Both the Scriptures and the Spirit of prophecy discourage debating as a means of winning souls to Christ and promulgating the gospel. The prophet Isaiah condemned the Jews for their love of debate. He said: "Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness." Isa. 58:4. The apostle Paul says that the ungodly are "full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity," etc., and "that they which commit such things are worthy of death." Rom. 1:29, 32. He further warns the Corinthian church against indulging in "debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults," etc. 2 Cor, 12:20. We are told through the Spirit of prophecy :
"Some ministers who have been long in the work of preaching present truth, have made great failures in their labors. They have educated themselves as combatants. They have studied out argumentative subjects for the object of discussion, and these subjects which they have prepared, they love to use. . . Those who love to engage in discussion generally lose their spirituality. They do not trust in God as they should. They have the theory of the truth prepared to whip an opponent. The feelings of their own unsanctified hearts have prepared many sharp, close things to use as a snap to their whip to irritate and provoke their opponent. The Spirit of Christ has no part in this. While furnished with conclusive arguments, the debater soon thinks that he is strong enough to triumph over his opponent, and God is left out of the matter. Some of our ministers have made discussion their principal business. . . .
"Those who love to debate are unfitted for being pastors to the flock. They have trained their minds to meet opponents, and to say sarcastic things ; and they cannot come down to meet hearts that are sorrowing, and need comforting. . . . Debating ministers are generally disqualified to help the flock where they most need help. Having neglected practical religion in their own hearts and lives, they cannot teach it to the flock. Unless there is an excitement, they do not know how to labor ; they seem shorn of their strength."----"Testimonies," Vol. III, pp. 215, 216.
There are times, however, when we may be unwittingly drawn into a debate. Some minister may challenge us to a public debate as we present the different points of our faith. Not to accept the challenge may be regarded as inability to defend the truth in the face of opposition ; but note: "If anyone shall seek to draw the workers into debate or controversy on political or other questions, take no heed to either persuasion or challenge."—Id., Vol. p. 122. When we are challenged to debate the truth, and it is deemed advisable by the brethren that the challenge be accepted, the Spirit of prophecy indicates how the debate should be conducted.
"Christ's way is the best way to meet our opponents. We strengthen their arguments when we repeat what they say. Keep always to the affirmative. It may be that the very man who is opposing you will carry your words home, and be converted to the sensible truth that has reached his understanding.
'I have often said to our brethren: 'Your opponents will make statements about your work that are false. Do not repeat their statements, but hold to your assertions of the living truth ; and angels of God will open the way before you.' . . . Angels of God will put into your lips words that will reach the hearts of the opposers. If these men persist in pressing their way in, those who are of a sensible mind in the congregation will understand that yours is the higher standard. So speak that it will be known that Jesus Christ is speaking through you." —Id., Vol. IX, pp. 148, 149.
We are told that the learned rabbis and doctors of the law engaged in a public debate with Stephen, but that "they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake."
"He ably defended the truths that he advocated, and utterly defeated his opponents. To him was the promise fulfilled, 'Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer : for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.' "—"Acts of the Apostles," pp. 91, 98.
To Win May Mean to Lose
When the Sunday-law issue is discussed before legislative committees, it usually resolves itself into a debate between the defenders of the truth, and its opponents, and the legislative committee acts as a jury, hearing the evidence nresented. On such occasions, if we expect to win, a great deal depends not only upon the arguments presented, but upon the spirit in which they are presented.
If the committee members enter into the debate, as they frequently do, and begin to challenge our argument, we must use unusual tact in answering them. We must never make a frontal attack, even though we know we can win out in the argument. If a committee member makes a point in opposition to our argument, we must never tell him that he is all wrong, and proceed to refute his argument. To win out under such circumstances is to lose. It is far more tactful to say : "The honorable Senator is advancing an argument that upon its face is very plausible and deserves due consideration. But has the Senator taken into consideration the following facts?" Then make the point which offsets his argument. This counsel is given on how we ought to meet our opponents:
"It is important that in defending the doctrines which we consider fundamental articles of faith, we should never allow ourselves to employ arguments that are not wholly sound. These may avail to silence an opposer, but they do not honor the truth. We should present sound arguments that will not only silence our opponents, but will bear the closest and most searching scrutiny. With those who have educated themselves as debaters, there is great danger that they will not handle the word of God with fairness."—"Testimonies," Vol. V. p. 7.98.
To win favor in a debate it is absolutely necessary that the debater not only manifest a kind, Christlike spirit, but that he use fair methods, sound arguments, and honesty in all his arguments. He must never allow his temper to become ruffled when his opponent makes sharp thrusts. Composure and a sweet disposition will win out in the most bitter and vitriolic attacks from an opponent. The truth, simply and forcefully told in deep sincerity, will always win its way into the hearts of those who hear it.
In all discussions, the one who holds to the essential issue at stake and does not permit himself to be diverted by side issues, is sure to win a favorable decision from his audience. A clear-cut analysis of the question under discussion, and a simple presentation of the facts, going directly to the point, not allowing sarcasm, witticisms, or false charges to lead us to resort to similar tactics or countercharges, will as a rule convince the audience that we are on the right side and our opponents are on the wrong side.
It is very precarious to prepare your speech in advance when you enter a debate, or argue an issue before a legislative committee. All kinds of questions to divert you from your subject may be asked by those who oppose your views. You may not be permitted to make your speech without many interruptions. You must not show impatience at such annoying tactics on the part of committee members. They have a right to interrupt you at any time and the right to ask you all kinds of questions. You must always accede this right to committee members who conduct the hearing. With the utmost courtesy you must answer every question they ask, to the best of your ability, or acknowledge your inability to answer their questions. Therefore, while it is not prudent to prepare a set, fixed speech, it is absolutely necessary that you inform yourself so thoroughly upon every phase of the question under discussion that it is next to impossible to ask a question on that subject which you cannot answer. Unless you make this kind of preparation, you had better not go before a legislative committee of lawyers to discuss questions of law or legislation. If they know that you are not informed, it does not take them long to humiliate you by their questions. But if you know your subject, after they have asked a few questions, they will let you proceed without interruption.
As a rule, very little is accomplished when ministers of the gospel debate doctrinal topics with other ministers, unless both ministers are kind and courteous and manifest a Christian spirit toward each other with a sincere desire to discover the truth. Although debates are not desirable, yet if they are forced upon us, we should seek to capitalize the opportunity to win as many souls as possible to accept the truth. We should be prepared to detect the weaknesses and the fallacies in our opponents' argument, and to present the strongest possible case for the truth. I was once led into a debate by surprise, sprung on me by three Disciple (Christian) ministers. The Sabbath question was debated for three hours and resulted in eight converts.
God uses all kinds of means to advance the gospel. As Paul said:
"Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife ; and some also of good will ; the one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds : . . whether in pretense, or in truth, Christ is preached ; and I therein do rejoice." Phil. 1:15-18.
