Arguing from the Unknown

“…that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.” (1 Corinthians 4:6, ESV)

When it comes to engaging with unbelievers on the street or discussing matters with our brothers and sisters in the church, it’s reckless to dive into debates over what Scripture doesn’t reveal—this is what we call an argument from silence. This flawed method of reasoning tries to construct a theological or doctrinal stance based on what the Bible does not say, rather than confronting the truths it does proclaim. Attempting to argue from the shadows of uncertainty or the silence of the Scriptures is not just problematic; it’s a dangerous game that leads people astray.

Examples of Arguments from Silence

The following are arguments from silence.

Jesus never spoke about ___________

It’s amazing when you are on the street sharing the gospel and someone comes and declares, “Jesus never said anything about homosexuality, so He must not have disapproved of it!”

Just because Jesus didn’t directly address a topic doesn’t mean He approved of it. Jesus affirmed the authority of the Old Testament (Matthew 5:17-18) and upheld God’s design for marriage. He says in Matthew 19:4-5, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female? Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh?”

Jesus’ silence on certain issues doesn’t override the rest of Scripture, which He affirmed.

Women Pastors/Elders

Many people claim that since the Bible doesn’t condemn women elders and pastors, that they must be allowed to serve in that role. This is an argument from silence because it assumes that because Scripture doesn’t forbid something, therefore it must be permitted. However, the Bible does give positive instruction about church leadership and what that looks like. Several verses used are:

• 1 Timothy 2:11-14 NKJV – Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.
• 1 Timothy 3:1-2, 5 NKJV – This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; … (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?);
• Titus 1:5-6 NKJV – For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you– if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination.

It’s safe to say that the Bible is clear that it is men who are to lead the church as the plurality of elders and not women. Not much room for deviation here, but suprisingly is ignored in many congregations and denominations.

Jesus’ Childhood

The Bible provides very little information regarding Jesus’ childhood, especially his life between the ages of 12 and 30. It’s amazing how scholars who should know better often speculate what His life might have looked like without actually being told. Some go as far as to say that He must have sinned at some point prior to His baptism. But we should never speculate about what is not written.

Mary, the mother of Jesus

The Roman Catholic Church is one of the guiltiest when it comes to speculation and the Bible, especially about Mary, the mother of Jesus. The Roman Catholic Church teaches in its Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), about Mary is not found in the Bible. Some of which are:

• That Mary was sinless (CCC’s 491, 493, 966, 967)
• That Mary ascended into heaven like Jesus because she was sinless–the assumption of Mary (CCC’s 966, 974, 829)
• Mary is the cause of salvation (CCC’s 494, 511, 966, 968, 969, 973)
• Mary as a mediatrix to come between us and Christ (CCC’s 511, 969)

One would be searching all of eternity for verses in the Bible and history to substantiate these claims because they don’t exist. So one must ask, “From where do they get this information and from what authority?” One can only summise that it is from themselves–the Roman Catholic Church is the authority.

In my article, “There’s Something About Mary,” describes this classic argument from silence about the assumption of Mary, and that the Roman Catholic Church just “made it up.”

In November of 1950, Pope Pius XII declared what is called “The Assumption of Mary”. It was the idea that Mary did not die, but was taken up to heaven bodily and is alive and well as Jesus is. If you look in the previous section in CCC 969 it says Mary was, “Taken up to heaven she did not lay aside this saving office but by her manifold intercession continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation”. In the award-winning volume set, Catholicism, by Catholic Theologian Richard P. McBrian, he indicates that the event never took place, and that it was just an idea that had caught on and believed in the church.

“From the beginning of the sixth century various churches celebrated Mary’s bodily assumption into heaven. The belief originated not from biblical evidence, nor even patristic testimony, but as the conclusion of a so-called argument from convenience or fittingness. It was “fitting” that Jesus should have rescued his mother from the corruption of the flesh, and so he “must have” taken her bodily into heaven.” (McBrien, Vol II, 873).

It’s quite possible that most Roman Catholic beliefs like purgatory, praying to saints, sacraments and so on, stem from arguments from silence and not Scripture because they fail to quote Scripture directly on issues. One must wonder–for what reason were they ever created in the first place?

Summary

Arguments from the unknown are inherently weak, as they depend on what remains unspoken rather than the clarity of what has been articulated. This diversion transforms the discourse from the distinct to mere speculation and fantasy. Consequently, it often misguides individuals into adopting false teachings, heresies, and into joining religious cults such as Mormonism and the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (Jehovah’s Witnesses).

Deuteronomy 29:29 ESV – “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.”

The Bible provides clear and authoritative instruction on many issues, and we must confidently interpret Scripture based on what God revealed, not on what remains hidden. Let us boldly walk by faith (Hebrews 11:1) and not speculation.