My wife has written a post on the use of phrases like, “It’s just a conversation” and “it’s just a thought experiment” (and, I would add, “it’s just an innocent hypothetical question”) to provide rhetorical cover for the voicing of things that might be better left unsaid.
This tactic has long been familiar to me, thanks to a discovery I made as a young kid (like many others, I’ve been assured). I’d learned that words could be hurtful, but that sometimes people would say otherwise hurtful things in jest; not sincerely, but rather as good-natured ribbing. I employed this knowledge to snipe at my family by saying hurtful things that I may well have meant, only to retreat into the rhetorical cover afforded by the words, “I was only joking,” when confronted.
This didn’t last long, as my mother saw right through me. She pointed out that, regardless of intent (which, thanks to my young discovery of plausible deniability, was impossible to prove one way or the other), some things ought not be uttered. She exhorted me to use the power of my tongue wisely, as Scripture admonishes, and avoid foolish talk.
But I digress.
This tactic is straight out of the guerrilla warfare playbook. As alluded to above, it allows for striking without giving away one’s true position. If a combatant’s position is not known, then a counterattack is difficult to mount unless you are willing and able to take the scorched-earth approach. Unfortunately, that tends to leave lots of innocent casualties, at worst, or at least be very bad for optics as it makes you look overzealous, at best.
The effectiveness of this method makes it a popular choice for those who — for one reason of another — seek to undermine faith in the clear words of Scripture.
“Did God really say? Not that I’m claiming he didn’t, I’m just asking. Y’know, as a thought experiment. Don’t be so uptight, it’s only a conversation.”
Now, that’s not to say that playing devil’s advocate — taking a position you may or may not hold for the sake of argument — is wrong in every scenario. Examining ideas and concepts in the abstract is a phenomenal tool for our God-given intellects to employ.
But therein lies the key: “God-given.” If we use this tool in a way that is contrary to God and His revealed truth, then we are using it wrongly. I’m often reminded that God was very clear with the Israelites that, when it came to blasphemy, there was no such thing as “protected speech.” Therefore, when we converse, conduct thought-experiments, and ask questions, it should be with the goal of honoring the Creator. Fearing, loving, and trusting in God above all things, if you will.
And, if a person is taking shots at God and His revealed word under the rhetorical cover of such phrases as those above…
Be very, very wary.
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