Category Archives: Apologetics

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Apologetics

Informal Logical Fallacies

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Also known as Common train Wrecks to Clear Thinking. Most are illustrated using Bible verses, where possible.

Often we find ourselves seemingly losing an argument, discussion, or negotiation simply because the other party employed illogical statements. The student of these will soon realize the great extent to which they are used and never realized that these statements simply are built on bad thinking, and therefore refutable.

Be careful though! Once you master these and others, you may find yourself alone as you unravel conversations, win discussions, but find everyone else has stormed out of the room.

 

Ambiguity
Accent or Emphasis I did not say that. I DID not say that. I did NOT say that. I did not SAY that. I did not say THAT.
Amphibole “I live by the river, drop in sometime” The airplane took off with Mary on it, her nose hugging the ground.”
Equivocation Using the same word twice with different meanings. “If all men are created equal, why are basketball players so tall?”
Significance (or circumstance) Son of God means two different things to a New ager and a Christian.

Relevance
Ab Annis Arguing to age. “New! Improved Tide!” “Sexual purity is an outdated Victorian idea.”
Ad Baculum By force. “You can believe my argument, or get an F for the test.”
Ad Futuris Appeal to the future. “The future will hold the answer to our problems.” “Missing links will no doubt be found to support evolution.”
Ad Hominem abusive Attack against the person. “That Brown is such a dirtball. Don’t believe anything he says.”
Ad Hominem circumstantial An attack against a group of people or a circumstance surrounding an individual. “Since Christians are narrow minded bigot-homophobes, don’t believe what they say.
Ad Ignorantiam Arguing for the proof of something by showing no evidence for the opposing position. “There can’t be a God since I can’t see Him.”
Ad Misericordiam
An appeal to pity. “Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple roble. Pilate said to them ‘Behold the man’ (lit Ecce homo) John 19:5. Pilate appeals to pity the beaten whipped Jesus as a way to get himself out of a politcal mess.
Ad Populum Believe this because it is popularly believed. “Since Christianity is a divisive doctrine, we should reject it.”
Ad Verecundium An appeal to false authority, like having an actress plead in front of Congress about the effects of Alar (a agricultural chemical used in apple production) on babies. What in the world would an actor know about biochemical properties so as this? Or “I’m not a doctor, but I play one on TV.”
Begging the Question (Petitio Principii) Circular Reasoning. Index fossils are used to date rock layers. Placement in a rock layer is used to date fossils.
Category Error Mixing apples and oranges “Can God make a rock so big that He Himself cannot lift it?”
Cliché This says to believe an argument because a cliché makes it seem true. It overgeneralizes. “Avoid clichés like the plague.”
Complex question Presupposing the truth of a thing in order to prove it. “Do you still beat your mother?”
Composition “Our Church is superior because of its superior members.”
Consensus Gentium A majority of people believe a thing, therefore it must be true. “The vast majority of scientists believe evolution is true, therefore it must be.” But Dad, everybody is doing it.”
Dicto Simpliciter (fallacy of the general rule) Trying to fit a unique case to a general rule. Satan tried to pull this on Jesus when he said “If you are the Son of God throw yourself down, for it is written, ‘He will give His Angels charge over You lest You dash your foot against a stone.'” This quotation of Psalms 91:11-12 was meant as a comfort for the confidence of God’s anointed.
Division Our church members are better because our church is superior.
Faulty Analogy Using an analogy to attempt to show superficial similarities to another thing. “Believing in Jesus is like believing in the tooth fairy.”
Faulty Dilemma This is creating a dilemma where none exists. “Lord, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he should be born blind?” John 9:2-3
Genetic Fallacy Something should be rejected because it comes from a bad source. “Can anything goo d come from Nazareth?” Used to reject creationism.
Hasty Generalization Using an exception to build a case where the exception doesn’t fit. “If Paul recommends wine for Timothy, then it must be OK for me.”
Hypothesis Contrary to fact  The name says it all. Using a known false statement as the basis of an argument or advancing a position.
Ignoratio Elenchi (Irrelevant conclusion) Arguing a point, and giving a conclusion that is only vaguely related to the argument. “Legalizing marijuana is right because many are helped by the good feelings they receive when they smoke it.”
Natural Fallacy (is ought) What is, ought to be. “We should give kids condoms because they’re going to have sexual relations anyway.”
Nothing Buttery Reducing a complex thing without a valid reason. “Man is nothing but protoplasm.” It is an overgeneralization.
Operatergo veritat It works therefore it is true
Petitio Principii (see Begging the Question)
Prestige Jargon This is a use of specialized jargon usually meant to intimidate or divert. “Well Bill, I can’t come over today because of my entire family has come down with acute coryza, and I fear for their health.” (Coryza is the common cold.)
Red Herring This is a simple diversion away from the facts. Often used to create a shock reaction. Reporter:” Mr. President, when you stop saying Medicare is being cut when it isn’t.” President: “Why just as soon as you people in press quit reporting it that way yourselves.”
Slippery Slope An overgeneralization that says to reject something because it will slip into that. “The use of marijuana will lead to heroin addiction.”
Special Pleading Using only that portion of evidence that looks unfavorable to an opponent when the majority of the evidence supports the opponent. “How can a good God allow suffering to exist?” Specially worded surveys are a common tactic that commit special pleading.
Straw Man A way of stacking the deck by exaggerating or distorting the opposing argument. “Creationists believe the Earth was created in 4004 BC.” ” If men are saved by grace, then we might as well continue to sin since Go d can show more grace.” Romans 6:11ff
Post Hoc Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc – After this, therefore because (on account) of this. The questionable cause fallacy. “Everyone who has eaten an egg has eventually died, therefore eating eggs causes death.”Luke 13:4-5 “Do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem? I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” Jesus dissociates the cause and effect of some unfortunates to get to the real need these people had: forgiveness of sins.
Apologetics

I’m Sorry – Did You Say Apologetics?

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I'm Sorry - Did You Say Apologetics?

Happy New Year. Striving to find the right study in a New Year, I happened on a documentary by Tim Mahoney, Patterns of Evidence: Exodus.

The film reviews evidence for the historicity of the book of Exodus allowing for several viewpoints on the subject from scholars, archeologists, theologians, and finishes with a taped panel discussion.

Although he never says so, Mahoney comes out (and shows compelling evidence for) a view that suggests the traditional timeline for the Exodus is off by a few hundred years, and shows that when then compared to history, archeology, and internal Biblical evidence, a compelling case can be made for an earlier timeline.

Mahoney divides the event into 5 periods, the Jacob and his sons saved by Joseph as 2nd in the land, the period afterwards living in Egypt, the period of slavery and oppression,  the10 plagues and the Red Sea miracles, and the conquest of Canaan after the wilderness period. Two excellent reviews covering more detail were written by Answers in Genesis, and Institute for Creation Research.

Why is this important to the Christian? As  noted rabbi David Wolpe quipped on Michael Medved’s syndicated radio program (shown in the movie), his belief in the Exodus, as a Jew is not hinged on the authenticity of the Exodus account. Indeed, since the 1950’s some archeologists have tended to date Exodus at a time when evidence for the event is non-existent.

For this reason, many Christians call into question the historicity of the Exodus, allegorizing it, or worse, losing faith. Apologetics does not replace faith, nothing can replace faith. Apologetics instead harmonizes what God says (the Bible) and the physical, historical, textual record. Though science and theology clash, God  and His Creation (nature) do not.

A Timeline of the Exodus, from Patterns of Evidence: Exodus
A Timeline of the Exodus, from Patterns of Evidence: Exodus

As was said, Mahoney presents compelling evidence for a timeline earlier than some (a majority, though not all) archeologists favor. But this belies an unspoken question: Why should we even have to deal with this doubt and unbelief in the first place?

Simply, we need to recognize that our major adversary, Satan, has been using this tactic since the Garden of Eden. “Did God really say if you ate of the fruit…?” It was effective then, all the more now, unless  we girds ourselves with truth Eph 6:14. That illustration of a belt is apt: the belt is the foundation of the Armor of God. The more we can counter the whispers of skepticism with truth, the more confident we are.

In closing, don’t use apologetics (a defense of the faith) as a weapon. Yes, we can offer a reply and a reason for our faith, but no one has ever come to faith by reason. Only the Holy Spirit can do this by convicting the unbeliever of sin, righteousness, and judgment. (John 16:8) Our job is to spread the Good News, not sell it. Matthew 28:20-21, Luke 8:4-15.

Galatians, Jehovah Witnesses

Galatians: Chapter 2

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Paul Pleads for the Poor, Rebukes Peter

Galatians 2:10 The new Jewish believers of Jerusalem were wicked poor. They paid a heavy sacrifice for their faith by being ostracized from Jewish culture and commerce for their steadfast faith in Jesus Christ  Paul too was sensitive as were the early church to the leading of the Holy Spirit in His compelling desire to band together not just as participants at some church service, but at the much deeper checkbook level.  THAT is koinonia.Biblical glimpses of this are seen:

Acts 2:42-45 The beginning of the Spirit’s movement on Chrst’s new Bride. The pooled resources is one of the distinctives of the church.

Acts 4:32-35 – Sometimes this is manifested in the present day church.

Someone needs lumber for a repair project; one of the brothers goes and buys it without thought to cost; a sister cooks and delivers dinner from money and food from her home without thought of reimbursement.

Acts 5:1-ff Ananias and Sapphira were the counterfeits of this purity nd simple innocence of money. They wanted the glory, while the others gave no thought of recognition.

Romans 15:26 the word for contribution is the Greek koinonia, fellowship. How much more intimate than the giving of money.Other references 1 Cor 8:4, 16:1-4 2 Cor 8:4 ff
Galatians 2:11-14 Paul begins an illustration of the encounter he had with Peter and others to:

  • Point out and confront Peter’s hypocrisy
  • Point out the Jewish believers’ of Antioch’s hypocrisy
  • Correct the the straying Galatians who read the letter
  • Rebuke the Judaizers who came to Galatia and thought themselves more authoritative than Paul
  • Correct the brothers (Barnabas et al) from Jerusalem, who having previously fellowshipped with the Gentile believers)

This action also brought unity back to the Gentiles and Jews, as there was only one Gospel, and not two.
Galatians 2:15-16 In verse 15, Paul uses language that the Jews would understand, as they were steeped in the Law and therefore considered the Gentiles as sinners since the Gentiles did not keep the Law. Make no mistake, keeping the Law didn’t keep anyone from being a sinner.

In verse 16, the case for justification by faith alone. He goes on to say that as a “good” Pharisee, he had to open his quest for faith by works to attain justification, that is, made right in the eyes of God.
Galatians 2:17 Since he is not justified by the Law, the twisted argument that follows would say, “OK, no Law is needed to be right before God, let’s toss the Law and live like there’s no tomorrow.” Sorry. Although the Law doesn’t save, we who love Jesus keep His commandments Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, souls, and strength, and your neighbor as yourself. This isn’t justifying, it’s the heart’s response and manifestation of the believer.

Paul battled this heresy here, and later when he returned to Jerusalem, where his detractors said to abandon the Law, and were so infuriated, they vowed to kill him. See Acts 21:21

Antinomianism, the twisted idea in this verse, is the opposite of “faith by works.” It says in essence, that since w are saved by grace and not by works of the Law (ten commandments a part of the Law), then we need not observe the commandments. ref: http://www.theopedia.com/Antinomianism
Galatians 2:18-21 If Paul does this thing, he’s the hypocrite. The only way is to die to the Law. That means the court is adjourned when the defendant dies; you can’t convict a dead woman or man of anything! See Romans 6:2, 7:4 1 Cor 9:20

Cult Spotlight – Jehovah’s Witnesses

Watchtower Society in a Nutshell:

Source: carm.org
Memory Verse – “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” -Gal 2:20

Application – Recognize that there are simply things we can’t accomplish without God’s grace (help.) Ask God for His grace, and leave the things of God to Him.    

Apologetics, Bible Studies, Galatians

Galatians: Chapter 1

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The Letter to the Galatians is Paul’s warning and admonition to the Christians in Asia Minor to steer clear of people who “knew better” than the simple truth of Paul’s proclamation of the Gospel: Jesus plus zip, zero, nada.

Paul was being ions-upped by the Jews who had come in after him, claiming authority as teachers. Wrote Luther:

“In every way, they sought to undermine the authority of St. Paul. They said to the Galatians: “You have no right to think highly of Paul. He was the last to return to Christ. But we have seen Christ. We heard Him preach. Paul came later and is beneath us. Is it possible for us to be in error – we who have received the Holy Ghost? Paul stands alone. He has not seen Christ nor has he had much contact with the other apostles. Indeed, he persecuted the Church of Christ for a long time.””
Source: Luther commentary on Galatians at Gal 1:1

We share Paul’s uphill battle in defending the purity of the Gospel against its foes, without and within. In this sense, we share his ministry. Let’s be worthy of it.

Paul Authenticates His Ministry

Galatians1:11-12 Paul points out the origin of his Gospel: direct revelation; using the same word, apocalypses, found in Joh’s Book of Revelation.
Galatians 1:13-17 Personal testimony. People may refute what you believe, what the Bible “really” says, but they CANNOT refute your testimony; it is your DNA and story and testimony. And quite natural to use, simply relate your story. Paul’s authority is fully authenticated and apostolic. He did not shrink back from it.
Galatians 1:18-24 Paul explains and gives background to his authority through his testimony. The early years must have been difficult, having conspired to abet the death of Stephen, and persecuting other Christians.It was here that Paul began to understand the the grace of God (Discussion)

Shane Harper’s character, Josh Wheaton and others also  had to be brave:

Paul at the Jerusalem Council

Galatians 2:1-10 Paul narrates his validation of his ministry. He was living out the conclusions reached at the Jerusalem Council in 48, some 8-10 years earlier. In it (Acts 15) the question of how one is saved was resolved.What was necessary was that that they had to re-defend salvation by grace. It is not the natural bent of mankind, our pride demands participation, and negates the horror and suffering of the Cross.Instead, the Council said only to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols (to not cause consternation among weaker Christians), and fornication, a rampant epidemic of the day and easily excused.

 

Cult Spotlight – Mormonism:

Mormonism in a Nutshell:

Source: carm.org
Memory Verse – “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” -Gal 2:20

Application – The Gospel is precious and  to be shared through the words of the Bible and our personal testimony.    

Apologetics, Jehovah Witnesses

Jesus is Jehovah God

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Who is Jesus? The answer to that critical question is what makes Christianity different from all religion and belief systems. If you believe what the Bible says is true, then indeed, Jesus is Jehovah God. Almost all other belief systems say that Jesus is a prophet, a good teacher, a higher power, a false prophet, a demon, a man, Michael the Archangel, the spirit brother of Lucifer, a non-corporeal spirit being, and on and on. In short, it seems that everybody gets to be God except Jesus.

What does Bible say?  We begin with references to the LORD in the Old Testament, and references to Jesus in the New Testament. These leave no doubt as to our Savior’s deity.

 

Old Testament New Testament
Prepare the way for Jehovah
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the LORD; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God” -Isa 40:3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.'”” -Mat 3:3
Jehovah, Sender of Prophets
But I have been the LORD your God since the land of Egypt; I will make you live in tents again, As in the days of the appointed festival. I have also spoken to the prophets, And I gave numerous visions, And through the prophets I gave parables. -Hosea 12:9-10 Therefore, behold, I am sending you prophets and wise men and scribes; some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city, so that upon you may fall the guilt of all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.” -Mat 23:34-35
Call on the Name of Jehovah
“And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, As the LORD has said, Among the remnant whom the LORD calls.” -Joel 2:32 ” ‘AND IT SHALL BE, THAT EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED.’ – Acts 2:21
Jehovah the First and Last
“Listen to Me, O Jacob, And Israel, My called: I am He, I am the First, I am also the Last. Indeed My hand has laid the foundation of the earth, And My right hand has stretched out the heavens; When I call to them, They stand up together. All of you, assemble yourselves, and hear! Who among them has declared these things? The LORD loves him; He shall do His pleasure on Babylon, And His arm shall be against the Chaldeans. I, even I, have spoken; Yes, I have called him, I have brought him, and his way will prosper. Come near to Me, hear this: I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; From the time that it was, I was there. And now the Lord GOD and His Spirit Have sent Me.” -Isa 48:12-16 “And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, ‘Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.'”-Rev 1:17 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.” -Rev 1:11
“Who has performed and done it, Calling the generations from the beginning? ‘I, the LORD, am the first; And with the last I am He.'” (Isa 41:4) “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” (Rev 22:13)
>”Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel, And his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: ‘I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me there is no God.” -Isa 44:6 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End ,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” -Rev 1:8
Jehovah’s Fellow and Equal
“Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, Against the Man who is MyCompanion,” Says the LORD of hosts. “Strike the Shepherd, And the sheep will be scattered; Then I will turn My hand against the little ones.” -Zec 13:7 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, -Phil 2:5-6
Jehovah our Creator
” In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”-Gen 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.” -John 1:1-3
“I said, “O my God Do not take me away in the midst of my days; Your years are throughout all generations. Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You will endure; Yes, they will all grow old like a garment; Like a cloak You will change them, And they will be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will have no end.” -Psa 102:24-27 “But to the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your Kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.” And: “You, LORD, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands.” -Heb 1:8-10
Jehovah our Savior
“And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, As the LORD has said, Among the remnant whom the LORD calls.” -Joel 2:32   “…that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For ‘whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.'” -Rom 10:9-13
Jehovah our Glory
“Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory. -Psa 24:7-10 “…which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. – 1 Cor 2:8″My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.” -James 2:1
“I am the LORD, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, Nor My praise to carved images. -Isa 42:8 “And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.” -John 17:5
Jehovah our Righteousness
“Behold,the days are coming,” says the LORD, “That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell safely; Now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. -Jer 23:5-6 “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God; and righteousness and sanctification and redemption; that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.” -1 Cor 1:30-31
Jehovah of Hosts
“In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!'” -Isa 6:1-3″Make the heart of this people dull, And their ears heavy, And shut their eyes; Lest they see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And return and be healed.” – Isa 6:10 “But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke: “Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?” Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again: “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, Lest they should see with their eyes, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.” These things Isaiah said when he saw His glory and spoke of Him.” – John 12:37-41
Jehovah the Good Shepherd
“Behold, the Lord GOD shall come with a strong hand, And His arm shall rule for Him; Behold, His reward is with Him, And His work before Him. He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young.” -Isa 40:10-11 “I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.” -John 10:14″Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant.” -Heb 13:20
King Jehovah
“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom.” -Psa 45:6 “But to the Son He says: ” Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your Kingdom. ” -Heb 1:8
I am the LORD, your Holy One, The Creator of Israel, your King .” -Isa 43:15 “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. -Mat 25:34
Jehovah, Father of Living Water
“For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns; broken cisterns that can hold no water.” – Jeremiah 2:13 “Then the but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” – John 4:14

1The letter J is not found in the Hebrew alphabet. In the Old Testament, the name of deity is transliterated as YHWH, and is usually rendered as LORD. Sometimes this name has been rendered Jehovah, but although inaccurate, strictly speaking, as is the name Jesus (Y’shua in the Hebrew), it is indeed a secondary issue. The primary issue is that Jesus is Jehovah. “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.”