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A BRIEF REVIEW OF THE ERHARDT-JENKINS
DEBATE On the evening of October 7, 2010 a monumental debate took place in the building of the South End church of Christ. Approximately 300 people, many of whom were Baptists, gathered to hear the disputants present their case in this greatly anticipated debate! The debate came about as a direct result of "Bible Talk" the daily call-in question and answer radio program paid for by the South End congregation. Billy G. Jenkins, "pastor" of a local Baptist Church challenged Aaron Erhardt to a debate and agreed to affirm the following proposition. "The scriptures teach that a person is born again before faith and prior to baptism." Jenkins attempted to affirm an impossible proposition. It was apparent from the very first speech that Jenkins is an old school, raw bone, Augustinian Calvinist of the purist form. Instead of being strictly scripture-based, his arguments were filled with historical references, quotes from published works, etc. The few references from scripture that Jenkins cited were misapplied, abused, and misused. Erhardt, true to form, beginning with his very first speech, delivered devastating arguments from which Jenkins never recovered. One of the charts that Erhardt presented in the debate was titled, "Consequences of Calvinism." It contained eight bone crushing simple arguments designed to show that Calvinism is both unscriptural and illogical. The arguments contained on the chart were never successfully alluded to nor answered by Jenkins. Another example of the carelessness of Jenkins and the thorough preparedness of Erhardt occurred when Jenkins attempted to "prove" that humans beings are born in sin by introducing Psalm 51:5 into the debate. Jenkins denied that David was using poetic hyperbole. He then stated that there is nothing before or after the passage in the 51st Psalm that is hyperbole. Erhardt responded that Psalm 51:8, "let the bones you have broken rejoice" is hyperbole just like David's statement, "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me" in verse 5. Both are literary exaggerations. Neither is literal. Jenkins never referred to his statement about Psalm 51:5 again. Truth, as presented by Erhardt was absolutely victorious! CDs and DVDs of the debate will be available. They are free and I would advise you to obtain a set and watch the Erhardt-Jenkins Debate with Bible in hand. Contact the South End congregation for more information!
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