Debate Scheduled In Ft. Worth, Texas
On the night of August 29, 30, September 1, and 2, 1960 Jesse G. Jenkins is to meet Thos. McDonald in public discussion. The first two nights Jenkins is to affirm: It is Scriptural for a local church to care for dependent children within its own structure, without a home organization. The last two nights McDonald is to affirm: It is Scriptural for congregations to send contributions to Orphan Homes, such as Boles, Tipton, and others maintained by the brethren.
The discussion will take place in the meeting house of the Calmont church of Christ, 3600 Calmont Ave., Ft. Worth, Texas. Beginning time will be 7:30 each night. There will be two thirty minute speeches by each speaker each night.
It is recognized that Jenkins' affirmative is rather ambiguous. But it is the only proposition that he could get McDonald to sign. Jenkins signed five affirmative propositions that correctly stated the issues and then McDonald would not have the discussion unless Jenkins would sign the above affirmative, even though the church where Jenkins preaches is going to furnish the building for all of the discussion. However, McDonald did agree to debate the proposition as it would be defined by Jenkins.
Under no circumstances would the Mitchell Blvd. church where McDonald preaches agree to have one half of the discussion there. They said they were not "bothered with the problem." Of course they contribute from the church to these human institutions; so they are not "bothered with the problem" just like the Baptists are not "bothered with the problem" of baptism because of the remission of sins.