11 "Strawmen" that Christians Hold against Each Other

11 "Strawmen" that Christians Hold against Each Other

Today's post might be more like a "resource" than a devotional. However, it's the result of my commitment (while I have my own views, and those views have changed over time) to put the best construction on what my fellow Christians believe.

 

In his Small Catechism, regarding the commandment not to "bear false witness" against one's neighbor, Martin Luther said, "We should fear and love God so that we do not tell lies about our neighbor, betray him, slander him, or hurt his reputation, but defend him, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way."

 

From a Catholic perspective, back in the 1930s Archbishop Fulton Sheen lamented, "There are not one hundred people in the United States who hate The Catholic Church, but there are millions who hate what they wrongly perceive the Catholic Church to be."

 

Sadly, that lament from the Archbishop is truer than I'd like to admit--but it doesn't apply to just Catholics. We could say something similar about most of our "denominations."

 

There's a reason why in my books (especially the Unfallen Series) I have several different faith traditions in the story, including several Catholic Priests, Lutherans, and Reformed/Baptists, and even Charismatics. I don't try to water-down the differences or act like they don't matter, but I try to show how better understanding can lead to more cooperation in our battle against the "powers and principalities" that threaten us and the world around us. Correcting strawmen wasn't the primary "purpose" of my series, but honestly, one of Jesus' final prayers before his passion was as follows:

 

All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one...I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me (John 17:10-11, 20–21, ESV)

 

Jesus was clear. He desired that we'd be "one." He prayed it about his original twelve disciples first, but then also "for those who will believe in me through their word." That's you and me. His reason is clear: so that the world may believe...

 

As such, if we are not duty-bound to pursuing unity as best as we can, if we do not actively want to be one, even as Jesus prayed we are one, we're not being faithful. That means, disparaging other Christians' views in an uncharitable or inaccurate was is not becoming of anyone who is called to follow Jesus.

 

What Bishop Sheen said about Catholics is very true--I've found a lot of Protestants say things about Catholics all the time that aren't true. They simply don't understand, and resort to "contempt prior to investigation." Conversely, I've heard Catholics do the same thing regarding Protestants, not to mention between other innumerable "denominations."

 

Most if it is tantamount to what's called a "strawman." A strawman argument is a fallacious argument that distorts an opponent's original argument or position into a new, usually oversimplified or extreme, version that is easier to attack. The arguer then refutes this distorted version (the "strawman") instead of the actual argument, giving the impression that they have defeated the opponent's original position.

 

Here's a breakdown of its key characteristics:

  • Misrepresentation: The core of a strawman is misrepresenting the opponent's argument. This can involve:

    • Oversimplification: Reducing a complex argument to a simplistic one.

    • Exaggeration: Blowing a moderate claim out of proportion.

    • Distortion: Twisting the meaning of words or phrases.

    • Fabrication: Inventing an argument that the opponent never made.

  • Ease of Attack: The distorted "strawman" version is intentionally made weaker or more absurd than the original, making it easy to refute or ridicule.

  • Diversion: It diverts attention away from the real issue and the actual argument being made.

  • False Victory: By successfully attacking the strawman, the arguer creates the illusion of having won the debate or discredited the opponent's true position, even though they haven't addressed it.

I think it should be clear that as Christians, we should strive to understand each other in the most charitable way possible. That means avoiding divisive strawmen. After all, it's better to lose an argument and still love your brother than it is to win an argument (even over an important doctrine) through deceit or hate.

 

Here are a few "strawmen" I've compiled as I've thought about things I frequently hear from people when talking about what other people believe. The purpose of this, today, is to shed light on these mistaken views. After all, we don't always construct strawmen on purpose. Often, we believe our strawmen are true-to-form regarding others... but if we have better understanding of one another, we're more likely to find common ground.

 

It's crucial we do--and Jesus' prayer quoted above tells us why.

 

1. Regarding Salvation and Works:

 

  • Strawman: "Protestants believe you don't have to do good works at all; you only need to believe in God, so they live however they want."

    • Reality: While Protestants emphasize salvation by grace through faith alone (sola fide), they generally believe that true faith produces good works as a natural outflow, not as a means to earn salvation. Many emphasize sanctification, growing in holiness. While it's true that some protestants believe in "once saved always saved," many protestants believe that it's possible to lose your salvation if you persist in evil/sinful actions without repentance.

  • Strawman: "Catholics believe you can earn your salvation through good works and rituals, like going to Mass, or Confession, or saying prayers, and that's why they don't truly rely on Christ's sacrifice."

    • Reality: The Catholic Church teaches that salvation is a gift from God through Christ's sacrifice, received through faith, and that good works are a necessary response to that grace, cooperating with it. They emphasize that grace is primary.

 

2. Regarding Authority and Interpretation:

 

  • Strawman: "Protestants just make up their own interpretations of the Bible because they have no central authority, leading to endless divisions."

    • Reality: While Protestantism embraces individual interpretation guided by the Holy Spirit, most denominations have established theological traditions, confessions, and scholarly resources to help guide interpretation, and many value community discernment.

  • Strawman: "Catholics blindly follow the Pope and Church tradition without thinking for themselves, and they don't even read the Bible."

    • Reality: Catholics are encouraged to read the Bible, and the Church sees tradition as a living transmission of faith alongside Scripture. Tradition isn't seen as a totally separate "source" of revelation, but is a guide for how to interpret God's revelation as it's been received by Christians for two thousand years. While the Pope holds a unique authoritative role, individual Catholics are still called to engage their faith thoughtfully and are not expected to be mindless automatons.

 

3. Regarding Sacraments and Rituals:

 

  • Strawman: "Presbyterians (or other Reformed traditions) and Lutherans believe that baptizing babies saves them."

    • Reality: Reformed churches practice infant baptism as a sign of the covenant, identifying the child as part of God's covenant people, much like circumcision in the Old Testament. They typically do not believe baptism itself saves the infant but is a sign and seal of God's promise. Lutherans affirm that Baptism saves, but only insofar as faith clings to the promises that God attaches to Baptism, similar to how one might say they were saved by a "sermon," (that's the instrument God used to present His Gospel to them) even though it's faith that believes what's preached according to the Gospel that saves.

  • Strawman: "Charismatics/Pentecostals are just focused on emotional experiences and seeking supernatural manifestations, neglecting sound doctrine."

    • Reality: While valuing spiritual gifts and experiences, many Charismatic/Pentecostal traditions emphasize sound biblical teaching and a life of discipleship. It is true that in some circles "charismatic phenomena" and supposed "prophecy" has led to innovative and debatable claims, most Charismatics insist that their expression of these "spiritual gifts" must be discerned and normed by Scripture.

  • Strawman: "Catholics believe that the bread and wine literally become the physical body and blood of Christ, which is cannibalistic. They also believe that when they have Mass they are sacrificing Jesus over and over again on their altars!"

    • Reality: The Catholic doctrine of Transubstantiation teaches that the substance of the bread and wine changes into the Body and Blood of Christ, while the accidents (appearances, taste, etc.) remain. It's a theological mystery, not a claim of physical cannibalism. The "Sacrifice of the Mass" isn't a "re-sacrificing" of Jesus, but a re-presentation of the once-for-all sacrifice that Jesus offered to us on the cross. In other words, it's about elevating the one sacrifice that Jesus accomplished at Calvary in the presence of the congregation, not about making repeated sacrifices. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church the mass is called a "holy sacrifice, because it makes present the one sacrifice of Chacrifice, pure and holy sacrifice are also used, since it completes and surpasses all the sacrifices of the Old Covenant" (CCC, 1330).

 

4. Regarding God's Nature and Attributes:

 

  • Strawman: "Calvinists believe God arbitrarily chooses who goes to heaven and hell, making Him an unloving tyrant."

    • Reality: Calvinism emphasizes God's sovereignty and predestination, but proponents argue this highlights God's grace in salvation, maintaining that God is just and loving, and that human responsibility for sin is not negated.

  • Strawman: "Arminians believe humans have free will to choose God, making salvation dependent on human effort rather than God's grace."

    • Reality: Arminians emphasize human free will and responsibility, believing God's grace enables belief, but the individual must respond. They typically affirm grace as essential for salvation.

5. Regarding Mary:

 

  • Strawman (often from some Protestants about Catholics/Orthodox): "Catholics/Orthodox worship Mary and believe she is equal to God or even divine. They pray to her as if she's a goddess."

    • Reality (Catholic/Orthodox): Both Catholicism and Orthodoxy hold Mary in high veneration as the Mother of God (Theotokos) and a model of faith. However, they explicitly teach that worship (latria) is due to God alone. Veneration (dulia) of Mary and the saints is distinct and refers to honoring them for their holiness and their unique role in God's plan. Prayers to Mary are understood as asking her to intercede with God on their behalf, similar to asking a living friend to pray for you, not as if she has divine power independently. This is rooted in Israel's tradition in the Davidic Kingdom of the "Queen Mother," (e.g. Bathsheba is crowned next to Solomon as his mother) who often heard intercessions for the people and presented them to the King. The "Queen Mother" was highly revered, and it's believed that when the Angel told Mary that she'd bear the Christ, Elizabeth's response to her (when Mary goes to visit) as an older woman hailing Mary, suggests that both women understood that Mary was going to become the "Queen Mother" of the new Kingdom brought about by the Messiah. Likewise, when Catholics refer to Mary as "Mother of God" they are not saying that Mary gave birth to the infinite God prior to creation, but that in time, in history, the baby of Mary's womb was actually God.

  • Strawman (often from some Catholics/Orthodox about Protestants): "Protestants disrespect Mary and deny her importance, treating her as just an ordinary woman."

    • Reality (Protestant): Most Protestants affirm Mary's virgin birth and her unique role as the mother of Jesus, acknowledging her blessedness as described in Scripture (Luke 1:48). However, they generally do not believe in her perpetual virginity, immaculate conception, or bodily assumption, nor do they venerate her or pray to her, believing that prayer should be directed to God alone through Christ. In fact, some Protestants (e.g. Luther and Calvin) have historically affirmed the perpetual virginity and immaculate conception of Mary. Most mainline Protestants also affirm the phrase "Mother of God" as valid concerning Mary, so long as it's understood (as Catholics understand it) ;to affirm Jesus' identity as Divine. Protestants largely honor Mary, but do not emphasize her role in the same way as Catholics or Orthodox.

 

6. Regarding Saints and Intercession:

 

  • Strawman (often from some Protestants about Catholics/Orthodox): "Catholics/Orthodox believe that saints can grant salvation or that praying to saints is a form of idolatry, bypassing Jesus as the sole mediator."

    • Reality (Catholic/Orthodox): Both traditions teach that Christ is the only mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5). Prayers to saints are understood as asking them to intercede with God on our behalf, just as one might ask a living person to pray for them. Saints are seen as part of the "communion of saints," a spiritual bond between believers on earth and those in heaven, who are alive in Christ. Their intercession is believed to be effective because they are in God's presence. In this view, including the saints in their prayer is a radical affirmation that (1) Jesus' body cannot be divided even in death since he's raised from the dead and that (2) those who "die" in the faith are not truly dead at all (so this isn't necromancy as the strawman sometimes claims) but a recognition that we remain fully alive because Jesus rose from the dead (John 11:25-26).

  • Strawman (often from some Catholics/Orthodox about Protestants): "Protestants reject the communion of saints and believe that once people die, they are no longer connected to us or able to pray for us."

    • Reality (Protestant): Protestants generally affirm the "communion of saints" in terms of all believers, living and dead, being united in Christ. However, they typically believe that prayer should be directed to God alone. While they believe departed saints are in God's presence, and may even pray for us they do not practice invoking saints for intercession, seeing it as either unnecessary or potentially infringing upon Christ's unique mediatorial role. They often emphasize that believers can directly approach God through Jesus.

       

7. Regarding the End Times (Eschatology):

 

  • Strawman (often from Amillennialists/Postmillennialists about Premillennialists/Dispensationalists): "These 'end-times fanatics' are constantly setting dates for the Rapture and the Second Coming, and when they're wrong, they just move the goalposts. They're so obsessed with the future that they neglect present social justice and evangelism."

    • Reality (Premillennial/Dispensational): While some individuals or groups have indeed set dates, mainstream premillennial and dispensational theology explicitly warns against date-setting, emphasizing that "no one knows the day or hour." Their focus on future prophecy is often tied to a belief in the literal fulfillment of biblical predictions, and many adherents are deeply committed to evangelism and social action, believing that the urgency of the Lord's return motivates these efforts. The "escapist" label is also a common strawman, ignoring the emphasis on righteous living and perseverance.

  • Strawman (often from Premillennialists/Dispensationalists about Amillennialists/Postmillennialists): "Those who don't believe in a literal millennial reign of Christ on earth deny the clear promises of God in Scripture and essentially spiritualize away prophecy, making it irrelevant."

    • Reality (Amillennial/Postmillennial): Amillennialists and Postmillennialists interpret apocalyptic and prophetic texts more symbolically or typologically, believing that the millennium is either Christ's current reign from heaven (Amillennialism) or a future golden age brought about by the Church's influence before Christ's return (Postmillennialism). They don't "deny" prophecy but interpret it differently, often emphasizing the already-fulfilled aspects of Christ's kingdom and the spiritual nature of God's promises. They value prophecy for its theological insights and ethical implications.

 

8. Regarding Israel and the Church:

 

  • Strawman (often from Dispensationalists about Covenant Theologians/Replacement Theologians): "Covenant theologians believe God has abandoned physical Israel and replaced them entirely with the Church, which is antisemitic and ignores God's enduring promises to the Jewish people."

    • Reality (Covenant/Supersessionist Theology): "Supersessionism" (often called "Replacement Theology," though many who hold it dislike the term) is a broad term. Most covenant theologians do not believe God has utterly abandoned Israel. Rather, they see the Church as the fulfillment or continuation of God's covenant people, encompassing both believing Jews and Gentiles in Christ. They interpret Old Testament promises to Israel as being fulfilled spiritually in the Church, or ultimately in Christ. Many emphasize that individual Jews can still come to faith in Christ and be part of this "new Israel."

  • Strawman (often from Covenant Theologians/Amillennialists about Dispensationalists): "Dispensationalists elevate ethnic Israel above the Church, believing God has two separate peoples with two separate plans of salvation, which undermines the unity of Christ's body and leads to an uncritical support of modern political Israel."

    • Reality (Dispensational): Dispensationalists maintain a theological distinction between Israel (ethnic, national) and the Church (the body of Christ, primarily Gentile but including believing Jews). They believe God has distinct, though related, plans for each. While some may express strong support for modern Israel, this is rooted in their interpretation of biblical prophecy concerning a future national restoration and spiritual redemption of Israel, not a belief in two separate paths to salvation. They emphasize that salvation for both Jew and Gentile is only through faith in Jesus Christ.

9. Regarding the Pope (Papacy):

 

  • Strawman (often from some Protestants about Catholics): "Catholics believe the Pope is infallible in everything he says, even about what he had for breakfast, and that he's essentially another god on Earth who can't make mistakes."

    • Reality (Catholic): The doctrine of papal infallibility is very specific and limited. It states that the Pope is preserved from error only when he speaks ex cathedra (from the chair of Peter) on matters of faith and morals, intending to define a doctrine for the whole Church. This has happened very rarely in history. It does not mean he is impeccable (sinless) or infallible in his personal opinions, scientific views, or even in his ordinary teaching. Catholics believe the Pope's authority is a service to the unity of the Church and to preserve the Deposit of Faith, not an elevation to divinity.

  • Strawman (often from some Catholics about Protestants): "Protestants reject all authority and believe that anyone can interpret the Bible however they want, leading to chaos and no true understanding of Christ's teachings."

    • Reality (Protestant): While Protestants reject the supreme authority of the Pope, they do not reject all authority. Most Protestant denominations have their own forms of church governance (e.g., congregational, presbyterian, episcopal), creeds, confessions, and theological traditions that guide interpretation and doctrine. The emphasis on sola Scriptura (Scripture alone) means Scripture is the ultimate authority, but it is understood and interpreted within the community of faith, often with the guidance of pastors, scholars, and historical confessions.

 

10. Regarding the Definition of the Church:

 

  • Strawman (often from some Protestants about Catholics/Orthodox): "Catholics/Orthodox believe that only those who are members of their specific institutional church can be truly saved, and everyone else is automatically condemned."

    • Reality (Catholic/Orthodox): While both the Catholic and Orthodox Churches see themselves as the fullness of the Church established by Christ, their official teaching on salvation is more nuanced than this strawman suggests. The Catholic Church, for instance, teaches that "the Church is necessary for salvation," but also acknowledges that God's grace can work outside of its visible boundaries and that those who, through no fault of their own, do not know Christ or his Church but sincerely seek God and live according to their conscience, can also achieve eternal salvation. The Orthodox Church has similar perspectives, emphasizing the mystery of God's saving grace. They do not claim to know the boundaries of God's mercy.

  • Strawman (often from some Catholics/Orthodox about Protestants): "Protestants believe the 'Church' is just an invisible collection of individual believers with no real unity, structure, or continuity from the Apostles, making it a purely human invention."

    • Reality (Protestant): Most Protestants affirm both an "invisible Church" (all true believers, known only to God) and a "visible Church" (local congregations and denominations). While they may have different views on the precise nature of apostolic succession or church governance compared to Catholics and Orthodox, they generally believe the Church is a divinely instituted body, called to visible unity (though disagreeing on how that is achieved) and to carry on the work of Christ in the world. They often emphasize the spiritual unity of believers in Christ despite denominational differences.

11. Regarding the Origins of Catholic Doctrine and the "True" Early Church:

 

  • Strawman (often from some Protestants about Catholics): "Catholicism isn't the original Christian faith; it's a corrupted version that only truly emerged after Emperor Constantine made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire. He paganized it, adding rituals, idol worship, and a hierarchy, and that's where all the 'unbiblical' Catholic doctrines like the papacy, veneration of saints, and elaborate sacraments really came from. The true, simple, biblical early church was lost until the Protestant Reformation rediscovered it."

    • Reality (Catholic Historical and Theological View): The Catholic Church asserts its continuous historical and theological lineage directly from the Apostles, founded by Jesus Christ. While the Edict of Milan (Constantine, 313 AD) ended persecution and allowed Christianity to flourish openly, doctrines like the papacy (rooted in Peter's primacy), the Eucharist, and an episcopal structure were developing and widely present in the Church well before Constantine. Early Church Fathers (like Ignatius of Antioch, Irenaeus, Cyprian) frequently discussed these elements. The claim that Constantine "invented" Catholic doctrine or "paganized" it is a significant oversimplification and misrepresentation of complex historical and theological developments that spanned centuries. The Church teaches that doctrine develops under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, clarifying and articulating truths implicit from the beginning, not inventing them.

  • Strawman (often from some Catholics about Protestants): "Protestants claim to be the 'early church' reborn, but they just pick and choose doctrines, creating thousands of denominations that contradict each other. Their 'early church' is a fantasy because they lack historical continuity, apostolic succession, and a consistent understanding of tradition, meaning they have no real connection to the first Christians."

    • Reality (Protestant Historical and Theological View): Many Protestants believe that the Reformation was a reform or restoration of the Church to its original biblical purity, which they argue had been corrupted over centuries. They emphasize sola Scriptura as the means to return to the teachings of the Apostles. While acknowledging denominational diversity, they often assert a spiritual unity among all true believers in Christ. They may argue that "apostolic succession" is primarily about faithful adherence to apostolic teaching (as found in Scripture) rather than an unbroken line of episcopal ordination. They see the early church as characterized by a focus on the Gospel message, simpler worship, and the authority of Scripture, which they believe they are returning to, rather than claiming an identical institutional structure.

Why do strawman arguments flourish?

 

  • Lack of understanding: People may not have a deep or accurate understanding of other denominations' actual theological positions.

  • Confirmation bias: People seek out information that confirms their existing beliefs and dismiss information that contradicts them.

  • Desire to "win" an argument: It's easier to defeat a caricatured version of an argument than the real thing.

  • Historical prejudices: Long-standing denominational rivalries and past conflicts can contribute to negative stereotypes. Let's face it, after a division (like the Reformation) each side (believing they were the good guys) faced the temptation to villainize the other. To make heroes out of Reformers, for example, means making villains out of popes and bishops. This breeds prejudice, usually from "insecurity" to justify one's own tradition, rather than understand the complex historical issues that led to reforms in the past.

  • Oversimplification in brief discussions: Social media and quick conversations often don't allow for nuanced explanations. I've followed many "social media" debates where each side was talking past the other, constantly insisting that the other side believes things they don't. This venue is rarely profitable for real dialogue, and usually leaves people feeling bitter and more divided than before.

 

Christians are called to charity, truthfulness, and understanding, which means seeking to accurately represent the beliefs of others, even when disagreeing. I didn't indicate where I stand on the above issues, and did my best to try and be fair/accurate to all sides involved. Though, I'm not perfect either. Regardless, I think Jesus' High Priestly Prayer makes it incumbent on all of us to see common ground, to pray for unity, and to put the best rather than the worst construction on other Christians' beliefs. That doesn't mean we marginalize or water-down our differences, but it does mean we understand the actual nature of our divisions so we can dialogue in a fruitful way rather than trying to "win" arguments against strawmen.

 

I know this was a long one today, and like I said, it's probably more of a resource than my usual devotions. But I think it's important. After all, Jesus prayed for our unity so that the world would know His truth. Our divisions are and remain a scandal that's frankly inexcusable. We have a duty, I believe, not to "celebrate" our divisions, but to lament them, and to seek better understanding of each other.

 

In Jesus' name,

Judah

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