STRAW MAN REASONING

STRAW MAN REASONING

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

2Timothy [MKJV] 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be perfected, thoroughly furnished to every good work.

straw man: noun; 1. a mass of straw formed to resemble a man, as for a doll or scarecrow. 2. a person whose importance or function is only nominal, as to cover another's activities; front. 3. a fabricated or conveniently weak or innocuous person, object, matter, etc., used as a seeming adversary or argument: The issue she railed about was no more than a straw man.  Origin:  1585

  Straw man reasoning is commonplace. Tragically, as is even evidenced from many professing Christians interviewed or as commentators in the news media. Their arguments as to the why of mall murderers, school slayers, theater terrorists kill don’t stand up to the breath of God. As mere professors or ignorant Christians they are short of the furnishings He freely provides. Or do they have the equipping but like straw men lack a backbone? Or worse yet, are they like Balaam?

  The straw man philosophies include “need more jobs”, “living below the (USA government determined) poverty level”, and a few other humanistic ill-conceived arguments; the list topper these days being mental health and the shortage of facilities and programs.

  Looking to God’s furniture, His Word, we see that the result of Adam not trusting Jehovah are separation, surviving by sweat of brow fighting corrupted environment all while contributing to the pollution thereof, never-ending expensive maintenance of infrastructure, change of diet, losing the freedom, security, and comfort of nakedness, surrounded by constant trepidation, frustration and irritation that we too easily internalize, stress in relationships, community at odds even during the best of times (includes the church), emotional and physical pain and deterioration with death ever looming . . . all with loss of sound mind. Thankfully, sound mind that can be regained and retained from and by God through His provision. (1Cor. Chapter 2; 2Tim.1:7)

  Man does not commit murder and mayhem as result of upbringing, environment, poverty, mental health or lack of education, vocation et al. It is decision resulting from Biblical spiritual deficiency.

  Why did Cain slay Abel? Because God evicted his parents out of the garden? Because God didn’t communicate with him personally? Because God didn’t give him clear direction? Because God didn’t give Cain opportunity?

  No, it is as James explained: “What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure. You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. What do you think the Scriptures mean when they say that the spirit God has placed within us is filled with envy? But he gives us even more grace to stand against such evil desires. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but favors the humble.” So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.” (NLT 4:1-10)

  Please be aware that straw men never survive the test of God’s fire. Study God’s Word, be equipped, be fireproof!  EBB4