Special pleading, continued:

Can these questions be applied to themselves?

“There is no truth.” – “Is that true?”

“We can’t know anything.” – “Then how do you know that?”

“All truth is relative.” – “Is that truth relative?”

Strawman

What is it?

Ephesians 4:1-3

Mark 14:55-58; John 2:19

“Changing or exaggerating the position of an opponent to make it easier to refute.”

Spiritual importance

This type of tactic is often seen in debates between creation and evolution:

“Creationists do not believe that animals change. But clearly, animals do change. Therefore, creationists are mistaken.”

“Creationists do not believe in science.”

“Creationists believe that species never change in any way.”

“Creationists say there are no good mutations.”

“The Bible teaches that the earth has literal pillars and corners and cannot be moved. It is clearly wrong. (Isaiah 11:12; Psalms 75:3)”

“Creationists don’t believe in the scientific method. They say you should just look to the Bible for all your answers.”

“Creationists don’t believe in rationality. They take things on blind faith instead.”

Think of how Bible discussions might devolve into unprofitable spats if we mischaracterize what the other person believes.

“Oh, you don’t believe baptism is necessary for salvation? In other words, you don’t believe God is sovereign!”

“Oh, you don’t believe baptism is necessary for salvation? In other words, you think we should just throw the Bible away!”

“You Calvinists don’t believe in obedience!”

“You atheists don’t believe in morality.”

I Corinthians 13:4-7 – Christians are to correct those in opposition with gentleness and patience.