How Should Christians Reason from the Scriptures to Defend and Prove the Truth?

What Does It Mean to Reason from the Scriptures?

Reasoning from the Scriptures is a practice rooted in the example set by the apostles, particularly Paul, who consistently used the inspired Word of God to engage with both Jews and Gentiles. This method involves explaining, proving, persuading, and defending the truth of Christianity by using the Bible as the ultimate authority.

Acts 17:2-3 describes Paul’s method: "And according to Paul’s custom, he went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, 'This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ'" (UASV). This passage highlights the multi-faceted nature of reasoning from the Scriptures. Paul’s approach involved four key elements: explaining, proving, persuading, and overturning false reasoning, all of which are crucial for effective Christian apologetics.

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Reasoning from the Scriptures is not limited to a one-sided presentation. Instead, it invites dialogue, debate, and the exchange of ideas, all while remaining grounded in the authority of Scripture. Christian apologists and evangelists are called to engage the mind and heart, ensuring that their message is both clear and compelling. As 1 Peter 3:15 reminds believers, "but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence" (UASV).

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How Should Christians Explain Biblical Truth?

Explanation is the first step in reasoning from the Scriptures. It involves clarifying biblical concepts and truths in a way that makes them understandable to others. The Bible contains deep theological ideas and historical contexts that may be difficult for those unfamiliar with it to grasp. Therefore, Christians must patiently and accurately explain the meaning of key passages, doctrines, and principles.

For example, when Paul reasoned with the Jews in Thessalonica, he explained that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead (Acts 17:3). This was a challenging concept for many Jews because their expectation of the Messiah was primarily focused on a conquering king, not a suffering servant. Paul had to carefully explain the prophecies in the Old Testament that pointed to Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s plan, such as Isaiah 53, which speaks of the suffering of the Messiah.

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Likewise, when explaining biblical truths today, Christians must carefully consider their audience. Those with little knowledge of the Bible may need foundational explanations, while those familiar with Scripture may require a deeper exploration of its meaning. The goal is to ensure that the hearer understands the truth in a way that is faithful to Scripture and relevant to their context.

Colossians 4:6 instructs believers, "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person" (UASV). Explanation, therefore, requires both clarity and compassion, guiding others toward a correct understanding of God’s Word.

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What Does It Mean to Prove the Truth from Scripture?

Proving the truth from Scripture involves presenting the Bible as the authoritative source of truth and demonstrating how its claims are both internally consistent and externally verifiable. This step often requires the use of evidence, logic, and reasoning to validate biblical teachings.

In Acts 17:11, the Bereans are commended for their noble character because "they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so" (UASV). The Bereans did not accept Paul’s message blindly; instead, they tested his words against the Scriptures. This process of examining and proving is essential for both the apologist and the hearer.

One of the most effective ways to prove biblical truth is by demonstrating how the Bible fulfills prophecy. For example, the numerous prophecies about the Messiah in the Old Testament, such as Isaiah 7:14 and Micah 5:2, were fulfilled in Jesus Christ, as seen in the New Testament accounts of His birth, life, death, and resurrection. These fulfillments serve as powerful evidence of the divine inspiration of Scripture.

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Additionally, proving the truth may involve addressing questions or doubts that individuals have about the Bible’s reliability. Christians can point to archaeological findings, historical documentation, and the preservation of biblical manuscripts as evidence of the Bible’s authenticity. For example, the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls provides remarkable confirmation of the accuracy of the Old Testament texts over thousands of years.

Ultimately, proving the truth from Scripture is about demonstrating that the Bible is not only spiritually true but also historically and logically sound. As 2 Timothy 3:16-17 states, "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work" (UASV).

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How Can Christians Persuade Others with Scripture?

Persuasion goes beyond simply presenting the facts. It involves appealing to the mind and the heart, seeking to lead others to a personal conviction of the truth. While explanation and proof lay the foundation, persuasion aims to move the individual toward faith and repentance.

In Acts 26:28, King Agrippa responds to Paul’s testimony by saying, "In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian" (UASV). Paul’s reasoning, rooted in Scripture and personal testimony, was so compelling that even a skeptical ruler like Agrippa felt the weight of his message.

Persuasion in apologetics requires a deep understanding of both Scripture and the individual’s unique context. It involves knowing when to present certain truths and how to address the person’s concerns, doubts, or objections. Paul’s approach in Acts 17 when speaking to the Greeks in Athens provides an excellent example of persuasive reasoning. He did not begin by quoting Old Testament prophecies, as he did with the Jews, but instead started with their own cultural beliefs, quoting Greek poets and using their altar to the "unknown god" as a way to introduce the Gospel.

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Similarly, Christians today must meet people where they are, using Scripture in a way that resonates with their experiences and questions. This might involve addressing existential questions, such as the meaning of life, the problem of suffering, or the nature of truth. The key is to connect the truth of Scripture with the concerns of the individual in a way that is both intellectually and emotionally compelling.

2 Corinthians 5:11 emphasizes the importance of persuasion in evangelism: "Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men" (UASV). Persuasion is not about manipulation or coercion; it is about presenting the truth in a way that moves people toward repentance and faith.

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How Should Christians Overturn False Reasoning?

Overturning false reasoning is an essential part of reasoning from the Scriptures. In a world filled with competing worldviews and philosophies, Christians must be prepared to confront and refute ideas that contradict biblical truth. This task requires discernment, knowledge of Scripture, and an understanding of the false beliefs being addressed.

Paul’s ministry provides numerous examples of how to overturn false reasoning. In 2 Corinthians 10:5, he writes, "We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ" (UASV). Paul understood that many people were trapped in false beliefs and that part of his mission was to expose the errors in their thinking and lead them to the truth.

One of the most common forms of false reasoning that Christians must confront is relativism—the belief that truth is subjective and that there are no absolute moral or spiritual truths. This worldview stands in stark contrast to the Bible’s clear teaching that God’s Word is truth (John 17:17). When engaging with relativism, Christians can use Scripture to demonstrate the inherent contradictions in this philosophy. For instance, if all truth is relative, then the statement "there is no absolute truth" must itself be an absolute statement, which is self-defeating.

Another form of false reasoning is the belief in naturalism, which denies the existence of the supernatural and claims that everything can be explained through natural processes. This worldview rejects the possibility of miracles, divine revelation, and the resurrection of Christ. To overturn this false reasoning, Christians can appeal to both Scripture and evidence of the supernatural, such as the resurrection of Jesus, which is a well-documented historical event that cannot be explained by naturalistic means.

Jude 1:3 encourages believers to "contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints" (UASV). Overturning false reasoning is part of this call to contend for the faith, ensuring that the truth of Scripture is upheld against all forms of deception.

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How Can Christians Defend the Faith from Objections?

Defending the faith involves answering the objections and challenges that skeptics and critics raise against Christianity. This task is known as apologetics, which comes from the Greek word apologia, meaning a defense or answer. In 1 Peter 3:15, Christians are commanded to "always be ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you" (UASV). This verse underscores the importance of being prepared to respond to objections with clear and reasoned answers.

One common objection to Christianity is the problem of evil. Skeptics often ask, "If God is all-powerful and all-loving, why does He allow evil and suffering in the world?" To defend the faith against this objection, Christians can turn to Scriptures such as Romans 8:18, which explains that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed to us. The Bible teaches that while evil and suffering are a reality in this fallen world, they are temporary and serve a greater purpose in God’s redemptive plan.

Another objection is the claim that the Bible is full of contradictions. Skeptics point to apparent discrepancies between different accounts in Scripture, such as the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ resurrection. To defend against this objection, Christians must demonstrate that what may appear to be contradictions are actually complementary perspectives. For example, the differences in the resurrection accounts are not contradictions but rather the result of different authors emphasizing different details for their intended audiences.

In defending the faith, it is also essential to point out the internal consistency of Scripture. Despite being written over a span of 1,500 years by more than 40 different authors, the Bible presents a unified and coherent message of God’s plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. This remarkable consistency is evidence of the Bible’s divine inspiration.

Titus 1:9 instructs believers to "hold fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict" (UASV). Defending the faith requires a deep knowledge of Scripture and a willingness to engage with those who oppose it, always doing so with patience, respect, and a desire to lead them to the truth.

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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).