Many in Christian circles today, be it in the church or on the internet, enjoy finding topics to debate. These debates can grow quite heated. Lines are drawn from the Scripture, and then logic, reason, philosophy, theology, etc. Then the lines are defended to the death! Sometimes the arguments are civil, at other times they are less than civil and even unbecoming for believers.
Having participated in or witnessed my share of these kinds of “discussions”, especially on internet forums, I have been convinced that we must pause and take a look at the Scriptures and evaluate the difference between discipleship and so-called debate.
Discipleship is the process whereby we obey the Great Commission and teach disciples all that Christ has commanded (Matt 28:18-20). It is teaching and being an example, but it is also a reciprocal relationship where both parties teach and learn. Of course, one will be “older”, more mature in the faith, but those who are older do still have things to learn from the younger.
I must be clear that the kind of debate I am addressing and comparing to discipleship is not the debate of the legitimate ministry of Christian apologists (“Francis Schaeffer, Gordon Clark, and Cornelius Van Til” come to mind). No. Instead it is the kind of debate engaged in by those I refer to as “keyboard theologians.” These are debaters who have definite opinions on everything, spend lots of time talking (or typing), lots of time arguing, lots of time trying to tear up or tear down both the argu-ments and the argu-ers from the “other” side, but if they are examined closely, their lives are apparently just as void of real true Christian ministry and fellowship as their arguments are void of charity (or any of the rest of the fruit of the Spirit).
These kinds of debates and discussions are supposed to aid the reader or the participant in coming to a better understanding of a text of Scripture or a topic in theology. However, often it seems there is more concern that a debate be won and an “opponent” convinced so that “my side” is vindicated and advanced. There is little concern for the fall out, little care given when we wound those we argue with, and little thought given to the message that is sent to the rest of the watching world – not that the world cares nearly as much as some would lead us to believe.
So, what are the basic differences between discipleship and debate? Which is commanded for us in the Scriptures? Which is the God ordained means of assisting others as we all grow strong in grace?
Iron Sharpens Iron
Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” This verse has been used time and again to defend the practice of believers engaging in heated debate in order to knock the rough edges off of each other. However, in examining the truth here, in looking at the way this verse is written, we might learn a few things about the difference between discipleship and debate.
What Does It Mean to Sharpen?
What does this verse mean when it says that just as iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend? What is it to “sharpen?” The word means to cause to grow sharp or keen. So as iron will cause another piece of iron to grow sharp, able to cut or pierce, so too, a man can sharpen the countenance of his friend.
Who is Sharpened – A Friend
The next thing we notice from the text is that a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. The sharpening, the removal of rough edges, the refinement, the growth in grace that results from diligent discipleship occurs between friends. In the Body of Christ, we see that much is required of us as we relate to one another. Fellowship, an act of worship toward God and an act of love and service towards each other, finds us in a loving, deep, and even spiritually intimate relationship with our “friends.”(1 John 1:3; 4:20).
A brief summary of what the Bible says about the relationship between friends is also summed up in a Proverb. Chapter 17 verse 17 begins, “A friend loves at all times.” So, the very relationship necessary for “sharpening” is a relationship built on unconditional love. That means that 1 Corinthians 13 applies specifically to how friends interact with one another. Let’s look at these verses:
1 Corinthians 13
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails.
So when we take a look at discipleship and the love that is required of us by our Lord for one another within His Body (1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 3:14), and when we see how serious the presence of love is in our relationships (without love, we are nothing!), and when we evidence Biblical love as is described above in our friendships, then we see in part what it means to sharpen the countenance of a friend.
We disciple friends, fellow members of the Body of Christ. This is fundamentally relational. We are motivated by love for them and for Christ. And we show by our actions, words, thoughts, motives, and attitudes that this is genuine, patient, longsuffering, gentle, well-behaved love.
If we engage in theological discussions with any other motive or outlook, then we are not dealing with a friend, nor are we being obedient to the Scriptures.
We will examine the passage found in Proverbs 27:17 furthermore in our next article.
