The Saare-Turner Debate

Over a period of several months during the first half of 2006, personal correspondence took place between Allan Turner and Keith Saare. During that correspondence, it was agreed that Saare and Turner would debate the following propositions:

  1. “The New Testament Scriptures teach that, for the penitent believer, water baptism is for, unto, or in order to the remission of sins.” Allan Turner affirms; Keith Saare denies.

  2. “The New Testament Scriptures teach that unregenerated sinners are saved by grace through faith alone, before and without water baptism.” Keith Saare affirms; Allan Turner denies.

  3. “The New Testament Scriptures teach that a child of God, having received the remission of sins, can then fall from grace and, without repentance, be eternally lost.” Allan Turner affirms; Keith Saare denies.

  4. “The Scriptures teach that, since the fall of Adam, man is born totally depraved and is, therefore, incapable of responding, by faith, to the gospel of Jesus Christ without God's enabling power.” Keith Saare affirms; Allan Turner denies.

The debate was written and was to proceed as follows for each proposition:

  • First affirmative limited to not more than 4000 words.
  • First negative limited to not more than 4000 words.
  • Second affirmative limited to not more than 2000 words.
  • Second negative limited to not more than 2000 words.
  • Third affirmative limited to not more than 1000 words.
  • Third negative limited to not more than 1000 words.

On the agreed upon date for the beginning of the debate (which was 6/11/06 at 9:37 p.m. EST), Allan Turner had two weeks to submit his first affirmative, which was sent via email. Upon receipt, Keith Saare had two weeks to submit his first negative. These intervals were to continue between each exchange. Any unforeseen problems, such as sickness, et cetera, was to be tolerated upon the notification of the other party. Both men agreed to do their best to follow this schedule, which was to be implemented for all segments of the debate.

It was agreed that the exchange would be listed on the re:thinking website and a site of Saare’s choosing.

Further, it was agreed that either participant was at liberty to publish the debate, as long as it was accurately represented.

Mr. Saare’s Bio as of June 2006

Mr. Saare is married, expecting his first child in September. While in the Army, he completed a Bible degree with biblical languages minor at an extension campus of Howard Payne University in El Paso. After a five year stint in the Army, he moved to California to attend the Master’s Seminary, which he has been doing since the Fall of 2002. He is currently scheduled to graduate with a M.Div. this coming December. He does internships with the military as a chaplain candidate, and he hopes to go full time as a chaplain after he graduates from seminary this fall. While a grad student, he taught NT and an entire year of beginning Greek for the Master’s College where he also works as an academic counselor. Of course, he wants to make it clear that he is not representing his seminary, the college where he works, or the military. This project represents his own work. Keith was raised a Pentecostal, but as he grew in knowledge of God’s word, he rejected Pentecostal theology. After getting caught up in what has been called the “Boston Movement,” he eventually began to associate with the Baptists where he has remained ever since.

Mr. Turner’s Bio as of June 2006

Allan Turner served in the military and as a policeman for a number of years. His only diploma is one from high school. He does have about three and a half years of college, but he never graduated. Mr. Turner has regularly worshipped with those who simply identify themselves as Christians and who regularly assemble themselves in congregations known as churches of Christ. He is or has been a policeman, detective, polygraph examiner, preacher, writer, foreign missionary, and author (you can preview or purchase his books by visiting allanitapress.com. He has a much read, talked about, and criticised booklet critiquing Calvinism which may be viewed in HTML format by clicking here or in PDF format by clicking here.

To Start Reading The Debate, Click Here.
Return Home
Copyright © 2006 Allanita Press