Debating With The Baptists
On another page we carry a story from Brother Hoyt Houchen concerning the debate he had three years ago with a young Baptist preacher. This discussion followed the pattern we have come to expect from such debates: great publicity beforehand and considerable silence afterward. Or, if not silence, then a great effort to divert attention to some minor or side issue and away from the points under discussion.
'We in Texas saw this happen in the famous Norris-Wallace debate of twenty years ago. It was not until Brother Wallace brought out his seventy-five page "Extra Special" edition of the Bible Banner, giving the facts in incontrovertible documentary evidence that the Norris falsehoods concerning that debate were finally stopped. The Cogdill-Jackson Debate is another in point. But with this difference: Jackson has remained completely silent about that debate for the five years the book has been in print. He has made no effort to circulate the book; has not advertised it in his paper; has ordered no additional copies other than the original small number he received when the book was printed.
It was our privilege late in February to attend the Woods-Garner debate a couple of nights at Center, Texas. Brother Guy Woods told us he considered "Dr." Albert Garner the most ignorant man he had ever debated. The five or six hundred people who were present each night seemed to enjoy the discussion, but it was evident that by far the majority of them were members of the Lord's church, and that the Baptists were poorly represented in the crowd. We could see why some brethren have at times felt little is accomplished by such discussions. When there is not too much chance to reach the people who are in error, why have the debate at all?
We believe such a reaction is short sighted. For while it is true that the chances of converting many Baptists in such a discussion may not be great (although the number persuaded to accept the truth might be surprising), still the debates are highly worth the while in that they provide a wonderful opportunity to teach Christians, strengthen their faith, and show them the wonderful contrast between truth and error. This can be done far more effectively in a debate than it can simply in a sermon or in a class. Those areas where the cause is debated most widely are usually found to be much better informed in the Bible than are the areas where debating is considered "out of date."
If brethren had been debating the Missionary Society question for the last fifty years with our friends of the Christian Church, it is unlikely that we would find ourselves facing some of the serious internal problems that are now disturbing so many in the church. But where good people are uninformed, it is inevitable that sooner or later they fall into error which they would have avoided otherwise.
Debates with Baptists, Catholics, Disciples, and all denominational people ought to be encouraged rather than discouraged. The same holds true for any matter of difference among brethren. When conscientious men differ on the Bible teaching, it is right and proper that they should investigate those differences. The Houchen-Tatum debate (see advertisement on back page) is one of the best of its kind. The "mature veteran of many years experience" (Houchen) was thirty-two years old when he met young Tatum. His presentation of the truth on the issues discussed is positive, clear-cut, complete and convincing. Get the book.
— F. Y. T.