False Premises

This is a list of erroneous or false premises commonly used to support false conclusions about Biblical topics.

  1. Using mental rationalization to support a premise, e.g. We have the written Bible in electronic form today, therefore, certain practices or exhortations for evangelism are no longer necessary or relevant.
  2. Citing historical assumptions, conclusions, and opinions, e.g. Archeologists have found no direct evidence that there ever was a Jesus of Nazareth.
  3. Failing to address every relevant scripture on a topic, e.g. picking one scripture to support a position, while others contradict your preferred conclusion.
  4. Suggesting different meanings of certain words to make drastic conclusions in the normal meaning, e.g. The actual Greek/Aramaic means something else or a different Greek tense changes the meaning altogether.
  5. Casting doubt on scriptures validity, e.g. Mark 16 was not in every early manuscript, therefore it may be disregarded.
  6. Offer assumptions that are based solely on reason, rather than other scriptures, e.g. Today we have medical science, so God no longer heals people supernaturally. 
  7. Drawing conclusions from what can be surmised or assumed, e.g. if different Christians believe different things and have different practices how can they both be right if the Spirit leads all believers; it proves the practice is defunct.
  8. Limiting spiritual things to temporal/physical explanations and analysis, e.g. being born again is not an actually requirement for a believer; All faith healers are frauds; Miracles no longer happen today; a good loving God would not condemn a Hindu youth to Hell for Eternity.
  9. Casting  doubt on the veracity of scripture, e.g. First Century society knowledge and technology was limited, therefore, modern understanding and circumstances must be applied, and/or scripture was altered over the ages and is therefore unreliable.
  10. Scripture is not absolute or inspired. e.g. the language and actual meaning and canon are open for question, because fallible men were involved.
  11. Temporal/Physical understanding and analysis supersedes spiritual instruction and reality articulated in scripture, e.g What a Christian actually does determines their righteousness and salvation, one must be good enough to enter heaven.

There are many more, perhaps, and the examples I’ve included may not be perfect or a complete explanation of each premise; my purpose was to amplify meaning. Every item would not be applicable to any argument against scripture or scripture as a whole. I suspect Believers use these premises as much or more than others to raise arguments in support of their pet doctrines or as an attack against the pet doctrines of others. Is it any wonder infidels rail about disunity among Believers. Scripture addresses differences among Believers and condemns the bickering, judgment and slander so regularly seen among Believers, particularly preachers, teachers, and the clergy. (1 Cor. 9:19-22; Rom. 15:1-7; 1 Cor. 8:1-13; Rom. 14:1-18; Matt. 7:1-5; James 4:11-12; Luke 6:37; James 5:9; Col. 2:8-23)

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