In the last blog on the merits of debate, we discussed the first three reasons why experienced Christian debater, Dr. Michael Licona, chooses to debate. In this blog, we are going to wrap up Licona’s last three points of his six spiritual benefits of debate. Plus, we’ll take a look at the negative versus positive outcomes of debate. Benefits of debate: 4) Imparts sources
Whenever Licona debates, he tries to video record the event. He can then offer the video as a resource for years to come. One particularly great aspect of debate is that a person watching the video can get the sources the debaters utilize, instead of having to sift through volumes and volumes of material for themselves. Licona referenced Dr. William Lane Craig’s debates as an example. A person attending one of Craig’s debates is going to hear the best arguments for Christianity in a succinct, concise manner. Dr. Craig has researched his arguments for years, searching through the volumes of material. Since Craig has done all the work and organization of the arguments, Christian viewers can then not only receive the best Christian arguments, but also receive: 1) An opportunity to learn how the best skeptics respond to the Christian arguments, 2) An education on the best arguments to answer the skeptics, and 3) An opportunity to further their own education by reading the sources utilized in the debate for themselves. This last point is very exciting to me (MJ) because as Christians, we are told to value the knowledge of God over everything else (Proverbs 4:6, Hosea 4:6) and told to continue to grow in our knowledge (Eph. 4:11-16). However, not everyone will do further investigation, which is why it is vital to put our best foot forward in debates. 5) Inspires to service To relay this next point, Licona used a few examples from interaction with people after his debates. After his (first) debate with Bart Ehrman, two gentlemen came up to Licona who were grinning from ear to ear. They said, “This was just so exciting! We are now committing ourselves to full time ministry in apologetics.” They were so energized because they had realized there were reasonable answers concerning their faith. Referring to the UCLA debate with Richard Carrier, a student told Licona, “We were so excited that evening about what you did, because the professors here really come down hard on us about our beliefs. You just really encouraged us.” In another instance, Licona spoke with a psychology student who decided to go to seminary after hearing a debate because of the evidence presented and how excited he was to learn about the faith. So what I am seeing here is a theme: Dr. Licona’s debates get people excited about their belief in God. It renews their mind and encourages their spirit. The result is that they are inspired to serve in the Kingdom of God. I can see what he means about the spiritual benefits! I have felt exactly the same way when I have attended debates. 6) Impacts society Christians are admonished to take the message of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth; to have an impact on the world. Debates destroy the stereotypes of anti-intellectualism that can hinder Christians from spreading the message of Jesus. Plus, debates challenge those same stereotypes, directly, by confronting those who propagate the stereotypes with valid arguments for the existence of God. At his most recent debate at Florida State University, Licona’s opponent, Steve Patterson, professor of New Testament, stated that Christians believe in the resurrection of Jesus specifically because they are committed to the correctness of every single word of the Bible. I will not go into a detailed explanation of “inerrancy” here. For this sort of explanation is not needed at this time. Instead, from Dr. Gary Habermas’ work on resurrection, we can know that even if a person does not believe in the inerrancy of the Bible, they can know that Jesus Christ rose from the dead. In response to Patterson’s assertion, Licona stated, “I hope you’ve seen that this is not the case.” He proceeded to comment on how he had provided good evidence for the resurrection whether or not you believe the Bible is absolutely inerrant. On a more personal note, when Licona has a debate with someone, he really enjoys getting to know his opponent. He says he usually gets along very well with his opponents. At his last debate, Licona and Patterson had the opportunity to speak informally over dinner before the event. However, not all Christians see this more personal aspect of impact in which the debaters have the opportunity to develop long-term friendships with outspoken atheists, skeptics, and followers of other faiths. As a result of the debates I in which I have moderated or participated, I have developed some friendships with a couple atheist and Muslim debaters that I hope will remain throughout our lives. What motivates Dr. Licona to debate? When I posed this question, Licona concisely answered with: “the spiritual fruit.” This may seem to be an odd statement from a debater; that making arguments can produce spiritual benefits. However, as we have seen, through his experiences with debates, Licona has come to realize that Christians are uplifted and excited when they witness their beliefs standing strong in a debate format against tough opposition. He then explained that his motivation to debate used to relate more so to the integrity of his arguments.
As Licona worked on his philosophical doctorate (PhD), he tried to minimize his own bias. He submitted his research to unsympathetic reviewers, such as experts in the field, Bart Ehrman and Elaine Pagels (through debates). These experts would find any holes in his arguments. While Licona researched, he prayed, “God if I am wrong, I want to know. These guys can find mistakes that I am not seeing.” He wanted to be open-minded and do the right thing. So he realized he had to work hard to be sure his efforts were not just positive-thinking, but were an honest approach to the material with no tricks. Licona decided he would not use an answer just because it might score him debate points. So for him, doctoral research and a desire for intellectual honesty were the motivators for his debates. Now, as he has debated more frequently and seen the results in the lives of the attendees, he is also moved by the spiritual benefits (the six outlined benefits in this article). How about the positives versus the negatives of debate? After a debate, Dr. Licona receives far more positive feedback than he does negative about the event in general. This is a point that needs driven home: Overall, the debate experience is far more positive than negative for the attendees. Somehow, a stereotype of debates has developed in the church that 1) People shouldn’t “argue” with each other; it’s just not nice or Christlike, and 2) Debates are ineffective because people just “talk past” each other. These are generalized stereotypes and they need to be reconsidered in the light of current theological and philosophical debate. Making arguments to contend for a belief is different from being argumentative. The apostle Paul gave a defense of his beliefs in the form of arguments in Athens (Acts 17) and before King Agrippa (Acts 26). There is nothing intrinsically wrong with Paul’s actions. The problem of arguing arises with intention.
What is a person’s motivation for making an argument? Licona demonstrated through his desire to be intellectually honest that his intention was to find the truth about God. This is a justifiable motivation according to the Biblical texts. Again, I turn to Proverbs 4:6-7 which states, “Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” Also, in Colossians 2:8, Paul tells the church, “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” Proper intentions in making the case for Christianity build up and encourage the body of Christ while answering objections to belief. Plus, as Licona has experienced, a strong contention for the Christian faith gets believers excited to serve and renew their commitment to God.
So what are the negatives? Licona stated that sometimes Christians do not know how to assess the debate, because they cannot get past the rhetorical devices utilized. He believes Christians can get their faith shaken if they do not know logic. For example, at one of his debates with Bart Ehrman, some Christians thought the last question posed to Licona in the Q & A time lost him the debate. Why? The question was on reconciling the differences in the synoptic Gospels and the Gospel of John. When Licona answered the question with “I don’t know,” some Christians thought he blew the whole debate just because he didn’t answer one objection to the Gospel. Moreover, Licona stated that if the Christian debater doesn’t give a satisfying answer for any particular individual Christian in attendance, then the Christian debater doesn’t win in that person’s eyes. This could cause that Christian to stumble in their faith. Dr. Licona knows of at least one Christian debater who is weary of debate because of this very reason; he doesn’t want the “least of these” to stumble. In response, Licona believes that it is more likely the weaker Christian will stumble if a less knowledgeable person in that specific topic were to engage on the issues. So he figures that if he is not involved in debating the topics in which he is skilled, then someone else will. Some people are just better for some topics (due to area of interest, research, etc.). Why would it be preferable to either pass this responsibility to a less knowledgeable person or to not debate at all? The skeptics are still going to be vocal whether or not Christians choose to address them publicly. The person whose faith is likely to be shaken should be hearing the best people for each topic so they are more likely to have good answers and not fall away.Dr. Michael Licona is the founder of Risen Jesus Ministries and is a New Testament historian, author, and Christian apologist. He has participated in twelve formal, public debates with two more debates set for this month. Check back soon for my wrap-up on the merits of debate and ideas on how the local body of believers can help promote positive debate experiences for their communities. Thanks, MJ
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