Jon Gary Williams
Articles / Resources

0989

Guy N. Woods vs Curtis Porter (Homes for orphans and aged)
March 14, 1957
Paragould, Arkansas
(By Thomas Warren)

Jan. 29 - Feb. 1 in Paragould, Ark.

This was their 2nd debate on this question. The first two nights Woods aff.: "It is in harmony with the scriptures for churches to build and maintain benevolent organizations for the care of the needy, such as the Boles Home, the Tipton Home, and other orphan homes and homes for the aged among us." The Last two nights Porter affirmed nothing. Those who oppose orphan homes cannot afford to write an affirmative proposition.

Porter admitted: 1) the N. T. sets forth an obligation concerning the care of the needy; 2) the church sustains an obligation to care for the needy; 3) churches may cooperate in such care; 4) both the home and the church are divine institutions; 5) the home is a separate institution from the church; 6) the church has the scriptural right to supply the needs of dependent children. Woods then pointed out that much ground had been gained in the two debates.

Al through the debate Woods pressed Porter to explain, in the light of his admissions of church obligation in the matter, just how the church is to do it. Porter introduced Acts 6 as providing the answer. Woods replied that according to Acts 6 care for the needy was accomplished, but the passage doe not give details of the how.

Woods showed that the church is neither a civil government nor a home. Catholics try to make a civil government out of the church, and some brethren try to make a home out of the church. The home and church are two separate institutions, Woods pointed out, both of them are divine institutions. When the child loses its home (through any number of various reasons) the church has the scriptural right to supply the needs of that child; food, clothing, shelter, education, medical care, discipline, legal custody. An understanding of these points Woods so forcefully made will go far toward clarifying this while problem in the minds of thoughtful brethren. This was a significant debate and thanks to bro. Woods for being so clear and forceful.

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