The Message on Trial - Part 2: Difference between revisions
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====The Revealing Admission.==== | ====The Revealing Admission.==== | ||
Francis says critics "end up saying things that the prophet taught" when answering his questions. He frames this as a gotcha — but it actually demolishes his own narrative. If people who have left the Message still find theological value in some of Branham's teachings, that proves they are nuanced thinkers, not blind haters. It is entirely possible — indeed, it is intellectually honest — to acknowledge that someone taught some true things while also acknowledging they made demonstrably false claims. A broken clock is right twice a day. Acknowledging that Branham occasionally quoted Scripture correctly does not vindicate his failed prophecies, his fabricated stories, or his "Thus Saith the Lord" statements that never came to pass. Francis knows this. He is counting on his audience not to notice. | Francis says critics "end up saying things that the prophet taught" when answering his questions. He frames this as a gotcha — but it actually demolishes his own narrative. If people who have left the Message still find theological value in some of Branham's teachings, that proves they are nuanced thinkers, not blind haters. It is entirely possible — indeed, it is intellectually honest — to acknowledge that someone taught some true things while also acknowledging they made demonstrably false claims. A broken clock is right twice a day. Acknowledging that Branham occasionally quoted Scripture correctly does not vindicate his failed prophecies, his fabricated stories, or his "Thus Saith the Lord" statements that never came to pass. Francis knows this. He is counting on his audience not to notice. | ||
====Allistair rejects the scriptural pattern==== | |||
Paul the apostle, by his own conduct, refutes Allistair's argument: | |||
:Acts 9:22 - Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah. | |||
:Acts 9:28-29 - Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, q but they tried to kill him. | |||
:Acts 17:17–18 - So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. | |||
:Acts 18:28 - For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah. | |||
We have issued Allistar Francis a public invitation to have a discussion of all of these issues on our podcast, [[List of Off The Shelf podcast episodes|Off The Shelf]]. | |||
====> Fallacy Identified: Poisoning the Well / Avoiding Engagement.==== | ====> Fallacy Identified: Poisoning the Well / Avoiding Engagement.==== | ||