The long promised first debate for the Puritan Board Debate Forum has been set up. Due to prior commitments the agreed up start of the Debate will be sometime between mid December and January 1st. Here are the Details:

DEBATE: What Should be the Content of Public Worship Song? Debate Question: Is there clear and sufficient warrant given in Scripture for the composition of uninspired writings for use as song in the public worship of the Church?

For the Affirmative: Andrew J. Webb, a minister in the Presbyterian Church in America, currently serving the Providence Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

For the Negative: Rev. Matthew Winzer, of the Australian Free Church, currently serving in Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia.

This will be a formal essay debate. Two moderators representing each point of view on the question, have been chosen to review the essays prior to posting to be sure the debate stays on track and in accordance with the question and rules set for this debate. These are the Rev. Fredrick T. Greco, Senior Pastor of Christ Church PCA, Katy, Texas, and the Rev. Dr. Frank J. Smith, Ph.D., D.D., Pastor of the Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church of Sheboygan, Wisconsin.General Stipulations to which both sides agree:
Agreement with WCF 21.5; 1.6.
i.e. The Regulative Principle of Worship:
i.e. The Confession’s distinction between parts/elements of worship and circumstances.
i.e. Worship Song as a distinct element of worship.

General format:
The affirmative of the question opens the debate. He has up to a month to draft this first essay (each subsequent essay whether an argument or a response to one, or an answer to a question, has two weeks). The opening essay will state the affirmative of the question and will adduce a list of the supporting arguments for the position and proceed with the presentation of the first supporting argument. However many the number of arguments, the debater should go from the least to the most strong of the arguments in his judgment. As this opening essay sets up the structure of the debate, it is the most important, and more time is given to draft it.

The first post for the Negative will state the negative and argue against the first supporting argument (he has two weeks to reply).

The Affirmative replies, and the Negative closes the exchange with a reply (again each have up to two weeks).

There will then be a question "round." The Negative begins. These questions must concern the first argument, are to be pertinent questions without commentary, alternating between debaters with the Affirmative asking the last question. There should be at least two questions, and there will be no more than 12 questions for each “round”. For this particular debate the format will not be open to questions from the audience.

The debate will continue through enough rounds to cover the number of arguments given in the opening essay with each round getting a question round of 2 to 12 questions.

Each argument, reply, and each reply to questions will be no more than 2500 words. These are formal essays, so formal style is required; i.e. these are not internet posts. [review the general Debate Forum rules here on this and other points). After the opening essay, each debater has two weeks to draft each essay, whether an argument, a reply or an answer to a question. Before any of these are posted the two moderators of the debate will review each piece to make sure the debate is on track and that they are in keeping with debate stipulations and general Christian deportment. This goes on behind the scenes. If something gets by the moderators and it becomes apparent that it needs addressing, they may issue a ruling, but otherwise they remain strictly behind the scenes.

Lord willing, this will be an extensive and thorough debate of the question that will become a great resource on a topic so often discussed here on The Puritan Board.

Prior to commencing the debate there will be a moratorium on discussing the topic of exclusive psalmody until the debate is concluded. Members should also review the general Debate Forum rules in the link above pertaining to board behavior during the debate.

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Chris Coldwell, Lakewood Presbyterian Church (PCA), Dallas, Texas.
• Naphtali Press: Presbyterian & Reformed Books
• Westminster Letter Press
• The Confessional Presbyterian Journal
• The Blue Banner Archive

The Regulative Principle: The Scriptures are the “only infallible rule of faith and practice, no rite or ceremony ought to have a place in the public worship of God, which is not warranted in Scripture, either by direct precept or example, or by good and sufficient inference” (Samuel Miller).

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Looking forward to it!

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Richard
CofE
UK

Sounds great!

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Kevin Rogers
Sovereign Community Church, PCA
Moncton NB

Can't wait.

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Traci
Lynnwood OPC
"I have taken all my good deeds, and all my bad deeds, and cast them through each other in a heap before the Lord, and fled from both, and betaken myself to the Lord Jesus Christ, and in him I have sweet peace."--David Dickson

I like the popcorn guy.

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Norseman Moderator

R. Martin Snyder
1689er
http://www.puritanboard.com/blogs/puritancovenanter/

"Our object should not be to have scripture on our side but to be on the side of scripture; and however dear any sentiment may have become by being long entertained, so soon as it is seen to be contrary to the Bible, we must be prepared to abandon it without hesitation."
William Symington

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Ready for it.

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soli Deo gloria!
~Nicholas~ Ordained Pastor
Member, Fulton PCA; GPTS Student
Christians are like snow covered dung; it is the purity of the covering which the Father sees. -Luther-
There is nothing more ugly than a Christian orthodoxy without understanding or without compassion.
-Francis Schaeffer-

Yippee!

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The man who is disposed to think of his sin as a great calamity, rather than as a heinous crime, is not likely either to reverence God or to respect His law. - John Kennedy, 1873
Meg
Blog
Member, Intown Presbyterian Church,PCA, Portland, OR

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This should be good.

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James Helbert, Wytheville, VA
Providence Reformed Presbyterian Church, RPCUS
TheBibleAlone.com / The Edinburgh Inn
"Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?” - Zechariah 3:2

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I vote for Andy! (Just cuttin' to the chase here...)

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Richard T. Zuelch, M.Div
Ruling Elder, OPC (not currently serving)
Westminster Presbyterian Church, CA (OPC)
www.alexandermaclaren.wordpress.com
www.reiterations.wordpress.com
www.spurgeonswords.wordpress.com

Devout souls do not take offence at the depths and difficulties of God's Word, but are, thereby, drawn to intenser contemplation of them. - Alexander Maclaren (1826-1910)

Great! Maybe I can finally make up my mind on this topic. No pressure though guys . . .

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[B]Jim Polk
Former/resigned Ruling Elder, Pilgrim Church, PCA
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania[/B]

[B][I]Jud 1:3 . . .contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.[/I][/B]

[B][I]God does whatever is right . . . right is whatever God does.[/I][/B]

Looks really cool. Thanks so much for setting this up!

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Kevin, husband of a truly angelic woman, and father to ten.
Zion United Reformed Church of Sheffield
Ontario, Canada

Sounds like it should be good.

Go Matt!

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Sean P.M. McDonald
Communicant Member of Lisbon Reformed Presbyterian Church, Lisbon, NY
Infantryman (SGT), 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, NY
Husband to Laura, father to Olivia
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"Lex praescribit, evangelium inscribit." (The law prescribes, the gospel inscribes.)

Here I was, trying to forget about this so I could the anticipation and you have to remind me that it will be forever before it begins. Sheesh...

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Josh Hicks, Chloë's Dad
Christ Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church, RPCGA
Facebook - The Calvinist Vent
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It is God that multiplies our sorrows.... God, as a righteous Judge, does it, which ought to silence us under all our sorrows; as many as they are, we have deserved them all, and more: nay, God, as a tender Father, does it for our necessary correction, that we may be humbled for sin, and weaned from the world by all our sorrows; and the good we get by them, with the comfort we have under them, will abundantly balance our sorrows, how greatly soever they are multiplied. - Matthew Henry

It looked like there was no place where the negative could present more than a rebuttal or answer to objections in that format. Am I reading the format explanation correctly?

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Ruben
Moderator
F.P.C.I.
Indiana

Vanities and disguises have covered us, and thereby we are naked; licenciousness hath inflam'd us, and thereby we are frozen; voluptuousness hath fed us, and thereby we are sterved, the fancies and traditions of men have taught and instructed us, and thereby we are ignorant.
John Donne

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Calvinistas Conversando
Teología en Mexico
The Howling Wilderness

This is going to be good.

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Vaughan
BTh Student, Presbyterian Theological Centre
Student Assistant, Ashfield Presbyterian Church
Sydney, Australia
The Ransomed

Andy is going to win.

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Ben
Chaplain, US Army
Ft. Riley, KS
TE Ohio Valley Presbytery, PCA

Oh. You spoiled it; I guess no point having the debate now.

Looking forward to being educated further on this subject!

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Dan
Member, Soaring Oaks Presbyterian (PCA)
www.soaringoaks.org
Northern California
The duty of a theologian is, not to please the ear with empty sounds, but to confirm the conscience by teaching things which are true, certain and profitable.
John Calvin, 1559

It will be very enlightening.

Debates are very enlightening but the truth is not always the victor in debates. The winner of the debate just presents their argument better sometimes, even if they are wrong. So even if one is persuaded by a debater, a person should always try to pursue further knowledge on the debated subject.

Acts 17:11

Looking forward to this, may God bless this discourse to edify his people!

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How often have you wondered why Christ should set His heart upon such a one as you! --Octavius Winslow

Lon Wadkins (Jesup, Iowa)
New Covenant Fellowship, OPC
Independence, Iowa

This is going to be gooood!

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Life is a journey; learn to enjoy it.
shelly {approved by admins for limited information in signature}
attending a reformed church

When is the debate on the regulative principle of worship and how far to take it? Singing is only a small part of it!

Good point Shelly. The regulative principle of worship comes first. One must decide which version of the RPW the Scriptures teach. Psalmody acappella comes by way of applying the RPW specifically to the element of song in worship.

By the way, I have much respect for Andy, but Mr. Winzer will win

In His grace,

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Pastor Steve Bradley
Trinity Reformed Presbyterian Church (RPCNA)
www.trinityrpc.org
www.sermonaudio.com/trinityrpc
www.reformedvoice.com/trinityrpc
Riva, MD

Ok folks. Let's not turn "my" announcement thread into an odds maker's. Settle back and wait for the main event and we can do the analysis and "what I think" afterward.

Can we have a betting pool?

Perhaps some bodyguards as well?

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Marty
Ordained Presbyter; Currently Lecturer in Theology
Anglican Church of Australia
(Now finally back! in) Perth, Australia.
"There is nothing so necessary to draw us to repentance as good thoughts of God." (Thomas Manton)

I am going to win.........wait......I am not debating.....ooops...sorry......carry on.

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et

Who'll be the bookie? What are the odds?

Anybody know where we're at WRT the debate? Original post said it was to take place sometime between mid-Dec and Jan 1...

Soon, DV. One of the participants had pastoral issues that took precedence (obviously).

I was told by a friend that, regardless of the actual participants in the debate, Chuck Norris is going to win.

Any further word on the debate?

It's gonna be a minute.

It will happen when it happens; for now it is back-burnered. I think everyone wants this done right and with the participants' full attentions; so the wait should be worth it I trust.

Is there really any point to having another debate; after all the arguments pro and contra are freely available to all who want them.

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Daniel Ritchie
Saintfield, Northern Ireland - Queen's University, Belfast:History/Politics
Member of Dromara Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland (Covenanter)

Go Pastor Webb!

Wrong etexas, you should know that in this debate there can only be one Winzer.

There is a very valid point, actually. Within the confines of this formal debate there will be organization.

1. No shotgun approach.
2. No strawmen (will be a moderated debate).
3. It's between two men, not the whole board.

I think it will be a most helpful debate.

Personally, I think that while we wait for this, we ought to have another debate on infant baptism. There are tons of threads on this, but no formal debate on it.

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Rev. Lane Keister
Teaching Elder, PCA, North Dakota (working out of bounds in a CRC and an RCA church)
http://greenbaggins.wordpress.com
http://brahmsgreenglove.blogspot.com
http://accenttranslation.blogspot.com
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