Filled to overflowing...

[JasonPratt]

Does anyone else find often themselves completely filled with love to overflowing, for God and for whomever your current opponent is (or even for all people everywhere), when in the midst of a disputation?

(I was granted this twice today in two different disputations. Was happy, so I thought I would share. )

[Kokhiri Sojourn]

I am finding a lot of grace from God in a specific situation that sounds pretty similar. Me and a new friend have been discussing and debating for hours on end multiple times a week for about a month now. He often comes off, due to his zealousness, as abrasive and harsh. Instead of getting really angry with him, I am finding that I feel a lot of sympathy and affection for him. I want him to come to the truth about God instead of just winning yet another debate. I can't claim that this is because of my maturity, because it is really the first time that I've experienced it before in such a lengthy debate. God is good.

Good to hear about the way he has been working in you, JasonPratt.

[Sammy Boy]

Sometimes. I was having a discussion with a good friend some years ago about some of his objections of our faith, and at that time I really felt that he was a soul that needed to be saved, and was "desperate" for his salvation.

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

Why use such big words? I've never heard of 'disputations' but I'm guessing you mean 'arguements', so why not just say that?

Anyway, I have recently found myself more humble in real life, more accepting of people I wouldn't normally and a longing for them to know Jesus. So yes, I have.

[JasonPratt]

{{I've never heard of 'disputations' but I'm guessing you mean 'arguements', so why not just say that?}}

In a roundabout way, it comes from being a fencer, I guess.

A disputation can be technical and not adversarial; and although an argument can be non-adversarial when no one else is there (so to speak), I have trouble thinking of being in an _argument_ with another person and it not being adversarial. Whereas, if I am in a _dispute_ with another person, I don't have the same emotional connotations to the word; and it's more like being on a fencing strip for an honorable and appreciative duel.


So in this case it's largely a matter of subjective taste. Arguments can flare out of control, and I worry about being uncharitable. Disputations are more formal, and I can concentrate better on being charitable to whoever happens to be the opponent at the time. I guess it's a mindset thing. {s} Sorry. Good question, though!

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

That's okay. I'm just sick of the sort of people who use big words to sound important, or better than others (not because they are just educated that way). I apologise.