More guide to theological debate

Statement: The Bible is not written like a modern theologica text; it is important to study the Bible on its own terms, coming to understand its own structure.

Response: There is an ongoing movement attacking systematic theology in principle as if they alone can understand the Bible rightly.

Statement: The Bible uses the term (x) with more flexibility than we do now in our theological categories.

Response 1: The people in this new movement deny the doctrine of (x).

Response 2: The people in this new movement teach baptismal (x).

Statement: The Westminster Confession doesn’t actually teach (x).

Response: These alien outsiders in our midst are completly ignoring their vows to uphold the Doctrines of the Westminster Confession.

Notice that the issue is only half what you say. Most times you should be careful not to even directly engage in the actual issues being raised. Even more important is how you frame the discussion. The assumptions you can slip into your speech will go much farther than the what you explicitly say. So make sure to use words that label your targets as outsiders who are, before debate even begins, already properly known as trespassers on your turf. Never acknowledge that they are fellow ministers whose reputations you are supposed to protect rather than destroy on the internet.

One thought on “More guide to theological debate

  1. Broken Messenger

    Mark,

    There is a double-edged sting here that I am taking to heart. I assume this piece has much to do with the recent events outlayed here. Anyway, I appreciate this presentation and it is something very much worth marinating on…

    Brad

    Reply

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