The Fellowship Debate Material

 

Introduction

The following material was prepared in prospect of a debate with the Bereans.  My final suggested proposition was stated as:

"The Berean Christadelphians have steadfastly refused to alter their fellowship position from that established by bre. Thomas and Roberts." Bereans affirm. SG denies.

This comes from a printed claim they have repeatedly made in one form or another. The debate never occurred, but that does not prevent me from presenting my research in the form of questions which I had prepared.

Bereans have objected to publication of this material on the basis that I have “predicted” the Berean response. I stated that this was done “to carry the argument forward”. No man prepares for a debate without predicting his opponent’s response to a line of questioning.  I will allow the reader to judge and see just how many questions allowed the Bereans any real choice as to which way they would answer. In some cases I made no prediction. In a few cases I was not sure which position they would take because their own contradictions had been brought, by the line of questioning, to a crisis. There, you will find I have branched the questioning based on which way they chose to answer. In some cases, rather than predicting the answer I have simply added personal notes to highlight a point that is made by the quotation.

Most of my questions are based on Scriptural and historical facts. These things the Bereans cannot dispute, at least not to a degree that affects the argument. For the basic arguments I have not sought one proof but a significant number of proofs. They may remove as many stones as they wish from the edifice. If they remove too many they become deniers of the Gospel and of that which they claim to uphold: the pioneer practices and the pioneer writings.

Bereans may find points here and there to quibble with. I am sure they will look for objections to discredit the research -- some of these same brethren were not so long ago in the Unamended community, when they tossed Advocatism Exposed into the trash. Years later they have come to praise it beyond what I know to be true. Now, having learned the truth of the atonement they have put their trust in Berean claims. Perhaps, if they can face it, they will realize they have made another mistake. God grant that they will.

I agree with the thoughts expressed by one reader who viewed the debate "negotiations" and Berean decline to debate. "Basically, the Bereans are no longer necessary in this whole thing. They don't want to know the truth and they have declined a public forum in which to defend their position. End of story as far as I am concerned."

Statements were proposed to be limited to 700 words. As the debate was not approved by the Bereans, I will add a few additional points to the Statements that I could not have made under the restrictions of the proposed debate. Interested readers will not object to the added clarifications and arguments. I have also added some explanations to each of the lines of questioning. This will allow the reader to understand, ahead of time, why the questions are being asked.

  1. Opening Statement
  2. The Measure and Standard of Fellowship
  3. The Ecclesia and The Body of Christ vs. The Berean Society
    1. What's in a Name?
    2. Early Christadelphian Use of the Word "Body"
    3. Early Christadelphian Use of the Word "Community"
  4. The Berean Basis of Fellowship
  5. The Berean Restatement -- 1960
  6. The Common Constitution -- 1980
  7. Apostolic Practices vs. Berean Practices
  8. Pioneer Practices vs. Berean Practices
  9. Berean Inconsistencies — I will show thee my faith by my works
  10. Questions the Bereans Should Have Asked Me
  11. "Authority"
  12. Brother Roberts on "This 'doctrine of fellowship'"
  13. Central - Statements of Faith
  14. Closing Statement
  15. Comments from Various Brethren

 

 

Last Update: September 30, 2007