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0244
November 27-29, 1936 at Springdale, Arkansas.
This debate covered differences between two congregations here. South Thompson Street conducts Bible Study each Lord's Day before regular preaching and worship. Holcomb Street Church conducts its service in one assembly, one with one teacher (man) only. This custom of teaching is made a law against any different method of teaching. Thus Holcomb Street disfellowshipped Thompson Street which is the charge against this congregation.
C. B. Head affirmed: "God has given a method by which all public teaching of the Bible is to be done, and said system excludes class teaching and women teachers as practiced by South Thompson Street Church of Christ."
George W. DeHoff affirmed: "It is sinful for Holcomb Street Church to draw a line of disfellowship against South Thompson Street Church because of the class method of teaching and women teachers as used by said South Thompson Street Church."
The attendance was fine and interest keen from the first minute till the last. Members came from Johnson, Fayetteville, and Bentonville. Bro. Head has defended the truth against sectarians a number of times in this section, but failed to carry this debate so well. Bro. DeHoff had never debated this question, but made himself more than equal to the occasion. He spoke with force, vim and rapidity. His arguments were forceful, logical and to the point. A bit of natural wit helps him hold interest. The feelings ran rather high near the last when some personalities were introduced by Bro. Head contrary to the rules of the discussion. But nothing rash occurred.
Bro. DeHoff showed throughout that in matters of law and faith, we must adhere strictly to the line - no alternative. But in matters of custom and opinion, we may and must vary to suit needs and conditions when no principle is violated.
Bro. Head freely admitted the use of uninspired literature. He said a woman could teach at home, but he never would say how close two groups would have to be to make it a sin to teach them separately. And he never could disprove bringing in the class manner of teaching as on a level with the use of songbooks, baptistery, and other incidentals. I Corinthians 14 and I Timothy 2:11-12 were Head's main scriptures. But when it was shown that much of I Corinthians does not apply at all now (tongues, direct revelation, prophesying), and that a woman can teach (commanded) in her proper sphere, there was no ground left for the opposition.
Bro. DeHoff showed that while we assemble in classes to study the Bible, the other congregation meets in general conversation about crops, business, and social affairs about the same time for a little while previous to their regular services. Yet our work is charged as sinful, which theirs is all right they say.
Their danger is not in having no class method of teaching necessarily, but in drawing a line of disfellowship against those who do not use this method. We must not make custom into law. (Matthew 15:1-6) We should vary our custom occasionally to avoid traditional law.
Though it was regrettable that existing conditions warranted the debate, we went into it without any fear of defeat. And now the battle is over, we hope, pray, and plan for good to come from it over the years to follow.
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George W. DeHoff (Lepanto, Arkansas) vs C. B Head (Fort Smith, Arkansas)
Class Subject
December 24, 1936
Springdale, Arkansas
(By James B. Neal)
Class Subject
December 24, 1936
Springdale, Arkansas
(By James B. Neal)
November 27-29, 1936 at Springdale, Arkansas.
This debate covered differences between two congregations here. South Thompson Street conducts Bible Study each Lord's Day before regular preaching and worship. Holcomb Street Church conducts its service in one assembly, one with one teacher (man) only. This custom of teaching is made a law against any different method of teaching. Thus Holcomb Street disfellowshipped Thompson Street which is the charge against this congregation.
C. B. Head affirmed: "God has given a method by which all public teaching of the Bible is to be done, and said system excludes class teaching and women teachers as practiced by South Thompson Street Church of Christ."
George W. DeHoff affirmed: "It is sinful for Holcomb Street Church to draw a line of disfellowship against South Thompson Street Church because of the class method of teaching and women teachers as used by said South Thompson Street Church."
The attendance was fine and interest keen from the first minute till the last. Members came from Johnson, Fayetteville, and Bentonville. Bro. Head has defended the truth against sectarians a number of times in this section, but failed to carry this debate so well. Bro. DeHoff had never debated this question, but made himself more than equal to the occasion. He spoke with force, vim and rapidity. His arguments were forceful, logical and to the point. A bit of natural wit helps him hold interest. The feelings ran rather high near the last when some personalities were introduced by Bro. Head contrary to the rules of the discussion. But nothing rash occurred.
Bro. DeHoff showed throughout that in matters of law and faith, we must adhere strictly to the line - no alternative. But in matters of custom and opinion, we may and must vary to suit needs and conditions when no principle is violated.
Bro. Head freely admitted the use of uninspired literature. He said a woman could teach at home, but he never would say how close two groups would have to be to make it a sin to teach them separately. And he never could disprove bringing in the class manner of teaching as on a level with the use of songbooks, baptistery, and other incidentals. I Corinthians 14 and I Timothy 2:11-12 were Head's main scriptures. But when it was shown that much of I Corinthians does not apply at all now (tongues, direct revelation, prophesying), and that a woman can teach (commanded) in her proper sphere, there was no ground left for the opposition.
Bro. DeHoff showed that while we assemble in classes to study the Bible, the other congregation meets in general conversation about crops, business, and social affairs about the same time for a little while previous to their regular services. Yet our work is charged as sinful, which theirs is all right they say.
Their danger is not in having no class method of teaching necessarily, but in drawing a line of disfellowship against those who do not use this method. We must not make custom into law. (Matthew 15:1-6) We should vary our custom occasionally to avoid traditional law.
Though it was regrettable that existing conditions warranted the debate, we went into it without any fear of defeat. And now the battle is over, we hope, pray, and plan for good to come from it over the years to follow.
VIEW NEXT REPORT >>
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