Appeal to Authority

The fallacy "appeal to authority" occurs when someone argues that a claim must be true simply because an authority figure or expert believes or states it, without providing sufficient evidence to support the claim itself. This fallacy overlooks the possibility that even experts can be wrong or biased, and it mistakenly treats their statements as conclusive proof rather than as potentially credible but still debatable points. The validity of the claim should ideally be established on the basis of evidence and reasoning, not merely on the authority of the person making the claim.

Examples:

Because the scientists said so

Because the government said so

Because I read it on the internet

Because the pastor said so

All of these are fallible

No human can be seen as ultimate authority

Scripture is an authority we can appeal to

Jesus is an authority we can appeal to, and he proved it again and again.

His words had authority Matt7.28-29

Matthew 7:28–29 ESV

And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

His words of authority were backed up with demonstrations of his authority over creation

Luke 8:22–25 ESV

One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they set out, and as they sailed he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?”

If Jesus says Let us go across to the other side, you will make it to the other side.

Windstorms could quickly come on this lake.

High hills surround

Weather systems can pour over those hills and change the weather rapidly

Jesus is resting

He had a long day of ministry

We see he needed rest

This is a good time to rest

Where is your faith?

They were in danger, but had not yet learned to trust Christ completely

Are we not the same?

Only God can command the storm:

Men have tried and failed:

Kenneth Copeland commanding covid to blow away. Didn’t work

Preachers commanding hurricanes to turn. Didn’t work

However, humble prayers and pleas may result in God’s intervention. (tornado)

Only God can speak like this and have guaranteed obedience

Psalm 89:8–9 ESV

O Lord God of hosts, who is mighty as you are, O Lord, with your faithfulness all around you? You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, you still them.

Psalm 93:3–4 ESV

The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their roaring. Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty!

Psalm 106:8–9 ESV

Yet he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make known his mighty power. He rebuked the Red Sea, and it became dry, and he led them through the deep as through a desert.

Psalm 107:23–32 ESV

Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters; they saw the deeds of the Lord, his wondrous works in the deep. For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their evil plight; they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits’ end. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

Isaiah 51:9–10 ESV

Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord; awake, as in days of old, the generations of long ago. Was it not you who cut Rahab in pieces, who pierced the dragon? Was it not you who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, who made the depths of the sea a way for the redeemed to pass over?

The New Bible Commentary (8:22–56 A Group of Mighty Works)

Who is this? The answer is that it is God who rules the sea, and his power was at work in Jesus. The disciples, however, were only beginning to realize this.

Is fear always sinful? If it leads to trust in God, fear is our friend. If does not finally trust him, then it is a dangerous fear.

Commentary on a Harmony of the Evangelists Matthew, Mark, and Luke (Matthew 8:23–27; Mark 4:35–41; Luke 8:22–25)

Thus we see that fear, which awakens faith, is not in itself faulty till it go beyond bounds. Its excess lies in disturbing or weakening the composure of faith, which ought to rest on the word of God. But as it never happens that believers exercise such restraint on themselves as to keep their faith from being injured, their fear is almost always attended by sin. Yet we ought to be aware that it is not every kind of fear which indicates a want of faith, but only that dread which disturbs the peace of the conscience in such a manner that it does not rest on the promise of God.

2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

How can we trust him better?

Be encouraged by other believers

This requires being part of a local body of believers

Reaching out when we need encouragement (requires humility)

Watching out for others who may be struggling.

Read God’s Word

Listen to the preaching of the Word

The Westminster Confession of Faith: Edinburgh Edition (The Larger Catechism)

Q. 154. What are the outward means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of his mediation?

A. The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicates to his church the benefits of his mediation, are all his ordinances, especially the word, sacraments, and prayer; all which are made effectual to the elect for their salvation.

Q. 155. How is the word made effectual to salvation?

A. The Spirit of God maketh the reading, but especially the preaching of the word, an effectual means of enlightening, convincing, and humbling sinners; of driving them out of themselves, and drawing them unto Christ; of conforming them to his image, and subduing them to his will; of strengthening them against temptations and corruptions; of building them up in grace, and establishing their hearts in holiness and comfort through faith unto salvation.

Q. 156. Is the word of God to be read by all?

A. Although all are not to be permitted to read the word publicly to the congregation, yet all sorts of people are bound to read it apart by themselves, and with their families:x to which end, the holy scriptures are to be translated out of the original into vulgar languages.y

Q. 157. How is the word of God to be read?

A. The holy scriptures are to be read with a high and reverent esteem of them with a firm persuasion that they are the very word of God, and that he only can enable us to understand them; with desire to know, believe, and obey the will of God revealed in them; with diligence, and attention to the matter and scope of them; with meditation, application, self-denial, and prayer.

Q. 158. By whom is the word of God to be preached?

A. The word of God is to be preached only by such as are sufficiently gifted, and also duly approved and called to that office.

Q. 159. How is the word of God to be preached by those that are called thereunto?

A. They that are called to labour in the ministry of the word, are to preach sound doctrine, diligently, in season and out of season; plainly, not in the enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit, and of power; faithfully, making known the whole counsel of God; wisely, applying themselves to the necessities and capacities of the hearers; zealously, with fervent love to God and the souls of his people; sincerely, aiming at his glory, and their conversion, edification, and salvation.

Q. 160. What is required of those that hear the word preached?

A. It is required of those that hear the word preached, that they attend upon it with diligence, preparation, and prayer; examine what they hear by the scriptures; receive the truth with faith, love, meekness, and readiness of mind, as the word of God; meditate, and confer of it; hide it in their hearts, and bring forth the fruit of it in their lives.

These are the things we can do to increase our faith. Not shouting at demons, or commanding as though we are God, but in diligently learning his word so we can trust him to do that which we cannot.

Appeal to Authority

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