Attacking the Person

This fallacy goes after the person instead of the argument. Its Latin name is ad hominem, "to the man." "You only believe because you are weak." "He is a pastor, so of course he says that." Even if those things were true of the person, they would not touch whether the claim is true.

Jesus Faced It

Jesus pointed out how His critics did this:

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon!' The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look at this glutton and drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' But wisdom is vindicated by her actions. Matthew 11:18-19

They had an insult ready either way. The insult changed. The refusal to listen did not.

When the council questioned Peter and John, they saw "unschooled, ordinary men." Acts 4:13 But the healed man was standing right there, and "they had nothing to say in response." Acts 4:14 The men's schooling had nothing to do with the man who could now walk.

Even in that council, Nicodemus asked the fair question: "Does our law convict a man without first hearing from him to determine what he has done?" John 7:51

Christians Do It Too

It is easy to call a skeptic a fool and feel like we have defended the faith. Paul says, "Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need." Ephesians 4:29 Answer the argument. Leave the person his dignity.

When the Person Does Matter

There is one fair place for questions about a person, and that is when we are weighing his testimony. A witness who has lied before is a weak witness. The Law asked for "two or three witnesses" for that reason. Deuteronomy 19:15 Even then, the question is whether he is telling the truth. His looks, his school, and his church do not answer it.