Debate or Argument?

One of the things that I notice about people who debate God's existence is that they don't really know how to draw the line between these two. And in all honestly they are meant to be in unity to one another, not against. I'm one of those people that enjoy arguing and debating, about anything. It can be sports, politics, religion. When we (and I) hear the word argument, we immediately think of two people being exasperated because they are angry at one another and ready to go into full death match mode. When I debate someone the my argument isn't what they dislike, they dislike that on their side it seems like a fight. I never get that heated (usually), but I just love developing thoughts, and arguments and debates are one way to do that . While a fight is what an argument can become, it isn't what an argument is. An argument actually is a well developed position and defense of that position. When you have many arguments we can put together a debate. The real problem is how Christians handle these debates.

Don't look like this!

Now how should we handle debates, whether it be about gay marriage, evolution, the reliability of the New Testament canon or even whether Coke or Pepsi are better (which Coke is much better, by the way). Should we get red in the face, ready to go Old Testament on someone? No. Not at all! First that is not showing the love of Christ. In the main passage that is used as an inspiration for many who practice apologetics, 1 Peter 3:15, we see God call us to show kindness in disagreements. In it we see Peter write

"always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:15)

We don't see him say to us "call them dirty sinners when they disagree with you" or "show them whose boss". If you can get that out of these verses, you're doing hermeneutics wrong. He says to give a reason with "gentleness" and "respect". Now these are not exactly the death blows we all hope for when giving a killer argument. No one expects someone in a presidential debate to show humility. We expect cutthroat politics at its finest. The problem is many people think that they are just doing something similar to running for political office. When we give our reasons for faith we are a representative for Jesus, and if we follow his example, you wont be anywhere near this.

Jesus had plenty of chances to hand out some heavy burns to people, especially to the Jokers to his Batman, the Pharisees. They went on accusing him of things like blasphemy, and all he would do was remain calm. When he told a paralytic man lying on a mat the his sins were forgiven we see they jump straight to the blasphemy train. But rather than finding a zinger against them he says

"Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"--he then said to the paralytic--"Rise, pick up your bed and go home." And he rose and went home. (Matthew 9:4-7)


Not the burn we would all want to throw out. But Jesus showed composure and spoke truth. We should do the same. We should look for lively, and courteous debate. And we should give arguments that teach the truth of the Gospel. It shouldn't just be our opinion though, it should be solid, well thought out arguments. As followers of Jesus, turning to tactics like the ad hominem  fallacy, which is basically attacking a person's credibility rather than their argument, we don't show the kindness of Jesus. Honestly and unfortunately you can make people hate our Father with your attacks. Since we are the reflection of Him, if we are unkind we can make our father seem hateful. So remember, debates and arguments are good, but don't get into fights.