Question for Orthodox Christians.
Is it more important to win an argument or win a soul?
- Principles for Orthodox apologetics. 1 - Before anything, revere God in your heart. This involves prayer, attending services, and seeking God with all your heart. This is only found on your knees in prayer. 2 - Be prepared. For Protestants this "preparation" centers around knowing the Bible very well. If you are going to debate a Sola Scriptura person you need to be prepared to answer them on their terms - from Scripture, not tradition. And Scripture supports Orthodoxy because it came out of the Church. But the Bible also tells us that we are not to prepare a defense in advance. Luk 21:14-15 But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. This means we are to be guided by the Spirit. 3 - When apologetics is done right, it's done with ""gentleness and respect". Pride and arrogance are the downfall for all of us. Talking over the other person is one evidence you are not acting with respect. The other person is allowed to be rude. The Orthodox Christian is not. They are allowed to be arrogant. The Orthodox Christian is not.
- Great thread.Every Christian is called to be a witness for Christ. Not only clergy. Not only missionaries. Not only theologians. Every baptized believer.
- Fr Paul Truenbach On Attitude In Apologetics
- Titus 3:10-11 (NKJV): "Reject a divisive man [or heretic/factious person] after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned." Titus 1:9-13: "[An elder] must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be
Im not sure I see "dont worry about preparing in advance" as "dont prepare in advance." The Saints definitely prepared for debates and disputes, they just didnt worry.
