Anyone who knows me knows that I love to debate, privately and publicly — and I mean “debate” in the best sense of the word. And I love to have my viewpoints and statements and beliefs challenged. For me, it’s a great way to grow in the Lord and to learn. So, if there’s anyone who doesn’t shy away from healthy debate and dialog, it’s me.

That being said, I find it really frustrating when I post something on Facebook or Twitter meant to edify and inspire — a short, pithy quote or anecdote — something meant to be shared and passed on, and before I know it, there’s a doctrinal argument breaking out in the comments section. That’s what happened tonight when I posted a short, inspirational quote from the great evangelical leader Carl F. H. Henry, namely, that, “The gospel is good news only if it arrives in time.” Of course, the point of the quote was to say, “What’s the use of having a wonderful message of salvation if we don’t get it to the people who need to hear it? It doesn’t help them once they’re dead.”

To my dismay, within a few minutes, the comments section had turned into a debate about Calvinism (specifically, there were Calvinists challenging the quote, as if it put the onus for salvation on man rather than God, etc.) — but Henry himself was a Calvinist! Again, I’m all for healthy, constructive debate, and if I had the time, I’d interact with thousands of people online everyday, with joy. But this has happened a number of times before on Facebook or elsewhere, and every time, I’m disappointed, regardless of which doctrinal point is being argued (I am NOT criticizing Calvinists here; they just happened to be the unwanted debaters tonight; at other times, it is others).

Does everything have to be an argument? Can’t we sometimes just say “Amen” and share or retweet? And if we don’t agree, can’t we just stay out of the conversation? Is this too much to ask?