Here are the final details on the upcoming debate on Calvinism hosted by Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia, October 16. The topic is Baptists and Calvinism: An Open Debate. It is intentionally broad in order to give each participant latitude to address what he believes to be key issues involved in this topic. James White and I will be on the “positive” side of this issue and Ergun and Emir Caner will be on the “negative” side.
Everyone is welcome to attend and there is no cost for doing so.
The debate will be moderated on the basis of a modified parliamentary format. That format allows for some interruption and discussion while speeches are being made. Here is the schedule of the debate, as agreed upon by all four participants.
Speeches start with the affirmative and alternate between the affirmative and negative throughout the debate.
The first and last speech on each side of the question are uninterruptible.
Any member of the opposing team may interrupt the speeches so designated in order to ask the speaker to yield to one question which must be asked within a 15 second time frame.
Speakers are not required to answer these questions.
1st Affirmative Speech: (20 minutes) uninterrupted
Cross-Examination: 5 minutes
1st Negative Speech: (20 minutes) uninterrupted
Cross Examination: 5 minutes
2nd Affirmative Speech: (20 minutes): can be interrupted
The first and last minute of the speech are uninterruptible. In the 2nd-19th minutes of the speech any opposition debater may ask the speaker to yield to a question. This may occur only once, and the question must be limited to 15 seconds. The speaker may accept, or decline the question.
Cross Examination: 5 minutes
2nd Negative Speech: (20 minutes): can be interrupted
The first and last minute of the speech are uninterruptible. In the 2nd-19th minutes of the speech any opposition debater may ask the speaker to yield to a question. This may occur only once, and the question must be limited to 15 seconds. The speaker may accept, or decline the question.
Cross Examination: 5 minutes
BREAK
1st Affirmative Rebuttal: (12 minutes)
Cross Examination: 5 minutes
1st Negative Rebuttal: (12 minutes)
Cross Examination: 5 minutes
2nd Affirmative Rebuttal: (12 minutes)
Cross Examination: 5 minutes
2nd Negative Rebuttal: (12 minutes)
Cross Examination: 5 minutes
Affirmative Closing Statement: 6 minutes
Negative Closing Statement: 6 minutes