“Logic,” from the Greek word logos, is the science of correct reasoning, and provides tools for analyzing the form and content of arguments. Logic addresses the relationship of premises (or evidence) to conclusions, and helps us determine whether our reasoning is straight or crooked. That is, does our conclusion necessarily follow from the premises, or have we “jumped” to conclusions. The disciplines of logical reasoning are fast becoming a thing of the past, an artifact of a classical education. Feelings, emotions and rhetoric (persuasive speech) are most often the basis of what passes for “reasoning” today. But, if we are ever to “correctly handle the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15), we are going to have to learn to think correctly.
One of the best ways to understand and apply the basics of logic is by becoming familiar with logical fallacies, that is, examples of faulty reasoning. What follows are the main types of fallacious reasoning that we have encountered in the course of researching our book, One God & One Lord. Though the systems of classifying fallacies vary from author to author, we find that there is general agreement among teachers of logic that fallacies come in two general forms: formal and informal. The “formal” fallacies revolve around the syllogism form, which involves a major premise, a minor premise and a conclusion. “Formally” fallacious logic involves some transgression of the proper form of syllogistic reasoning. “Informal” fallacies are those employed in everyday speech, and for the most part involve different ways of slanting or avoiding evidence en route to a conclusion.
The fallacy of accent is employed whenever an emphasis is placed on a written or spoken communication in a way that materially alters its original or intended meaning. To interpret any piece of literature logically, one must be sensitive to the context and original meaning intended by the author and not alter that meaning by misplaced emphasis. This misplaced emphasis can occur quite subtly. Without changing a word, a piece of written material can be made to say something entirely different from what was intended by the author. A common form of this fallacy is the altering of punctuation, which is particularly significant for biblical research because the original text of Scripture contained no punctuation marks. For instance, the addition of a comma can dramatically alter the simple sentence, “God made man,” (as in God created man) to “God, made man” (as in God became man). What a big difference!
To continue reading this Bible article, click here.
Author: BiblicalUnitarian.com
Keywords: trinity, trinitarian, triune, three persons, three persons in one God, trinitarianism, trinity is a mystery, logic, logical fallacy, logical fallacies, fallacy, fallacies, false doctrine, Reason, reasoning
Bible reference(s): Matthew 28:19, 1 Corinthians 15:24, 1 Corinthians 15:27-28, 1Tim 3:16, 2 Timothy 2:15, 2 Timothy 4:3, Titus 1:9, 1 John 5:7-8, James 1:13, 1 Timothy 2:5, 1 Corinthians 8:6, Eph 4:6, Isaiah 1:18, Matthew 13:15, John 12:40, 1 Timothy 1:4, 2 Timothy 2:23, 1 Timothy 6:4
Source: “Logical Fallacies Employed in Trinitarian Theology,” biblicalunitarian.com
Page indexed by: inWORD Bible Software.