Propositions for Debate
The following represent propositions that were submitted to the e-mail list and require a second party to be added to the queue. If you would like to affirm or deny any of these propositions, as needed, please feel free to join the group and then e-mail your signed proposition to the list. All propositions may be modified with the approval of both participants.
Congregational Singing or Choirs and Solos
The Scriptures authorize reciprocal singing as the only means of singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs in the corporate worship of the church.
Affirm: Dub Mowery
Deny:
The Scriptures uphold choirs and solos and such like in addition to reciprocal singing in the corporate worship service of the church.
Affirm:
Deny: Dub Mowery
Doctrine and Gospel of Christ
The New Testament makes a distinction between the gospel of Christ and the doctrine of Christ.
Affirm:
Deny: Dub Mowery
All of the teaching of the New Testament is the gospel of Christ.
Affirm: Dub Mowery
Deny:
The Role of Women
The role of women in the assembly and administration of the church is limited by the Scriptures.
Affirm: Jeri Dentel
Deny:
Women are permitted to serve in the same functions as men in the assembly and administration of the church.
Affirm:
Deny: Jeri Dentel
Note: Jeri will only debate these propositions with another woman.
Instrumental Music Outside of Assembly
The Scriptures teach that the use of mechanical instruments of music today while singing scriptural, spiritual songs in praise to God, outside the assemblies of the local church, is unscriptural.
Affirm: Mark J. Ward
Deny:
The Scriptures teach that scriptural, spiritual songs may be sung to the accompaniment of mechanical instruments of music outside the assemblies of the local church in praise to God today.
Affirm:
Deny: Mark J. Ward
Tithing
The Scriptures teach that the tithe is not binding on Christians under the New Covenant but that Christians are subject to freewill giving.
Affirm: Kenneth Perkins
Deny:
The Scriptures teach that the tithe is binding on Christians under the New Covenant.
Affirm:
Deny: Kenneth Perkins
Days of Creation
The days of creation recorded in Genesis 1 are seven literal 24 hour days.
Affirm: Jeremy Morris
Deny:
The days of creation recorded in Genesis 1 are epochs of time and encompassed thousands if not millions of years.
Affirm:
Deny: Jeremy Morris
Response of Faith
The alien sinner is saved by grace which includes a response of faith.
Affirm: Randy Dodson
Deny:
The alien sinner is saved by grace which excludes a response of faith.
Affirm:
Deny: Randy Dodson
Jesus Only
The scriptures teach that the name of Jesus is the only name to be used in the act of water baptism.
Affirm:
Deny: Randy Dodson
Gender and Culture
The Scriptures teach that distinctions made concerning gender roles in the New Testament church are culturally based, and such guidelines apply solely in the original context to which they were delivered.
Affirm:
Deny: Randy Dodson
The Scriptures outline boundaries for the woman's work, worship and service in the New Testament church, and such guidelines apply to Christians today.
Affirm: Randy Dodson
Deny:
Grace and Law
The Scriptures teach that grace and law have always co-existed.
Affirm: Randy Dodson
Deny:
The Scriptures teach that the Old Testament consists only, solely and exclusively law and the New Testament consists only, solely and exclusively of grace.
Affirm:
Deny: Randy Dodson
Christianity and Islam
The Scriptures teach that Jesus the Messiah is deity (God), was crucified for the sins of the world, and the New Testament is God's final revelation.
Affirm: Mark J. Ward
Deny:
The advent of the Prophet Mohammed is clearly foretold in both the Old and New Testaments, and the Koran is God's final revelation.
Affirm:
Deny: Mark J. Ward
Christ's Divinity
The Scriptures teach that Jesus Christ is God.
Affirm: Mark J. Ward
Deny:
The Scriptures teach that Jesus Christ is a created being.
Affirm:
Deny: Mark J. Ward
Evangelist Qualifications
When seeking to support an evangelist/preacher, it is scriptural for a congregation to bind extra-biblical requirements such as marital status, degrees or other certifications, etc.
Affirm:
Deny: Jeremy Morris
When seeking to support an evangelist/preacher, it is not scriptural for a congregation to bind requirements upon a man not found in the New Testament.
Affirm: Jeremy Morris
Deny:
Noah in 1 Peter 3
Water baptism relates to Noah's altar.
Affirm: Lloyd A Olson
Deny:
Water baptism relates to Noah's justification.
Affirm:
Deny: Lloyd A. Olson
Christ's Baptism
The water baptism that Christ administered to His immediate disciples is the same one that His disciples administered to converts in John 3:26 and John 4:1-2 and is the same water baptism that later became known as the baptism of the Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20.
Affirm: Lynn Graham
Deny:
Soteriology and churches of Christ
With respect to soteriology, the Churches of Christ ARE NOT significantly different than the Roman Catholic Church.
Affirm: Lloyd A. Olson
Deny:
With respect to soteriology, the Churches of Christ ARE significantly different than the Roman Catholic Church.
Affirm:
Deny: Lloyd A. Olson
Justification and churches of Christ
The teaching of the Churches of Christ on justification DISAGREES with the biblical teaching of justification.
Affirm: Lloyd A. Olson
Deny:
The teaching of Churches of Christ on justification AGREES with the biblical teaching of justification.
Affirm:
Deny: Lloyd A. Olson
Offices Passing Away
According to the Bible, the offices/roles of evangelist, pastor (elder, overseer), and teacher pass away at the same time as apostles, prophets, and the spiritual gifts.
Affirm: Kenneth Perkins
Deny:
The offices/roles of evangelist, pastor, and teacher do not pass away at the same time as apostles, prophets, and the spiritual gifts.
Affirm:
Deny: Kenneth Perkins
Chronology of Christ
The Scriptures show that Christ's Passion Week began with an entry into Jerusalem on Saturday (as opposed to the tradition Palm Sunday), that Christ was Crucified on Wednesday (as opposed to the traditional Good Friday) before The Passover meal thus allowing Him to spend three days and three nights heart of the earth.
Affirm: Bobby Cohoon
Deny:
Scripture shows that Jesus' triumphal entry was on a Sunday (Palm Sunday) and that Christ was crucified on Good Friday (after the Passover meal). Thus, he only spent parts of three days and nights in the tomb.
Affirm:
Deny: Bobby Cohoon
Current Debates:
Ault/Brooks on Evangelists
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