Bob Wilkin Posts (and then Deletes) His Refusal to Go Through With the Debate He Has Been Calling For

Update 9/16/07

I came to mind that it is entirely possible that Wilkin will not repost his refusal to debate Ron Shea. There had to have been a significant amount of damage and loss of credibilty resulting from the posting and sudden deletion of Wilkins's article on Friday at the GES blog.

Wilkin did not post a simple statement declining to debate Shea, he attached two private e-mails between him and Shea. There is little doubt the e-mails were added by Wilkin in an attempt to discredit Shea and insulate him (Wilkin) from questions as to why he chose to back out of the debate he had been calling for since early this summer.

Wilkin may just drop out of sight on the "Crossless" gospel debate issue entirely. Maybe today (Monday) we will have something from Wilkin at the GES blog.


Update 7:20PM:
It appears that for today Bob Wilkin will not be reposting his article in which he declined the opportunity to debate the “Crossless” gospel with Ron Shea.

I think someone friendly to Wilkin saw what he posted earlier , including the private e-mails, and told him to get it off his blog immediately.

We can likely count on seeing another Wilkin attempt to pass on having the debate he has been calling for. The next one will surely reflect some heavy revisions.

If Wilkin wants to recover what integrity he sacrificed with the first article he might consider an admission to having used poor judgment and express his regret and apologies for having done it. If he were to repost and leave it as though his posting of the private e-mails never happened his integrity and reputation would IMO remain damaged and suspect.

We have all done things we are not proud of. We have all had a time or two when we had to tighten our belt an extra notch and do the right thing. If we confess these things and make them right with the offended party (or parties) the issue is settled. If, however, no genuine acknowledgement of or personal responsibility for the offense is taken, the offense remains.

Bob: Do the right thing!


URGENT UPDATE (1:30PM):
Inexplicably the GES just took down Wilkin’s post in which he declined to debate Ron Shea. Earlier I saw and read the article in its entirety. I reported on that below.

In it Wilkin posted two private e-mail exchanges between himself and Ron Shea. I have those documents in my possession. IMO, Wilkin pulled the article because he (Wilkin) by publicly disclosing these e-mails compromised a trust. Wilkin disclosed e-mails that contained private, personal information. This is a serious breach of trust and confidentiality.

Wilkin noted that his board approved the public disclosure of his article including the private e-mails. I have a gut feeling we will see Bob’s refusal to debate announcement again, but the e-mails will have been deleted.

Wilkin might seriously consider drafting a well thought out, and heartfelt public apology for disclosing those e-mails.


10:07AM: This morning Bob Wilkin posted his (not unexpected) decision to back out of the debate over the "Crossless" interpretation of the Gospel that he had been calling for since early this summer.

This came as no surpise. His desire for a debate was answered by Ron Shea who has the credentials to meet Bob.

In the opinion of some close to these men Wilkin lost his enthusiasm for an open debate as soon as he found that a man of Shea's caliber agreed to meet him. Wilkin's refusal to meet Ron had been expected from the time Shea posted his Open Challenge. The method and means of Wilkin's refusal was the only question.

How Ironic: On August 22, at the GES site, an article appeared titled, Bob Wilkin Offers to Debate GES Critic and is Turned Down

The follow up could now be titled, Bob Wilkin's Offer to Debate is Accepted and Bob Turns It Down



LM

Update: Open Challenge to debate the “Crossless” Gospel

Dear Guests:

As details (meant for the general public) become available on the particulars for the public debate between Ron Shea and Bob Wilkin I will post them here.

Since yesterday’s Open Challenge for Formal Debate from Ron Shea to Bob Wilkin I can inform you of the following developments:

1) The senior pastor of a local church ministry that identifies with the Free Grace community has offered to host the debate. Both Shea and Wilkin are aware of this host site, and are personally acquainted with the pastor. This church has the facilities and recording equipment to meet the needs of the debate, and is centrally located for both men.

2) It is my understanding that Bob Wilkin is in receipt of the Open Challenge for Formal Debate directly from Ron Shea. I am confident that Shea and Wilkin are ironing out the details.

I will continue to provide updates as additional details become available.


In the thread under The Deity of Christ: A Defining Question to the GES Naz (Bret) wrote, “But, the word Christ, was synonymous with Son of God, which was synonymous with deity (John 4:25-26 & Matthew 26:63-68).”

The Bible is clear on this, but the “Crossless/Deityless” advocates simply dismiss these truths in preference for what Zane Hodges has redefined and determined to be truth.

The doctrine of the “Crossless” gospel advocates has never been so fully exposed. The discovery of their downgrading of the Lord titles, “Christ” & “Son of God” has IMO, given an ever increasing number of FG believers good reason and cause to step back giving the GES, Wilkin and Hodges a very wide berth.

IMO, the GES did not want so full a disclosure of their beliefs on the Gospel and deity of Christ to get such wide spread attention. The defenders of the “Crossless” gospel are now in the unenviable position of explaining their reductionist interpretation of the Gospel, including the dismissal of Christ’s deity from what the sinner must have some knowledge of and belief in order to be born again. (Romans 10:9-10)

If am trusting Wilkin will accept Shea’s challenge to the debate he (Wilkin) has been calling for over the last several months. I am confident the debate will address the GES position on the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ as it relates to the Gospel of Christ, the sinner and his conversion.

Very shortly I am posting another article in the series on the “Crossless” gospel from Greg Schliesmann by this weekend. The title of his new article is,

The “Christ” Under Siege

LM

An Open Challenge for Public Debate Between Ron Shea & Bob Wilkin

This publicly published letter constitutes a challenge by Ronald Shea for Bob Wilken to engage me (Ron Shea) in a public debate over the “Crossless gospel,” and the essence of saving faith.

PROPOSED TERMS
I propose that the topic being addressed is directed specifically to:
“In the present dispensation, what is the content of saving faith?” and/or
“In the present dispensation, is a belief in Jesus’ divinity, His atoning death, and/or His resurrection necessary for faith in Jesus to constitute saving faith?”

PROPOSED FORMAT
Referring to the opposing sides as #1 and #2, I would propose a general format of:

Affirmative statement no. 1: 15-20 minutes
Affirmative statement no. 2: 15-20 minutes

Cross examination no. 1: 3-5 minutes
Cross examination no. 2: 3-5 minutes

Rehabilitation no. 1: (from cross exam) 5-8 minutes
Rehabilitation no. 2: 5-8 minutes

Summary 1: 5-10 minutes
Summary 2: 5-10 minutes

Arrangements must be made in advance for audio and video recording of the debate.

I am amenable to changing the above format to one which is deemed most appealing to the listening audience, both in terms of structure and time. I will fly to any venue in the United States to conduct this debate.

In the Bonds of Calvary,


Ron Shea
Clear Gospel Campaign


*Below is an image of Ron Shea's open challenge to Bob Wilkin. A copy has been forwarded via e-mail to Bob Wilkin at his GES offices.