Was the Roman Catholic Church Established by Christ?

Resolved:
"The Roman Catholic Church is the true Church of Jesus Christ according to the Scriptures."

[This debate will center primarily on the Scriptures we both accept, although the Fathers can be brought in secondarily -- I accept the "burden of proof" in this debate]

Yes -- Affirming the Resolution: Phil Porvaznik
No -- Denying the Resolution: Jason Engwer

Phil Porvaznik Opening Statement 7000 words	Jason Engwer Opening Statement 7000 words
Phil's First Rebuttal of Jason 5000 words	Jason's First Rebuttal of Phil 5000 words
Phil's Second Rebuttal 5000 words	Jason's Second Rebuttal 5000 words
Cross Examination: 5 Questions from Phil	Cross Examination: 5 Questions from Jason
Phil Answers Jason's Questions	Jason Answers Phil's Questions
Phil Rebuts Jason's Answers	Jason Rebuts Phil's Answers
Phil Replies to Jason's Rebut	Jason Replies to Phil's Rebut
Closing Statement 5000 words	Closing Statement 5000 words

Have you read any of the following books? Do you believe they are true? Do you believe they can be defended? Do you think any of their arguments are sound? Would you like to discuss this in a friendly Email debate?

Disclaimer: At James White's request, I put a note here saying I decline to debate the Bible only (the first debate) against some of the authors of these books, including James White. I want to find folks who are more on my level. However, the challenge is open to White or any of the authors (Webster, etc) to debate me on the Fathers (the second debate) as outlined below. White wanted to do the first, I wanted to do the second.

Jason Engwer accepted the first one, see the proposed schedule above.

or even more "controversial" books

This is a new idea I have for a proposal to debate the biblical and/or historical evidence for/against the Roman Catholic Church from the Scriptures and/or the first five centuries of Christianity. If you love James White, James McCarthy, William Webster, and/or (the more friendly) Norman Geisler and believe their writings, arguments and evidence are devastating against the claims of the Roman Catholic Church, Email me to discuss a possible Email debate (I know you are out there, I see you on the various boards, in Amazon.com reviews, and all over the Internet). I offer the following as a structure, but we can discuss where changes need to be made....

or Resolved:
"The Roman Catholic Church is the true Church of Jesus Christ according to the Fathers, Saints, and Ecumenical Councils of the first five centuries of Christianity."

[This debate will center primarily on the writings of the Fathers, but the Scriptures also -- I accept the "burden of proof" in this debate as well]

Yes -- Affirming the Resolution: Phil Porvaznik
No -- Denying the Resolution: ??? to be determined

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