False dilemmas and the Trinity (Logical fallacies and horns of the dilemma)

False dilemmas and the Trinity (Logical fallacies)
"The horns of the dilemma"

God is all powerful: Can God create a rock so large he cannot lift it?

Anti-Trinitarian false dilemmas usually involve two corrects facts that force an invalid conclusion.

Jesus: "The Divine Man"

God is Invisible, Jesus was visible
God is Immutable (unchangeable), Jesus changed forms
God in not a man, Jesus was a man
God is a Spirit, Jesus was flesh and bones
God doesn't Pray, Jesus prayed
God Submits to no one, Jesus submitted to God
God is Immortal, Jesus died
God is Impeccable (impossibility of sin), Jesus overcame temptation
God is Untemptable, Jesus was tempted
God is Omnipotent (all-powerful), Jesus couldn't carry cross.
God is Omni-present (everywhere), Jesus existed in body of flesh.
God is Omniscient (all knowing), Jesus learned
God is Tirelessness, Jesus slept

When Jehovah's Witnesses deceptively try to prove Jesus cannot be God with the following false dilemma, "God is not a man, Jesus was a Man, Jesus cannot be God." Simply answer them, "Angels are not men, Jesus was a man, Jesus cannot be an angel."

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Definition: False dilemmas are errors in logic where you falsely prove something to appear true, based upon one or two initial correct facts. A limited number of options (usually two) is given, while in reality there is a third option. A false dilemma is an illegitimate use of the "or" operator where an individual is forced into making only one of two choices that are put into "black or white", when gray is the real answer! Remember, the initial facts are true, it is the conclusion that is invalid! This is why they are called "The horns of the dilemma" or "being caught between a rock and a hard place".

Examples: "Either you're for me or against me.", "Every person is either wholly good or wholly evil.", "Yes or no: Have you stopped smoking pot?" Solution: Identify the options given and show (with an example) that there is an additional option.

"The dilemma is one of the oldest known rhetorical forms. As a method of refutation, it consists in reducing an issue to an alternative, then showing that both members (or, "horns of the dilemma") are untenable. Essential to such an argument, the "horns" presented must include all possibilities in the case. A different form of the dilemma, the "either-or" argument, likewise has this requirement: when we offer an "either-or" choice, there must be no third choice available. But false dilemmas are often offered to pressure one into accepting an obviously false position, or the one advocated by the argument maker. "You must either use our product or the inferior "Brand X." No, there are brands Y., Z., etc., to consider. And even when the choice is apparently all-inclusive, the fallacy may lie in the definition given the attractive place. We are not suggesting that every one must study logic or rules of argumentation. It will be enough if we can encourage more independent thinking; with scripture searching as our background, and genuine desire to serve the Lord as our motive." (Jim Everett)

Constantine in 350 AD, discusses false dilemmas!

"In this passage, however, where the argument is about the resurrection, both the law of the inference is valid, and the conclusion arrived at is true. But in the case of false conclusions, too, there is a validity of inference in some such way as the following. Let us suppose some man to have admitted: If a snail is an animal, it has a voice. This being admitted, then, when it has been proved that the snail has no voice, it follows (since when the consequent is proved false, the antecedent is also false) that the snail is not an animal. Now this conclusion is false, but it is a true and valid inference from the false admission. Thus, the truth of a statement stands on its own merits; the validity of an inference depends on the statement or the admission of the man with whom one is arguing. And thus, as I said above, a false inference may be drawn by a valid process of reasoning, in order that he whose error we wish to correct may be sorry that he has admitted the antecedent, when he sees that its logical consequences are utterly untenable. And hence it is easy to understand that as the inferences may be valid where the opinions are false, so the inferences may be unsound where the opinions are true. For example, suppose that a man propounds the statement, "If this man is just, he is good," and we admit its truth. Then he adds, "But he is not just;" and when we admit this too, he draws the conclusion, "Therefore he is not good." Now although every one of these statements may be true, still the principle of the inference is unsound. For it is not true that, as when the consequent is proved false the antecedent is also false, so when the antecedent is proved false the consequent is false. For the statement is true, "If he is an orator, he is a man." But if we add, "He is not an orator," the consequence does not follow, "He is not a man."" (Augustine, Book 2, Chapter 33.-False Inferences May Be Drawn from Valid Reasonings, and Vice Versa.)

Atheist's false dilemmas:

If God can do anything, (Mk 10:27; Lk 1:37; 18:27) why can't he create a rock so big that he cannot lift it?
If God can do anything, (Mk 10:27; Lk 1:37; 18:27) and the God says man can do anything, (Gen 11:6) then man is god!
If God can to anything, (Mk 10:27; Lk 1:37; 18:27) but the Bible says it is impossible for God to lie, (Heb 6:18) then God isn't God!

Calvinist false dilemmas on the plan of salvation:

God knows everything, therefore man's life is pre-destined: God already had a master "lost and saved" lists before creation.

Man cannot save himself without God's help, therefore, man can do nothing to be saved: baptism not essential

God is in control of everything, therefore, man has no free will.

Anti-Trinitarian false dilemmas:

Anti-Trinitarian false dilemmas usually involve two corrects facts that force an invalid conclusion. Notice that the first two statements (1. and 2.) in each of the false dilemmas below are true. It is the conclusion (3.) that is invalid. Arians are notorious at proving their false doctrine by using false dilemmas. Remember the devil is a deceiver. When an Arian uses a false dilemmas, merely use one back at them to show their logic is false. Here is an example:


	If a Jehovah's Witness says: God is a spirit that does not have flesh and bones Jesus denied he was a spirit and did have flesh and bones Jesus is not God, but a created angel Michael. (Correct answer is: The incarnation of Jesus is where God took on the essence of one of His creatures, while remaining fully God) Reply to Jehovah's Witnesses with this: Angels are spirit that do not have flesh and bones Jesus denied he was a spirit and did have flesh and bones Jesus cannot be a created angel called Michael. (Correct answer: Jesus cannot be an angel because he had flesh and bones, but because Heb 1:5 openly states that Jesus is not an angel.)

	Beware: Jehovah's Witness will defeat Trinitarians who use false dilemmas to prove Jesus could not have sinned: If a Trinitarian says to prove Jesus could not have been tempted or sinned: God cannot be tempted. Jas 1:13 Jesus was God. Therefore Jesus was not tempted as a man. Jehovah's Witnesses will counter with this equally false dilemma: God cannot be tempted. Jas 1:13 Jesus was tempted. Jesus cannot be God. Of course the correct answer to both the false dilemmas above, is that the incarnation created a special circumstance, wherein God became flesh and allowed Himself to be tempted exactly as a man is, yet without sin. Jesus was both God and was tempted exactly as a man. Both conclusions are equally false.

Here is a collection of false dilemmas:

Jesus Isn't God	Father isn't God	God is a man	Man is God	Jesus wasn't man
1. God Cannot be tempted, sin or lie: Jas 1:13; Heb 6:17-18 2. Jesus was tempted: Heb 2 3. Jesus isn't divine (Arianism)	1) God cannot be tempted. 2) Father was tempted (Mal 3:15). 3) Father isn't God.	1. Jesus is God 2. Jesus was tempted: Heb 2 3. God can be tempted (Atheism)	1. God cannot be tempted. 2. Man will not be tempted in heaven 3. Man will become God. (Mormonism)	1. Jesus is God 2. God cannot be tempted. 3. Jesus wasn't tempted (Apollinarianism)
Jesus Isn't God	Father isn't God	God is a man	Man is God	Jesus wasn't man
1. No Man Seen God 1 Ti 1:17; 6:16; Col 1:15 2. Yet John Saw Jesus And Bear Record: Jn 1:34 3. Jesus isn't divine. (Arianism)	1) No man has seen God. 2) Nadab, Abihu and the elders of Israel saw God (Ex 24:10) and When men saw Jesus, they saw God (John 14:9) 3) Neither Jesus nor the Father is God.	1. Jesus is God 2. Jesus was seen by men: Jn 1:34 3. God is not invisible (Atheism)	1. God has a distinct form (Phil 2:6) 2. Man will become conformed to God's form. 3. Man will become God (Mormonism)	1. Jesus is God 2. God is invisible 3. Jesus only appeared to be human. (Docetism)
Jesus Isn't God	Father isn't God	God is a man	Man is God	Jesus wasn't man
1. God is not a man. 2. Jesus was a man. 3. Jesus is not divine (Arianism)	1. God is not a man. 2. God has breasts and a womb: Deut. 32:11-12; Deut. 32:18; Ps. 131:2-3; Isa. 66:13; Hos. 13:8; Mt 23:37 3. God is a woman	1. Jesus is God 2. Jesus was a man 3. Man is his own God (Atheism)	1. God is not a man. 2. We will no longer be men in heaven. 3. We will be God (Mormonism)	1. Jesus is God 2. God is not a man 3. Jesus wasn't really a man, he just appeared that way. (Docetism)
Jesus Isn't God	Father isn't God	God is a man	Man is God	Jesus wasn't man
1. God Is Spirit that does not have flesh and bones: Jn 4:24; Lk 24:39 2. Yet Jesus Made Of Woman, Flesh & Bones Gal 4:4; Heb 2:14 3. Jesus wasn't divine (Arianism)	1. God doesn't have flesh and bones. 2. Father has ears, face, arms, legs, hands, eyes, mouth, breasts. Isa 59:1-2 3. Father is not God	1. Jesus is God 2. Jesus Made Of Woman, Flesh & Bones Gal 4:4; Heb 2:14 3. God Is not a Spirit (Atheism)	1. God is a Spirit that doesn't have flesh and bones. 2. Man will be a spirit without flesh and bones in heaven. 3. Man will become God (Mormonism)	1. Jesus is God 2. God, a Spirit, has no flesh and bones. 3. Jesus only appeared to have flesh and bones (Gnosticism)
Jesus Isn't God	Father isn't God	God is a man	Man is God	Jesus wasn't man
1. God is all Knowing I Sam 2:3; Jer 23:24; Ps 147:5 2. Yet Jesus Learned Obedience/Increased In Wisdom Heb 5:8; Lk 2:52, and didn't know the time of second coming 3. Jesus isn't divine (Arianism)	1) God is all knowing. 2) God acknowledged that he now knew what he didn't know about Abraham previously. (Gen. 22:12), and the Holy Spirit didn't know the time of the second coming 3) Therefore, neither the Father or the Holy Spirit are God.	1. Jesus is God 2. Jesus Learned Obedience/Increased In Wisdom Heb 5:8; Lk 2:52, and didn't know the time of second coming. 3. God is not all Knowing (Atheism)	1. God knows all things. 2. Man will know all things in heaven. 3. Man will become God. (Mormonism)	1. Jesus is God 2. God knows everything. 3. Jesus was only playing dumb when he was a child, and faking it, when he learned obedience. (Docetism, Nestorianism)
Jesus Isn't God	Father isn't God	God is a man	Man is God	Jesus wasn't man
1. God is immutable: "I Change Not" Mal 3:6; Heb 6:17-18 2. Yet Jesus changed by becoming a man 3. Jesus isn't divine (Arianism)	1. "Jehovah is not a man that He should change His mind." 1 Sam 15:29 2. Yet God changed his mind: Num 14:12,20 3. Therefore God is not God.	1. Jesus is God 2. Jesus changed by becoming a man 3. God Changes (Atheism)	1. God doesn't change 2. Man will never change again, once in heaven. 3. Man will become God (Mormonism)	1. Jesus is God 2. God doesn't change. 3. Jesus only appeared to be a man. (Gnosticism)
Jesus Isn't God	Father isn't God	God is a man	Man is God	Jesus wasn't man
1. God is in control of everything 2. Jesus took directions from God 3. Jesus is not divine (Arianism)	1. God is in control of everything. 2. Father is unable to keep man from sinning. 3. Father isn't God	1. Jesus is God 2. Jesus relied on Father for directions. 3. God is not in control of everything. (Atheism)	1. God is in control of everything. 2. Man will control everything in heaven. 3. Man will become God	1. Jesus is God 2. God controls himself 3. Jesus only appeared to submit to the Father. (Gnosticism)
Jesus Isn't God	Father isn't God	God is a man	Man is God	Jesus wasn't man
1. God Alone Hath Immortality 1 Ti 6:13-15 2. Yet Jesus Lived And Was Dead 3. Jesus isn't divine (Arianism)	1. God is immortal 2. Father is dead to sin. 3. Father isn't God.	1. Jesus is God 2. Yet Jesus Lived And Was Dead 3. God isn't Immortal (Atheism)	1) God alone has immortality. 2) Man will have immorality (1 Cor. 15:54) 3) Man will become God. (Mormonism)	1. Jesus is God 2. Jehovah is immortal. 3. Jesus (Jehovah) didn't actually die on the cross, his human spirit died. (UPC Modalism, Nestorianism )
Jesus Isn't God	Father isn't God	God is a man	Man is God	Jesus wasn't man
1. It is impossible for God to sin 2. Jesus could have sinned 3. Jesus wasn't divine (Arianism)	1. God is sinless 2. Father repented of evil thoughts: Ex 32:10,14 3. God isn't God	1. Jesus is God 2. Jesus could have sinned 3. God can sin (Atheism)	1. God cannot sin 2. Man cannot sin in heaven 3. man will become God (Mormonism)	1. Jesus is God 2. God cannot sin 3. Jesus couldn't have sinned (Apollinarianism)
Jesus Isn't God	Father isn't God	God is a man	Man is God	Jesus wasn't man
1. God is all powerful 2. Jesus fell under the weight of the cross and said the "Father is greater than I" Jn 14:28 3. Jesus isn't divine (Arianism)	1. God is all powerful 2. God couldn't stop the devil from sinning. 3. Father isn't God	1. Jesus is God 2. Jesus fell under the weight of the cross. 3. God is not all powerful (Atheism)	1. God is all-powerful 2. Adam became like God: Gen 3:6 3. Man is all-powerful now. (Mormonism)	1. Jesus is God 2. God is all powerful 3. Jesus only "faked" when he couldn't walk as an infant and "play acted" when he fell under the weight of the cross. (Apollinarianism, Nestorianism)
Jesus Isn't God	Father isn't God	God is a man	Man is God	Jesus wasn't man
1. God is everywhere. (Omni-present) Ps 139:7-12 2. Jesus was standing in one place. 3. Jesus isn't divine (Arianism)	1. God is everywhere 2. Many left the "presence of the Lord" Gen 3:9; 4:16; Job 1:12; 2:7; 2 Thess 1:9 3. Father isn't God	1. Jesus is God 2. Jesus was standing in one place. Father resides in heaven and the devil left Father's presence. 3. God is not everywhere. (Omni-present) (Atheism)	1. God is Omni-present 2. Adam became like God: Gen 3:6 3. Man is Omni-present now. (Mormonism)	1. Jesus is God. 2. God is everywhere. (Omni-present) 3. Jesus wasn't really confined to human flesh. (Sabellianism)
Jesus Isn't God	Father isn't God	God is a man	Man is God	Jesus wasn't man
1. "Only God is good." 2. Jesus said this: Mk 10:18 3. Jesus isn't divine (Arianism)	1. "Only God is good." Mk 10:18 2. Father had evil thoughts: Ex 32:10,14 3. Father isn't God.	1. Jesus is God. 2. Jesus said "Only God is good." Mk 10:18 3. God isn't good. (Atheism)	1. Only God is good. 2. Man will be good in heaven. 3. Man will become like God. (Mormonism)	1. Jesus is God 2. Only God is good. 3. Jesus is the Father (Modalistic monarchianism)
Jesus Isn't God	Father isn't God	God is a man	Man is God	Jesus wasn't man
1. God doesn't need to pray for requests or help from others or depend on anyone for life. 2. Jesus prayed to God for help and made requests and Jesus relied on food, water and air for life. 3. Jesus isn't divine. (Arianism)	1. God doesn't need to ask for anyone's help. 2. Father asked Isaiah to do something for him. Isa 6. and needed Jesus to die on the cross to save man. 3. Father isn't God	1. Jesus is God. 2. Jesus prayed for help. 3. God needs help. (Atheism)	1. God doesn't need to pray. 2. We will not pray to God in heaven. 3. We will be God. (Mormonism)	1. Jesus is God 2. God doesn't pray for help. 3. Jesus was praying to himself: The human Jesus was talking to divine Jesus. (Nestorianism)
Jesus Isn't God	Father isn't God	God is a man	Man is God	Jesus wasn't man
1. God never grows weary and tires: Isa 40:28 2. Jesus slept. 3. Jesus isn't divine (Arianism)	1. God never grows weary. 2. Father "rested on the 7th day and was refreshed" 3. Father isn't God.	1. Jesus is God 2. Jesus slept 3. God grows tired (Atheism)	1. God never grows weary. 2. We will be like God in heaven. 3. We will be God (Mormonism)	1. Jesus is God 2. God doesn't grow weary. 3. Jesus only made it appear he needed rest when he slept. (Apollinarianism)

by Steve Rudd

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