O-SD-0.4-Introduction

Introduction "The Oliphant-Smith Debate" On August 15 and 16, 1929, there was held at Shawnee, Oklahoma, a debate between W. L. Oli­phant of Dallas, Texas, and Charles Smith, Presi­dent of the American Association for the Advance­ment of Atheism. Three propositions were dis­cussed during the debate. Proposition 1: "There is a Supreme Being (God, Creator)." Affirmative: W. L. Oliphant; Negative: Charles Smith. Prop­osition 2: "Atheism is Beneficial to the Race, and is the Most Conducive to Morality of Any Theory Known to Man." Affirmative: Charles Smith; Negative: W. L. Oliphant. Proposition 3: "All Things Exist as the Result of Evolution, Directed by No Intelligence." Affirmative: Charles Smith; Negative: W. L. Oliphant. I have read the manu­scripts of all the speeches made during this de­bate. I enjoyed heartily the reading of the manu­scripts, and I am pleased to have the privilege of writing a short introduction to the book.

W. L. Oliphant is a member of the Church of Christ, and is located with the Oak Cliff congrega­tion in Dallas, Texas. He is a young man—phy­sically strong, mentally bright, and well educated for the work of a preacher. He is deeply spiritual, and believes with all his heart in the absolute truth of the Bible. His speeches bear unmistakable evi­dence of his faith, as once for all delivered unto the saints. His manner in debate, as everywhere else, is courteous; for he is a polished gentleman, as well as a scholar.

Charles Smith, by virtue of the position which he holds, should be a fair representative of the atheistic view of life. Considering his views, I think that he behaved with commendable courtesy during the discussion. It is a pleasure to state that at no time daring the discussion did the debaters descend to discourteous treatment of one another. Brother Oliphant acquitted himself with high credit, both as to the manner and matter of his speeches. He took the debate seriously, and in his opening speech pitched it upon a high plane. It was evidently his aim to make the discussion one that would be worthy of the attention of all thoughtful people. I am sure that in his part of the debate he succeeded nobly. The speeches made by Charles Smith in the discussion of the first two propositions do not seem to me to have done justice to the side which he represents. I have no sympathy for his position on any of the propositions; but I do like to feel that even an opponent does credit, or at least justice, to the side for which he contends. Mr. Smith’s speeches on propositions 1 and 2 consist, in the main, of finding fault with certain doctrines and practices of professed Christians of all religious bodies, or of bringing forward accusations against the truthfulness and purity of statements found in the Bible. I do not know why he pursued the course which he did; but he excited sympathy in my mind for himself by the very weakness of his efforts, as revealed in his speeches on the first two proposi­tions. It is easy enough to find faults with all pro­fessed Christians, and it is just as easy to mis­interpret Bible statements and make them say things which any fair minded person would con­demn. Perhaps Mr. Smith did the best he could. If this be true, the cause which he represents should see to it that he prepares himself to represent the cause for which he pleads in a more creditable manner so far as his arguments are concerned. In discussing the third proposition, in which Mr. Smith was affirmative, the truth of evolution, he did his best work. It seemed to me that this was the only proposition upon which he had material appropriate to the discussion; but even in his speeches on evolution, his arguments in the main were old and many of them have been discredited for a long time, so that they are no longer used by up-to-date proponents of evolution.

It was a pleasure to see how skillfully Brother Oliphant followed Mr. Smith through every one of his speeches, and answered with force and clearness every argument and even every quibble of his op­ponent. I am sure that those who believe the Bible to be true and who have faith in God, will be pleased with the manner in which the representa­tive of their side conducted himself personally, and also with the masterly manner in which he handled his part of the argument. He showed himself at all times to be well acquainted not only with his own side in the discussion, but also with the side of his opponent. The book embodying this debate is being printed by the Christian Leader Publishing Co., 422 Elm St., Cincinnati, Ohio, with Brother F. L. Rowe as publisher. I trust the book may have a large sale. It will be especially interesting to preachers and to mature church members and officers. Books of this nature are net intended for children or im­mature minds. It is a question how far the pub­lishing of atheistic views, even when presented in well conducted discussions, is profitable. There are those who think that the very publication of such views gives them a circulation wider than they would perhaps get in any other way. There are certain people upon whose minds a familiar or ir­reverent handling of sacred things works a feeling of contempt. But it is the boast of Christianity that its views do not shun the light of the most searching investigation, whether coming from friends or foes. It is not likely that very many children or immature persons would enjoy a dis­cussion of these themes; hence the book is not likely to work any injury upon such minds through the danger just alluded to. People with sufficient in­telligence to appreciate the argument presented in this debate will be strengthened and greatly en­couraged by the splendid showing made by Brother Oliphant against this champion of atheism. I trust that many of our preachers and teachers and thoughtful church members will buy the book and read it. Praying God’s blessing upon all who may read it, I am with brotherly love, HALL L. CALHOUN, Belmont Blvd. and Observatory Drive, Nashville, Tennessee.

October 8, 1929.