Psalm 18:30 English Standard Version (ESV) This God—his way is perfect: the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.

Here is the first search result for circular thinking performed by google search.

“Circular reasoning is when you attempt to make an argument by beginning with an assumption that what you are trying to prove is already true. … Examples of Circular Reasoning: The Bible is true, so you should not doubt the Word of God. This argument rests on your prior acceptance of the Bible as truth.” Google

The world has this tainted view of Christianity and the bible and will point to it with bad examples. When witnessing to the lost we do not begin with circular reasoning. We begin with caring for the condition of the lost. We love first, educate later.

When we are slammed by slander that is based on a poor examples, how do we react? The novice will be offended. When belief systems are attacked the normal reaction is to defend ourselves. The Word of God does not want us to be defensive.

Challenge the premise. “God proves Himself to be true. It is not my responsibility to prove anything but rather to love as I have been loved.”

Shift the conversation away from false premises and back to right actions.

The lost do not want to hear we are right. They want to experience love that they have not seen in this world because the world is conditioned to be selfish.

My salvation moment led to peace within myself. God did that for me because He loves me. Did I know that in those early days? No. All I cared about was just one problem, anger. When it was gone by the grace of God, I did not know it was because God loved me. That message escaped me in that moment. I had a lot to learn and no one to teach me.

Simony is the act of selling church offices and roles or sacred things. It is named after Simon Magus aka Simon the Magician, who is described in Acts 8 as having offered two disciples of Jesus payment in exchange for their empowering him to impart the power of the Holy Spirit to anyone on whom he would place his hands. The term extends to other forms of trafficking for money in “spiritual things”.

The appointment of ecclesiastical officials, such as bishops and abbots, by a secular authority came to be considered simoniacal and this became a key issue during the Investiture Controversy.

Information derived from Wikipedia.

Simon the Magician is not mentioned in the remaining books of our bible. His reputation was noted by more secular writers. Those secular writings are not inspired by God nor included in scripture. We have to expect a certain amount of secular interference with truth. Only the Word of God is true.

Do we need to know the path taken by Simon the Magician and use that information as a warning of avoidance?

Look within our own hearts for motives attached to actions. If we are walking in the way, following the leading of the Holy Spirit, course corrections are expected. Seeking answers on the wayward path will lead us far enough away from the Way that finding our way back may become difficult.

Discipleship training intentionally avoids looking into the well-worn path of the dissident, rebellious and disillusioned. Training is confined to the way we should go, avoiding those bunny trails that can only lead to confusion.

1 Corinthians 14:33 English Standard Version (ESV) For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,