|
|
A Challenge To Debate
(The following exchange appeared in the March/April issue of The Baptist Magazine which is a publication of the Longview Baptist Temple in Longview, Texas. It was written by Dr. Bob Gray the pastor of the church and editor of the
magazine.)
Someone was kind enough to give me your article entitled, TRIBUTE TO WHOM TRIBUTE IS DUE, from the March/April Baptist. Frankly, this is the most slanderous of all the articles that have been written on this issue. Obviously,, you don’t have a clue as to what the issue is all about. However, since you say in your article that the issue is
undebatable, I am, through this e-mail offering you the opportunity to back up your statement by challenging you to a public debate on the general subject: “The position that the Indianapolis Baptist Temple has taken on collecting and paying taxes to the Internal Revenue Service is both consistent with the teaching of the scriptures, US law, and history, in regards to Baptist churches and taxation.” I will take the positive and you the negative of course.
I will be happy to go wherever you would like to have the debate and pay all expenses. If you will accept the challenge, then I will be happy to phone you at my expense to work out the details. Greg J. Dixon, Pastor Emeritus Indianapolis Baptist Temple Indianapolis, Indiana.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The purpose of our article, “Tribute to Whom Tribute is Due,” was not to slander you or your church, but to warn other churches not to make the same mistake we believe you have made. At one time you had a great church with many people being saved and helped, but now your buildings are gone and your church has decreased dramatically. I believe our position is quite clear from the article that was written and a debate is not going to change your mind, or ours. We can be much better stewards with the time and money God has given us. We suggest you take the money you would have spent on a debate and phone calls and apply it toward your taxes. Then, go out and win souls to Jesus!
|
