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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.
Originally Posted by Augusta 
When is the debate on the regulative principle of worship and how far to take it? Singing is only a small part of it!
Let's not turn "my" announcement thread into an odds maker's.
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