Is it Wrong to Engage in Debates About the Faith as a Christian?

 

B.I.C. Abeiku Okai

"Faith does not eliminate questions. But faith knows where to take them." - Elisabeth Elliot

Some Christians believe that debate or argument is wrong and unnecessary. However, the Bible allows room for debate because it is important and a necessary part of intellectual discourse within the faith. Besides, the truth of the Christian faith has always been and will always be superior to human reasonings, philosophies, culture and traditions. There should be nothing to be afraid or or exchew as long as the truth is on your side. 

Peter admonished, saying, "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and BE READY ALWAYS to GIVE AN ANSWER to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear" (2nd Peter 3:15).

The Greek word translated as 'to give an answer' is 'apologia', which means to give a defense, a reasonable statement, or an argument. There is no way to defend the faith from heresies, external attackers, and falsehood without putting together a good defense. And that defense may take the form of a debate or an argument. It happened among the Apostles in Acts 15.

"And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small DISSENSION and DISPUTATION with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.. And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. And when there had been much DISPUTING, Peter rose up..." (Acts 15:1-2, 6-7).

The word 'dissension' is translated from the Greek word 'Stasis', which has strong meanings such as strife and insurrection. Let's examine these meanings:

1. Strife - an angry or bitter disagreement over fundamental issues; conflict.

2. Insurrection - a violent uprising against an authority or government.

Another word in the text that needs attention is 'disputation', translated from the Greek word 'Suzētēsis', which means mutual questioning, discussion, and disputing.

The gravity of these words should convey the intensity of the situation. True believers would not take it lightly when fundamental facts about the faith and our Lord Jesus Christ are being debased or thrown into nothingness by heresies and falsehood. Hence, debating or apologetic approaches in the faith are indispensable and unavoidable if we care about the truth of the faith, the salvation of souls, and the advancement of the kingdom of God.

In Ephesus, Paul spent years debating the faith until the gospel spread everywhere in Asia:

"And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, DISPUTING and PERSUADING the things concerning the kingdom of God. But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, DISPUTING DAILY in the school of one Tyrannus. And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks." (Acts 19:8-10).

A few years ago, some folks rose up vehemently on social media to debunk Christianity. They conjured several falsehoods, twisted scriptures, and history just to make the faith unpopular and, in their ignorance, to stamp out Christianity, particularly in Africa. They had almost no resistance because Christians are 'peace-loving' who would not debate anyone. As a result, these liars and perpetuators of falsehood for fame, social media gains, and for whatever purpose, spread widely until some young Christian Apologists and Bible teachers emerged to debunk their falsehood and shine the true light to the world.

The fact is that falsehood and heresies are on the rise in our generation, and they go almost always unchallenged. If we continue to dislike debate and defer every matter to 'let them grow together until the harvest', 'the Holy Spirit will teach you', etc., we will compromise the foundation of the faith for the next generation. 

The Apostles and early church fathers did not have any tolerance for heresies as we do in today's Christianity, neither did they just jump up here and there shouting, 'heresies, heresies!' or 'false, false!'. They took time to debate the issues and also wrote letters to debunk all falsehood.

The Bible is never against debate or argument. What the Bible, however, admonishes is that we avoid unnecessary debates and strifes. And we must be decorous and reasonable in every discourse or debate, exhibiting gentility and humility. We should not be disrespectful, hateful, and use foul language while debating or arguing. We are never to quarrel.

"But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. (2nd Tim. 2:23-26).

"But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned." (Titus 3:9-11).

Selah!

Abeiku Okai

Kingdom Nationals Theological College (KNTC)

(+233) 0245960430