There’s some excellent advice here. I just wish people would stop using the word “argument” to mean something more like “fight” or “quarrel.” An argument is a good thing, antagonistic dialogue is not.
Otherwise this is a good read.
Category Archives: Uncategorized
You should know how to disagree well
Excellent thoughts here. I especially like the graphic, shown below.
How to talk to a Skeptic – book review
[I have written two blog entries on this book, the other at the WhyJesus blog. I look at this book from two perspectives in these two reviews.]
When I set out to write Arguing with Friends I made a decision that I second-guessed a lot. In fact, other people also questioned the wisdom of my decision. I wasn’t sure whether to merely focus on the “how” of having these kind of major worldview conversations, or whether to also include some basic data that a Christian can bring to the conversation. In other words, to what extent should I include some of the defence of the faith stuff – arguments for God’s existence, historical defence of the reliability of the Bible and so on – and to what extent should I just explain the difference between conversations you can be proud of and conversations you wish you could redo? I did end up outlining the various subjects that were likely to come up and where the reader could get more info, but I did not provide any answers or any data beyond some resources the reader could look up.
Donald J. Johnson’s book “How to Talk to a Skeptic” looks a bit like what I imagine mine might have looked like if I had spent more time on the subject of defining and defending the faith. Continue reading
Proverbs 24:17 – Loving our Enemies
Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles,
(Pro 24:17 ESV)
This passage almost certainly applies to general life circumstances about people falling on hard times, or bringing about their own demise. I want to look at it from a different perspective that I think is an equally valid insight from this verse.
Suppose you are having a conversation with a friend on some matter of truth. They disagree with you (taking the position of “enemy” broadly speaking). As you discuss the matter it becomes clear that your friend either has not thought through their views, or their views are not based on good evidence or reason, or in some cases perhaps they are just wrong. For some people the realization that they are at an advantageous position in a conversation is their cue to run the victory lap and celebrate their own intellectual superiority.
Don’t do this! When you have shown that your friends views range from “poorly grounded” to just plain false make it easy for your friend to change their views without losing their dignity. Never celebrate a demonstration of their ill-informed beliefs or your own well-established beliefs. Make every conversation a conversation that everybody can walk away from with their heads held high.
Proverbs 23:23 – The Value of Truth
Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.
(Pro 23:23 ESV)
This is not unlike last week’s Proverb about applying your heart to understanding; it takes effort. In this case the effort may be money. How does one “buy” truth? The commentaries and dictionaries I have access to seem to suggest that “buy” is meant figuratively in the sense that coming into possession of it is costly and worthwhile; it is not literally about money. Truth doesn’t rain from heaven, randomly falling into your lap, but is something you need to work for. But, oh, the reward of your effort. Continue reading
Proverbs 23:12 – Education isn’t Accidental
Apply your heart to instruction and your ear to words of knowledge.
(Pro 23:12 ESV)
Notice how we are supposed to “apply” our hearts to instruction. It is not merely a matter of being open to instruction if it happens to fall in our laps, but we should seek it out. It is our responsibility. Instruction and knowledge take effort and we need to put in that effort. That is why I dedicated an entire chapter in Arguing with Friends to listing resources for the interested reader (i.e. the reader who takes proverbs like this one seriously) to seek out their own personal edification in life’s biggest questions. It’s your job, do it! Continue reading
Proverbs 22:01 – Respect or Riches?
It is better to be respected than to be rich. A good name is worth more than silver or gold.
(Pro 22:1 ERV)
Now I don’t for a second think that this verse is about being a people pleaser. Rather the intent is to make a name for yourself by being the kind of person who warrants respect. A people pleaser panders for respect, a person with a “good name” earns respect.
Earning respect is difficult. It requires work. It required consistent integrity. But earning respect will keep friends closer, and gives you leeway in dealing with them. Earn respect, not riches.
Taking a break from blogging
I have been learning something about myself through this process of writing a book and blogging. I prefer writing a book to blogging. I see merit in both and I wish I were equally capable and excited about both, but the truth of the matter is that I think I do better with long-term projects where I get to really develop a theme for a period of time and mull it over at length than I do with the fast-paced world of blogging.
Perhaps I set false expectations for myself as a blogger. That’s certainly possible and wouldn’t be the first time I aimed too high in life.
At any rate, I’m just feeling like I’m drying up on this blogging thing. So when you combine that with the fact that I have a number of other life responsibilities right now that need a little more attention it brings me to one conclusion; I need a break from blogging at Arguing with Friends. I intend to continue my weekly little blurbs on the “Proverbs” theme, and if there is any news about the book or interesting links I come across I’ll probably blast out a quick entry, but any writing of real substance related to my book will need to take a back seat. I will probably still tweet every once in a while if you’ve been following my twitter account (@ArguingWFriends).
So I guess I won’t be completely dead in the water, just idling for a while.
I’m not sure when or how I will jump back in the game (or maybe I’ll just write another book instead) but for the next while it’ll get a lot quieter around here. Thanks for reading; I hope you have found some rewarding nuggets in all this. Perhaps consider purchasing the book if you did!
God bless, and may your arguments be friendly!
Arguing with Friends – the first “official” book review
This is a particularly wonderful treat for my Saturday morning. Arguing with Friends has a book review posted at Apologetics 315. Mary Lou summarizes my book and offers her assessment with comments such as, Continue reading
Another free Kindle book
I haven’t read it yet, but the title sounds promising and the price is RIGHT!
Think and Live: Challenging Believers to Think and Thinkers to Believe
Enjoy.
PS – Speaking of being cheap. Q: How was copper wire invented? A: Two mennonites fighting over a penny. I can poke fun because I am Mennonite.
Arguing With Friends 