Completely Outnumbered

Steven’s Scribbles
“Completely Outnumbered”
Matt. 7:13-14


    While teaching the Gospel through the years, one fact many I’ve taught tend to struggle with is that the masses are wrong. I’m not sure if it’s our democratic senses, but the concept that the vast majority of the people in this world are wrong is concerning to most. This is the logical fallacy of “appealing to the masses” also known as “argumentum ad populum” in Latin. Consider the words of the Messiah, “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matt. 7:13-14). If the masses were correct, then Elijah would’ve been wrong. ‘Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people did not answer him a word. Then Elijah said to the people, “I alone am left a prophet of the LORD, but Baal’s prophets are 450 men”’ (1 Kings 18:21-22). If the masses were accurate, then Stephen would’ve been fallacious. “But some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and argued with Stephen. But they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking” (Acts 6:9-10). The same arguments can be made about Paul, Peter, Silas, Timothy, and Jesus the Christ. The moral of the story, when you find yourself agreeing with the masses, it may be time to reconsider. I love you all!
    
In His service,
Steven Hugley