Hasty Argumentation

Last updated on: February 20, 2018 at 6:41 am by John Mark N. Reynolds

Hasty Argumentation 2018-02-19T23:08:30-04:00 John Mark N. Reynolds

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Yes, there are replies one can use to put a brake on this hasty argumentativeness, a hastiness which is dangerous in all manners, but especially in discussions about God. *

If an idea draws reasonable controversy, or deals with difficult problems, then here is a safe rule: nobody can master that idea quickly or solve that problem with a homemade YouTube video. Want to know how to spot a person who does not wish to learn by argument, but is simply argumentative?

They will focus on what is wrong with what you did or said and either have no training in what they critique or have no positive alternative. There is nothing wrong with a critique, but the best come from someone who has done serious thinking about the subject. You might not have an alternative, but if you have worked hard to learn about a subject over time, then you likely have something to say worth hearing. Still, the best critic will be able to point to something better: not a film made like this one, but a film shot this way instead.

Forming a positive alternative requires even more knowledge, but also soundness of soul. Argumentativeness is anger masked as intellectual activity with hastiness as the cover up strategy. An argumentative person does not like actual arguments, but is interested in expressing an opinion and never reading or considering contrary points of view. The argumentative person does not just have a mind immune to change, but a mouth unable to cease opining.

Since the argumentative person often claims to enjoy arguments, his incessant harping makes many kind people think they hate dialog or intellectual activity. So the danger is not just from the Argumentative Man, but from the negativity he leaves in his wake toward real education or genuine theology. If the almost foolproof sign of the person who is argumentative is haste, then the result is always less reading, less discussion, and fewer friendships.

The argumentative man thinks he can read some blogs, follow a Twitter thread or two, watch some online videos and “get it.” He quickly shares what he has learned and loves the “mic drop” moment or meme that sums it all up. He may have no training in philosophy, but he gets that it is all bull. He is not a climate scientist, has limited math background, yet knows that “they” are just in the pay of “them.”

The argumentative man wants to win!

The argumentative man must be hasty, because the person educated in reasoning has to do harder work than the argumentative man is willing to do. He knows the truth, so he just lays down the truth. If we do not get it, then too bad for us.

The argumentative man will always focus on negatives, because they are easy to see. As Gregory points out: “To censure, of course, is a trivial task- anyone so minded can do it quite easily. But to substitute one’s own view takes a man of sound religion and true sense.”

Saint Gregory makes these comments to preface his presentation of his own views on Christology, some of the most profound written. Only then will he attack the views of his hasty and argumentative opponents. He is doing the hardest work first and opening himself up to return arguments. However, the argumentative man is not to be feared, because Gregory is a capable opponent who is not going away.

Drop a metaphorical mic on Saint Gregory and he will pick it up and use it to deepen our knowledge of the truth.**

The man who loves argument and uses it to find the truth persists. Gregory uses tough arguments, is not afraid of rhetorical flourishes (loves them!), but has something to say based on years of patient study.

——————————————-

*from Oration 29 On God and Christ by Gregory Nazianzus (SVS)

**Is the ancient equivalent of a mic-drop moment silence?

On Books

Spiritual Reflections

Previous Post

February 19, 2018

Heretics: The Many Adventures of a Free Thinking Scientist

Next Post

February 21, 2018 Life as Continuum: Read some Mari Evans

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Apologetics Art Culture Education On Books On Education Philosophy Politics Pop Culture Spiritual Reflections Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 July 2025 June 2025 September 2024 July 2024 June 2024 December 2023 June 2023 September 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

I came to Jesus at night to ask about being born again. Who was this Pharisee and member of the Jewish ruling council?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Caiaphas Gamaliel Joseph of Arimathea Nicodemus

Books by This Author John Mark Reynolds

See All Titles »