The sons of God are directed to provoke one another to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24), but the sad fact is that many are content to simply provoke one another. We are directed to be kindly affectioned to one another (Romans 12:10), but many of our debating brethren are not amenable to this passage. With them it would appear that all's fair in not only love and war but in debating also. We of the faith should be a cut above this mentality. Borrowing a statement from W.Carl Ketcherside: "We should be "peace" makers and not "piece" makers."

My purpose in this writing is to suggest a possible way to peacefully disagree. Some of our debating brethren stand crouched to do battle and have a nasty way of expressing their disagreement on just about any topic. Their mean spirited and combative attitudes are anything but peaceful. It is a shame that brethren are not built up and encouraged when we come together. It is a shame that brethren leave our assemblies discouraged. I doubt very seriously that our Lord ordained public assemblies in order for us to have a place to argue, fuss, and fight. Everyone's prior consideration before assembling should be toward building others up to love and good works. It should not be in finding issues for debate. There is no way under the sun that the assemblies of Hebrews 10:24 can be construed to mean "debate forums" unless, of course, one can be uplifted by a good fight.

We have observed this combative spirit in every regional meeting and many local assemblies which are trying to escape from the institutional church and we have seen it on many of the so-called, "Christian" computer lists and publications. I can assure you that if I were looking into the life style of so-called, "home churchers", with a view toward breaking free from the I.C., and witnessed such conduct, I would be turned off. In fact one of our visitors commented that, "all they do is argue", which causes me to wonder as to the motives of such would-be debaters.

Without exception I have observed these debaters to be well versed in the Scriptures and without exception I have observed that they have a definite need to display their brilliance in defending God and His Word as they perceive it. They have a real grasp of the written word but fall short in their understanding of courtesy and tender affection. We are yet to hear a single one of them make an impassioned defense of Romans 15:7: "Accept one another as Christ accepted you, to the glory of God". The writer of Hebrews wrote, "Ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God". Hebrews 5:12. Perhaps application can be made here. Perhaps some of us need to get back to the basics of courtesy, kindness, and being sensitive to the feelings of others. What business do brethren have debating whether the wine should be served in one cup or several when they don't even know how to respect the dignity of fellow saints---when they haven't even mastered basic courtesy? Which brings me back to the point of this article.

Though I cannot offer a direct command, necessary inference, or approved example for this suggested behavior I think the tenor of Christ's teaching will bear me out. I call the golden rule to witness. When I or anyone else has spent much time, effort, and prayer in arriving at a particular conclusion how do we feel when someone shouts, "I disagree"? How do we feel when someone declares, "It is false teaching"? How do we feel when someone announces that our position is erroneous and will lead others into Hell? I'm not referring to issues involving the Deity of Jesus or moral turpitude. I am only referring to the one hundred or so issues that Satan has conjured up to rend the precious body of Christ none of which have anything at all to do with salvation through grace by faith. In particular I am referring to such issues as the one God idea, the 70 A.D. theory, the speaking in tongues question, the water baptism issue, the women speaking issue, the thousand year reign idea, predestination, the inspiration of Scripture, and a host of others of similar import. It is noted that the promoters of these various positions all insist that agreeing with their party position is essential to understanding the "Gospel". Without exception they bring the Gospel into subjection to their conclusions. The truth to them is their party position and unity is not possible without complying with their conclusions. Jesus said, "I am the truth", and the Gospel involves historical facts about Him. The Gospel does not include every dot and tittle in the New Testament writings and we are not under Divine obligation to agree on any issue other than the facts of that Gospel.

Here is a suggestion that I think the Lord would be pleased with: When someone presents an idea that is repugnant to us, what would be wrong with saying, "That is an interesting viewpoint. I will certainly give it some thought. At the moment, however, here is my conclusion in the matter which I hope you will consider", and let it go at that? We are not under obligation to consider that when someone presents a different viewpoint from ours they have thrown down the red gauntlet of battle. Courtesy has a much better chance of convincing someone than provocation. Salesmen who are successful understand this principle and the Scriptural admonition is to consider (think of) ways to build one another up. This involves an attitude of concern for the needs of others. It does not feature a combative and argumentative attitude that disrupts the peaceful intent of the God ordained assembly.

May the Lord bless us as we try to love one another. This seems to be our biggest challenge.
Please consider these thoughts. I believe them to be true to the Word.

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