Musing – Are we disputing or arguing?

Hebraic Musing – Are we disputing or arguing?

Paul tells us in 1 Tim 2:8  I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing. NIV   This verse does NOT say we cannot ‘argue’ or ‘question’.  After all, Paul also complimented the Bereans because they did question and search – …for they … examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.  Acts 17:11  NIV   Finding the truth was the goal!

The word ‘question’ or ‘questioned’ appears 32 times in both the ESV and NIV.  In almost all cases the truth was being sought; AND many of the ‘questioners’ became believers!  They found the truth!

Now the word ‘dispute’ appears 14 times in the NIV and in each case it clearly implies an angry disagreement frequently requiring a third party to judge between the disputing parties.  Also, there were ‘disputers’ trying to disrupt the Gospel message in order to defend their personal beliefs and interests, disregarding truth in the process.

A similar word study of ‘argue’ resulted in this interesting passage where God wants us to argue with Him!  Isaiah 43:25-26 – "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more. Review the past for me, let us argue the matter together; state the case for your innocence.” NIV    From other uses of ‘argue’ it is clear that arguing is a methodology to either seek the truth or to attempt to convince another of one’s own belief. So, when we argue with our brothers about Biblical interpretation or theology, are we open-minded enough to be truly seeking the truth?  Or, is the defense of our own preconceived position paramount in our mind?  In a meaningful and fair argument, one should be able to re-state the other party’s position to show that one is listening to and understands the other party’s point.

I’ve mentioned this before, but let’s consider it again.  It has been said that New Christian believers are systemically taught to 1. Come to church; 2. Sit down; 3. Shut up; and 4. Listen.  They quickly learn that discussing, arguing and participating are discouraged.  Passivity is encouraged.  Maybe this is an over-statement, but there is enough truth to deserve attention.  My pastor recently expressed this same concern but used different words. He said he does not want to create “Sit, Soak and Sour” Christians.

The Jews have been known for their Socratic style of Bible or Torah study.  The movie Yentl portrays a yeshiva (school for Talmud* and Torah study) in which the room is full of students in pairs arguing loudly over each verse in the Talmud and Torah.  This style of learning is one of the unique features of the yeshiva, and of the Jewish learning process.  And the purpose of arguing is always to find the truth.

Points to Ponder

When we argue Biblical interpretation or theology are we open-mindedly
 seeking the truth?       Or, are we defending preconceived positions?

Maybe this is why I love interactive Bible studies.                            February 25, 2014

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                                                  

Author of two books “Hebraic Insights” and  “Biblical Marriage”
And weekly “Hebraic Musings”  e-mails
Yosef1@cox.net   or   www.InsightsByYosef.com

* The Talmud, in Hebrew means "instruction, learning, teach, study", is a central text of Rabbinic Judaism comprised of two parts:  1) Mishnah, the written compendium of Judaism's Oral Torah 2)  Gemara, an elucidation of the Mishnah and related writings expounding on the Hebrew Bible.  The Talmud is oft quoted in rabbinic literature and is over 6,200 pages long containing teachings and opinions of thousands of rabbis on Halakhah, Law,  Ethics, Philosophy, Customs, History, Lore, etc.