An interesting debate is taking place on Dr. Michael Brown's radio program, The Line of Fire, between Dr. Brown and known Calvinist apologist Dr. James White. I have found the debate fascinating to hear these two gentlemen face off. Dr. Brown, as he normally is even in person, is quite gracious toward Dr. White and this debate is very cordial. It is obvious to me that Dr. Brown believes, as I do, that Calvinists are not our enemies but they are our brothers in Christ and though we may disagree, we still need to godly toward each other in the Lord (2 Timothy 2:24-25).

Many have suggested to me that this ongoing debate between Arminians and Calvinists needs to come to end. Much of this talk comes from people who 1) don't know what they even believe and so they don't take a stand for anything, or 2) they have adopted the modern worldview that there are no absolutes and therefore no one is right and no one is wrong and no one can question that. How sad. I have been intrigued by the life of Alexander Campbell from the early 19th century and during his time on earth, debates were the hot ticket. They were the entertainment of the day. The most famous 19th century debate was probably Abraham Lincoln versus Stephen Douglas for the Illinois Senate seat in 1858. As many as 20,000 people came out to hear Lincoln and Douglas debate and they did (unlike modern political debates which is more rhetoric than substance and is simply a chance for the politicians to state their stance on a number of issues without facing off). The second largest debate was Campbell versus the 19th century famous atheist (turned agnostic) Robert Owen.

We can learn from these examples of debates and we can learn from listening to Dr. Brown face off with Dr. White as well. Dr. Brown stands toe to toe with the great Calvinist thinker and Christian apologist and both men show a great respect for one another, for God, and for God's Word. A link can be found here.