Posting has been slow lately, but it is for good reason. My good friend, Dave Miller, and I are starting to do a series. This series is going to become a major part of what SBC Voices is going to become.
We are going to start a series of civil, online debates.
This is how it is going to work… We are going to debate a wide range of topics, such as:
“What makes a Baptism legitimate?”
“Eschatological Hermeneutics: Literal or analogy of faith?”
“Lord’s Supper: Open or Closed?”
“Regulative or Normative Principle?”
“Elder-led or Single-Pastor-led?”
“Multi-site churches: best option?”
“Complementarianism vs. Egalitarianism”
“Street Evangelism: More Harm than Good?”
and on and on and on… Hopefully, by my examples you can see that we are going to debate theological and practical topics. These are mere examples, there will be a lot more.
Here is what I need from you… In the comment thread post more ideas for topics of debate you would like to see. Also, if you are interested in partaking in some of these debates let me know. You can e-mail me at matt _ svoboda @ hotmail.com or tell me in the comment thread.
What will the debates consist of?
Each person will get 1,000 words to debate why he stands where he does. i.e.- Pro-closed communion. After the two different debaters write their 1,000 word posts stating why they stand where they do they will then write a 1,000 word response to the other persons.
UPDATE: I am getting A LOT of great feedback. For those of you wanting to participate and do some of the debates- The only way I can get this organized is if you e-mail me at matt _ svoboda @ hotmail.com
In the e-mail include your full name- What topic you want to debate and (briefly)what your stance on the issue is… This can only work if I get people that truly disagree! As soon as I get two people for each topic we will get this going. So far, I have an anti- and a pro- multi site person… So, that will probably be the first debate.
Make sure your posts dont exceed 1,000 words. As soon as I tell you that you “have the spot” in the debate try to get me your original posts. You MUST commit to doing two posts- your original and your response- or this wont work… Any more questions?
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thank you for your work.
the debate/dialogue blogging idea sounds great! i am interested in participating.
suggested debate ideas:
“when do you baptize?” (i just wrote a blog on this.)
“what is biblically ALLOWABLE in regard to culture & contexts, though maybe not the best biblical model? (i.e. the buildings/houses as meeting places for churches, leadership of church)”
[it seems that so much of the recent talks/debates going around are about theology without context.]
ryan
.-= rynoyak´s last blog ..Immediate Immersion: the Acts, the New Testament & the Early Church On When to Baptize (Acts 2) =-.
Maybe something related to missions! Looking forward to seeing where this goes!
.-= Grady Bauer´s last blog ..A dream isn’t enough =-.
Suggested Topic – Why is the Big-12 so overrated?
Just a suggestion!
.-= Dave Miller´s last blog ..Playing the Race Card to Stifle Debate =-.
Did you mean SEC? Because I think the Big 12 is 1-0 to the SEC this year…
this debate could get uncivil quickly
.-= Dave Miller´s last blog ..Playing the Race Card to Stifle Debate =-.
Dave-
Don’t throw your pearls before the Big 12 swine – there are some arguments that are just futile to undertake…
Did I mention 1-0?
Can’t argue with facts.
Two Words: Mark Driscoll. You’ll definitely get lots of attention on that subject. But really, I would like to see a debate on the place of Calvinists in the SBC. It’s time the name calling stop, and the serious thinking on that issue begin. I’m sure I (and many others) will be writing our own responses at our own blogs. I definitely will. I look forward to a civil debate.
.-= Frank!´s last blog ..What Confessions Deal with Discipleship? =-.
Just so you know… If people do write their own responses on their own blogs I will be sure to do a final post with all of the debate posts and I will include the links for everyone who responds….
I lived in Washington, D.C. for many years and the only swastikas (nazis) symbols I ever saw were on german war relics my relatives brought back from WWII. Now in the ” south” before Obama’s Inaugeration day, (Tues) and Dr. Martin Luther King’s National Holiday (Mon), I am aware of the nazis stuffing mailboxes with junk. One of the messages from the SBC Church I was sitting in on Sunday , included the “I have a Dream ” speech. Did you know that he was a Baptist Preacher and that the second half of that speech was extemporaneous? Took nerve of the Pastor I was listening to present that message and it was very, very well received by a mostly white congretion. It helped cost Dr. King his life – and Nanci Pelosci * Speaker of the House- is AFRAID TO TALK ABOUT IT. We let “wild man” Wiley Drake get all the publicity with outlandish statements. We meaning everybody have the power to drown these mailbox stuffers & idiots out. But it takes courage and a purpose of mind. Some kind of a discussion along this line might encourage some to “stand up”. This is not health-care rhetoric, it’s the truth!
Great idea, Matt. I know you have an eschatological topic, but I’d like to see you and Dave debate dispensationalism.
I would also like to see a debate on the use of church covenants.
.-= Barry Wallace´s last blog ..Comparing Counseling Methods =-.
Barry,
Unless Dave is scared, I would happily show the world why I thought Dispensationalism was a prank when someone first told me about it…
I thought, “They cant be serious.. Is this a joke?”
haha, but seriously, I would love to debate the topic and I think Dave would be up for it… But first Dave is working on a debate for- “Baptism- What’s security got to do with it?”
Now, its on!
.-= Dave Miller´s last blog ..Playing the Race Card to Stifle Debate =-.
There are tons of topic for debates. (Isn’t that interesting, in itself?) I personally find this particular topic very interesting.
“Salvation: Simple Faith or Faith with Strong Theology?” I don’t know if it can be considered a debate. Just a thought.
.-= Chris´s last blog ..Rich Ruler and Jesus =-.
I think these are some excellent ideas and I look forward to hearing the thoughts on these topics. Here are some other possible ideas (take it or leave them):
Baptism: Immediate or Delayed?
Should churches target certain demographics?
Local Associations: A Bygone Organization or Resource for the Future?
What are the requirements for church membership?
Discipleship: Sunday School vs. Small Group or both?
Luke,
I LOVE these:
Discipleship: Sunday School vs. Small Group or both?
Baptism: Immediate or Delayed?
Should churches target certain demographics?
Be on the lookout…
I’ll take a shot at pro-multi-site if nobody else wants to go there.
.-= Doug Hibbard´s last blog ..Daily Journal September 18 =-.
First debate is set-
“Multi-site Churches- Good Option?”
Yes- Doug Hibbard
No- Michael DeBusk
Guys, get me your original posts as soon as you can. Back out if you arent sure you can do a response post in a reasonable time period.
QUESTION FOR ALL: Should I change the maximum from 1,000 to 1,500?
Leave it at 1000. We’re Baptists. Give us 500 extra and we’ll produce the Apocrypha, Pseudepigrapha, and 2 years of Sunday School lessons on the side.
.-= Doug Hibbard´s last blog ..Daily Journal September 18 =-.
I do that every week.
.-= Dave Miller´s last blog ..Playing the Race Card to Stifle Debate =-.
People will only read so much.. Im sticking with my original decision- 1,000 words.
E-mail me your original posts when you finish them.
Matt,
I think this is a good idea and I’m glad ya teamed up with Dave Miller.
.-= Benji Ramsaur´s last blog ..Principles of Faith of The Sandy Creek Association-1816 =-.
Benji,
I have been amazed at the 20+ emails and twitter messages I have received today because of this. I’m excited to see where this goes.
Yeah, I like Dave- despite his Dispensationalist Yankee-ism.
See what I have to put up with, Benji?
.-= Dave Miller´s last blog ..Playing the Race Card to Stifle Debate =-.
If most of you guys are students then I can understand to some degree all the alplabet soup subjects you’re talking about and your enthusiasm for those subjects. But if you’re the real deal, Pastors, and you’re caught up in this monkey motion , then I can see why membership is dwindling as most people that go to church 2 or 3 times a week are lost and couldn’t care less about catching up on these subjects. Most it seems don’t know who they are spiritually-calvinism,predestination and if there is a burning desire to understand and impart the gospel as it has been written ,it doesn’t show. The same burning that Graham has, King had. It takes people who are not namby-pambys to be able to feel the pain on the cross and what Christ said there. Students must have chosen this work because their father did it or they messed up everything else they’ve tried and figured God would make them a success in religion because they’re nice guys. This looks like a contact sport to me and a fair knowledge of current events is proof. President OBama just gave a Medal of Honor to the parents of a soldier who had this spirit. I hope some of you guys find it or change your denomination to somthing that wears a robe so the wet spots don’t show through!
In the nicest way I can say it, your comment is quite ridiculous. You make it seem as if people who are the “real deal” do not care for civil discussion over important theological and practical issues. This is in no way true.
The main things that will be debated are theological issues( what the Bible teaches) and practical issues(best way of implementing what the Bible teaches) and you all it “monkey motion.” I believe you are a very confused, mistaken person.
If you do not like discussing these issues, why are you in the blogosphere?
Jack,
I honestly have no idea who you are, but it sounds like there is some deeper issue that you have have against people who talk about these things. I am trying to treat you with grace since I will assume that you are a brother-in-Christ, but if you want to throw out these theological discussions, then I feel you need to throw out much of the Scriptures.
While I cannot speak for some of the other commentators, I am interested in these subjects because I want to be faithful to the teaching of Christ. I have friends that are studying at seminary having spent the past 2 years in some of the darkest places preaching the gospel – often risking their lives. Honestly Jack, to blatantly attack other brothers in Christ who are studying so they might teach the truth of God, shows a heart that is not reflecting the grace and forgiveness of the Gospel itself.
I hope that I am not misunderstanding what you said, but I have read your comment many times and have found it difficult to understand it any differently. Perhaps you just had a rough day, but be careful how you speak to fellow believers. After all, Christ said that the world would recognize us as his followers by how we love one another (John 13:35).
Well you have a spirit at least, but you’re wrong again. After 2000 years some are trying to re-invent the wheel. The pope may travel in a 747 but his rosary still has the same number of beads it did before he ever had a plane. All these monkey motions should have been straightened out in school if you are a pastor with the “challanges of the world’s problems” awaiting your expertise- not the challenge of “what does my religion say”. As to why I stop at the blogs, I have the time which others also seem to have in abundance and I have an “iron in the fire” which begs the question how this organization with its current structure (practical problems) and mentality can prevail in the state most everybody on this blog would want it to. Want to see somthing scary , google ergun caner and look at his picture on the Liberty Baptist Univ. page. His glowering eyes, fu man chu beard and he on purpose has the meanest expression on his face I’ve seen in a long time. Falwell wouldn’t have let that pass. His brother is down in GA. somewhere and is a very pleasant fellow. When things like this start showing up and people only want to talk about JC (John Calvin) instead of JC (Jesus Christ) we’re sinking kinda low in my estimation. For you to diaganose me over the internet without my pressing my hand on the screen is super! Ithink I’ve raised serious issues and have been civil in the process and didn’t get personal with anyone except maybe Dr.Willingham who can take it. Different strokes for different folks.
Luke , You’re right. You just don’t understand . But somthing is wrong at SBC. Why don’t you tell everybody what you think it is .
Jack,
Some of us went to seminary before technology would have allowed, for example, multi-site churches. So, we didn’t hash out in school whether we should or shouldn’t.
And too many of us don’t have the opportunity to sit down with coffee or coke in hand and discuss various issues and sharpen each other face-to-face. To debate and discuss via blog is an inadequate substitute, but it’s better than nothing.
As to the question of what’s wrong with the SBC, it’s simple. People are born with a tendency to sin. The Gospel is the solution, but we still hang on to various old sinful habits. Those habits clash. And it’s not easy to solve those problems without finding ways to discuss the issues. Personally, I think the SBC has gotten to large and unwieldy. I think it might be possible for various regional conventions to elect portions of Board leaderships to manage the national level of giving to IMB and NAMB. People feel more connected, stay more involved. But I don’t want to take up any more space with monkey motions. I’ve preached, counseled, taught, and cooked today, and have more to do tomorrow.
Doug
.-= Doug Hibbard´s last blog ..Daily Journal September 18 =-.
Here’s another topic:
Spiritual Gifts: Cessationsist view vs. Continualist view
.-= Barry Wallace´s last blog ..Comparing Counseling Methods =-.
Good call, Barry.
I would like to debate Street Evangelism: More Harm than Good? The only problem with identifying my position is what do we consider street evangelism? If we are talking about what Jehovah’s Witnesses do, then I would be happy to fill the More Harm position. But a definition is pertinent here, I would even be happy to write first and offer the definition I believe is most biblical.
.-= Olon Hyde´s last blog ..Religion in the Santa Rosa School System =-.
Olon,
How about you write me a definition and then e-mail it to me… If I like it I will try to find someone who will debate the issue with you-based off of the definition.
matt _ svoboda @ hotmail.com