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There are great issues in the religious world upon which men are not agreed. That was also
true during the days of Christ and the apostles. This is admitted by all of the religious
leaders of the age. The enemies of Truth are actively engaged in a campaign to corrupt the
mind from the simplicity and purity that is in Christ.
Now is the time for all lovers of the gospel to take up the weapon with which to conquer and "contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3 ASV). That weapon is the pure word of God, and should be used by the soldier of Christ in the conflict, so that he may say with Paul, "I have fought a good fight" (2 Tim. 4:7). No soldier in the service of Christ should shrink from the discussion between truth and falsehood. Jesus said, "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). The object of honourable controversy is truth — not victory. All the issues of the subject in debate should be examined with all fairness and candor. Divine truth is valuable, and we cannot afford to ignore any part of the "whole counsel of God." Jesus said, "I am the truth" (John 14:6). To reject the truth is to reject Christ. "For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in his own glory, and the glory of the Father, and of the holy angels" (Luke 9:26 ASV). Members of the body of Christ should rejoice in the privileges of free and open discussion of the issues upon which the salvation of souls depend. When error is exposed in the light of truth in discussion, one should "receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls" (Jas. 1:21 ASV). Receiving all the truth on any proposition, one has all to gain and nothing to lose. Paul said he was "set for the defence of the gospel" (Phil. 1:17), and in defending the pure gospel, his life was a mighty struggle in that endeavor. Take, for example, his visit to Athens. "His spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry" (Acts 17:16). He drew the sword of the Spirit and went out to battle, disputing in the synagogue and in the marketplace with those who met him. He exposed the false philosophies of that day and, in contrast to them, preached the Living God who "made the world and all things therein" (Acts 17:24). His arguments were not in vain, for "certain men clave unto him, and believed" (Acts 17:34). Paul's speech at Athens has remained through the centuries as a shining example for all preachers who follow. In recording the conversion of Cornelius, Luke makes it plain that the Gentiles have the blessings of salvation in Christ on the same terms as the Jews (Acts 10). Since the rebuilding of the tabernacle of David in heaven (Acts 15:16-17) the Gentiles have not been denied that right. As kings and priests in the kingdom, they now reign with Christ and Jews and Gentiles are now one in the kingdom of Christ (Eph. 2:11-17). "But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses" (Acts 15:5). The Judaizers were bold in declaring their position and the issue they raised demanded an open discussion. Peter, Barnabas, Paul, and James discussed the subject in definite and plain terms. James closed the discussion with an argument from the will of God, expressed in prophecy (Acts 15:13-20) and his argument was complete and final. This is a New Testament example of honourable controversy, and truth on this subject was the result of this profitable debate. The apostles believed in debating their cause. Robert Dale Owen made his challenge that with his "Social System" he would put religion wholly out of the way and by his infidel theories revolutionize human society. Owen claimed that he had discovered laws which would "abolish religion, marriage, and private property." He attributed the misery and vice of the human family to their ignorance of his "twelve laws of human nature." He was bold in affirming that, "Religion was the greatest bar to the supreme happiness of the world." Alexander Campbell accepted Owen's challenge to debate and it was held in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1829. Due to the vital issues and the reputations of the men, the interest and crowds were great throughout the entire discussion. Campbell exposed the "twelve laws" of Owen in the debate, proving that they were, "just as applicable to a goat as a man." He also exalted the Christian life as the best life for the world. After the debate, as Owen turned his face toward his home, he admitted there were, "difficulties on both sides." This debate accomplished much and lasting good. When they were scattered abroad from Jerusalem, the disciples, "went every where preaching the word" (Acts 8:4). God had given them the gospel of salvation with a command to preach and guard it. In their preaching, they encountered difficulties and opposition along the way from many adversaries. Because they faithfully declared the divine message without compromising it, fierce controversy broke out. The apostolic age was one of controversy, and the pure word of God was their conquering sword in spiritual battles (Eph. 6:17). Satan has many devices, and the faithful child of God should meet error's opposition with truth, that no advantage may be gained over him by Satan (cf. Matt. 4:4). God's preachers cannot afford to put a veil over the truth and retire from the battle. As touching the gospel, there are many enemies of the cross of Christ (Phil. 3:18). Therefore, as in all past ages, the age of controversy is upon us. Let us have controversy in "free, fair, and generous discussion" of all vital issues concerning the people of God, and let us come boldly forward in contending for the faith. |