Making a Habit of Arguing/Debating Scripture

[Alive]

I prefer to think of these things as 'discussions' where there is an opportunity to both learn and teach. The word debate doesn't have to connote a negative thing......

even 'heated' doesn't have to be--but rather 'impassioned'.

:-)

[David1701]

1 hour ago, Hopefully said:

Amen and I have firsthand experience with the types on that radio show you speak of. Such a shame. 
 

Another thing I thought of is why don’t we see debates break out in church as the pastor gives sermon or during Bible studies ? Is it that they always agree? I would think not because things I hear in church and bible study is debated here and other places too.

 

Why doesn’t anyone stand up in church and scream No! Jesus did not say we should be baptized. When the pastor says repent of your sins why doesn’t anyone stand up and say We are saved by faith not works!
 

I think people are ashamed to act that way in person but as the internet shows us under the cover of anonymity there are no rules and no respect. 

Occasionally, someone does stand up to false teaching from the pulpit. 

I was told about one man, in a Baptist meeting, in a nearby town, who stood up and publicly rebuked the pastor for preaching that the curtain in the Temple moved apart due to an earthquake, being in two parts, on something like a curtain rail, when Jesus died.  The pastor had been preaching such Liberal rubbish for weeks and the man just couldn't take it any more (the previous pastor was Evangelical).  He was asked to leave the church (altogether). 

The pastor also left, some months later, when the elders and congregation finally woke up.

Edited April 8, 2021 by David1701

[Hopefully]

19 minutes ago, Alive said:

I prefer to think of these things as 'discussions' where there is an opportunity to both learn and teach. The word debate doesn't have to connote a negative thing......

even 'heated' doesn't have to be--but rather 'impassioned'.

:-)

“Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2:14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

SYNONYMS FOR subvert

1 upset, disrupt, undermine, overturn, sabotage.

This is how it makes me feel to read constant debates on here and not because I’m involved in them but because I care. Exactly what the word says will happen is what happens when I see it. 
 

I don’t expect it to stop but now God won’t say to me  I helped you there and why didn’t you try to help others. 

[Hopefully]

Just now, David1701 said:

The pastor also left, some months later, when the elders and congregation finally woke up.

That’s good news. 

[leah777]

22 minutes ago, Hopefully said:

charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit

I am sad you think it is of no profit, going by your choice of Bible quote. I think it is of profit, as the word is sifted and examined, looked at by many sides, and the truth gets shaken out eventually. Maybe not acknowledged truths in the thread, but truth is shaken out during prayerful consideration of bible verses and points raised. Sometimes looking at an opposite view brings for the correct understanding.

We do not see the lighted candle in bright sunlight, but we see it clearly when surrounded by darkness. The shadows around bring the truth into sharp focus.

Debates here, on the whole, are not the type of things spoken of in that Bible verse you quote. Finding the light of truth is very important.

[Hopefully]

33 minutes ago, leah777 said:

Debates here, on the whole, are not the type of things spoken of in that Bible verse you quote. Finding the light of truth is very important.

I don’t know how you feel about Matthew Henry but here is his commentary on that verse

Having thus encouraged Timothy to suffer, he comes in the next place to direct him in his work.

“I. He must make it his business to edify those who were under his charge, to put them in remembrance of those things which they did already know; for this is the work of ministers; not to tell people that which they never knew before, but to put them in mind of that which they do know, charging them that they strive not about words. 
Observe, Those that are disposed to strive commonly strive about matters of very small moment. Strifes of words are very destructive to the things of God. That they strive not about words to no profit. If people did but consider of what little use most of the controversies in religion are, they would not be so zealous in their strifes of words, to the subverting of the hearers, to the drawing of them away from the great things of God, and occasioning unchristian heats and animosities, by which truth is often in danger of being lost. Observe, People are very prone to strive about words, and such strifes never answer any other ends than to shake some and subvert others; they are not only useless, but they are very hurtful, and therefore ministers are to charge the people that they do not strive about words, and they are most likely to be regarded when they charge them before the Lord, that is, in his name and from his word; when they produce their warrant for what they say.—Study to show thyself approved unto God,”

https://www.christianity.com/bible/commentary.php?com=mh&b=55&c=2

[Hopefully]

Here is another 

Context Summary
Second Timothy 2:14–26 contains Paul's instructions to Timothy about leading other believers. Two important themes here are avoiding pointless bickering and holding to sound biblical teachings. Arguments over non-essential issues quickly turn into feuds, poisoning the body of Christ just as gangrene attacks the physical body. Paul names specific false teachers, but brings a note of compassion. Here, he reminds Timothy that gentleness and patience are key. After all, those who do not believe are not our enemies: they are those we are trying to rescue from the control of the Devil!

https://www.bibleref.com/2-Timothy/2/2-Timothy-2-14.html

b. Not to strive about words to no profit: At the same time, there were things that Timothy must not focus on. The church must stand for the truth, but it must not become a debating society.

i. We can get distracted by endless discussion or strife over things that don’t have central importance. “Words, not things, have been a most fruitful source of contention in the Christian world; and among religious people, the principle cause of animosity has arisen from the different manner of apprehending the same term, while, in essence, both meant the same thing.” (Clarke)

ii. “Let us notice first that teaching is rightly condemned on the sole ground that it does no good. God’s purpose is not to pander to our inquisitiveness but to give us profitable instruction. Away with all speculations that produce no edification!” (Calvin)

c. To the ruin of the hearers: This shows that it is a serious matter and there is much to lose. If we take the focus off the message of God and put the focus on human opinions and endless debates, it will result in the ruin of the hearers.

i. The Bible says, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God(Romans 10:17). Yet if people do not hear the word of God, then ruincomes by hearing the opinions and speculations and entertainment of man.
 

https://www.google.com/amp/s/enduringword.com/bible-commentary/2-timothy-2/amp/

 

Edited April 8, 2021 by Hopefully

[leah777]

10 minutes ago, Hopefully said:

I don’t know how you feel about Matthew Henry but here is his commentary on that verse

 

Having thus encouraged Timothy to suffer, he comes in the next place to direct him in his work.

“I. He must make it his business to edify those who were under his charge, to put them in remembrance of those things which they did already know; for this is the work of ministers; not to tell people that which they never knew before, but to put them in mind of that which they do know, charging them that they strive not about words. 
Observe, Those that are disposed to strive commonly strive about matters of very small moment. Strifes of words are very destructive to the things of God. That they strive not about words to no profit. If people did but consider of what little use most of the controversies in religion are, they would not be so zealous in their strifes of words, to the subverting of the hearers, to the drawing of them away from the great things of God, and occasioning unchristian heats and animosities, by which truth is often in danger of being lost. Observe, People are very prone to strive about words, and such strifes never answer any other ends than to shake some and subvert others; they are not only useless, but they are very hurtful, and therefore ministers are to charge the people that they do not strive about words, and they are most likely to be regarded when they charge them before the Lord, that is, in his name and from his word; when they produce their warrant for what they say.—Study to show thyself approved unto God,”

https://www.christianity.com/bible/commentary.php?com=mh&b=55&c=2

I understand the point your are making. I just happen to disagree with you that this is what is happening on Worthy. 

[steve morrow]

WORSHIP 

 

REVELATION 19:10  AND  I  FELL  AT  HIS  FEET  TO  WORSHIP  HIM  AND  HE  SAID  UNTO  ME  SEE  THOU  DO  IT  NOT  I  AM  THY  FELLOWSERVANT  AND  OF  THY  BRETHREN  THAT  HAVE  THE  TESTIMONY  OF  JESUS  WORSHIP  GOD  FOR  THE  TESTIMONY  OF  JESUS  IS  THE  SPIRIT  OF  PROPHECY 

JOHN 6:63  IT  IS  THE  SPIRIT  THAT  QUICKENETH  ---THE  FLESH  PROFITETH  NOTHING---   THE  WORDS    --THAT  I  SPEAK  ARE  SPIRIT--    AND  THEY  ARE  LIFE

JOHN 5:21  FOR  THE  FATHER  RAISETH  UP  THE  DEAD  AND  QUICKENETH  THEM  EVEN  SO  THE  SON  RAISETH  UP  WHOM  HE  WILL 

1 CORINTHIANS 15:45  AND  SO  IT  WRITTEN  THE  FIRST  MAN  ADAM  WAS  MADE  A  LIVING  SOUL  AND  THE  LAST  ADAM  WAS  MADE  A  QUICKENING  SPIRIT 

JOHN 4:25  GOD  IS  A  SPIRIT  AND  THEY  THAT  ---WORSHIP  HIM---  MUST  WORSHIP  HIM  IN  SPIRIT  AND  IN  TRUTH 

 

PROVERBS 17:4  a wicked doer giveth heed to false lips and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue 

PROVERBS 17:28  even a fool when he holdeth his peace is counted wise and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding 

JEREMIAH 14:10  thus saith  THE  LORD  unto this people thus have they loved to wander they have not refrained their feet ---THEREFORE  THE  LORD  DOTH  NOT  ACCEPT  THEM--- HE  will now remember their iniquity and visit their sins 

PROVERBS 1:15  my son walk not thou in the way with them refrain thy foot from their path 

1 PETER 3:10  for he that will love life and see good days let him refrain his tongue from evil and his lips that they speak no guile 

 

PROVERBS 6:16  THESE  SIX  THINGS  DOTH  THE  LORD  HATE  YEA  SEVEN  ARE  AN  ---ABOMINATION  TO  HIM---

--6:17--  A  PROUD  LOOK  A  LYING  TONGUE  AND  HANDS  THAT  SHED  INNOCENT  BLOOD 

JAMES 3:8  BUT  THE  TONGUE  CAN  NO  MAN  TAME  IT  IS  AN  UNRULY  EVIL  FULL  OF  DEADLY  POISON 

ROMANS 3:12  THEY  ARE  GONE  OUT  OF  THE  WAY  THEY  ARE  TOGETHER  BECOME  ----UNPROFITABLE---- THERE  IS  NONE  THAT  DO  GOOD  NO  NOT  ONE  

--3:13-- THEIR  THROAT  IS  AN  OPEN  SEPULCHRE  THE  POISON  OF  ASPS  IS  UNDER  THEIR  LIPS 

 

PSALM 59:12  FOR  THE  SIN  OF  THEIR  MOUTH  AND  THE  WORDS  OF  THEIR  LIPS  LET  THEM  EVEN  BE  TAKEN  IN  THEIR  PRIDE  AND  FOR  CURSING  AND  LYING  WHICH  THEY  SPEAK 

 

1 CORINTHIANS 1:10  NOW  I  BESEECH  YOU  BRETHREN  BY  THE  NAME  OF  LORD  JESUS  CHRIST  -----THAT  YOU  ALL  SPEAK  THE  SAME  THING-----  AND  THAT  THEIR  BE  NO  DIVISIONS  AMONG  YOU  BUT  THAT  YOU  BE  PERFECTLY  JOINED  TOGETHER  IN  THE  SAME  MIND  AND  IN  THE  SAME  JUDGEMENT 

PHILIPPIANS 2:2  FULFIL  YOU  MY  JOY  THAT  YOU  BE  LIKEMINDED  HAVING  THE  SAME  LOVE  BEING  OF  ONE  ACCORD  OF  ONE  MIND  

 

LOVING  THE  LORD  JESUS  CHRIST 

 

[steve morrow]

CONTENTIOUS ???

2 CORINTHIANS 13:8  for we can do nothing against the truth but for the truth 

 

JOHN 12:49  FOR  I  HAVE  NOT  SPOKEN  OF  --MYSELF--  BUT  THE  FATHER  WHICH  SENT  ME  HE  GAVE  ME  A  COMMANDMENT  WHAT  I  SHOULD  SAY  AND  WHAT  I  SHOULD  SPEAK  

--12:50--  AND  I  KNOW  THAT  HIS  COMMANDMENT  IS  LIFE  EVERLASTING  WHATSOEVER  I  SPEAK  THEREFORE  EVEN  AS  THE  FATHER  SAID  UNTO  ME  SO  I  SPEAK

 

ROMANS 1:28  and  even  as  they  did  not  like  to  retain  GOD  in  their  knowledge  GOD  gave  them  over  to  a  reprobate  mind  to  do  those  things  which  are  not  convenient 

ROMANS 1:32  WHO  KNOWING  THE  JUDGEMENT  OF  GOD  THAT  THEY  WHICH  COMMIT  SUCH  THINGS  ARE  WORTHY  OF  DEATH  NOT  ONLY  DO  THE  SAME  BUT  --- HAVE  PLEASURE --- IN  THEM  THAT  DO  THEM

 

ROMANS 2:8  BUT  UNTO  THEM  THAT  ARE  COTENTIOUS ---AND  OBEY  NOT  THE  TRUTH  BUT  OBEY  UNRIGHTEOUSNESS  INDIGNATION  AND  WRATH

--29-- TRIBULATION  AND  ANGUISH  UPON  EVERY  SOUL  OF  MAN  --- THAT  DOETH  EVIL ---  OF  THE  JEW  FIRST  AND  ALSO  OF  THE  GENTILE

 

LOVING  THE  LORD  JESUS  CHRIST