Therefore, we have selected a style of debate which we believe will result in a wider acceptance of the ideas presented. We ask all contributing writers to consider these recommendations before making a submission.

Robert Bolton, in his book, People Skills: How to Assert Yourself, Listen to Others, and Resolve Conflicts, lists 12 "roadblocks" to effective communications. These include among other things, criticizing, name-calling, threatening, moralizing, and quite a few others. There are, he argues, times when these things are appropriate. But at the wrong time, they can hinder effective communication.

The purpose of this web site is communication -- not debate. It is about asserting ideas as over against other ideas. Therefore, while we strongly believe in making forceful assertions, we want to do that in a way that minimizes unnecessary responses from those who read the articles.

Bolton has devised a way for assertive statements to be made that elicit the best possible response. Nothing is perfect, but this is as good a way as any to consider when writing your ideas that disagree with others. We've adapted his three-step process.

The three-step process incorporates belief, feelings and effects. "When you speak of the sovereignty of God in salvation, I feel like you are leaving personal choice out of the issue, and this has the effect of making me wonder why we should evangelize." Or try this one. "When you say only the Bible should be used to determine God's word, I feel as if you are ignoring the role of the church in history, and this makes me believe that the church is unnecessary." Get the idea?

Please send your contributions to theology@biblicallandmarks.com.