General Christian Polemics and Debates

[benadam1974]

“Disapproval of polemics in the Christian Church is a very serious matter. But that is the attitude of the age in which we live. The prevailing idea today in many circles in the Church is not to bother about these things. As long as we are all Christians, anyhow, somehow, all is well. Do not let us argue about doctrine, let us all be Christians together and talk about the love of God. That is really the whole basis of ecumenicity. Unfortunately, that same attitude is creeping into evangelical circles also and many say that we must not be too precise about these things….‘Ah, but you are beginning to argue now,’ they say. ‘You must not argue, that is upsetting, that is going to divide people.’"

Christian Polemics and Debates

Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Romans: Atonement and Justification, 1971, p. 113-114. “The great Apostle [Paul] never confines himself to mere positive statements but often indulges, because he feels […]

jesuskingdomgospel.com

 

[LeeB]

As you may know I view debates outside the church as a waste of time as you engage in a battle of wits with someone who is unarmed. Paul and the other Apostles were given the task,of preaching the gospel to the world. This task was completed and is recorded in scripture. We are all, as Jesus said, “to believe through their words “. There are no more Apostles therefore there are no more who are appointed to their work. I believe the holy spirt, GOD the FATHER, teaches all Christians through Jesus. John 6:45 The Holy Spirit is the Elijah to come and “restore all things”. This indicates that things were lost. This loss occurred due to Satanic attacks on the woman who brought forth the man child. I believe that once the Apostle John died the prophecy of Ezekiel 34 took effect. This removes all human ministry from the church as human ministers have been the Satanically inspired source of all lies and deceptions that have come. Every Christian is taught of GOD through Christ the mediator of which is only one mediator. Human ministry places an extra mediator in the mix causing all kinds of heresies. John confirms this in 1 John 2:26,27
This also agrees with Jesus, John 14:26 , John 16:13,14,15,16 To me this is very clear. I do not demand that anyone believes me and will not be angry with them. I do however believe this is the truth. I have been taught in this manner for over 30 years and fellowship with 4 other people who have been taught the same way. If there are to be debates, discussions, over doctrines it needs to be in the church only as we, the saints , are the only people who have been given the mysteries of the kingdom of GOD. We need not be worried or concerned about the people yet in the world as GOD has an assigned time for each person to be converted and come to understand the hope of salvation.

 

[Outcast]

“Disapproval of polemics in the Christian Church is a very serious matter. But that is the attitude of the age in which we live. The prevailing idea today in many circles in the Church is not to bother about these things. As long as we are all Christians, anyhow, somehow, all is well. Do not let us argue about doctrine, let us all be Christians together and talk about the love of God. That is really the whole basis of ecumenicity. Unfortunately, that same attitude is creeping into evangelical circles also and many say that we must not be too precise about these things….‘Ah, but you are beginning to argue now,’ they say. ‘You must not argue, that is upsetting, that is going to divide people.’"

Christian Polemics and Debates

Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Romans: Atonement and Justification, 1971, p. 113-114. “The great Apostle [Paul] never confines himself to mere positive statements but often indulges, because he feels […]

jesuskingdomgospel.com

If we only HAD a Christian church, this would be quite serious. We instead have doctrinal societies which create their own gods and idols who charge dues by imploring tithes and offering to pay the lead law-givers. I might even say that these leaders are engaged in a career which may have many friends who are counted as successes for their scoreboards. After all, I am aware that the number of baptisms is recorded as how well a "church" is doing in many denominations.

 

[LeeB]

Yes, it was in the WCG. People need to think, why does an omnipotent GOD need money ? GOD does not need us, Acts 17:25 , we need HIM. We cannot do a work for GOD , we are GODS work, Ephesians 2:10
The way that scriptures speak about the unconverted world is very clear and strongly emphasizes that the church, in spiritual things, be totally separate from the world. GOD has drawn a line, people need to understand that. Ezekiel 44:23 Isaiah 5:20 Malachi 3:18 2 Corinthians 6:17 This is the line.