Our decision not to host a debate at the Strange Fire Conference was intentional. Debates are rarely effective in truly helping people think carefully through the issues, since they can easily be reduced to sound bites and talking points. By contrast, a clear understanding of biblical truth comes from a faithful study of the Scriptures. Our hope is that the conference sparked a renewed desire for that kind diligent study on this important issue.
~John MacArthur on not having a debate regarding the Charismatic Movement/Strange Fire, source
Moreover, debates promote false teaching, which is certainly not what we are to expose ourselves to, in order to "find the truth". Finding truth comes from going directly to Scripture first, and then being under biblical, godly preaching and teaching. Debates give false teachers / false teaching a platform and this is not what we see in Scripture. We see a straight up demolishing of arguments that oppose themselves to Christ and Scripture, not open invitations to false teachers and teachings to find some "good points". In fact, anyone who even greets a false teacher is himself guilty of the false teacher's wicked deeds according to 2John 9-11.
Research is one thing, but giving platform to a biblical truth and unbiblical truth as if equally credible is wrong. Plus it can play on emotions.
MacArthur is right.
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