Engaging in Religious Public Debates By Michael Brawner <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Can religious public debates bring about positive, godly ends? Or, do they serve to give unbelievers another reason to doubt Christianity? No doubt only God can see into the depths of these questions but perhaps sharing some personal experience of participating in one in recent years might prove helpful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In December of 2015, I was invited by a preacher friend to attend a private Bible Study at his house. There were two gentlemen from one of the local church of Christ groups who were to be present. They had in mind to quiz us on particular points of doctrine regarding whether a lost person was required to be baptized in order to receive the forgiveness of ARE CONSIDERES sins. This meeting was cordial, as far as our conversation was concerned, but there were obviously stark differences in understanding what the Bible teaches. At the end of the discussion, the church of Christ minister requested that he and I meet in a public forum and discuss the same topic. Two things were agreed upon at that time. 1. The public meeting would be called a Public Discussion rather than a Public Debate. 2. The King James Bible would be the only source of material to use during the discussion. With this in place, the discussion was set for May of. 2016. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The discussion was held two evenings, Friday and Saturday in a local Jr. High School auditorium. There were somewhere between 500 and 600 people present both nights. The church of Christ group brought in their television broadcasting associates who aired the discussion live. Needless to say, there seemed to be lots of show and fanfare by the church of Christ group. As for my part, I engaged as many of our Sister Churches as possible requesting they lift me up in prayer so that I might properly represent the truth as it is found in Christ Jesus. It is my solemn belief that they responded to my request because the Lord surely held me up those two nights and guided my thoughts. It was a wonderful experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seemed to me that this discussion was an opportunity to help those who attended to have the scriptures placed before them so they could study for themselves what was true. I recall that the first two rows of seats were filled with teens from the church of Christ groups in the area. They had their Bibles, notebooks, and pens all in hand. During the first speech, I asked them to take their notebooks and draw a line down the middle of the page. Then, as the discussion took place, it was recommended that they write down the points I made and what scriptures I used to support the points. When my opponent stepped to the microphone, they should note what verses he used to address each of my points. In this way, they would be able to determine what beliefs were founded on the teachings of the Bible and which hinged on something else. On the last night of the discussion, I had the last speech. Knowing my opponent barely touched the Bible during the discussion, I ended by calling the teens attention to all the white space in their notebooks. Then I asked whose side of the paper had all that white space. It was a powerful moment. Reflecting back; it came out later that the church of Christ minister who asked for the debate was most likely trying to make a name for himself. I’m the farthest thing from being his judge but it appears that may have worked out differently than he had in mind. As for me, there were three other church of Christ ministers who requested to also have debates. One of those was held the next year in the same location taking up the topic of the eternal security of the believer. The other two never came to pass for differing reasons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One outstanding, positive result of this discussion was a family tied to the church of Christ group uniting with our Church. The mother came forward and her oldest son came right behind her. They both gave bright professions of salvation and were received by baptism into the Church. Later, the oldest daughter likewise united with us. It has been a blessing to witness. It is firmly believed that this positive outcome is all based on the Lord’s direct leadership in this work. Otherwise, there is no such hope this good could have been realized. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the other side, a public discussion could be very negative. When opponents stoop to the practice of using slurs and verbal jabs to try to get the other person sidetracked, the whole debate becomes belittling to all who witness it. In my opinion, no representative for the Lord Jesus Christ needs to engage in such practices. Rather, let this be the focus: “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all [men], apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. ” 2 Timothy 2:24-26 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
So then, we are to engage those who are in error. From my experience, engaging them in public is more than acceptable. However, these public discussions must be handled with as much meekness as the Lord will grant so that our opponents might find true repentance in order to escape the snare of the devil. Let’s all pray then, that if such a door is opened to any of us in the future, we will be encouraged to lean on the Lord and step through that door to take up the discussion with His help. <\/p>\n\n\n\n