These debates were quite difficult to endure (so much misrepresentation, non sequiturs, and other logical fallacies). Whether “Church of Christ” or “Oneness Pentecostal,” and as with many other such organizations, pathos far exceeds logos in these discussions.
Emotional conviction, strong emphatic passion, and (not so) “witty” antics, cannot make up for the inability to follow the simple points being made. God has chosen and ordained the Greek and Hebrew grammar, terminology, and arguments constituting the totality of Scripture. Adhering to such is not optional; straying from such leads to an abundance of error.
However, despite the obvious concern above; another core concern often goes *heavily* overlooked, all in the name of “love” and “tolerance.” At the end of the White vs. Perkins debate, held in a Reformed Baptist church (Australia), the former pastor there called them “our Oneness brothers and sisters.” Oneness Pentecostalism is rank heresy on multiple levels. When you say “our Oneness brothers and sisters,” the implication to many (whether accidental or intended) is “our Oneness brothers and sisters… in Christ.” If the “in Christ” portion is indeed intended, then it is the essence of (and thus, tantamount to) bidding them God Speed. God specifically warns (through the apostle John):
2 John 1:9-11 “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into [your] house, NEITHER BID HIM GOD SPEED: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.”
And through the apostle Paul:
Romans 16:17-18 “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and AVOID THEM. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.”
Titus 3:10-11 “A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition REJECT; 11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.”
And through Peter, likewise:
2 Peter 2:1-2 “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.”
God’s people understand these things; sadly, countless millions do not — including many of those (worldwide) who would identify themselves as being Reformed, or Calvinists, or Sovereign Grace, or Primitive Baptist, and so on. It’s bad enough that so many fall for these leaders. They’ll get the loud emotional applause, and the large followings, but they are the blind leaders of the blind. However, (as in the video in the comment), when they are given a stamp of validity through the use of terms like “brothers and sisters,” by those who appear to be (small o, not capital) orthodox in soteriology, it makes the problem that much worse. We need to be careful with such language, so as not to mislead people, or give them false hope.
Spiritual Wrestlings 