From the Particular to the General.
An inductive argument is one in which the premises are supposed to support the conclusion in such a way that if the premises are true, it is improbable that the conclusion would be false. So, the conclusion follows from the premises and inferences. Here is an example –
Mercy is charity.
Charity causes dependence.
Mercy makes people dependent.
I have been listening to this kind of stuff for a long time. There has always existed a fear of “mercenary conversions” meaning that folks would claim faith in Christ in order to get something like food or shelter.
There is an example in the scriptures. The end of the story of the feeding of the five thousand in John 6:14–15, says . “When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, ‘This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!’ Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.” They wanted to make him a bread king. These were mercenary conversions and a false trust in Christ. When they hear about suffering and death on a cross most will leave.
Jesus doesn’t stop doing mercy though. Mercy is what he is and God is always true to Himself.
I have said before that in mercy we work we do what we do not to make others believe but because of what we believe.
