Tools of Apologetics 1.18.9
Debating Techniques
An Analysis Of The Standard Techniques
Chapter 9
Debaters’ Tricks — 6
6-Irrelevance/Idiocy: Many times people carry on animated debates, drawing everyone’s attention, yet the sum total of their discussion is irrelevant and idiotic. There are many ways in which this is done, and some of them are explained below:
ATTACKING THE OPPONENT’S QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCE: In the great world of science and scholarship, people’s qualifications play no role in obtaining a hearing for their ideas. While qualification is considered good, it is not taken as the ground on which the truth of their theses rests. Most of the scholarly journals do not print people’s qualifications, so that readers are swayed only by the material they present, and not by their qualifications. Most journals do not even add titles like Dr or Prof. and print only the name of the individual for the same reason. In the world of scholarship, debates are conducted solely on the basis of facts presented.
In the world of less highly qualified people, flaunting one’s qualifications is considered smart. Consequently, attacking the opponents’ qualifications is considered meaningful. This is sheer ignorance and idiocy by those who have no idea of the world of research, scholarship and academics. The Apologist should make this clear by providing them with the right information and then supplementing it with appropriate Leading Questions.
INDULGING IN DISCUSSIONS THAT ARE ACTUALLY IRRELEVANT TO THE MAJOR THRUST OF THE ARGUMENT: Some issues might have a major as well a minor thrust. The minor thrust might actually be irrelevant to the major one. People who do not know this difference often end up discussing the minor issues because that might suit their lesser intelligence or petty ideas. On the other hand many clever debaters purposely indulge in the minor issues so that the major issue does not need to be touched.
The Apologist has to clarify the difference through affirmation and also through questions. Thus, when discussing the question of Tongues many people believe that discussing whether the gift of Tongues has ceased is the major issue. However, if we look at the Biblical data (I Corinthians 12, 13, 14), it is only a minor issue there. The major issue is the nature, purpose and principles that regulate the use of this gift. Thus, in any meaningful discussion on Tongues, the major issue must be discussed first and then the minor issues must be discussed in the light of the major subject. Else, no definite conclusion will ever be reached.
Summary
Many and varied methods are used by people who indulge in crooked and twisted argument. However, if the six major categories above are mastered by Apologists they can, to great effect, counter the hundreds of variations in which these six approaches manifest themselves.
Glossary of Terms
Sophists: a group of Greek professional speakers who worked for hire and who would use verbal manipulation to prove anything in the world.
About The Authors
Dr. Johnson C. Philip is a Christian Apologist based in Ernakulam. He received the degree of Th.D. in Apologetics in 1984 and Ph.D. in Physics (Quantum Chromodynamics) in 1991. He was awarded the DSc in Alternative Medicines in 2003 and DNYS in 2004. So far he has authored more than 2500 popular articles and research papers and more than 50 books in the fields of physics, communication, apologetics, and theology. This includes many Indian "firsts" like a Systematic Theology and a 4-volume Bible Encyclopaedia, both in the Malayalam language. He is a voting member of numerous professional societies including: Creation Research Society, American Scientific Affiliation, The Society Of Christian Philosophers, Indian Physics Association, etc. He is a founder and life member of the Indian Association Of Physics Teachers.
Dr. Saneesh Cherian is a Christian communicator and theologian based in Ernakulam, Kerala. He studied for his BTh and MDiv with Brethren Bible Institute, DMin with IICM, and ThD with International School of Theology, India. He is the author of numerous books and articles. He is also a co-author of many theology textbooks including, Systematic Theology, 4-volume Bible Encyclopedia, Dictionary of Theology, and Integrated Christian Apologetics, all in the Malayalam language.
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