Could you handle this at your church?

[Guest]

If a top notch SUNDAY preacher and a top notch SDA preacher had a equal time presentation over the validity of sabbath observance/4th commandment during the 11:00 service?

Let's say they had 25 minutes each..?? Either could go first..or maybe break down into 20 vs 20 then 5 vs 5 minutes segments?

[Gerr]

I would personally welcome it, especially IF it is also done in the Sunday church.

Gerry

[Guest]

Gerry,

Thanks for the reply..

I posted this because I am considering this at a Sunday church...but wanted to get feedback if the Sunday preacher said..."Hey I will let you do this at my church if you will let it happen at your church too."

So a couple of weeks ago I mentioned this in the sabbath school class I led..

I got one reply and the person said that it would not go over well.

No one else disagreed..the rest were mum on the matter.

......

Anyone else??????

[Liz]

You know we shouldn't be afraid to stand up and "show" what we know to be right. On the other hand, I would really want to make sure that "our" guy really knew how to debate this in a friendly manner so as not to offend the guests who are not Sabbath keepers, and also not so weak as to make us look foolish.

If you are asking would I stay and listen to the presentation? You bet I would.

Liz

[Guest]

I used to live in Northern CAlif and someone gave me a cassette tape of a debate between an SDA preacher and a Sunday preacher..been too long to remember the denomination..maybe some pentecostal type.

Anyway..it was very interesting to hear the tone of the speakers..the pentecostal preacher got pretty excited and granted that the SDA pastor was making an influence.

This thread basically got started because of my on air 2 cents about the sabbath ,,while speaking to a Sunday preacher and then a follow up talk with a Baptist preacher friend and his sermon about the sabbath a few weeks ago.

What takes the edge of the presentation is that people are used to fighting God and the law and the notion that we can't keep the commandments anyway..we have to depend on Christ's obedience for salvation...so just go to church and break whatever law ya want..no biggie!!!!!!!

[Gail]

Sounds like an interesting concept

[Gregory Matthews]

I think that it is worth considering.

I have reservations in regard to treating it as a debate and probably would refuse to participate in such. I questions whether the typical format for a debate is consistent with doing the work of the Lord.

But, I think that in an atmosphere of mutual respect, it is appropriate for people of differing understandings of Scripture and God, to share their perspectives. I have done such in Sunday churches a number of times.

In such a context, I have been willing to take uninhibited questions from the audience. I do not reject any sincere question.

[Clio]

I agree with you Gregory. Debate never convinced anyone... and that format has the easiest of possibility of turning nasty.

Now... something that was equal time presentations, no debate, and allows the various congregations to follow according to the leading of Abba Father with all the free will He allows... .now *THAT* I would listen to eagerly.

A debate... nope. Too acrimonious from the outset.

Clio

[Gerr]

I seem to recall some SOP counsels against public debates, i.e. avoid it if possible, but not back way if confronted either. However, a format where both sides present their case & let the audience decide without the rebuttal & counter-rebuttal & counter-counter-rebuttal that degenerates into a heated debate would be good. Even let the audience ask questions and let each participant give their answer.

Gerry

[Guest]

Debate? Is it just the word ..or the participants?

Look at chapters 5 through 9 of the gospel of JOHN and see the back and forth.

Here is the touchy parts...many are afraid what will take place is similar to what takes place on this site when a thread gets heated.

[Neil D]

I would agree with Clio and Gerry and Gregory....Presentation is one thing....Debating is a case where you are competing and there is gonna be a loser and a winner....

As a Sabbath keeper, why would I be interested in a presentation of both sides of this issue? I already have made up my mind as to the truth of the subject...Would I be willing to present the Sabbath to the Sunday Church? Only if I was very good friends with the pastor. And I would only present the Sabbath as it is in Christ....Not as the anti-thesis for Sunday legislation...

[Guest]

Quote:

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Gerry Cabalo said:

I seem to recall some SOP counsels against public debates, i.e. avoid it if possible, but not back way if confronted either. However, a format where both sides present their case & let the audience decide without the rebuttal & counter-rebuttal & counter-counter-rebuttal that degenerates into a heated debate would be good. Even let the audience ask questions and let each participant give their answer.

Gerry

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I would not let the audience ask questions right away....this is when it really loses control...because the questions come as statements and the audience doesn't know what the limits of input and time are.

I see this happen in our churches where some in front want to leave and feel uncomfortable walking out after the intial session is complete.

Questions can be asked after a short closing time where people can leave due to schedules and then let the fur fly

[Guest]

Quote:

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Neil D said:

I would agree with Clio and Gerry and Gregory....Presentation is one thing....Debating is a case where you are competing and there is gonna be a loser and a winner....

As a Sabbath keeper, why would I be interested in a presentation of both sides of this issue? I already have made up my mind as to the truth of the subject...Would I be willing to present the Sabbath to the Sunday Church? Only if I was very good friends with the pastor. And I would only present the Sabbath as it is in Christ....Not as the anti-thesis for Sunday legislation...

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Here is why you would want to hear a Sunday pastor make his case..

Because so many SDA are not like active people here on this site...they are not prepared for curves, some are ungrounded rookies, ...

if there is any indication of the ungrounding..it is revealed by how few people DO NOT study their SS lessons.

Even in this denominations there are differences of approaches on verses that are related to the Sunday Sabbath arguments.

The whole thing is a training scenario of what some can expect when things really heat up as the SUNDAY legislation nears.

But if the churchian, world loving sons of Satan and Daughters of the Devil in the SDA religious social club are afraid to contact or confront those who are being conned/deceived by the Satanic counterfeit, because their love has grown cold as JESUS says in Matt 24..and they couldn't care less or give a rat's anus about the whole thing...well..there is always an exciting 2nd resurrection they can attend...will be extremely sensational!!!

[Guest]

I don't know if any viewed my thread in TOWNHALL where I mentioned being on the radio with a Sunday pastor ,,and shared some heavy points about creation and the sabbath and the host mentioned on the air that I presented a very persuasive argument.

Well when I went to a SDA church the next day and mentioned that.during SS school...I got flak and diversion when I brought it up.

Like don't harp about the sabbath...share the gospel...

is the SABBATH soon going to be an expletive "S" word??

[Gregory Matthews]

Questions: I am quite comfortable with such. I do not typically feel that I lose control, although there can be exceptions. <img src="/ubbtreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I have gone into Sunday type Protestant chruches a nubmer of times and done this. But, I am likely to refuse to participate in a debate.