Why debate at all?

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YJM

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Curious as to the purpose.

Listening to Matt Dellahunty, Seth Andrews and others helped me to lose my faith for 2 years.

Now I have repented and I am hopefully accepted again by Christ.

Isn't it risky to allow debate that may take away others from the true faith of Christ?

What's the point?
 

Pavel Mosko

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Isn't it risky to allow debate that may take away others from the true faith of Christ?

I think it is risky for some who are not called to Apologetics, but some Christians are and the Bible says, "be ready always to give an answer to every man who asketh you a reason for the hope that is in you" (1 PETER 3:15).
 
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YJM

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I think it is risky for some who are not called to Apologetics, but some Christians are and the Bible says, "be ready always to give an answer to every man who asketh you a reason for the hope that is in you" (1 PETER 3:15).

Respectfully every believer is called to give an answer, there is no such thing as "some who are not called to Apologetics". Unless of course you can give me chapter and verse...maybe I've missed that calling but I doubt it.
 
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Kaon

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Curious as to the purpose.

Listening to Matt Dellahunty, Seth Andrews and others helped me to lose my faith for 2 years.

Now I have repented and I am hopefully accepted again by Christ.

Isn't it risky to allow debate that may take away others from the true faith of Christ?

What's the point?

It is a stumbling block; debate with Eve and the Serpent caused the fall of mankind itself.

Debate is a very deceptive device of communication - specifically because in formal debate itself, you are not required to believe in an issue of debate, or any facet of the issue: you just have to argue the case effectively. The serpent knew the Truth because he was in His presence - he worshiped His very existence before the witnesses of creation. Yet, his debate tactics were enough to convince Eve of something for which she knew better as well - as the Word of God Himself literally walked with Adam and Eve before they sinned.

There are much more honest ways to exchange ideas and information - ones that demand full transparency (and/or there exists literary and biological mechanisms to determine the lack of transparency).
 
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YJM

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There should not be "debate" on any Christian forum. Debate is discussing the possibility of scripture being wrong, or Christ being a fake or a liar.

No one comes to Christ on THEIR terms, they come on HIS terms.

The very subject of debate should be off limits.....otherwise we entertain the thoughts of the world, the flesh and the devil? So on a wider question then - why is there a DEBATE forum on "Christian Forums"?

(On a side note yesterday I was given a warning for comparing the Koran to toilet paper...I stand by that 100%. Why is a Christian giving me a warning for comparing the evil teachings of satan to toilet paper? I think I was actually elevating the Koran in that comparison).
 
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Not David

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It does seem to cause more problems than good from what I can see.
True, however, it is naive to think you will never find a confrontation to what you believe during your life.
 
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Pavel Mosko

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Respectfully every believer is called to give an answer, there is no such thing as "some who are not called to Apologetics". Unless of course you can give me chapter and verse...maybe I've missed that calling but I doubt it.

Well I would see Apologetics as being a part of the gift of teaching, and there are various levels of that. It would be a mistake for your average believer to tread in the same areas where people like saint Paul or Justin Martyr tread because they are not equipped for it.
 
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YJM

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True, however, it is naive to think you will never find a confrontation to what you believe during your life.

That is not the point.

A "Christian forum" should be a place of peace and edification. Not a place of debate. Hell why not open up a "Satanist" sub forum? Seriously why not? Go down the road of entertaining everything and you'll get....everything. We are called to be separate, different and set apart, not all inclusive to everything.

Is the point of CF to be all things to all men, or a place where people that love Christ come to discuss? The former means no boundaries and everything is permissible, the latter means boundaries and standards.
 
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YJM

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Well I would see Apologetics as being a part of the gift of teaching, and there are various levels of that. It would be a mistake for your average believer to tread in the same areas where people like saint Paul or Justin Martyr tread because they are not equipped for it.

There is a gift of teaching absolutely.
But you're saying an "average" believer shouldn't tread in the same areas as Paul?
Define average please on spiritual terms and define Paul's walk with Christ and then we can debate otherwise it's your opinion.

I would question your assertion that there is a "calling to apologetics". Please back this up from scripture.

Thanks
 
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Pavel Mosko

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That is not the point.

A "Christian forum" should be a place of peace and edification. Not a place of debate. Hell why not open up a "Satanist" sub forum? Seriously why not? Go down the road of entertaining everything and you'll get....everything. We are called to be separate, different and set apart, not all inclusive to everything.

There are lots of safe space forums on the forum and if people are misbehaving you can report them.

There are actually some people who come to Faith via such things as debate. They are few and far between but when they happen they can be significant people like saint Augustine and some modern Christian apologists and writers as well.
 
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Well I would see Apologetics as being a part of the gift of teaching, and there are various levels of that. It would be a mistake for your average believer to tread in the same areas where people like saint Paul or Justin Martyr tread because they are not equipped for it.

Besides, apologetics (what the Redeemer, prophets, disciples, etc. did) are didactic, and/or Socratic. That is much more appropriate than debate in my opinion. Debate has the intent of convincing an entity to accept your argument based on well-defended arguments (even though those arguments could be completely wrong.)
 
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Pavel Mosko

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But you're saying an "average" believer shouldn't tread in the same areas as Paul?
Define average please on spiritual terms and define Paul's walk with Christ and then we can debate otherwise it's your opinion.

And this is the joke the person who raised the thread about Debating is now debating me about the nature and call of Christian Apologetics! :)
 
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Pavel Mosko

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Besides, apologetics (what the Redeemer, prophets, disciples, etc. did) are didactic, and/or Socratic. That is much more appropriate than debate in my opinion. Debate has the intent of convincing an entity to accept your argument based on well-defended arguments (even though those arguments could be completely wrong.)

I would actually try to include that in the list of general apologetics and theology. I try to be more discursive in my style because that is more conducive than an adversarial approach most of the time.
 
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topher694

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True, however, it is naive to think you will never find a confrontation to what you believe during your life.
Absolutely, but imo there is a difference between defending your faith or giving your testimony and debating it.
 
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YJM

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And this is the joke the person who raised the thread about Debating is now debating me about the nature and call of Christian Apologetics! :)

And this is the joke that you think debating excuses you from being patient, tolerant and loving.

Another waste of time.

No more replies forthcoming and another block.
 
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Not David

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Absolutely, but imo there is a difference between defending your faith or giving your testimony and debating it.
Probably. I don't know, I usually debate not to change the mind of the person I am debating, but the idea and anyone who is listening or watching.
 
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YJM

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Probably. I don't know, I usually debate not to change the mind of the person I am debating, but the idea and anyone who is listening or watching.

Debating or witnessing without judging the audience is a waste of time. No amount of witnessing or debate will convince anyone unless they have a heart prepared by the Spirit to receive the truth.
 
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topher694

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Probably. I don't know, I usually debate not to change the mind of the person I am debating, but the idea and anyone who is listening or watching.
I'm with you there. My problem is once I get into the debate, it's hard to get out. Even after it has long stopped being productive.
 
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I'm with you there. My problem is once I get into the debate, it's hard to get out. Even after it has long stopped being productive.
Agree. Sometimes, it feels great when I ignore and leave the debate.
 
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