An Introduction to Argumentation and Debate - Bible Baptist Church

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Argumentation and DebateF. ____________________.Page 12History of Debate – Rhetoric1. Philo – lover2. Sophy – of wisdom3. Colossians 2:8 “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit,after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”4. Philosophy is the “art” of determining truth by self study without any verification.5. Philosophy is simply loving the wisdom that a person discovers on their own – withoutGod, or without proof!6. All “philosophers” believe they can discover all truth on their own without a need forGod or for proof of their conclusions!II. Debating Mainly Exists in the Western WorldA. Although debate exists all over the world, it thrives in the context of democratic Westerncivilization.B. Debate flourished in the academies of the ancient world and medieval universities, whererhetoric was installed as one of the seven liberal arts. What may have been the firstintercollegiate debate in the English-speaking world took place in the early 1400s atCambridge University between students from Oxford and Cambridge.C. Middle eastern peoples talk, and argue and “debate” all the time, but rarely allow each otherthe freedom to ask any question, and challenge any truth.D. British Parliament - Debates evolved as discussions for and against specific proposals,supported by organized factionsE. 1775, a group called the Ancient Society of Cogers started public debates in a Londontavern.F. Debating has held a special place in American history.1. Debating flourished in the colonial colleges; disputations were a required part of thecurriculum, and debates were often a featured part of commencement ceremonies.2. Almost all the leaders of the American Revolution and the early national period wereable debaters who had studied argumentation in the colonial colleges or in thecommunity debating “societies,” “lyceums,” and “bees” that flourished throughout thecountry, most notably “the Spy Club” at Harvard in 1722.3. The right to argue freely is a right that has been prized throughout history. From thetime of the ancient Greeks, the art of debate has been instrumental in shaping the4. philosophy, politics, and culture of mankind, but not more so than in America!America's Founding Fathers highly prized the right to argue freely, enshrining thatprinciple in the First Amendment to our Constitution.5. Political rulers will become tyrants, the Founders argued, unless the people areguaranteed the right to speak and debate freely about the issues that affect their lives.G. Yet it is not only leaders and rulers who practice the art of debate.1. Chances are that you have been arguing with your parents, siblings, and friends on avariety of issues since you were quite young.2. Noah Webster's American Dictionary of the English Language (Webster's 1828dictionary) provides this helpful definition of the word argue: "To persuade by reasons."3. Debate is simply the art of persuading by reasons, which is a common part of ourexperience as human beings.4. Formal debate is an educational way to learn the skills you need to speak persuasively inreal life .H. Modern “Debating” has been perfected by the Russians - First formal competitive debate in1995.
Argumentation and DebateI. What We Will Attempt to LearnFormal versus Practical DebatesFormal versus Practical DebatesA. We will mainly focus on the skill of debating ___________________ instead of formally.1. A formal debate has hundreds of rules to abide by, with very explicit controls overtiming, and responses2. Whereas, in a practical debate, there are only a dozen or so strong rules hat govern howtwo opposing sides interact.B. Different examples:1. ________________________ is a form of a Practical Debate – loose rules2. A __________________ Debate is a very formal form of debate3. An argument in the home should be a practical debate, without anger and with nodisrespect4. A discussion amongst friends should be a form of practical debateC. If you were planning on entering politics, or the legal profession, you would have to learnformal debating. If you were to prepare to participate in a public debate with an atheist or anevolutionists, you would have to learn formal debating proceduresD. But as a Christian, who wants to persuade audiences in less formal arenas, the PracticalDebate is the best form to learnII. Practical Debating Rule SummaryA. Thorough understanding of a basic truth – not an exhaustive understanding of a deep,hard to understand truth (Heb 13:9)B. Short concise statements. Not long, drawn out lists of information with the hope ofdrowning your opponent. Jesus used short sentences.C. Generally respect your opponent – on rare occasions God will give you the urge to mockthem, but be careful it is of God, and not your own fleshly desire (1Kgs 18:25-27)D. Listen to your opponent’s arguments – even if you have your own position very wellestablishedE. Do not get angry in the debate or discussion – that is the wrong kind of striving (2Tim2:24)F. Do not interrupt your opponent – do not allow them to interrupt youG. Stay on topic – do not move from issue to issue, or question to question – don’t allow youropponent to do so either.H. Use simple illustrations. Use real life examples to show your truth, your viewpoint inaction. Don’t expect your opponent to fully understand you until you have gone the extramile to help him or her to see what you are talking about.I. Ask questions of your opponent about his or hers position – make sure you well understandwhat your opponent is saying before you replyJ. Do your best to not take what people say personally (John 15:18).K. Pray for your opponent – both before and after a debate/discussion.L. Debate in love, not conquest (Eph 4:15).III. There are two basic subjects to debate at any one timeA. Politics and human behaviour - _______________________ – what someone should orshould not DO.B. Philosophical concepts - __________________ – what is RIGHT or ETHICAL to believe.C. Both kinds of subjects are debated throughout Scripture, and throughout life!Page 13
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An Introduction to Argumentation and Debate - Bible Baptist Church

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