actually the bible commands us to debate...."The Bible is filled with exhortations to use our reason. Jesus commanded, "You shall love the Lord... with all your mind" (Matt. 22:37). Paul added, "whatsoever things are true... think on these things" (Phil. 4:8 KJV). Paul also "reasoned" with the Jews (Acts 17:17) and with the philosophers on Mars Hill (vv. 22-33) winning some to Christ (v. 34). Bishops were instructed to be able "to refute those who contradict" (Titus 1:9 NASB). Paul declares that he was "appointed for the defense of the gospel" (Phil. 1:17). Jude urged us to "contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3). And Peter commanded, "be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you" (1 Peter 3:15).Correcting the Cults: Expert Responses to Their Scripture Twisting.he Bible is filled with exhortations to use our reason. Jesus commanded, "You shall love the Lord... with all your mind" (Matt. 22:37). Paul added, "whatsoever things are true... think on these things" (Phil. 4:8 KJV). Paul also "reasoned" with the Jews (Acts 17:17) and with the philosophers on Mars Hill (vv. 22-33) winning some to Christ (v. 34). Bishops were instructed to be able "to refute those who contradict" (Titus 1:9 NASB). Paul declares that he was "appointed for the defense of the gospel" (Phil. 1:17). Jude urged us to "contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3). And Peter commanded, "be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you" (1 Peter 3:15). (Correcting the Cults: Expert Responses to Their Scripture Twisting.)Peter uses the word "defense" in 1Pe 3:15, its the Greek word "apologia" which is a word taken directly from the law courts where lawyers defend and present the truth of their cases.... in times past we would call this giving an "apology", in old English this did mean to say you were "sorry", but meant to render a defense of your position in the context of strong sustained disagreement... in other words, one would defend the Christian faith in a debate. "When believers have Christ set apart in their hearts, the courage he gives them ought to make them always ready to testify about him. Peter called upon the believers not to fear, but he didn't stop there. Their faith should be active, ready to speak out—prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks. While Peter may have been thinking about believers speaking in a court, he seems also to have had in mind the everyday informal inquiries that might be directed at the believers—from either hostile or friendly neighbors. The words "an answer" can also be translated "a defense" and usually refer to responding to an accusation (see, for example, Acts 22:1; 25:16; 1 Corinthians 9:3; Philippians 1:7, 16). Thus, these may refer to formal charges or informal accusations. Under any circumstances, the believers were to be ready to testify, explaining the reason for the hope that they had. (Life Application Bible Commentary 1 & 2 Peter and Jude.)"Furthermore, contrary to popular opinion, Christians are not supposed to "just have faith." Christians are commanded to know what they believe and why they believe it. They are commanded to give answers to those who ask (1 Pet. 3:15), and to demolish arguments against the Christian faith (2 Cor. 10:4-5). Since God is reasonable (Isa. 1:18) and wants us to use our reason, Christians don't get brownie points for being stupid. In fact, using reason is part of the greatest commandment which, according to Jesus, is to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matt. 22:37). (I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist.; Norm Geisler and Frank Turek)So every bit as much as we are to engage in the Great Commission, eg to make disciples, to share the gospel unto the ends of the earth, we are given the same command to defend God's honor and repudiate both those who are fools (according to God's word) those who are atheists and deny God altogether, and just as fervently, we are to debate/argue for the particular truths of the Christian faith as it is attacked from those who are supposedly within the Christian faith. In fact, much of the NT, Paul's letters in particular, were written to combat heresy within the church. Think of Galatians in par5ticular, as he struggled against the Judiazers as he says that he would wish that they emasculate themselves because they are teaching damnable heresy and distorting the very gospel itself, by trying to teach that persons can be saved by obedience to the Law. Paul makes it very clear that by the law, no one will be saved. Galatians 2:15-16 (ESV) 15 We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; 16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified." Or think of the Beloved Disciple John, as He writes in 1 John, defending the truths about Christ Jesus against the Gnostics who denied that Jesus was a real man of real flesh and blood, and who denied that Jesus was the Christ. 1 John 1:1 (ESV) That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— ..... 1 John 2:22-26 (ESV) 22 Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. 24 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that he made to us — eternal life. 26 I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you."So the bible is just full of commands, exhortations AND examples of engaging in debate with both believers and those who claim to be believers.blessings,ken