Debate in the Christian Community

Fellow writer and friend Al Maxey writes a very biblical newsletter called Reflections. Al is a very thoughtful minister/elder at a faith community in New Mexico. From time to time he asks for input of his readers. Most recently he requested the opinion of his readers on the method of debate; its effectiveness, its place in church life, the positive and negative points of debating between differing believers. Here was my response to his request.

I don’t know that I ever believed debate was an effective method for teaching but it could certainly provide for an entertaining afternoon. Twenty-plus years ago I vividly remember a college minister, engaging a college professor in a debate. The minister affirmed the existence of a God, while the college professor denied the existence of God. About half way through the debate the professor challenged the minster to prove God’s existence by having God “miraculous” move a chair across the stage. My friend, sitting in the audience, ran up on stage and while the college professor was making his point, back turned; moved the chair a good ten to twelve feet from where they stood. When the professor turned to see what happened the audience broke out in a loud and long laughter. Without a doubt it was the highlight of the debate.

It is not coincidental that modernity and the “Age of Reason,” (i.e. a celebration of linear thinking and rational argument) came about just after the printing revolution. The visual orientation that resulted from print’s ethical imperative created an emphasis on reason, analysis, systematic understanding, and a rational explanation of doctrine. This difference in sensibilities from an oral culture to a visual (print) has much to do with the schism within Christianity. A child of the print era was debate. It was a period that reoriented us away from the imprecise beliefs and opinions of others toward scrutiny—a characteristic that continues today.

What are your thoughts?

Al’s Debate List

Al’s Web Site

The Failure of Religion

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Years ago when I took my son fishing on Twelve Pole Creek I found a Budweiser can and noticed a small Rock Bass fish trapped inside. When smaller, he swam unsuspecting into the can and then, failing to find his way out, soon became too large to get out. When I freed him from the can, he had already begun to grow in a curve.

That true story suggests the way thousands have experienced religion. It held out for them promise for a fuller, richer life where problems could be handled and freedom experienced daily. In reality it brought additional problems—church politics, power plays, one more thing to do, and one more thing to become frustrated with. Instead of finding freedom, life seemed more stilted—they found themselves growing in a curve.

Much of what we see in the established church today has no fire. She has become ensnarled in a kind of “institutionalism” that withers in the labyrinth of its organizational structures. But more serious than all of the above has been the people’s failure to find a worthy cause for which to live. People can live in churches for years and never discover any greater reason to live than a career, a few more possessions or a little more fame. You don’t have to be religious to pursue these goals.

Remember Jesus? He established the greatest adventure the world has ever seen and did it in the midst of massive religious failure. If we hear His call afresh today, we, too, can participate in a quality of life that makes new everything around us.