|
 Twenty-five
years ago, or more, I attended a debate in East Texas, between
John W. Hedge and Ben Bogard. It was held in a small country
community where there was a congregation of eight Christians,
all women.
Bogard,
a famous Baptist debater, was at his best; and moved from one
brilliant (?) quibble to another, ignoring the fair implications
of the text presented and playing to the audience with wit and
sarcasm. Looking back on it now, I believe it was all in the “game”
with Bogard, and he “played” well. Several of “our” folk
thought bro. Hedge should put on some steam, and reply in
kind.
But
John W. plodded on, placing passage after passage on the board,
and sticking with his basic purpose — to show his proposition scriptural.
The
week following the debate, I went into this community and held a
gospel meeting. I baptized eight people, several of them men,
doubling the size of the congregation there. My pride was
somewhat dulled when most of the converts told me they had learned
|
|
the truth, not in my
meeting, but during the debate. But a young preacher’s pride
can be, and was, cancelled by joy over souls saved.
Who
“won” the debate? That depends on the purpose one has in
mind when people come together to discuss their differences.
This was the first, but by no means the last time I was to see
the fickle minds of shallow folk carried away by flashy
rhetoric, while level-headed, thinking people responded to the
truth of God.
Not
every preacher is a public debater. There are skills needed here
that are unnecessary in other fields. The ability to “see
through” arguments rapidly, to remain cool under fire, to
anticipate the opponent, to make unambiguous illustrations, and
to “beach” the audience. But the most brilliant use of “carnal”
tools in debate, can not take the place of truth. There is no power
like that of the gospel of Christ. (Rom. 1:16)
A
godly life may “win debates” when words fail (1 Pet. 3:1)
Let us be soul, not “win” hungry.
[Previous
Article] [Next
Article]
|
