Argumentum e silentio – It is not in the Bible – Therefore it is not?

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A conclusion based on omission. A simple concept for conveniently supporting one’s own narrative. “Argumentum e silentio” is a popular recipe.

What is not written there cannot exist

“If something isn’t (literally) in the Bible, then it can’t be true.” Such an argument is primarily heard from those who apparently refuse to acknowledge or accept valid rules or facts. Conversely, they accept traditions as “biblical,” even though they are found neither literally nor paraphrased in Holy Scripture. A discrepancy.

The “argumentum e silentio” (conclusion from silence) applies: if something isn’t mentioned, it doesn’t exist or never happened. This argument is always useful when it supports one’s own (cherished) narrative. One example is the description in the Bible of Herod the Great ordering the slaughter of male infants. However, the highly respected historian Flavius ​​Josephus, a contemporary witness of the first century, did not record this event in any of his writings. According to “argumentum e silentio,” this incident could therefore not have taken place.

Another possible conclusion: Jesus and his disciples must have had terrible teeth, because nowhere in the Bible does it say that they ever brushed their teeth. Sounds silly, but that’s exactly how the crooked arguments work..

Examination of the burden of proof

A fairly common connection concerns the observance of Sunday (the first day of the week) and the disregard of the biblical Sabbath (the seventh day of the week). The sanctification of Sunday is usually justified by the argument that it is biblical because Jesus Christ rose from the dead on the first day of the week. On the other hand, the same people often claim that the Sabbath is invalid for Christians and that there is no indication in the Bible that the seventh day must be observed by Christians or Gentiles.

If someone claims that this “is written,” then a simple question, “where?”, is sufficient. In this case, the burden of proof would be on the person concerned. The claim that Sunday must be sanctified is particularly popular. Acts 20 is often used as an argument. It reports that the apostles met on the first day. This provides “proof” that they held worship services.

But worship services are never mentioned anywhere. However, the “argumentum e silentio” cannot be applied here, since this chapter describes exactly when and for what reason the meeting took place. The claim that Christians or even pagans are not required to observe the Sabbath, however, can be refuted quite easily, since the Bible actually provides clear evidence to this effect.

Evidence of a valid Sabbath for all

As for the Gentiles, Isaiah 56:6-7 provides clarity:
“Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.“

The fact that early Christians also observed the Sabbath (the 7th day of the week, “Saturday”) is documented in many places in Scripture, and extra-biblical history also clearly indicates this. It is also clear why Christians celebrate Sunday instead of the Saturday Sabbath.

– Arbitrary change of Sabbath
– Roman Catholic Church confirms its transfer of Sabbath to Sunday
– The Bible is clear that Sabbath is binding for all
– The “The Lord’s Day” is nowhere defined as “Sunday”, but precisely defined
– The deliberate fight against the Sabbath is obvious
– Jesus never broke the Sabbath, but He disregarded Pharisees’ laws
– Extensive “new ideas” for alleged justification of Sunday observance

Frequently read alleged arguments

Common alleged arguments, according to “Argumentum e silentio”, include:

• Nowhere is a “Sunday” mentioned in the Bible.
• Nowhere is a “Saturday” mentioned in the Bible.
• The word “Sabbath” is not found in Genesis.
• The Sabbath is not listed in any (“new”) list of laws in the New Testament.
• The term “ceremonial law” does not exist.
• “Preliminary Judgment” does not appear anywhere.
• Christians are not part of the Old Covenant and therefore not bound by commandments.
• The word “Millennium” does not appear in the Bible.
• “Rapture” is not mentioned anywhere.
• The Bible never speaks of a “Three Angels’ Message”

This list could certainly be continued and would continue to grow in any case.

Often only own terms for circumstances

Indeed, if all context were left out, the arguments are sound. But does this mean that the circumstances or terms mentioned cannot exist?
The term “millennium” is not actually found in the Bible. But the word describes a period of time of 1,000 years (“mille”), and this does indeed exist, for example, in Revelation 20. It is a created proper name for this biblical description.

This also applies to the term “three angels’ message.” One searched in vain for this form in the Bible. But this is also a proper name for the appearance of three angels in immediate succession in Revelation 14.

Mixing of errors

Things can get really complicated when supposed justifications based on “argumentum e silentio” are mixed with other errors. This is especially true for the ceremonial law and the Ten Commandments of God.

The laws of Moses, i.e., the observance of certain holidays, rites, and sacrificial services, are found in the Book of Leviticus. Thus, they are a collection of ceremonies to be observed due to sins committed. Hence, the term “ceremonial laws” was coined for the entire package of laws that were abolished by the crucifixion of Jesus. But not the Ten Commandments. Therein lies a vast difference (Info).

Indeed, the 4th Commandment, the observance of the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8-11), is not mentioned (directly) again in the New Testament. However, this raises the question of whether a previous law would automatically become invalid at some point simply because its validity was not regularly proclaimed, a kind of “reminder”? The 4th Commandment is one of the 10 Commandments of God, and these have never been repealed at any point. Furthermore, all 10 Commandments appear in the NT in a form of their declared validity (Info).

“Toxic arguments”

These are arguments that are literally “poison arrows” that clearly question whether God or Jesus Christ is actually the “good” one and the adversary the “evil.” After all, Jesus only claims that the adversary is a “murderer from the beginning” and also the “father of lies” (John 8:44). However, if one reads the Old Testament, God is the “mass murderer” and “terrible one,” although one cannot find any mention of such deeds about the adversary.

Well, the gospel is the “good news” about the possible path to salvation for humanity, the whys and wherefores, and not a biography of the adversary. The senders of these poison arrows are obviously hostile to the gospel and are not at all interested in even beginning to understand this message.

While the wide range of supposed justifications through “Argumentum e silentio” originates from the ranks of Christian-oriented believers who, however, have a problem doing God’s will, such attacks, in which good and evil are reversed, come directly from the territory of the worshippers of the dragon. One must not be misled by this, because, as experience shows, discussions lead nowhere. There is no will to understand the truth at all, but rather the visible result of (constant) blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Info). In such a case, there is no longer any prospect of recovery.

Hold on unwaveringly

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:14)
If this spiritual judgment is lacking, then one is talking to an uncomprehending wall. Counterarguments that pour in may well reach the “highest level” on a philosophical level, but even that doesn’t really score points, because 1 Corinthians 3:19:
“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.“

You can actually recognize quite quickly what the opposing party’s intentions are. Whether they are still in error but show a keen interest in the truth, or whether they are simply out to provoke, waste time, or even entice you to react inappropriately. On the other hand, those who can demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit according to Galatians 5:22 will view this with serenity anyway.

Therefore, hold fast to the gospel steadfastly and continue to pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit for understanding and strength. The adversary’s attacks are not clumsy, not yet, but cunning, subtle, and sophisticated. His true goal is no secret, for Jesus Christ himself revealed it to us:

Bible verses from King James Version (1611)