An Argument for Arguing

Why proper arguments are necessary, and why nuance in language is important.

Have you seen this meme? I recently saw several good friends share it (you know who you are). At the start of this post, let me say to them, (and to you if you’ve shared it), that I do not disagree with the intended premise of the meme - that Christians shouldn’t be getting involved in heated disagreements that do more to alienate than they do to convince. In the past, I’ve released podcasts and written articles making the point that we need to be careful about wading into silly controversies and angry disagreements. I’m wholeheartedly in agreement with the primary objective of the meme, but there’s more to it than that.

Internet memes are a new method of transmitting ideas, and they are really good at getting across one big point. However, they aren’t nearly as good at nuance and detail. That’s why I wanted to follow up on this particular one, primarily because of the text at the top. While the big idea behind the meme is not to engage in heated arguments, it also asserts that winning souls is not the same as winning arguments, and that’s not true. When we use the word “argument,” we may think of the word in terms of a heated, high-volumed dispute between two or more people (similar to the image in the meme). However, classically an argument was a statement or premise that was put forward to support or prove a conclusion. The argument was made with the purpose of convincing the hearers of the validity of the argument so that they would agree with your conclusion.

When we think of arguments in this way, we should realize quickly that what the church needs are more and better arguments, not less! Paul made this point to the Corinthian Christians.

“For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.” (2 Corinthians 10:4-6)

Notice that he told them that our “weapons” “destroy arguments” and “take every thought captive to obey Christ.” The way that Christianity spread throughout the world, and continues today is through the perpetual argument that Jesus is risen from the dead and is the Christ. This is why Acts 17:2 says that “…Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures.” This is one of five times in the book of Acts that Luke uses this the term “reasoned.” Paul’s method of evangelism was to challenge the current viewpoints of his prospects “from the Scriptures.” Those who were convinced were converted. It is only by winning the argument that you can win a soul.

Nothing has changed today. But our culture has. Because many have witnessed angry, outlandish disputes and burnt bridges that might never be rebuilt, some have concluded that we shouldn’t contend with others in the realm of thought at all. We should just “agree to disagree,” or simply ignore our differences. The conclusions of postmodernism told us that there was not a discernible or certain truth. Many have embraced the idea that faith should be a private thing, kept behind closed doors. However, a faith that will not engage the culture around it is a worthless one. Salt and light are only effective when they interact with food and darkness (Matthew 5:13-16). In a culture that is uncertain about nearly everything, the certainty of the empty tomb and the reign of Christ is exactly what many long to hear! We must learn to make convincing arguments and to make them properly.

For the past several years, I have meditated a lot on the pastoral epistles. Paul’s instructions to Timothy and Titus should be a major focus for anyone wanting to be involved in ministry or who engages that culture around them. Over and over he gives instructions about how to interact with others. He tells Timothy:

“Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.” (2 Timothy 2:23-26)

There is a lot to learn from this short passage. We need to know when to avoid quarrels, but also know how to be patient and gentle while correcting what is wrong. This is not disengagement, but engaging while having patience, humility, and kindness. If we withdraw from the world, they will not find the truth from another source. Jesus is the Truth. We must make arguments, but we must make them properly.