Jon Gary Williams
Articles / Resources
0994
Guy N. Woods vs Roy Cogdill (Orphan homes, cooperation in evangelism)
March 22, 1962
Newbern, Tennessee
(By Thomas Warren)
At Newbern, Tenn. Dec. 18-23, 1961 - second debate for them.
Bro. Cogdill had nor truly affirmative proposition. For three nights he aff.: That orphan homes and homes for the aged among us are unscriptural. Bro. Woods refuted this and set forth proof that such homes are authorized by the scriptures. On the lat three nights bro. Woods aff: That the radio program (Herald of Truth) conducted by the Highland church of Christ in Abilene, Tx., is authorized by the scriptures. This, bro. Cogdill denied.
This writer has not hesitation in clearly stating that the debate was a very one-sided affair. In contrast to the clear decisive way in which bro. Woods answered questions, took position on important points, and decisively defended his position from the scriptures, bro. Cogdill gave much evidence of being afraid to take a position lest he find himself immediately involved in an illogical entanglement. This is not the course of action which able men, such as bro. Cogdill, follow when they have the truth on a subject.
A few years ago the "anti" movement was growing like a forest fire. And it continued to grow until brethren like Guy Woods, E. R. Harper, G. K. Wallace, Toy Deaver and B. C. Goodpasture. Brethren who have the truth should be deeply thankful for the part played by the Gospel Advocate in this battle. Just so, in the debate just past, the work of Guy N. Woods will live long after the man is gone. He did a masterful job in defending the truth. His ability to see quickly the fallacy involved in an opponent's argument is indeed amazing. His general knowledge of the truth is likely unsurpassed in this generation.
Much of the debate is a repetition from their Birmingham debate of 1957. The reader is urged to buy a copy from the G. A. Company. However, some very valuable material presented by bro. Woods at Newbern should be in the hands of brethren everywhere. Cogdill's cloth charts were bed-sheet size. They were very cumbersome and time consuming to handle. Many times the debate had to be held up while Cogdill's helpers locate he right one. Also his charts had to be painted before the debate began and new charts were impossible during the debate. This was a grievous weakness. In contrast, Woods again used an opaque projector which allowed him to have flashed quickly on the screen and chart he wished. This method also allowed him pro prepare many new charts during the actual course of the debate. This meant that Woods' chart s were adapted to the material actually presented during the course of the debate. Some of the charts were made while Cogdill was speaking and presented by Woods immediately in his following speech. The effect was startling.
On chart no. 12 bro. Woods presented the following syllogism.
1) All complete situations, the component parts of which are scriptural, are scriptural situations.
2) The complete situation involved in operating a licensed home, apart from the church, but supported by it, for destitute children, is a complete situation the component parts of which are scriptural.
3) Therefore, the complete situation involved in operating a licensed home, apart from the church, but supported by it, for destitute children, is a complete situation which is scriptural.
This basic syllogism has been used in defense of scriptural practices in the church for many years. It was used in defense of Bible classes, women teachers, located preachers, and many other matters. In fact, the principle is involved in proving the church to be the true church, the plan of salvation, and scriptural worship. Before opposition to the homes and church cooperation in preaching arose, even the brethren who now oppose the homes used and praised it. Then, no doubt being faced with their inability to answer it, denounced and ridiculed it when it was used in defense of church cooperation and the orphan homes. In fact, they make themselves ridiculous by such ridicule.
Cogdill wasted much time in reading irrelevant excerpts from various brethren to leave the impression they opposed such practices as Herald of Truth.
Woods showed that bro. F. B. Srygley helped to arrange the Tabernacle Meetings (Ryman Auditorium, Nashville) in which N. B. Hardeman preached. H. Leo Boles urged churches to send money to Central church in Miami to be sent to Cuba. David Lipscomb was a charter member of the Board of Fanning Orphan Home. This reviewer has attended many debate but Cogdill's reading was the most flagrant waste of time ever observed.
The work of Guy N. Woods in this and other debates has been the very highest quality. Roy Cogdill is an able and experience man, and when he has the truth on a question, he has little difficulty in defending it. But since he doesn't have the truth on this question, he was in trouble from the start to the finish of the debate.
Personally, this reviewer is deeply grateful for the life, the ability, the knowledge, and the work of Guy Woods. He literally lives for the cause of Christ. He loves the truth and is willing to defend it against any and all attacks of exponents of false doctrines. He realizes the utter falsity of the view that there can be middle ground between truth and error.
(My personal note... While a student at Freed-Hardeman I attended this debate. One thing especially stood out. In his last speech, brother Cogdill began to almost shout. He loudly whipped through his plastic-covered sheets, repeating things he had already said. Then I witnessed something I had never seen before - he began frothing at the mouth. It was shocking. When brother Woods went to the lectern, the first thing he said was, "Brethren, what brother Cogdill lacks in lightening he makes up in thunder." He could have sat down right then and would have had to say no more. This was brother Cogdill's last debate. Not much was heard from him after that. --Jon Gary Williams)
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