Rules For Christian Debate
Rules for Christian debate are different from those of the world (2 Corinthians 10:4)
1. The participants must start with and affirm the authority of Scripture (Romans 4:3) and reject “new revelation” or personal illumination incompatible with Scripture.
Avoid “proof texting” – citing an isolated passage of Scripture, outside of the context of that Scripture, in order to justify one’s argument.
2. The participants must be saved. The unregenerate can not be expected to discern spiritual things. (1 Corinthians 2:14)
3. We debate with the mind of Christ; (Romans 12:2, 1 Corinthians 2:16) with grace, humility and respect (Philippians 2:3-5) Ad hominem attacks immediately destroy the credibility of the participant in any Christian debate.
4. We don’t debate the “wisdom” of this world (1 Corinthians 3:19, 2 Thessalonians 10-11)
5. Our love for the truth must be balanced with our love for our brothers in Christ (1 John 2:9-10)
6. We must recognize that there ARE essentials which legitimately separate (Galatians 1:8-12), and non-essentials which must not (Acts 15:19, James 2:12-13).
D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones quoted Richard Baxter and Lutheran theologian Rupertus Meldenius in Knowing The Times
“It is right and good that brethren should discuss together matters which are not essential to salvation, and about which there is, and has always been, and always will be, legitimate differences of opinion. We can do no better at that point to quote the old adage, ‘In essentials unity; in things indifferent, liberty; in all things charity.’”
7. We must stay focused on what matters (2 Timothy 2:23-24) and what is “of first importance” (1 Corinthians 15:1-8); the Gospel of Salvation.
8. In “contending for the faith” (Jude 3) our primary motivation is the glory of God (Romans 11:36)…not defending our opinion or reputation (Philippians 2:7).
9. Pray for a humble and holy spirit, and for those with whom we disagree. (2 Timothy 2:24-25)
10. Examine yourself continually, asking if my attitude, words and behavior reflect that of Christ Jesus...or that of Satan. (2 Corinthians 3:18)
Do I have “an unhealthy interest in controversies and (foolish and stupid) arguments that result in envy, quarreling, malicious talk, evil suspicions, and constant friction…” (1 Timothy 2:23, 6:4-5)
Ephesians 4:31-5:2
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Oliver Cromwell's letter To the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland. 3d August 1650 in response to the General Assembly's Answer to the Cromwell Manifesto, or 'Declaration of the English Army to all the Saints in Scotland'
"I beseech you, in the bowels [the seat of compassion] of Christ, think it possible you may be mistaken."
Thomas Manton Exposition of Jude
https://books.google.com/books?id=i5s_AAAAYAAJ&pg=PA260&lpg
There is not a more likely way to undermine the truth than by an unseemly defense of it.
John Newton "On Controversy"
What will it profit a man if he gains his cause, and silences his adversary, if at the same time he loses that humble, tender frame of spirit in which the Lord delights, and to which the promise of his presence is made?
You have need to watch and pray, for you will find Satan at your right hand to resist you: he will try to debase your views; and though you set out in defense of the cause of God, if you are not continually looking to the Lord to keep you, it may become your own cause, and awaken in you those tempers which are inconsistent with true peace of mind, and will surely obstruct communion with God.
Be upon your guard against admitting any thing personal into the debate.
Edward Bickersteth (1786–1850), The Christian Student, Chapter 9, “Practical Rules for Study”
https://books.google.com/books?id=XK5WAAAAcAAJ
(Only that) religious truth is essential (which) is plainly asserted, or may be easily deduced from the Holy Scriptures.
William Bright Ancient Collects and Other Prayers, 1864
Lord, grant all Who contend for the faith, never to injure it by clamor and impatience; but, speaking Thy precious truth in love, so to present it that it may be loved, and that men may see in it Thy goodness and beauty.
John L. Dagg
Because we differ from other professors of religion in our faith and practice respecting the externals of religion, we are under a constant temptation to make too much account of these external peculiarities. Against this temptation we should ever struggle.
C.H. Spurgeon
Lectures To My Students, “The Necessity of Ministerial Progress”
We are not to go about the world searching out heresies, like terrier dogs sniffing for rats; nor are we to be so confident of our own infallibility as to erect ecclesiastical stakes at which to roast all who differ from us.
“Exposition of the Doctrine of Grace”
https://www.spurgeon.org/resource-library/sermons/exposition-of-the-doctrines-of-grace/#flipbook/
Since the fall, no powers of mortals are free from imperfection. Our judgment is not necessarily a fully enlightened one, and we ourselves therefore let another man's judgment also be his guide unto God; but we must not forget that every man is responsible to the Most High for the use of that judgment, for the use of that mental power which God has given him, by which he is to weigh and balance the arguments of either side.
“Behold, He Prayeth”
https://www.spurgeon.org/resource-library/sermons/behold-he-prayeth/#flipbook/
For us to hate those who are in error; Talk of them with contempt; Wish them ill or do them wrong: Is not according to the Spirit of Christ.
You cannot cast out Satan by Satan, nor correct error by violence, not overcome hate with hate. The conquering weapon of the Christian is love.
If I go through the world hating my fellow-men because they differ from me, and determining to force my own doctrines upon others with an iron hand, I cannot lift that hand in prayer.