Faith And Reason In The Bible
By Matt Arnold, written 2000 - 2002
All of the following bible verses are often used to break down the mind in preparation for deception. A lot of them have been used against me one-on-one. The only hope of a kid growing up in a belligerently provocative bible church is to see these verses in a cynical light. They are crassly self-serving.
In 2 Peter chapter one verses 16-18, Peter says that he and the apostles had first-hand experiences of hearing voices come down from heaven. Then he says this:
2 Peter 1:19a We have also a MORE SURE word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed⌠(emphasis mine)
So they did not have to be recklessly promiscuous with their minds back then, but now that we have scripture, that is all in the past? So this is saying it is virtuous to accept claims on trust. What else could Jesus have meant when he said, âblessed are they who have not seen, and yet believeâ?
So God gave miracles to them, but we are supposed to just take their word for it, and it is MORE SURE. This puts second-hand testimony as more reliable than first-hand experiences. But ancient texts are not even as good as second-hand testimony. It is ten-thousand hand testimony, like in the game of Telephone. It is worthless until it is consistently supported by a wealth of first-hand experiences, and if you have that, what need is there for scripture?
The bible repeatedly slams the door on reason, by telling believers that they should expect mental dissonance and it does not matter.
Rom. 8:7 Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
2 Cor10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Here are just a few of the verses that shame you for thinking:
Rom. 3:4 Let God be true, and every man a liar.
Rom. 9:20 But who are you, my friend, to talk back to God? A clay pot does not ask the man who made it, âWhy did you make me like this?â
Matt. 4:7 Do not put the Lord your God to the test.
Then there are the verses that encourage believers to avoid exposing themselves to uncomfortable truths:
Col. 2:4 Do not let anyone deceive you with false arguments, no matter how good they seem to be.
I Tim. 6:20-21 Avoid the profane talk and foolish arguments of what some people wrongly call âknowledge.â
II Tim. 2:23-24 But keep away from foolish and ignorant arguments; you know that they end up in quarrels.
Titus 3:9-10 But avoid stupid arguments, quarrels, and fights about the Law. They are useless and worthless. Give at least two warnings to the person who causes divisions, and then have nothing more to do with him.
The bible also encourages believers to be proudly irrational. Verses in which the bible uses doublespeak to make wisdom foolishness and foolishness wisdom:
Luke 7:35 Godâs wisdom, however, is shown to be true by all who accept it.
I John 2:27 As long as his Spirit remains in you, you do not need anyone to teach you. For his Spirit teaches you about everything, and what he teaches is true, not false.
I Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned.
I Cor. 2:6-7 Yet I do proclaim a message of wisdom to those who are spiritually mature. But it is not the wisdom that belongs to this world, or to the powers that rule this world⌠The wisdom I proclaim is Godâs secret wisdom, hidden from mankind.
I Cor. 1:20-21 God has shown that this worldâs wisdom is foolishness! For God in his wisdom made it impossible for men to know him by means of their own wisdom. Instead, by means of the so-called foolish message we preach, God decided to save those who believe.
I Cor. 1:27 God purposely chose what the world considers nonsense in order to shame the wise, and he chose what the world considers weak in order to shame the powerful.
I Cor. 3:18-20 If anyone among you thinks that he is wise by this worldâs standards, he should become a fool, in order to be really wise. For what this world considers to be wisdom is nonsense in Godâs sight⌠God traps the wise in their cleverness⌠The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are worthless.
I Cor. 2:13-14 So then, we do not speak in words taught by human wisdom⌠Whoever does not have the Spirit cannot receive the gifts that come from Godâs Spirit. Such a person really does not understand them; they are nonsense to him, because their value can be judged only on a spiritual basis.
I Cor. 4:10: (âFor Christâs sake we are fools; but you are wise in union with Christ!â).
So donât bother quoting from Proverbs and Ecclesiastes about the value of wisdom! We know now what scripture really means by that word!
Transparently self-protecting verses trying to discredit the bibleâs competitors, sight-unseen:
Matt. 7:15 Be on your guard against false prophets; they come to you looking like sheep on the outside, but on the inside they are really like wild wolves.
Matt. 24:11 Then many false prophets will appear and fool many people.
Matt. 24:24-26 False Messiahs and false prophets will appear, they will perform great miracles and wonders in order to deceive even Godâs chosen people, if possible.
II Peter 2:13 False prophets appeared in the past among the people, and in the same way false teachers will appear among you. They will bring in destructive, untrue doctrines.
I Tim. 6:3-4 Whoever teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the true words of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the teaching of our religion is swollen with pride and knows nothing. He has an unhealthy desire to argue and quarrel about words.
Encouraging ostracism is another way to prevent believers from hearing things that would shake off their illusions:
1 Corinthians 5:13 - But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
2 Thes. 3:6 - Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
2 Thes. 3:14 - And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
1 Tim.6:5 - Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
Titus 3:10-11 - A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
2 John 1:10-11 - If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
If you are one of those who think the bible creates no discord between faith and reason, that belief may have been shaken by these verses. I hope you have enough integrity to choose reason.