Truth Magazine

By A Sad Parent

(Editor’s Note: This article is written anonymously because of the author’s abiding hope that he can win back his child and the fear that public reference might create unnecessary alienation.)

All losses cause sadness. The greater the value is of that which is lost, the greater is the grief that is felt.

This series of articles is primarily dealing with losses that are irretrievable. Grief is felt over the loss, and the sense of loss continues indefinitely, although there is, of course, consolation. But I write concerning a child presently lost in false doctrine, but whom I hope to see retrieved from error. (It is for this reason that I write anonymously; the reader can appreciate this judgment.)

Anyone lost in false doctrine is an object of my concern, my love, my efforts. My children are not of more worth than those of anyone else. I am trying in my days to preach and teach the gospel and set an example worthy of imitation, in order that many souls may by such instrumentality be rescued from error.

However, the keenness of loss is felt more sharply when one’s own child is the object of Satan’s deception. (I repeat, my child is no more important than anyone else’s.) What have my wife and I done about it all? How have we felt? What changes have been wrought in our lives. To whom and to what have we turned for help? What hope do we entertain?

In my particular case, many hours have been spent studying in person with the child. No opportunity to study with the person has been slighted. More opportunities are being sought. Articles judged to be helpful are mailed to the child. The sowing of the seed of Truth will hopefully germinate and bring the desired fruit. As parents we pray that God will give the child life and time to reconsider the matter, and return to the Truth.

We have felt great sadness, because a loved one has been enamored of human wisdom, being deceived by the wiles of the devil. Doubtlessly the person is sincere in the belief which is being embraced, but nevertheless has been deceived. It is not embarrassment that we feel; it is pure sadness over loss. It is the feeling that t9at father of Luke 15 felt when he lost a son (15:24). Heaven also feels the loss.

There has been much more prayer in our home since the loss of our child to false doctrine! Nothing causes us to pray more to our heavenly Father than the loss of something dear. It is a “time of need,” and we need “grace to help us” (Heb. 4:16). And we will continue to implore our Father to help us retrieve our child from false doctrine.

We have asked others to help us. At times parents are like prophets in their own country, in reference to their children. There are children who will listen more readily to others than to their parents. Don’t ever hesitate to enlist the help of your brothers in Christ in the matter of saving children from error.

We must never give up. A key word in the parable of Jesus (Lk. 15:3-10) is “until.” The shepherd searched until he found his lost sheep. The woman swept the house until she found her lost coin. Don’t give up; persevere in seeking the rescue of the lost.

Love for the lost causes us to be greatly concerned for them. This is the point made by Jesus in Luke 15, when he was criticized for working among the lost. Lost sinners are lost creatures of God, made in his image, and precious to him. What is more natural, then, than to be concerned for, and actively engaged in rescuing, the lost? Divine concern for lost man! As sons of God, we too must ever be concerned for the lost and without ceasing make every effort to see them rescued. He that winneth souls is wise (Prov. 11:30).

Ali losses cause sadness, but not all losses are terminal. A child lost to “worldliness” (drugs, alcohol, illicit marriage, indifference, etc.), or to “false doctrine” represents a sad case, but not necessarily a hopeless one. The sadness changes to joy when that which was lost is found (Luke 15:7,10,32)1 In our sadness let us pray much and work hard, if perchance God will grant life to the one lost, so that upon his return great joy can displace the sadness, joy upon earth and in heaven! We work and wait; God’s Word gives us hope.

Guardian of Truth XXXII: 17, p. 536
September 1, 1988

By Aude McKee

I. Last week we gave attention to the factors and people who were responsible (at least in part) for the reformation:

A. Corruption within the Roman Catholic Church.

1. Wicked popes.

2. Internal strife.

3. The Inquisition Courts.

B. External factors.

1. The Renaissance.

2. Bible translations.

3. Invention of the printing press.

C. People.

1. Albigenses.

2. Waldenses.

3. John Wycliff – “Morning Star of the Reformation.”

4. John Huss.

II. In this lesson, we notice the formation of the first Protestant denomination and some general things about the reformation.

A. It needs to be pointed out that the men involved in the Reformation did not intend to begin new churches.

B. The aim of these men was to reform the Roman Catholic Church.

1. Heb. 6:1-6 is speaking of individual apostasy; however, the principle might be applied to the situation under discussion. The writer said, “It is impossible to renew them again to repentance.”

2. The Roman Catholic Church had gone too far to be reformed.

3. Viewed from this standpoint, the reformation was a failure. But good, as well as evil and error, came out of it as we shall see.

Discussion:

I. Luther’s Experiences (1483-1546).

A. Son of a poor miner but was given a good education.

1. In higher education began a study of law.

2. In 1505 the death of a close friend caused Luther to enter the Augustinian monastery at Erfurt.

3. In 1507 he was ordained a priest and assigned to Whittenburg, Germany.

B. Luther then began a serious investigation of the Bible – his troubles began.

1. In 1512 he was awarded a Doctor of Theology degree and began lecturing at the University.

2. About this time he was sent to Rome on a special mission and the corruption he saw helped crystalize his convictions.

II. Luther’s Break With The Roman Catholic Church.

A. John Tetzel came into Germany selling indulgences.

1. Luther preached against such and on October 31, 1517, nailed his 95 thesis to the church door of the All-Saints church in Whittenburg.

2. Luther did this, not to fight against the Catholic Church, but to preserve the honor of the Church.

3. Copies of the propositions spread all over Germany and Luther’s name became a household word.

B. Out of this, John Eck branded Luther as a heretic.

1. This led to a 23 day debate between Luther and Eck. Eck’s purpose was to draw out Luther enough on his doctrines so that the Pope could be persuaded to excommunicate him. Eck was successful.

2. The Papal bull of condemnation was then issued against Luther. When it was delivered to Luther, he made a public display of burning it on the streets of Whittenburg. He was then excommunicated.

C. In April 1521, Luther was summoned to appear before the Diet of Worms.

1. Before this tribunal he was offered the opportunity to recant. His reply was: “Unless I shall be convinced by the testimonies of the Scriptures or by clear reason, . . . I neither can nor will make any retraction, since it is neither safe nor honorable to act against conscience; I can naught else! Here I stand! God help me!”

2. On May 25, he was declared an outlaw.

3. As he returned to Whittenburg, his friends “kidnaped” him and for about a year he remained in Wartburg Castle.

4. During this time he translated the New Testament into the German language.

III. Formation of the Lutheran Church.

A. As an outgrowth of all these events, groups of people began to meet together who were in sympathy with Luther’s teaching.

1. The movement was given added direction by Luther with his publication of two catechisms in 1529.

2. In 1530 Philip Melanchthon published the Augsburg Confession which helped form the doctrinal foundation of the Lutheran Church.

3. Lutherans hold to the so-called Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene and Athanasian Creeds.

B. Interesting facts about the Lutheran Church.

1. Doctrines.

a. Two Sacraments – baptism and the Lord’s Supper (“sacrament” unscriptural).

b. Baptism is “by washing, pouring, immersion and sprinkling” (Col. 2:12; Rom. 6:4).

c. Infants born totally depraved; therefore must be “baptized” (Ezek. 18:20; Matt. 18:3; 19:14).

d. The body and blood of Christ are “in, with and under the bread and wine of the Supper” (this is close to the transubstantiation doctrine of the Catholic Church).

e. Direct operation of the Holy Spirit on the heart of the sinner; faith is “wholly and solely the gift and work of God”; salvation is by faith alone (Mk. 16:15-16; Rom. 1:16; 10:17; Jas. 2:24).

2. Organization.

a. Locally – congregationally governed by a “church council” consisting of the “pastor” and elected “lay officers.”

b. Synod is the next higher body, composed of “Pastors” and “lay representatives” elected by the congregations.

c. Highest level of Lutheran government is the general body. It may be national or even international and meets annually, biennially, or triennially.

d. See Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:1-3; Heb. 13:17; Eph. 4:11; Phil. 1:1.

3. Division.

a. At one time there were no fewer than 150 different Lutheran bodies in this country.

b. Today that number has been reduced to less than 20.

IV. Fundamental Principles On Which The Reformation Movement Was Based.

A. The Bible was accepted as the only rule of faith and practice.

1. This was in opposition to the Catholic position that tradition is equal in authority with the written Word.

2. This position, if it had been completely believed and respected, would have resulted in the restoration of the Lord’s church instead of the establishment of Protestant denominations.

3. But this truth was modified (its power destroyed) by the following:

B. “What is not contrary to Scripture is for Scripture and Scripture for it.”

1. These are Luther’s words and the idea remains an important one in all Protestant denominations.

2. Simply stated, it says that anything may be accepted in religion which does not expressly contradict the Scriptures!

3. When Luther left the Catholic Church, he carried many false teachings with him such as instrumental music and sprinkling.

4. He, and other reformers, justified their unscriptural practices by this appeal to the silence of the Scriptures.

5. How many volumes would it have taken for the Lord to have included every specific prohibition? How many catalogues would Sears have to publish to list all the prices they are not asking for the items they sell’? How many woods did God tell Noah not to use? Can we put steak and coke on the Lord’s table? When you send your child to the grocery, do you put on your list all the things he is not to purchase or the items you want?

C. The doctrine of justification by faith only.

1. This extreme was produced by the Catholic doctrine of salvation by faith and works of human merit.

2. God’s order, from Adam down to the close of the last New Testament book, is this: Man believes (through the evidence God provides); God commands; Man obeys; God blesses.

D. The principle of the priesthood of all believers.

1. This was in contrast to the special priesthood of the Roman Catholic system.

2. When carried to its logical end, this would destroy:

a. Infallibility of the Pope.

b. The special powers of the Cardinals and all other Catholic officials.

c. Auricular Confession.

d. “Ordained officials” baptizing, serving the Lord’s Supper, etc.

3. See Peter 2:5,9.

E. The removal of obstructions placed between the believer and Christ.

1. This does away with intercession of saints, praying to Mary, veneration of relics and images, etc.

2. 1 Timothy 2:5; John 14:6.

Conclusion:

1 . People reared in the 20th century have problems just as those people did who lived back in the 16th century.

2. With all the religious confusion about me, what should I believe? Whose doctrine should I follow? What church should I join?

3. The answer is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

a. Believe nothing but God’s word – it alone is inspired!

b. Follow no teaching but Christ’s – he has all authority (Matt. 28:18)!

c. Join no church! The church is God’s house or God’s family (1 Tim. 3:15).

d. Obey the gospel of Christ – the Lord will save and add to his church (Rom. 6:17-18; Acts 2:36-47; Heb. 5:8-9; 1 Pet. 4:17).

4. Remember that the decision you make will face your at the judgment!

Guardian of Truth XXXII: 16, pp. 488-489
August 18, 1988

By Steve Wolfgang

Footnote John Augustus Williams, The Life of Elder John Smith (Cincinnati: Standard Publishing Company, n.d.), pp. 412-413.

He [Smith) was once discussing the question of spiritual influence in conversion, with a worthy Baptist preacher who lived in Lincoln County, near Stanford. His opponent had denied that the sinner could believe the gospel on the simple testimony of the inspired witnesses, contending that in his natural (which meant his unconverted) state, he could not receive the testimony of such witnesses, for the Scriptures plainly declare that the natural, or unconverted, man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God. But he claimed that the Spirit wielded a sword, with which he opened the sinner’s heart; and he founded a specious argument on that metaphor of Paul. In reply to this argument Smith said:

If the brother’s position be correct, then it follows that no man will ever be converted while the world stands. No sinner can be converted by the Spirit alone, for Jesus declares that the world cannot receive it; neither can he, according to the brother’s theology, be converted by the words and testimony of the Spirit; for the unconverted, he says, cannot receive these things of the Spirit. If, then, the poor sinner can receive neither the Spirit, nor the words of the Spirit, by what sort of hocus-pocus is he to be converted at all?

True, there is a sword of the Spirit, but so called because the Spirit made it, and not because he wields it. It was made for the Christian warrior, who is commanded to take it in his own hand, and to go forth and right against Satan and error. Now, that very sword is the Word of God itself this blessed book – which my brother says the unconverted man can neither understand nor believe!

The discussion having closed the Baptist announced to the audience that, on the following Sunday, he would speak on the subject of Campbellism, at another place in the neighborhood, which he named.

Smith informed him that he could not be with him on that day, but proposed that some brother, then in the audience, should go along with him and reply; but to this his opponent would not agree. “Then,” said Smith, “I will select one of these good sisters, who will, I know, be more than able to defend the truth against all you may say.”

A deist, who was present during this discussion, and who had long rejected the gospel on the ground that while the preachers declared it to be good news, it was impossible to believe without supernatural aid, now confess that his infidelity had been only the disbelief of an error, and he now saw that the gospel was a rational thing worthy of all acceptation.

Guardian of Truth XXXII: 16, p. 490
August 18, 1988

By Vestal Chaffin

“Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God” (Acts 8:22). These words were spoken to Simon, an erring child of God. They emphasize the fact that our heart must be right in God’s sight in order to be acceptable to him. Many of our problems as Christians can be traced back to “heart trouble.” Our spiritual health depends on the condition of our heart, therefore, we should see that our heart functions properly.

In the physical realm we are constantly reminded to take care of our heart, to keep it healthy by eating the proper kind of food, getting the proper kind of exercise, etc. We have been educated to the degree that we realize that the fleshly heart is very essential to our physical well being; consequently, we try to keep it healthy. It is unfortunate indeed that many who profess to be Christians, give but little attention to their spiritual heart. What is the heart that must be right in God’s sight? It certainly is not that lobe of flesh that pumps the blood through the physical body. It is said that, “Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel” (2 Sam. 15:6). Certainly he did not steal the physical, fleshly hearts of those men. The Bible heart, the heart that must be right in God’s sight, has to do with our intellect. We think with the heart (Matt. 9:4); we love with the heart (Matt. 22:37); we believe with the heart (Acts 8:37; Rom. 10:9- 10); we purpose with the heart (Acts 11:23; 2 Cor. 9:7); we obey with the heart (Rom. 6:17-18). From this then, we can see that the heart involves our mind, our emotions, our will, and our conscience. This is the heart that so often gives us trouble. The wise man said, “Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life. ” The apostle Paul told Timothy, “Now the end of the command ment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned” (1 Tim. 1:5).

In conversion the heart must be changed, or purified before God will accept us (Acts 15:9; 1 Pet. 1:22). But the heart is not only involved in our conversion, it is involved in all the service we render to God. It is often said when a man commits a sin, “But he is a good man at heart,” but that is not so, for Jesus said, “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things” (Matt. 12:35). The heart is right in God’s sight only when the intellect, the emotion, the will, and the conscience are right. Again the wise man said, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Prov. 23:7). After creating man and placing him upon the earth, “God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Gen. 6:5). The apostle Paul speaks of bringing every thought into captivity and to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor. 10:5). Some so-called Christians let their thoughts dwell on dome dirty, foul, vulgar, smutty story they have heard; but true Christians should not let their mind dwell on such, but they should be meditating on God’s word (Psa. 1:1-2).

If one’s heart is not right he does not enjoy the Lord’s work. He looks upon Bible study as a boring task that takes time that he had rather spend engaging in some sport or some pleasure. He does not enjoy worshiping the Lord, but he engages in it to please his family or his friends. He gives to the Lord begrudgingly; he does not enjoy serving the Lord in any way, for his heart is not in it. He is not, “doing the will of God from the heart” (Eph. 6:6). He has heart trouble.

The church member that has heart trouble, never renders or gives his best to the Lord. Their service falls far short of his abilities, and far below what the Lord expects of him. But after rendering a half-hearted service, they are so often like the Israelites to whom the prophet Malachi wrote, “Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness it is. and ye have snuffed at it, saith the Lord of host; and Ye brought that which way torn, and the lame, and the sick, thus ye brought an offering. Should I accept this of your hand? saith the Lord” (Mal. 1:13). If you do not give the Lord your best, and rejoice in the opportunities to serve the Lord, then you have heart trouble. What we render unto the Lord must be done “heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men” (Col. 3:23).

When members of the church constantly entertain unclean and evil thoughts in their mind, it is because they have heart trouble. Our Lord said, “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts” (Mk. 7:21-22). This is the reason we need to heed the admonition of wise man when he said, “Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life” (Prov. 4:23). Since we speak from the abundance of the heart, we hold the key of life and death within our power! “For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned” (Matt. 12:37). The apostle Paul said, “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5).

In the language of the poet who wrote the song entitled, “Is Thy Heart Right With God?”, “Have thine affections been nailed to the cross; is thy heart right with God?” (Songs of the Church, p. 226). There is balm for the soul who has heart trouble. The great physician can heal you, if you will only do his will (Mk. 2:17; Matt. 7:21).

Guardian of Truth XXXII: 16, p. 493
August 18, 1988