The Purpose and Precision of Godly Polemics

In his discussion of the theological conflicts between the Reformed, Lutherans, Roman Catholics and Socinians, I came across this great quote from Richard Muller:

The primary purpose of polemics was the assault on and demolition of error. That purpose was best served by the accurate statement of an opponent's position.

Muller, PRRD: vol. 1 Prolegomena to Theology, p. 64