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), Member
• Naphtali Press: Presbyterian & Reformed Books
• The Confessional Presbyterian, A Journal for Discussion of Presbyterian Doctrine & Practice
• The Blue Banner Archive

When heresy rises in an evangelical body, it is never frank and open. It always begins by skulking, and assuming a disguise. Its advocates, when together, boast of great improvements, and congratulate one another on having gone greatly beyond the ‘old dead orthodoxy,’ and on having left behind many of its antiquated errors: but when taxed with deviations from the received faith, they complain of the unreasonableness of their accusers, as they ‘differ from it only in words.’ This has been the standing course of errorists ever since the apostolic age. Samuel Miller, Introductory essay, The Articles of the Synod of Dort (1841).

Click to get: Board Rules -- Signature Requirements -- Suggestions?

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
Psalm 52:8-9
8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.
9 I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.

I like the popcorn guy.

__________________

(Norseman Moderator)

R. Martin Snyder
1689er
Harmony Baptist Church (Member)
PuritanCovenanter MSN Blog
PuritanCovenanter's MySpace Page

"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

Click to get:Board Rules -- Signature Requirements -- Suggestions?

Ready for it.

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soli Deo gloria!
~N!ck Nap!er~
Ordained Pastor, Associate, Cornerstone Church, NC
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

Click to get: Board Rules -- Signature Requirements -- Suggestions?

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

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.reiterations.wordpress.com
www.foft.wordpress.com

Faith and repentance are born together and aid the health of each other. - Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892), on July 23, 1865

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

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

Jud 1:3 . . .contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.

God does whatever is right . . . right is whatever God does.

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

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Kevin
Far East
Deacon, Int'l Church

Sounds like it should be good.

Go Matt!

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Sean P.M. McDonald
Communicant Member of Springs Reformed Church (RPCNA), Colorado Springs, CO
Infantryman, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, NY (Deployed to Iraq)
Engaged to Laura A. Doman of Grand Rapids, MI
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"I die by the decisions of the last free General Assembly, and I appeal for vindication to the next free General Assembly."
--Saying of Covenanter martyrs

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 Daddy
Member of TRBC. My Blog
The Puritan Pub (Team Blog)
Board Rules -- Signature Requirements -- Suggestions?

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?

__________________
Ruben
Moderator

Click to get: Board Rules -- Signature Requirements -- Suggestions?

Calvinistas Conversando - Reformed Discussion Board in Spanish.

Spanish Blog -Teologia en Mexico
English Blog -The Howling Wilderness

This is going to be good.

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Vaughan
BTh Student, Sydney Missionary Bible College
Naremburn Cammeray Anglican Church
Sydney, Australia
The Ransomed

Andy is going to win.

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Ben
Sanford, NC
TE Ohio Valley Presbytery, PCA

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

__________________
Chris Coldwell
Lakewood Presbyterian Church (PCA), Member
• Naphtali Press: Presbyterian & Reformed Books
• The Confessional Presbyterian, A Journal for Discussion of Presbyterian Doctrine & Practice
• The Blue Banner Archive

When heresy rises in an evangelical body, it is never frank and open. It always begins by skulking, and assuming a disguise. Its advocates, when together, boast of great improvements, and congratulate one another on having gone greatly beyond the ‘old dead orthodoxy,’ and on having left behind many of its antiquated errors: but when taxed with deviations from the received faith, they complain of the unreasonableness of their accusers, as they ‘differ from it only in words.’ This has been the standing course of errorists ever since the apostolic age. Samuel Miller, Introductory essay, The Articles of the Synod of Dort (1841).

Click to get: Board Rules -- Signature Requirements -- Suggestions?

Looking forward to being educated further on this subject!

__________________
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.

__________________

(Norseman Moderator)

R. Martin Snyder
1689er
Harmony Baptist Church (Member)
PuritanCovenanter MSN Blog
PuritanCovenanter's MySpace Page

"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

Click to get:Board Rules -- Signature Requirements -- Suggestions?

Acts 17:11

__________________
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

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!

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