My friend Tunji has posted a criticism which I accept and will be acting upon. He asked, “Are you about to conclude the end-time series anytime soon? I probably speak for a number of bloggers here in looking forward to participating on another topic!” Though I could write another 20 or so posts on this subject I think Tunji is right, it is time to move on to other topics.
There are many reasons for this. The main reason is that I have been dealing with some other issues lately, and these concerns have drained me so that I find I have very little time or strength left to think about anything else. In fact, I barely have enough mental energy left to get my weekly sermon prepared and as of late I have not been doing a very good of doing that. What I am saying is that I have not had the luxury of being able to reflect much on the end-time series and even less to add new posts. So though I hate to leave yet another unfinished series, I agree that it is time to move on. I will also be avoiding these sorts of lengthy threads in the future.
I am planning on posting a new article later this week. Also, we are about ready to begin a live internet broadcast version of An Honest Debate. We will be putting a link up and posting the time for the broadcast as soon as we can, possibly as soon as tomorrow.
We do not have all of the equipment we need to make it a live call in type of program, YET. But we hope to be getting that equipment soon. Until then we will try to put together a panel discussion. If you would like to participate in these early broadcasts you can do so through your emails.
One of the things I hope to be able to do is to have some real debates. What I mean by this is, I hope to have some structured debates in which one party will have an uninterrupted period of time to make his or her case. Following this the other side will be given the same amount of time to the point each party will receive time for a rebuttal.
One of the reason I like this sort of format is that I hate those television “debates” which are really just arguments. You know what I’m referring to. You’ve seen it too, those programs where everyone is interrupting and trying to talk over each other. What a waste of time. I prefer a genuine exchange of ideas in that a person has the opportunity to make the best case they can without being interrupted.
Now there is a danger in this sort of format. When some people get the floor they are reluctant to give it up. They attempt to win the debate by never allowing their opponent the opportunity to be heard. To avoid this we will have strict time limits and a time keeper. Once a person time runs out they will have 30 seconds to wrap it up. At that point they will politely yield the floor.
So be watching over the next few days for a new topic and for the time and a link to An Honest Debate Live.
Hi Mark, I like venting about politics and current events from a Christian perspective since its a bit more casual for me. I’ve had some online debates over the years and it can get pretty exhausting, especially when you’re dealing with liberals and atheists who will use any dirty trick from personal attacks to misquoting you.
By: Cupofwrath.com on April 5, 2011
at 5:57 pm
I hear you my friend. Debating athiests is on hard, their arguments are easily answered. However, it is tedious. The personal attacks means they can’t come up with an intellegent answer to your argument, but it does get old. I have seen a few come to Christ, but in every case it has been a process that has taken several years.
By: markcarlton on April 5, 2011
at 6:55 pm