The Arena
The Arena
Make the case.
Formal debate on the Godhead, in public and on the record. Your strongest opponent, the text on the table, and the clock running.
The floor
Every view given its strongest form
The Arena is where the case is made in public. Churches, campuses, channels and individual opponents can propose a formal engagement, with a stated resolution, an agreed format and published rules.
If you hold a different view of God, whether Trinitarian, Unitarian, Muslim or none at all, you are welcome here, and you will be treated fairly.
The standing resolutions
Choose one, or write your own
These are the standing resolutions. Choose one, or write your own. Each is worded so that one side can affirm it and the other can deny it.
- Resolved: The God of Scripture is one divine person revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.Propose this resolution →
- Resolved: Jesus of Nazareth is YHWH manifested in flesh.Propose this resolution →
- Resolved: Apostolic baptism is in the name of Jesus Christ.Propose this resolution →
- Resolved: Speaking in tongues is the initial sign of Spirit baptism.Propose this resolution →
The formats
Three ways to meet
Every engagement uses one of three formats. The details are agreed in writing before the date.
| Format | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Formal debate | 15-minute openings, 8-minute rebuttals, then cross-examination | Moderated and timed. Suited to a campus, a church or a live audience. |
| Conversational livestream | Length agreed in advance | A moderated conversation on YouTube Live. The turns are looser, but the resolution still governs. |
| Written exchange | Rounds and deadlines agreed in advance | Each round is posted in full. Suited to close textual and lexical argument. |
Before any date is set
The tone covenant
Both sides agree to these terms before an engagement is scheduled.
- Steelman first. State the other side’s position in terms its own holders would accept before answering it.
- No drive-by insults. Argue with claims, not with people. Mockery, name-calling and guesses about motive are out of order.
- Allowed sources. Scripture, cited by reference; standard Hebrew and Greek lexicons; and the church councils and creeds, cited by name and date. Other historical sources may be used if they are named and can be checked.
- Quote fairly. Give the source of any quotation when asked.
The record
If a side does not appear
An engagement goes on the board once both sides have confirmed the resolution, the format and the date in writing. If one side then fails to appear, the board records a no-show, with the date, the resolution and the name of the side that did not appear. Nothing else is said about it.
A postponement agreed by both sides before the date is not a no-show. The same rule applies to us: if we fail to appear, the board will say so.
The board
Engagements
The public board lists every confirmed engagement: the resolution, the participants, the format, the date, and a link to the recording when there is one. Completed debates stay on the board. When nothing is scheduled, the board is open.
The board is open.
No engagement is scheduled. Propose one: a resolution, a format, a date.
Request a DebateRequest an engagement
Name the resolution. Name the date.
To request an engagement, tell us who you are, your role (affirm, deny, moderate or host), the resolution, the format, the venue and some possible dates. We ask for recording consent at the start, so nothing is decided about the recording without you. You do not need an account, and requests go directly to the founder.
