The Almost

Dan Corner vs.

Dr. Byron Curtis

Eternal Security Debate

at Geneva College

in 2007 or 2008

Read about my “almost debate” on eternal security with Dr. Byron Curtis,” Reformed professor at Geneva College. On September 27, 2007 the following offer for me (Dan Corner) to debate one of the Geneva Bible professors was emailed. Here is that email:

Shalom,

This email is in response to Dan Corner’s challenge to formal debate. Geneva College is a small liberal arts Christian college located in Beaver Falls, Pa and is affiliated with the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America. Thus, the college holds to the doctrines of predestination and the perseverance of the saints. I am not an official representative of Geneva College or its faculty, but merely an organizer responding to your challenge. We would like to hold a formal debate, preferably at the school where one of Geneva’s Bible professors would debate Dan Corner in the matters of such theological positions. At this time there is no proposed date or specific location. Please email me if you are interested in this debate.

J____ ____

After I responded with a “yes, yes, yes” to debate eternal security with one of the professors at Geneva College, I received this email:

I know Geneva Bible department faculty are committed to this idea, particularly since Introduction to the Reformed Tradition is being taught this semester. The professor of that class has already agreed to the debate. However, we are considering making it a three part debate of which yours would be the first in the series. So, it might take a little time to organize these events. I would like to have it done this semester, but it may be that spring semester is best (January-April). As for video taping, we'll probably hold the debate in the college auditorium, so I see no reason why we couldn't. I don't know what the rules will be or how long it will last, I suspect this should be decided upon in person between you and the professor when all is closer to fruition. I thought you might also like to know that most of the people attending this event will most likely be students and some faculty. Geneva's student body is mostly, but not entirely Christian. Many students are Reformed and Arminian, and some are Roman Catholic. Thus, we feel it should be educational to those of opposing perspectives as well as similar. I will keep you updated with the information I obtain, and perhaps we could even arrange a visit sometime since you're so close. May God bless you in all you do.

J___ ____

My response was:

J____: Greetings in Jesus’ name. YES, YES, YES I am most interested in debating the subject of eternal security (or “the perseverance of the saints”). Thank you for considering me for such a debate. I would recommend that we debate at least 2 hours since there are so many related areas to touch on. Please let me know any debate rule ideas you have. Would it be possible to video our debate? Beaver Falls is not far for me. Now all you have to do is line up a professor and then we’ll work on the date/s and rules. GOD BLESS YOU.

Following The Lord Jesus,

Dan Corner

J____ responded with the actual name of the professor in this email:

Dan: I'm sending this email again because I'm not sure it sent the first time. If you already got this, please ignore.

(1) Byron Curtis agreed yesterday to debate you--he's the professor of Old Testament and is currently teaching "Introduction to the Reformed Tradition" this semester. (2)You only have one debate--that with Byron. However, we are simply going to have two other debates with four other people involved. We have yet to contact these four other people, so my only point in mentioning this was that it may take until the Spring Semester to get this entire event organized. The other two debates probably won't be on the same day... don't worry about the other two debates. (3) Not necessarily. I hope we could have it done sooner, like this fall, but it may be that we'll have to have it Spring Semester. No date or time has been considered yet. (4) I'm certain it will be a fair and proper debate with equal time alloted [sic] to both you and Byron. Rules will be enforced. I do not want this debate to be unfair in any way, we will not give any kind of advantage to either you or Byron. I would assume since this will be a formal debate that there will be a moderator--I myself would volunteer to be moderator.

If you have any more questions feel free to email me or call me at ___________. Please email me to let me know you understand and are still interested. Thanks. Bless you.

My response was:

J____: Greetings in Jesus’ name. YES, YES, YES, YES I’m interested in debating Byron Curtis on the perseverance of the saints (or eternal security). What is your understanding of a “formal debate”?

God bless you.

Dan

His reply was:

Dan:

I'm pleased that you're interested in debating Byron. When I say "formal debate" all I mean is that there will be fair rules and that it will be conducted in a gentlemanly manner in front of an audience. I don't have any rules laid out yet, but when I do, they will have to be agreed upon by both Byron and yourself. Again, it might take some time before the debate can be arranged and advertised. When I see my professor sometime next week I'll have more information on when we can do this (hopefully). I'm sure someone from the college will contact you at some point when we're more certain about the date. Bless you in Jesus' name.

J____

After a couple other emails, I then received this one:Dan, I'm sorry if I've mislead you, but the only reason I emailed you in the first place was to find out if you are willing and able to debate a Geneva professor on the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints. I did not originally intend to bandy debate semantics with you --I simply wanted to know whether or not you were available. Furthermore, upon talking with Byron I realize that I was misinformed--he has not even committed to this debate as I was told, but is still contemplating whether or not this debate could be fruitful. However, even if Byron decides to not debate, there are still other professors that might be interested. I will give Byron your email address. Please don't be offended, we simply aren't at the same pace as you in getting all this planned out. Blessings.
J____

My reply was:

J____:

Greetings in Jesus’ name.

You have stated:

“... even if Byron decides to not debate, there are still other professors that might be interested.”

Contact these other possibilities for an eternal security debate ASAP please. This is important for the sake of truth. Have that person email me and give me their email too. Thanks.

        Following Jesus, 

Dan Corner

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