Giving Voice to the opposition

One of the most uncomfortable yet rewarding disciplines in the Christian walk is being willing to listen to voices that oppose us. It’s easy to stay within circles that affirm what we already believe. But when skeptics, critics, or even fellow believers raise challenges we don’t have immediate answers for, that moment becomes an opportunity—not a threat.

When I began writing Bound in Lies: The Biblical Case Against Slavery, I was driven by this very principle. Time and time again, I heard skeptics claim that the Bible endorses slavery. The arguments sounded persuasive—sometimes even more convincing than the responses offered by seasoned apologists. It would have been easier to dismiss those voices as hostile or misinformed. But instead, I allowed their challenges to push me back into Scripture. What I found was not only clarity, but also a deeper confidence in God’s Word.

Listening to opposing voices forces us to confront the weaknesses in our own arguments. If we can’t explain why a passage says what it says—or how it reflects the heart and character of God—we risk sounding shallow or evasive. And let’s be honest: people can tell when we’re dodging a question.

But here’s the beauty of it: truth has nothing to fear from scrutiny. Every hard question is an invitation to dig deeper into God’s Word. Every critique is a chance to refine our understanding and grow in discernment.

This is especially crucial when it comes to sensitive subjects like biblical slavery. For many, the accusation that God condoned slavery is a stumbling block to faith. If we shrug off those concerns without honest engagement, we miss an opportunity to bear witness to the truth and goodness of Scripture.

So my encouragement to fellow believers is this: Don’t run from the hard questions. Don’t silence the opposing voices. Let them sharpen you. Let them challenge you. Let them drive you back into the Bible to seek answers—not just for the sake of winning arguments, but for the sake of knowing God more deeply and helping others see Him more clearly.

That’s what Bound in Lies is all about: facing the hard questions head-on, not with fear, but with the conviction that God’s truth will stand.

If you’d like to dig deeper into this subject, you can explore my book Bound in Lies: The Biblical Case Against Slavery, or visit our YouTube channel @BoundinLies. And if you want to keep growing through honest dialogue and biblical insight, be sure to subscribe to our weekly blog—to equip you in your walk with Christ.