your
heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask
Him!” (Luke 11:9-13)
68
“SEEK AND YOU WILL FIND”
Question: If the promise of always receiving the object of any
prayer is not the point of Matthew 7:7-11, is there any passage that
justifies praying for physical needs?
• James 5:14-15 – Also about spiritual “sickness”, not physical.
• Matthew 6:9-11 – “Give us this day our daily bread.”
• Acts 12:12-17 – Saints praying for Peter’s release
• II Cor. 12:7-9 – Prayed 3 times for “thorn in the flesh”
• I Tim. 2:1 – Pray for government, “quiet, peaceable life”
• Philemon 22 – Prayed for Paul’s deliverance
• III John 2 – Prayed, “prosper in all things and be in health”
• Hebrews 5:7 – Jesus prayed to be delivered from cross.
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PRAY FOR PHYSICAL NEEDS?
GREATEST, LEVI OR MELCHIZEDEK?
Does God expect us to draw conclusions and reason from
the Bible?
20. Whose priesthood was greater, Levi or Melchizedek?
What reasoning does the Hebrew writer use to prove
this (Hebrews 7:4-10)?
Conclusion: Covenant built on priesthood after
Melchizedek is superior to covenant built on Levi’s.
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Order: Melchizedek > Abraham > Levi > Israelites
Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the
patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils. And indeed those
who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a
commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the
law, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the
loins of Abraham; but he whose genealogy is not derived from
them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had
the promises. Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is
blessed by the better. Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he
receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives. Even Levi,
who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak,
for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met
him. (Hebrews 7:4-10)
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GREATEST, LEVI OR MELCHIZEDEK?
“MOSES SHOWED AT THE BUSH”
Parallel: “Are you not therefore mistaken, because you do
not know the 1Scriptures nor the 2power of God? ... But
concerning the dead, that they rise, have you not read in
the book of Moses, in the burning bush passage, how God
spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God
of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the
dead, but the God of the living. You are therefore greatly
mistaken.” (Mark 12:24-27) … Pulling it all together
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21. How did “Moses show at the burning bush passage that
the dead are raised”? What reasoning did Jesus use
(Luke 20:27-40)? See: Mark 12:18-27; Matt. 22:23-32
UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE
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GOD EXPECTS US
TO USE OUR
BRAINS! 
UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE
74
INTERPRETING
FIGURATIVE
LANGUAGE
• Try to take things literally (I Cor. 14:33), unless …
• Explicitly stated as symbolic – Revelation 1:1; 12:3
“… things which must shortly take place. And He sent
and signified it by His angel to His servant John”
• Came by a dream or vision, which needed interpretation
– Daniel 7:1; 5:12; Numbers 12:6
• Literal interpretation is too ridiculous:
“Herod wants to kill you.” … “Go tell that fox …” (Luke
13:31-32)
“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved”
(John 10:7-9)
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RECOGNIZING FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
TYPES OF FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
Parable – Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23
Fable – II Kings 14:8-10
Allegory – Galatians 4:21-31
Apocalyptic – Revelation and Zechariah
Simile – I Peter 1:24
Metaphor – John 10:9
Metonymy – I Corinthians 11:26-27
Synecdoche – Acts 17:12; 3:19; 19:5
Hyperbole – Psalm 6:6; Matthew 7:3-5
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
TYPES OF FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
•
•
•
•
•
Irony, Sarcasm – I Kings 18:27; 22:15-18
Interrogation, Rhetorical Question – John 7:50-51
Elliptical – II Corinthians 5:21; John 6:27; 12:44
Prolepsis – Matthew 10:4
Personification, Anthropomorphism – Luke 11:20;
Psalm 98:1; John 4:24; Luke 24:39
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We will use many of these before the quarter ends! 
UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE
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BIBLE EXAMPLES
OF FIGURATIVE
LANGUAGE
“A GREAT, FIERY RED DRAGON”
22. “Behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads
and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. His tail
drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to
the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who
was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as
it was born” (Revelation 12:3-4), is an example of what
kind of figurative language?
• Apocalyptic!
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• Greek, apokalupsis → “revelation” (see Revelation 1:1)
“THEN HE TOOK THE CUP”
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23. Some advocate that Christians should only use one cup
in the Lord’s Supper, because the relevant texts only
reference a single cup (for example, Matthew 26:27).
Could “the cup” be a figure of speech for the contents
of the cup? If so, how do you know from the related
contexts, and which type of figure would this be?
“THEN HE TOOK THE CUP”
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Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to
them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood
of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the
remission of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit
of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new
with you in My Father's kingdom.” (Matthew 26:27-29)
“THEN HE TOOK THE CUP”
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Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to
them, saying, “Drink from [Gr., ek] it, all of you. For this is
My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many
for the remission of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink
of [Gr., ek] this fruit of the vine from now on until that day
when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom.”
(Matthew 26:27-29)
“THEN HE TOOK THE CUP”
23. Some advocate that Christians should only use one cup
in the Lord’s Supper, because the relevant texts only
reference a single cup (for example, Matthew 26:27).
Could “the cup” be a figure of speech for the contents
of the cup? If so, how do you know from the related
contexts, and which type of figure would this be?
Metonymy!
Parallel: Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and
said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I say
to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the
kingdom of God comes.” (Luke 22:17-18)
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•
BORN WICKED AND DEPRAVED?
•
Hyperbole!
•
Man is no more born guilty of sin than he is born
speaking.
•
But, man does become wicked quickly!
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24. “The wicked are estranged from the womb; They go
astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies”
(Psalm 58:3). Are the wicked born able to talk, much
less speaking lies? What kind of figure is this? What
does this verse prove about man’s sinfulness from
birth?
“THE TREES SAID TO THE BRAMBLE”
•
Fable!
•
All of the nobler plants were too busy to rule as king.
•
The “bramble” was willing and did so cruelly.
•
Lesson: Those most unfit to rule are often asked and
do so rule.
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25. “Then all the trees said to the bramble, ‘You come and
reign over us!’” is an example of what kind of figure?
What lesson does Judges 9:6-20 teach?
26. “How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you
over, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I
set you like Zeboiim? My heart churns within Me; My
sympathy is stirred” (Hosea 11:8-9). Some argue this is
anthropomorphism for God, and that He has no real
sympathy or pity for man, but rather He is personified like
man in this text. Is this a fair argument? How do you
know from the context?
“I will not execute the fierceness of My anger; I will not again
destroy Ephraim. For I am God, and not man, The Holy One
in your midst; And I will not come with terror” (Hosea 11:9).
…. The context’s point is to contrast God against man!
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JUST FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE?
CONCLUSION
• Use some common sense:
• Put everything together
• Observe context.
• Consider parallel passages.
• Beware unnecessary speculation & mystical.
• God expects us to use our brains.
• Try a simple, literal interpretation unless it doesn’t fit.
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• Let the Bible show you how to interpret itself, like any
book.
LOGICAL FALLACIES
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WHAT ARE THEY?
LOGICAL FALLACIES
• Erroneous thinking: 2 + 2 = 5 !!!!
• Formal versus Informal Logical Fallacy
• Informal Fallacy Families:
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• Relevance
• Presumption
• Ambiguity
• Much more information, including verses, than have time
to cover in class … Need handouts for questions …
DEMONSTRATED IN THE BIBLE
• Hasty Generalization – John 18:37-38; Malachi 1:2, 6
• False Cause – Jeremiah 44:17-23; Isaiah 36:7
• Slippery Slope – baptism -> salvation by works
• Weak Analogy – Ezekiel 18:1-4
• Appeal to Authority – Matthew 15:1-9; John 7:47-48
• Ad populum – “Most doubt hell exists.”
• Ad hominem – Luke 7:33-34
• Appeal to Ignorance – Matthew 22:23-33; Malachi 2:17
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• Appeal to Emotion – John 19:12-13
DEMONSTRATED IN THE BIBLE
• Straw Man – Ezekiel 33:10-11
• Red Herring – Genesis 3:4-5; Acts 23:6-10
• False Dichotomy – Matthew 22:15-22
• Circular Reasoning – “The Bible says it’s from God.”
• Equivocation – Genesis 3:4-5 (*)
• Non sequitur – Mark 2:5-12; John 10:30-38
• Poisoning the Well – John 1:45-46
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• Scoffing – John 7:46-49; II Peter 3:3-6; Proverbs 9:78; 15:12
OVERCOMING BARRIERS
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BARRIER #5 –
IDENTIFYING
LOGICAL
FALLACIES
JUSTIFIABLE FEAR OR PARANOIA?
•
•
Slippery slope!
Assumes the conclusion is not only likely, but also
practically unavoidable, when it is both unlikely and easily
avoidable.
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27. “If we permit ladies’ classes, they may want to have
them at the building, and if they have them at the
building, they may use the auditorium, and if they use
the auditorium, they may use the pulpit, and if they use
the pulpit, they will want to become preachers!
Therefore, we should not have ladies’ classes.”
TO THE MAN
28. “‘Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother
of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His
sisters here with us?’ And they were offended at Him.”
(Mark 6:3)
Ad Hominem – Attacking the man, not his argument.
Used in “reverse” too: “I know this man. He’s a good
man. I have known him all my life. ….” … Supporting the
man, not his argument.
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•
•
BECAUSE PREACHERS ARE NEVER WRONG …
•
•
•
Appeal to Authority – Who made any preacher an
authority above Scripture?
Appeal to Unaccepted Authority – We all look to various
“authorities” or “experts”. The key is to dig deep enough to
find authorities that are upheld by both “sides”.
May turn into a discussion over witness credibility or
authority’s qualification…
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29. “My preacher said that baptism was an outward sign of
an inward grace, so I don't have to be baptized to be
saved, because I am saved already!”
“SLANDEROUSLY REPORTED TO SAY”
•
•
•
•
Straw Man!
Paul did not preach, ‘Let us do evil that good may come’.
This was misrepresentation (“slander”).
But, the “condemnation” of that statement was “just”.
•
Can occur deliberately or accidentally. …
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30. “And why not say, ‘Let us do evil that good may come’?
– as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm
that we say. Their condemnation is just” (Romans 3:8).
BECAUSE SCIENTISTS ARE NEVER WRONG …
31. “No real scientist believes in God!”
•
•
Appeal to Authority – Who made scientists the “priests”?
Ad populum – There are no scientists who believe in
God?
Scoffing – Believers can’t practice real science?
Circular Reasoning – So, you have defined science so
that it denies the possibility of the supernatural as a
premise of science? That’s not science. That’s
naturalism, physicalism – and, it’s circular reasoning!
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•
•
CONCLUSION
• Beware logical fallacies – use critical thinking!
• Three families of logical fallacies:
• Relevance
• Presumption
• Ambiguity
• The Bible deals with many logical fallacies.
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• … and so must we! 
• Adams, Wilson, Fast Facts About False Teachings, Tops
Printing, Bryan, Texas, 2010.
• Barnett, Maurice James, By What Authority, The Scheme of
Redemption, Vol, 3, Maurice Barnett, Phoenix, Arizona, 2005.
• Dungan, D. R., Hermeneutics, Gospel Light Publishing
Company, Delight, Arkansas.
• Harkrider, Robert, Basic Bible Doctrine, Books 1-4,
Impressive Image Production, Russellville, Alabama, 1987.
• Jenkins, Ferrell, Introduction to Christian Evidences,
Guardian of Truth Foundation, Bowling Green, Kentucky,
1989.
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REFERENCES