On Losing Debates

St. Gregory the Theologian said:

“It is not terrible to be bested in argument, since skillful argumentation is not a universal attainment.” (Oration 25.18)

I just noted this on a recent livestream on my YouTube channel. Yes, I’m YouTubing these days rather than blogging, so head on over and give me a follow. But winning a debate doesn’t equate to being correct. Debates can be won with rhetoric or the appearance of confidence. Crowds can be swayed and manipulated by emotion. But the truth is the truth, and someone may argue terribly for what’s true, while another argues brilliantly for what’s false. As St. Gregory says, “skillful argumentation is not a universal attainment.” But he continues, “What is terrible is experiencing the loss of one’s God, because hope is universal to all.” Amen to that!

B”H