Evangelism and Debate
by Ellen White
The many argumentative sermons preached, seldom soften and subdue the soul. . . . It
should be the burden of every messenger to set forth the fullness of Christ. When the free
gift of Christ's righteousness is not presented, the discourses are dry and spiritless;
the sheep and lambs are not fed. Said Paul, "My speech and my preaching was not with
enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power."
There is marrow and fatness in the gospel. Jesus is the living centre of everything. Put
Christ into every sermon. Let the preciousness, mercy and glory of Jesus Christ be dwelt
upon; for Christ formed within is the hope of glory. 1SM 158 (1892)
Many of our ministers have merely sermonised, presenting subjects in an argumentative
way, and scarcely mentioning the saving power of the Redeemer. Their testimony was
destitute of the saving blood of Christ. Their offering resembled the offering of Cain. He
brought to the Lord the fruit of the ground, which in itself was acceptable in God's
sight. Very good indeed was the fruit; but the virtue of the offering--the blood of the
slain lamb, representing the blood of Christ--was lacking. So it is with Christless
sermons. By them men are not pricked to the heart; they are not led to inquire, What must
I do to be saved? Of all professing Christians, Seventh-day Adventists should be foremost
in uplifting Christ before the world. EV 185 (GW 156 [1915])
Some ministers err in making their sermons wholly argumentative. There are those who
listen to the theory of the truth, and are impressed with the evidences brought out; then,
if Christ is presented as the Saviour of the world, the seed sown may spring up and bear
fruit to the glory of God. But often the cross of Calvary is not presented before the
people. Some may be listening to the last sermon they will ever hear, and the golden
opportunity lost, is lost forever. If in connection with the theory of the truth, Christ
and His redeeming love had been proclaimed, these might have been won to His side. EV 193
(GW 157F [1915])
These things have a bad influence on ministers who are handling sacred, elevated
truths,--truths which are to prove as a savour of life unto life, or of death unto death,
to those who hear them. Generally, the influence of discussions upon our ministers is to
make them self-sufficient, exalted in their own estimation. This is not all. Those who
love to debate are unfitted for being pastors to the flock. They have trained their minds
to meet opponents, and to say sarcastic things; and they cannot come down to meet hearts
that are sorrowing, and need to be comforted. They have also dwelt so much upon the
argumentative that they have neglected the practical subjects that the flock of God need.
They have but little knowledge of the sermons of Christ, which enter into the every-day
life of the Christian, and they have but little disposition to study them. They have risen
above the simplicity of the work. When they were little in their own eyes, God helped
them; angels of God ministered unto them, and made their labours highly successful in
convincing men and women of the truth. But in the training of their minds for discussion,
they frequently become coarse and rough. They lose the interest and tender sympathy which
should ever attend the efforts of a shepherd of Christ.
GW 184
Those who present the truth are to enter into no controversy. They are to preach the
gospel with such faith and earnestness that an interest will be awakened. By the words
they speak, the prayers they offer, the influence they exert, they are to sow seeds that
will bear fruit to the glory of God. There is to be no wavering. The trumpet is to give a
certain sound. The attention of the people is to be called to the third angel's message.
Let not God's servants act like men walking in their sleep, but like men preparing for the
coming of Christ. RH MAR.02,1905