I have been convicted about a belief / action that I have had in the past that I now see as sinful. It involves debating with others.
In the past I would challenge modern pastors / bible teachers to come and reason / debate the Word on John424 radio
https://www.dontperish.com/john-424-radio-audio-page-1.html
but I was in error so I repent of that.
What got to me recently is as I research/discern ministries; I see all the events put on where atheist's debate Christians or a group of Christian's debate another group of claimed Christian's and it is made into this planned out showy event. The result is people talking about it, getting all worked up, lots of pre planning, a stage with a audience, picking sides. At the end there is lots more talk about who won and all and it seems prideful fankly. Is this a biblical God honoring event? I say no and here is why.
At dontperish.com we actually believe what God's Word commands us to do; then we try to do just that. Sadly that makes us very different then evangelical / modern man made religion today. While they say they follow God's Word quite often they do not at all and in this area it is no different. They have allowed the world and traditions to set their actions. I was swept up in my past flesh/evangelical/cultural false ways as well but; no more.
What does God's Word say about this thing called debating?
Actually the Word says NOTHING about it. We are not called anywhere to organize debates, give heretics a audience and have other believers listen in to see who can out talk the other. What the Word does tell us is that we are to warn, rebuke, correct, instruct but NOT associate with false teachers or those who leave sound doctrine.
Jesus did tell us in Matt 7 to NOT cast His pearls to swine who trample it; would that not be false teachers?
Some other verses that make all this very clear:
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
2 Tim 4:2
Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
1 Tim 5:20
These verses above seem to be (in context) about other true believers who may desire/repent to the truth and us trying to help them in correct doctrine NOT; about debating in a staged show or event at all with other who have long since doubled down in their apostasy, false theology and error.
Most often debates are set up with two opposing sides ready to do battle on a specific topic like Calvinism vs Armianian-ism or young earth vs old earth. Here is a example how men are lifted up and promoted in these debates:
What does the Holy Word say about those who are in error/false ways and how God's true people should deal with them?
A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
Titus 3:10-11
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
Rom 16.17-18See a article about what is a heretic below that may help you.
What I see here is the clear command to NOT be around heretics and false teachers. Giving them a stage to debate you and being seen with them in planned organized religious discussion is going AGAINST ' Word and I want to simply obey God's Word.
Paul says this:
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
2 Tim 4:3-4
Then the Apostle tells men of God what we should be doing:
But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
2 Tim 4:5
Debating is NOT part of that command is it.
Some will say Paul debated the pagans in Acts 17 but he clearly did not. He was there to proclaim truth and preach the gospel to the lost. Others will say Jesus debated with the Pharisee's but what he really did was; as they injected themselves in His daily ministry work; He rebuked them; just as the Word says to.
What we are commanded to do by Christ is:
*be in spirit and truth John 4:24
*obey all He commanded John 14;15
*to go and preach the gospel Mark 16
*make disciples. Matt 28
*obey all He commanded John 14;15
*to go and preach the gospel Mark 16
*make disciples. Matt 28
People/modern pastors today would be busy full time with the above commands yet they ignore God's full truth for their daily lives ( see our biblical 10 point test below ) and some look to debate with others as a habit. It seems it is pride and the desire for attention that fuels many of these pro debaters. Clearly it is not scripture calling them to do it.
To fleshly man made religious types; obeying Gods Word in full is not as much fun as showy debates to a audience is it?
If you encounter a false teacher you should teach truth and if they reject it; rebuke them then... leave them. This is not complicated at all if we choose God's Way.
We do go and preach the truth outside of religious places or out in the world and we do contend for the faith as Jude says but; we will not give platforms for false teachers to decieve. We just rebuke them on the spot, mark them on the internet to warn others and then; we leave/avoid them to be inline with holy scripture.
We do go and preach the truth outside of religious places or out in the world and we do contend for the faith as Jude says but; we will not give platforms for false teachers to decieve. We just rebuke them on the spot, mark them on the internet to warn others and then; we leave/avoid them to be inline with holy scripture.
Paul also says this.....
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2 Tim 3:2-5
And this:
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
2 Thess 3:6
I am not sure that it gets much clearer then all of this and I am sad I was swept up in it myself; for a season. ( thankfully no modern pastor or bible teacher ever took me up on my offer as I would have been in sin. They tend to hide in the dark of their false ways anyway. )
The real question is:
How is joining a stage, inviting people to watch to debate them; turning away from them? Giving them the chance to out talk you then they may deceive others; all because of your planned debating actions.
For us; we will obey God's Word and NOT give time or a platform to false teachers.
How about you?
Here is what we will do biblically for those we have written about and exposed as being in error ( see this link ) as truth matters.
https://www.dontperish.com/challenge-for-modern-pastors.html
Here is that article on what is a heretic/it may surprise you:
https://spiritandtruthdiscernment.blogspot.com/2017/12/what-is-heretic-or-heresy.html
Let God be true and every man a liar......
God be praised
www.dontperish.com
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Here is the biblical gospel:
http://www.dontperish.com/the-gospel.html
http://www.dontperish.com/the-gospel.html
Here is a 10 point biblical test:
Go here for audio teachings:
His true people follow Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24) NOT.... man made false ways or today's denominational religion.