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2. DEBATING
2.1.Wikipedia definition: “debate is contention in argument; Free dictionary definition: “debate is to engage in argument by discussing opposing points.”
2.2. Debating/arguing is absolute necessary to both discovering and defending the truth in a sinful world (Acts 15:1-2, 3-22: notice this is IN the church!; Jude 1:3; Luke 11:37-54).
2.3. Debate therefore is not sinful, what can be is our approach to or avoidance of it (Galatians 5:20; Matthew 10:22-33).
2.4. Debate which is honoring to God:
2.4.1. Always practices intellectual honesty:
2.4.1.1. The goal is discovering and defending the truth (not one’s reputation, position or pride – i.e. “winning the fight”)(2 Corinthians 4:2).
2.4.1.2. Never uses one’s position of authority to take advantage of others (1 Peter 5:3; 1 Thessalonians 2:6).
2.4.1.3. Readily acknowledges when their point/position is wrong and immediately repents (Acts 23:1-5).
2.4.1.4. Is only committed to what can be legitimately proven to be the facts (Deuteronomy 29:29; Isaiah 8:20; 2 Corinthians 13:1; Matthew 18:16; 2 Corinthians 10:5; 2 Timothy 2:16; 2 Timothy 1:13).
2.4.1.5. Does not assume (act like you know what you know, never what you don’t) (1 Corinthians 4:5).
2.4.1.6. Hates all forms of gossip and slander, but also flattery (Rom 1:29-30; Job 32:21-22; Psalm 5:9, 12:2-3,; Proverbs 28:23; Romans 16:17-18; 1 Thessalonians 2:5).
2.4.2. Always reasons logically:
2.4.2.1. Committed to the rules of logic (Identity/Context; Non-contradiction, Excluded Middle, Rational Inference) (e.g. 1 Corinthians 15:12-16; 1 Peter 3:15)
2.4.2.2. Emotions/feelings are irrelevant (i.e. never the measure of what is true but what we think is true.) (e.g. Jude 1:4, 10; 2 Peter 2:1-2, 18; Proverbs 31:30 – “charm is deceitful”).
2.4.2.3. Contradictions are recognized as the first sign that what we think is false (1 Timothy 6:20-21).
2.4.3. Always expresses respect for those in authority (1 Peter 2:18, 3:1-2, 7, 13-16; 1 Timothy 5:17-19; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13).
2.4.4. Always demonstrates love and patient endurance with those who are brothers/sisters in Christ (Ephesians 4:1-3, 16, 32-5:2; Col 3:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10, 5:14; 2 Timothy 4:2).
2.4.5. Always seeks restoration or a peaceful resolution (1 Peter 4:11; Rom 12:18).
2.4.6. Always submits to the parameters of Matthew 18:15-17 (Act 15:1-28; this is why 1 Corinthians 11:16).
2.4.7. Always shows wise restraint and willingness to listen (Romans 12:3; Proverbs 5:1-2, 12-14, 10:8, 12:15, 13:16, 14:15-18, 29, 15:31-32, 18:1-2, 6-7, 13, 19:20; James 1:19-21).