Debate

“I want to talk through a super common issue on the internet. I invite your wisdom and input; I also invite your prayer. Because I want and need—desperately need—divine wisdom for whether and how to answer all kinds of internet comments from all kinds of strangers with all kinds of perspectives.” - Mark Ward

“Lewis modeled disagreement in a variety of helpful ways. Sometimes, he declared that particular ideas were wrong. …Sometimes, he softened his words when others might have sharpened theirs.” - TGC

“It doesn’t bother me that someone who doesn’t know me would make such a ridiculous claim regarding my faith. The incident, however, did make me think of how many times Christians have hurt the cause of Christ on social media. …Allow me to suggest a few tips that might be helpful for ministering effectively online:” - Tim McKnight

“we must be careful as we are confronting a person who thrives on conflict not to become the same type of person. Because we have a sense of the Judgement Day, and the fact that justice will eventually be done, we are freed from our need to seek judgement in the present age” - Russell Moore

“The root problem with critical theory is not how the American story is told, but in pre-empting any critique or debate. That sort of thinking cannot be successfully countered by emulating it. The only way to fight bad ideas is with better ones.” - Breakpoint

“Thomas Sowell once said, ‘It takes considerable knowledge just to realize the extent of your own ignorance.’ Humility must precede all healthy learning and dialogue. An awareness of our own limitations will not only force us to take a more humble stance ourselves but also compel us to grant grace to our fellow human beings.” - LifeWay

“Nobody’s right all the time, and nobody’s wrong all the time, either. But in public discussions we act as though that simple principle isn’t true.” - Olinger

“Even my commenting friends who are asserting diametrically opposed positions have something true and useful to say. It’s counterintuitive. They’re saying opposite things, and yet they’re both right, in at least some sense.” - Olinger

“…it’s been a devastating year of conflict. And we’re all tired from it. But I’ve noticed a concerning pattern of response to perceived conflict in recent weeks, particularly on social media: Fatigue has led many Christians to avoid any kind of disagreement.” - Natahsa Crain

“As the debate proceeds, I’ll offer my thoughts in the Comments feature. But don’t make me do all of the work. I invite you, dear reader, to join in with your own comments. I hope we have participants from all political perspectives. We would thus represent the “General Public” in our responses, without the media filters and without the vitriol.” - Gene Veith