The winner of a debate must win by more than anecdotes or clever oratory. Both sides, after all, can use these; but the truth fares better with clear arguments and reasoning that sticks.
In order to do this we have to know who we are arguing with. No amount of rhetoric will change anyone’s mind without reaching some shared understanding first. It’s easy to be influenced by the same rhetorical strategies as the other side, but as St. Augustine pointed out, “The truth is like a lion. You don’t have to defend it. Let it loose. It will defend itself.” Along with this, a debater should be able to connect with their opponent, or else they will have no solid ground to show their differences.
Ultimately, we must focus on who we are speaking to more than how we are speaking. Good reasoning has value only after the arrow strikes true and the point is “taken to heart”. Love is vital to this process: it pays attention to the changes in the other person during the debate. Often, the best way to convey the truth is to bring it out of the other person so they can see it for themselves. God has placed an innate recognition of truth in all of us. But we will not find it by furiously trying different tactics; instead we must stay true to love, pay attention to the other person, and let the rest come in naturally. As Shakespeare wrote…
“...Love is not love Which alters when it alteration finds, Or bends with the remover to remove: O no! It is an ever fixed mark That looks on tempests and is never shaken...” (Sonnet CXVI)
Sofie Kellar, 2022
Photo: “‘Love'” by Steve Charman is licensed under CC BY 2.0