Why Debate Scripture?

[Maria Billingsley]

Why not post your view. And have those who disagree post their views. Debating means either one or both do not understand scripture. If both understand scripture, there is no debate.

I like the Apologists who do not merely preach the gospel. they attach a ball and chain to their legs while doing it.

How do we follow this command if we do not debate our brothers and sisters?
Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. Timothy 4:2

 

[Cross Over the Lake]

Yeah, but some people can’t debate and not become self righteous. It becomes a peeing match, and what better place than the internet.

 

[HatGuy]

Why not post your view. And have those who disagree post their views. Debating means either one or both do not understand scripture. If both understand scripture, there is no debate.

I like the Apologists who do not merely preach the gospel. they attach a ball and chain to their legs while doing it.

I come to learn and also test my views out, see where they fall short or are in need of more thought.

Forums like these have been integral for my own theological journey, and also my humility! I think they have helped me to be more patient in discussions even offline - and also more informed.

 

[Dave L]

How do we follow this command if we do not debate our brothers and sisters?
Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. Timothy 4:2

An alternative article does this without the friction.

 

[Uber Genius]

That is a good point Laz! But only if the weaker vessel in Christ is willing for his iron to be sharpened.

Many times in my life I have submitted to the stronger vessel in Christ and realized my iron is being sharpened.

Online it's much harder to submit because we are not necessarily aware who is the stronger vessel. And in many cases the weaker vessel considers himself the stronger vessel when he is not.

Where is your heart with the Lord when considering such things? He will show you if we put Him first.

I would have to say that even in churches the stronger vessels are not welcome unless they defer to the pastor's view no matter how weak and untrained that pastor is.

Many pastors I have met invest more time in being everyone's father than studying the word. This is big in TV ministries as well.

The Biblical data is clear on a handful of central issues:
God creates the universe
God's view of man
Man's state before God
God's provision to bring man into relationship with him
God intends us to rule and reign with him in a completely different world he is preparing for us.

But how God creates, what is man's state before God, how is one brought into relationship with God, can we live our lives in such a way that we don't get to rule with him in the next life, are all controversial issues best handled by a systematic collection of the Biblical data and then analyzed as to which view best explains those data.

Here we need to be humble, irenic in our tone, avoid being yes-men to appease pastors, be willing to not divide over most issues since only a few are important and God not us judges Pastors.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

An alternative article does this without the friction.

I am not sure what you mean by "alternative article". The scripture indicates we should have complete patience.
Blessings!

 

[bèlla]

There has never been an instance when the Holy Spirit advised me to debate with strangers on the Internet. There are several instances when He’s directed me to edifying subjects and away from those that incite confusion or arguments.

~Bella

 

[renniks]

Why not post your view. And have those who disagree post their views. Debating means either one or both do not understand scripture. If both understand scripture, there is no debate.

I like the Apologists who do not merely preach the gospel. they attach a ball and chain to their legs while doing it.

Aren't you the same Dave that constantly debates on here?

 

[Charlie24]

Aren't you the same Dave that constantly debates on here?

I think you just brought up an interesting point. lol

I think he changed his picture and now throwing curve balls at us. lol

 

[Kilk1]

But many times we are debating wicked spirits beyond the reach of the gospel.

When people consistently refuse the truth, to try any harder to change their mind would be to cast pearls before swine (Matt. 7:6). However, the purpose of debates isn't necessarily to convince your opponent as it is to show the audience why your opponent's way of thinking is incorrect, hence "casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" (2 Cor. 10:5, NKJV).

 

[Dave L]

When people consistently refuse the truth, to try any harder to change their mind would be to cast pearls before swine (Matt. 7:6). However, the purpose of debates isn't necessarily to convince your opponent as it is to show the audience why your opponent's way of thinking is incorrect, hence "casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" (2 Cor. 10:5, NKJV).

What you are doing is exposing people to false teachers. If we stick to sharing Christ all that the Father gave to Jesus will come to him.

 

[Dave L]

Aren't you the same Dave that constantly debates on here?

Reluctantly. I'm always a target and put up with it.

 

[Dave L]

I am not sure what you mean by "alternative article". The scripture indicates we should have complete patience.
Blessings!

If you write a false gospel. It's better for me to right a true version and let the reader decide.

 

[renniks]

Reluctantly. I'm always a target and put up with it.

Ok then, if you hate debating, don't. Seems simple enough.

 

[Dave L]

Ok then, if you hate debating, don't. Seems simple enough.

It's a necessary evil. I never post anything looking for a fight.

 

[Kilk1]

What you are doing is exposing people to false teachers. If we stick to sharing Christ all that the Father gave to Jesus will come to him.

What about the lost that would otherwise listen only to your opponent at their home congregation? Isn't it an opportunity for them to hear why your opponent is wrong and what the truth is?

 

[Dave L]

What about the lost that would otherwise listen only to your opponent at their home congregation? Isn't it an opportunity for them to hear why your opponent is wrong and what the truth is?

I think preaching the gospel is a better approach.

 

[Kilk1]

I think preaching the gospel is a better approach.

How many, say, Mormons, would listen to your sermons, though? Now if you got one of their preachers and did a debate, they would be more likely to listen.

Wait, are we literally debating about debating right now?

 

[Dave L]

How many, say, Mormons, would listen to your sermons, though? Now if you got one of their preachers and did a debate, they would be more likely to listen.

Wait, are we literally debating about debating right now?

Yes. But there's a better way. Preach the gospel.

 

[Kilk1]

Yes. But there's a better way. Preach the gospel.

"The first one to plead his cause seems right,
Until his neighbor comes and examines him."
—Proverbs 18:17 (NKJV)

From the reader/viewer's point of view, debating can be a way to test if the views they've been taught about Bible passages are accurate. Instead of just listening to the first person you hear, you can hear multiple sides of an issue on what the Bible teaches and see whose position can be adequately explained from Scripture.

One of the most effective ways to preach the gospel is to show that what you're teaching is so clear from the Bible, that you're not afraid for it to be set up against public scrutiny; no response by an opponent can refute the clear interpretation of Scripture you presented.