Isaiah 58:4, and Romans 1:29 says "debate" is not a good thing, so it's not of God, nor is it the will of God that we partake in strife.
H4683 - a quarrel, contention, debate, strife.
from H5327 - a primitive root; properly, to go forth, i.e. (by implication) to be expelled, and (consequently) desolate; causatively, to lay waste; also (specifically), to quarrel: KJV -- be laid waste, runinous, strive (together).
G2054 - a quarrel, wrangling, contention, debate, strife, variance.
LOL.
Let's take a look at these verses a little closer (and then some). Here is the KJV:
Rom 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in
their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
It's interesting that of the versions I have available to me quickly (about 7 of 'em) the KJV is the only one that says "debate." Interesting enough, even the New King James Version took the word "debate" out and replaced it with "strife."
Let's look at it in an easier English translation (CEV) (you can read either, they mean the same thing after all):
Rom 1:28 Since these people refused even to think about God, he let their useless minds rule over them. That's why they do all sorts of indecent things.
29They are evil, wicked, and greedy, as well as mean in every possible way. They want what others have, and they murder, argue, cheat, and are hard to get along with. They gossip,
30 say cruel things about others, and hate God. They are proud, conceited, and boastful, always thinking up new ways to do evil. These people don't respect their parents.
31 They are stupid, unreliable, and don't have any love or pity for others.
32 They know God has said that anyone who acts this way deserves to die. But they keep on doing evil things, and they even encourage others to do them.
Ok, once again, let's "rightly divide the Word" instead of just using a concordance to find the word "debate."
Who is Paul talking about here: v28 -- "these people refused even to think about God." Hmm. This is ungodly athiests. In fact if you go back to v27 you find it is about homosexuals: "They stopped wanting to have sex with women and had strong desires for sex with other men."
What does it say about them? It says that they argue and cheat and hate God. They argue against God. They aren't seeking truth, but rather they are running from the truth.
And Isaiah 58:4 says: "You even get angry and ready to fight." These are contentious people. Isaiah told us in verse 1 that these "turned against the Lord." Doesn't sound like us, KM.
Now let's look at this:
Jud 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
Contend. Interesting word if you want to study Greek, KM.
Contend. Greek: (επαγωνίζομαι) epagōnizomai. It means to struggle for, to contend for, to fight, to labor fervently, to strive. It suggests a literal fight as for a prize, a figurative contention as in a debate, and to endeavor so that something is accomplished.
We are to fight when someone tries to take the Gospel message, as Paul says in v3 that was delievered to the saints, and they take that message and try to pervert it.
If two people disagree on the Word, we are to contend for the correct meaning. We are not to say "oh, you believe your way and I'll believe mine." Rather we should make sure that each person knows completely why the other thinks the way they do. In this manner the truth may be revealed from the disagreement.
What we need to do for sure is to make certain that when two believers are contending in such a way that it stay ordered and under control, quiet and not argumentative for the sake of argument. In other words, the only blood that should be in a fight here should be the Blood of Jesus Christ. For as Paul said in 2 Cor 12:20 about his soon appearance in Corinth:
2Co 12:20 I am afraid that when I come, we won't be pleased with each other. I fear that some of you may be arguing or jealous or angry or selfish or gossiping or insulting each other. I even fear that you may be proud and acting like a mob.
Our contentions should not be filled with jealous and angry arguing, selfishness or insults. It should not be like a riotuous mob (as on CARM -- oops!).
In other words, contend for the Word, but have fun doing it.
