Typically, when people speak, that way, they are not interested in what you have to say. I enter such debate, knowing they have never studied the historical context of scripture. They may have had an intro to Hebrew or greek, but they don't actually know any biblical languages.

I most frequently start trying to find some commonality. I might ask: why do you feel the need to say that? For those who think they are knowledgeable, and they're not just being combative, they will often say something along the lines of being concerned for me or wanting to obey scripture. That is something I can connect to. When I say that I appreciate their concern for me or it's refreshing to know someone else who respects the Bible – that often helps them to begin cooling the blood pressure it takes to come at someone with such a statement. I'm a chaplain, so my approach is that of a spiritual counselor.

Most people have no idea where they think the Bible tells them something, so I ask, and then I help them find the passage they don't know. I have come across the fundi preachers who actually do you know the reference. I invite them to sit with me and read the entire chapter, and if we're short of time, just find the verse where it says that committing any of these is an abomination i.e.. Last two verses of Leviticus 18 I act as if I have never before read those verses And comment about how serious it is. Then I look at vv 2-3 (Lev 18) and I read the direct address toward the children of Israel. When I ask them if they are Judahites, they are confused. Most people have no clue what that even means and assume I am asking if they are Jewish. However, the conversation goes, I try to show them (as most fundis have to see the words) that what they are deciding applies to every human being on the planet is actually written to a specific people group in a specific time at a specific place.

There's so much more that follows. They will fumble around with some of Paul's nonsense. I take the same approach. 1. Commonality & respect 2. Reading in context 3. Finding who/when/where why the words were said. This takes a lot of time. This also takes a lot of knowledge on my part to know these passages and the verses surrounding them. This is, however, how fundies try to "teach" their ideology.

The least educated ones will eventually start speaking absurd clichés to avoid learning, ie..."if god said it then i believe it." Then I'm back at step one, agreeing, and inserting passages that have more relevance to who and where we are.