Before the widespread accessibility of the internet, most theological debate moved at the speed of journal publishing, which is to say, slowly. There was a time when perhaps two years would pass before an author would see critical reviews of his or her work. Today, controversial books will be dissected by bloggers and Amazon reviewers before most readers even know the book has been released.

This is just one way the terms of theological debate have changed, according to Michael Horton, who talks in this podcast with Tim Keller and Matt Chandler about how Christians ought to disagree among ourselves and with other theological opponents. You’ll hear them offer several nuggets of wisdom that all Christians would be wise to follow as they call on us to criticize when possible in the context of relationship and state our opponents’ arguments in a way they would recognize and own.

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Related:

Alan Jacobs on How to Think
‘But That’s Just Your Interpretation‘ (Russell Moore, Mika Edmondson, Ligon Duncan)
C. S. Lewis and the Art of Disagreement (Michael Ward)

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Matt Chandler is the lead pastor of teaching at The Village Church in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, and the president of Acts 29. He has authored several books, including Take Heart, Mingling of Souls, Recovering Redemption, To Live Is Christ to Die Is Gain, Creature of the Word, The Explicit Gospel, and Joy in the Sorrow. Matt and his wife, Lauren, live with their three children—Audrey, Reid, and Norah—in Highland Village, Texas.

Michael Horton is professor of systematic theology and apologetics at Westminster Seminary California. The author of many books, including The Christian Faith, Ordinary, Core Christianity, and Recovering Our Sanity, he also hosts the White Horse Inn radio program.

Tim Keller (MDiv, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary; DMin, Westminster Theological Seminary) was founder of Redeemer Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Manhattan, chairman of Redeemer City to City, and co-founder of The Gospel Coalition. He wrote numerous books, including The Reason for God. He and his wife, Kathy, had three children.