LOGIC , DEBATE , AND RHETORIC :
The Skills Needed to Develop a Biblical Worldview
Ron and Tonya Gordon of REAP ( RenewaNation ’ s Education Advancement Program ) recently sat down with Griffith Vertican , a licensed attorney , former national debate champion , and coach to many current debate champions in the United States . Together , they discussed skills critical for developing students ’ biblical worldview and defense of their faith .
RON GORDON : What is the connection between apologetics and debate ?
GRIFFITH VERTICAN : Apologetics and debate are two sides of the same coin . Both use logic and objective evidence to evaluate a topic , draw rational conclusions , and effectively communicate a given position . Apologetics and debate deal with the pursuit of truth based on reason , evidence , and refutation , where two or more sides are represented .
RON GORDON : When many Americans hear the word “ debate ,” they automatically think of a presidential debate . Is this the type of debate you are referring to ?
GRIFFITH VERTICAN : Not at all . I actually use presidential debates when training students as examples of what not to do . The presidential debates have evolved into a performance geared at scoring political points , attacking and insulting your opponent , and avoiding the real questions to hit key talking points . An effective debater should actually employ the right attitude and persona to win over their audience and opponent with mutual dignity and respect . Proper debates are not focused on personal attacks , which we call ad hominem fallacies , but rather on issues and ideas . From Apollos in the Bible to Thomas Aquinas to C . S . Lewis , the best apologists have always focused on formulating logical and rational positions based on factual evidence .
TONYA GORDON : Similar to presidential debates , social media reflects the same approach of argumentative personal attack . Much of what we see on social media today resembles elementary playground bickering . Unfortunately , most Americans do not clearly understand what proper debate looks like , which is a result of our current educational system .
GRIFFITH VERTICAN : I couldn ’ t agree with you more , Tonya . There is little appreciation and understanding of logical reasoning and rhetorical mastery in our educational institutions today . This quote from Thomas Sowell personifies what is happening in schools today : “ Our whole educational system from elementary schools to universities is increasingly turning out people who have never heard enough conflicting arguments to develop the skills and disciplines required to produce a coherent analysis based on logic and evidence .”
RON GORDON : The term “ debate ” often triggers a negative connotation of a heated argument , which seems to conflict with appropriate Christian behavior . Is debating something that a Christian should even do ?
GRIFFITH VERTICAN : Absolutely . We have numerous historical examples where Christians used apologetics and debate to engage culture and forward the truth of Jesus Christ . My favorite example from the Bible is the story of Apollos . We find that Apollos engaged in public debate and “ powerfully refuted the Jews in public , showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus ” ( Acts 18:24-28 ). Apollos no doubt used Old Testament passages from Isaiah and others to confirm how Jesus ’ life , death , and resurrection confirmed the prophetic message concerning the Messiah . The birth of the early church was rooted in apologetics and debate . Apostles Paul and Peter also gave us repeated examples of this in Scripture . If there ’ s one verse that provides the most direct instruction for Christians to engage in debate , it ’ s 1 Peter 3:15 : “ In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy , always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you ; yet do it with gentleness and respect .”
C . S . Lewis ’ best-selling book Mere Christianity provides a strong example of using logical defenses to answer the
16 THE RENEWANATION REVIEW