DebateBlog: Ask the Calvinist: Question #4 for centuri0n

Monday, May 01, 2006

Question #4 for centuri0n

Imagine: One thousand years from now, Bat Boy worship has replaced Jesus worship as the dominant religion on the globe. People converted to Bat Boyism for many reasons, chief among them that there was far more evidence for the existence of Bat Boy than for Jesus--there were news stories, photographs, and an instantly emerging cult that celebrated the death and resurrection of Bat Boy through rituals involving story and song.

You are the last Christian left on Earth. How would you convince Bat Boy adherents to worship Jesus Christ instead?

Meet the Calvinist

This is centuri0n, aka Frank Turk, who has been an internet apologist for about 10 years and has never really gained anything for himself through it but a handful of friends and a lot of ill-will. Most people, honestly, do not like to argue with him because he doesn't know how to let it go. He's a blogger of some minor note, and he's a "calvinist".

A "calvinist" is someone who would endorse the theology of the Protestant reformation -- which is best summarized in the Westminster Confession (1646), the London Baptist Confession (1689), or one of the other major confessions affirmed after the Council of Trent. If you don't have the time or the patience to read any or all of those documents, here's a quick summary of what "calvinism" means, and here's a quick summary of what is does not mean.

Hope that helps.

Engage the Calvinist

The basic premise is that each exchange in governed by a thesis statement -- a one-sentence statement which one participant affirms and the other denies.

The Guest has the opportunity to offer an opening statement; if the Calvinist is affirming, he will offer an opening statement.
The format is an alternating cross-examination; One side asks one question; the other side posts an answer, then posts a question; the first side then answers, then posts a question.
The standard exchange is 5 questions each. Questions are usually limited to 150 words; answers are usually limited to 500 words. Expanded formats are often requested by the Calvinist when believes the Guest needs more space or time to work out his position.

Both sides have an obligation to asnwer the questions put to them. The Reader should decide if one side or the other has actually answered the question put to him.

Monday, May 01, 2006

Question #4 for centuri0n

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Ask the Calvinist

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Monday, May 01, 2006

Question #4 for centuri0n

• • • • • DebateBlog • • • • •

Ask the Calvinist

Meet the Calvinist

Engage the Calvinist

Contact the Calvinist

Search the Calvinist

Subscribe To the Calvinist

Follow the Calvinist

Tag the Calvinist

Archive by Date

About the Offical Word Count

DebateBlog is tracked by Google Analytics