Introduction

Whenever I talk with someone concerning the scriptures and what they say, I usually know when the conversation is going to end as their response is, “You believe what you want to believe, and I’ll believe what I want to believe.” I’ve gotten that response a few times and it’s basically, their way of saying, “I’m done listening to you!”

Avoiding religious discussions in this way is essentially a way of dodging questions that they don’t want to know the real answer. They assume that their beliefs are good enough to get them into heaven and that’s all that matters. Rather than answering truthfully, they dodge the question. The bible has two such examples.

Jesus vs. The Pharisees

Jesus contended with the scribes and pharisees on a regular basis. Regardless of what he taught; they were not going to be bested by a carpenter’s son.

In Matthew 21, they asked Jesus a direct question, Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?” But Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things: The baptism of John–where was it from? From heaven or from men?” And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the multitude, for all count John as a prophet.” So they answered Jesus and said, “We do not know.” And He said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” (Matthew 21:23-27)

The pharisees dodged the question given to them by Jesus because neither answer would put them in a favorable light. They answered we don’t know which is the same as avoiding the question altogether.

Paul vs. King Agrippa

A similar encounter took place when the apostle Paul was brought before Festus, King Agrippa, and their entourage in Ceasarea. Through the bulk of chapter 26, Paul laid out his defense. Festus brought in King Agrippa to aid in the judgement as he was knowledgeable in Jewish law.

As Paul concluded, Festus called him mad, but Paul responded that he wasn’t mad and then added, “For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.” Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” (Acts 26:26-28)

You will notice in verse 28, that Agrippa sidestepped the question altogether and made a somewhat flippant remark. The reason for this is explained by William Ramsey in his book, St. Paul: The Traveler and Roman Citizen: He would not answer the question directly, for if he replied in the affirmative, he would incur the ridicule of the Romans, and if he answered in the negative he would sacrifice his reputation with the Jews. (Chapter 13, pg. 252)

Conclusion

When talking to people about the bible, keep an ear out for sidestepping comments. Sometimes they just don’t want to talk about religion, in general, and sometimes they might realize that the answer is more truthful than they want to know.

Naturally, you can’t force someone to respond and it’s best to let the matter drop. But always leave the opportunity to talk again should it come about. On the other hand, if you find yourself sidestepping a question given to you by someone else, then you should study the bible more and see whether or not your life is in accordance with the scriptures.