Carson begins the chapter on Logical Fallacies, in his book "Exegetical Fallacies" with this fun little illustration of flawed logic:
Why are Fire Engines Red?
They have four wheels and eight men;
Four plus eight is twelve;
twelve inches makes a ruler;
a ruler is Queen Elizabeth;
Queen Elizabeth sails the seven seas;
the seven seas have fish;
the fish have fins;
the Finns hate the Russians;
the Russians are red;
fire engines are always rushin';
so they're red.
How d'ya like that logic? Though I have to admit, this argument makes a whole lot more sense then some of the ones I've heard!
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Wading through Murky Waters
For one of my classes, I have to read this very small book called "Exegetical Fallacies" by the well known Bible scholar D. A. Carson. It's a tough read, let me tell you, and it really brings you face to face with your own inadequacies as a handler of the truth. From word studies, to grammatical issues, to flawed logic, Carson takes the reader through an expose of the most common, and most dangerous errors in scriptural interpretation committed not only by scholars, but also propagated through many pulpits.
The study of error can seem like something of a pessimistic endeavour. Some christians raise concerns over such study, as they think that to dwell in the realm of the darkness of error and heresy for too long will lead to getting sucked in by the allure of worldly thinking. Certainly, this can be the case if the Christian does not hold the proper mindset whilst wading through these murky waters.
But in fact, such a study is of tremendous value. And as I examine the courses that I am taking at Bible College this semester, I have realized that all of them, to one degree or another, focus on interpretational error, and heretical teaching. Certainly I did not plan for this to be the case, but such it is. And to be quite honest, I am looking forward to the year as a tremendous time of spiritual and intellectual growth.
Historically, it is through the categorical analysis and rebuttal against heretical teaching and erroneous hermeneutics that many of the fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith have been articulated so carefully and so beautifully by orthodox scholars and theologians throughout the ages. In order to rightly defend one's faith, one must understand their opponent. Any great military leader will tell you the same. To know one's enemy is to know their weaknesses so as to be able to focus the attack, but also to know their strength and thus be able to fortify one's own defences.
Perhaps the book of Ecclesiastes can be something of an example. Now, do not misunderstand me. Striving for a better understanding of the wrong way of thinking should not include such experimentation as Solomon endeavoured upon. Certainly the book is an example of God taking man's sin and using it for His own greater purposes. However, think of why we have the book. It is to say: "Here are the ways of man. They are empty. Do not go this way but rather turn to God." That is Ecclesiastes in a nutshell. Understanding a wrong worldview, how it was wrong, and why it was wrong, meant that Solomon clung to the Lord more tightly than ever before.
An understanding of fallacy, heresy, and error can be a depressing study at times, and can suck the unprepared mind into a world of despair or perhaps even draw them away from God. But if with a critical mind and the Sword of the Lord in hand one journeys into this wasteland of thought, then one might emerge even stronger than before.
The study of error can seem like something of a pessimistic endeavour. Some christians raise concerns over such study, as they think that to dwell in the realm of the darkness of error and heresy for too long will lead to getting sucked in by the allure of worldly thinking. Certainly, this can be the case if the Christian does not hold the proper mindset whilst wading through these murky waters.
But in fact, such a study is of tremendous value. And as I examine the courses that I am taking at Bible College this semester, I have realized that all of them, to one degree or another, focus on interpretational error, and heretical teaching. Certainly I did not plan for this to be the case, but such it is. And to be quite honest, I am looking forward to the year as a tremendous time of spiritual and intellectual growth.
Historically, it is through the categorical analysis and rebuttal against heretical teaching and erroneous hermeneutics that many of the fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith have been articulated so carefully and so beautifully by orthodox scholars and theologians throughout the ages. In order to rightly defend one's faith, one must understand their opponent. Any great military leader will tell you the same. To know one's enemy is to know their weaknesses so as to be able to focus the attack, but also to know their strength and thus be able to fortify one's own defences.
Perhaps the book of Ecclesiastes can be something of an example. Now, do not misunderstand me. Striving for a better understanding of the wrong way of thinking should not include such experimentation as Solomon endeavoured upon. Certainly the book is an example of God taking man's sin and using it for His own greater purposes. However, think of why we have the book. It is to say: "Here are the ways of man. They are empty. Do not go this way but rather turn to God." That is Ecclesiastes in a nutshell. Understanding a wrong worldview, how it was wrong, and why it was wrong, meant that Solomon clung to the Lord more tightly than ever before.
An understanding of fallacy, heresy, and error can be a depressing study at times, and can suck the unprepared mind into a world of despair or perhaps even draw them away from God. But if with a critical mind and the Sword of the Lord in hand one journeys into this wasteland of thought, then one might emerge even stronger than before.
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