Truth Magazine

By Dee Bowman

In the late 1940’s and early 1950’s a tremendous upheaval ripped the Lord’s church asunder. Brethren who were determined to introduce innovations into the work and organization of the church quarantined those who were wont to have a “thus saith the Lord” for all that is done by the church. Sides were drawn, labels applied, charges made. A full scale civil war ensued. Families were divided, friends estranged, and in many areas churches were left in rubble and ruin.

I have no doubt that most of these introductions were motivated of conscience and were done out of concern for the progress and growth of the Lord’s church.

Such deviations from the divine pattern came slowly. Benevolent societies, like orphan homes, homes for the aged, and later, homes for unwed mothers were introduced as a part of the work of the church. Later, the “whole person” concept was promoted and the churches began projects to provide for their members not only spiritual nourishment, but social refreshments as well. “Family Life Centers” sprang up, especially in the ’60’s and ’70’s, equipped with gymnasiums, exercise rooms, banquet halls, completely fitted kitchens designed to care for the “outer man” in the same way that the auditorium was to care for the “inner man.”

Those who opposed such arrangements were branded as “anti,” or “binding brethren” and told that they could either accept these philosophies or make arrangements to worship elsewhere. The social gospel concept became the rage. Large mergers were made, mergers where several smaller churches banded together to form huge churches, ones with the financial wherewithal to construct huge edifices and finance large and impressive programs of various sorts.

A strange vernacular followed the trend. Because of the financial strength to do so, large “staffs” began to be assembled, headed by a “board of elders,” and supervised by a “Pulpit Minister.” The “Minister of Education” was responsible for the highly efficient Sunday School Pro gram, one which included special classes for singles, cven divorced persons. “Bus Ministries” sprang up all over and they were guided by “Bus Ministers,” who concocted sometimes outlandish publicity schemes in order to induce neighborhood kids to ride the bus. Finding the children mostly unmanageable, some churches resorted to “Children’s Church,” where the youngsters themselves were taken to the basement and allowed to conduct their own services, in some cases even electing their own elders and deacons. Such things as “Youth Ministries” have gained reputation over the past several years and it is not now uncommon for churches to have their own choirs, and entertainment groups, comprised mostly of young people and some of which make annual tours as a part of their “Music Ministry.”

Lately strange cries are coming from the men who were the leading lights in the movement in the early days. “Liberals are among us!” they say. And they are! But it seems strange to me that these men cannot see that they are reaping what they have sown. Let me illustrate.

There are nine instances in the New Testament where the Lord’s church did benevolent work. In all nine of the instances, the benevolence was extended to needy saints. When I call that a pattern some of my friends in the more liberal churches say I am binding where the New Testament does not bind. But now that same argument is being made by their own “liberals.” There are also nine instances in the New Testament where music is referred to, and in all nine of these cases, the music specified is singing. The same brethren who reject the passages regarding benevolence as being a binding pattern are having trouble making their “liberals” understand that the nine cases regarding music necessarily limit the kind of music to singing. Their “liberals” don’t think they ought to bind those passages. It sounds very much like a case of reaping what has been sown.

A recent bulletin from the Burke Road Church of Christ in Pasadena is reported to have said that they did use instrumental music “but not in our regularly scheduled Sunday morning, evening and Wednesday night . . . because we do not want to offend the few who have a problem with this kind of praise” (quoted by Contending For The Faith, Ira Y. Rice, editor).

The only way to stop the on rush of liberalism, no matter whose “liberals” they are, is to return to the old paths, to ask for a “thus saith the Lord” for all that we do. Other wise, there is no end to the spread of this disease. (Reprinted from The Southside Reminder.)

Guardian of Truth XXX: 10, pp. 290, 310
May 15, 1986

By Mike Willis

On 5 April 1986, brother and sister Irven Lee celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary. In an age in which marriage is held in such low esteem, their commitment to each other in marriage stands out in stark contrast. Not only have brother and sister Lee had a commitment to one another, both have made a deep and abiding commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ. Brother Lee has been preaching the glorious gospel for fifty-five years, being ably assisted by his godly wife.

Their Family

Brother and sister Lee’s family commends their life of devotion to God. They have two daughters, both of whom married preachers. Judy is married to Wayne Moore who teaches school and preaches at the New Georgia congregation in Anderson, Alabama. Their daughter Sandra is married to Bob Waldron who preaches for the Westview congregation in Hanceville, Alabama. Sandra has written one of the books in the revised literature of Walking With God and she and her husband have written a book on Bible history and geography which is enjoying a good circulation and use as an adult Bible study book.

The Knollwood congregation in Dayton, Ohio invited brother Lee to speak on “Good Homes In A Wicked World” while Ron Halbrook and I were working there. He spoke to the entire congregation in the evenings and sister Lee spoke to the ladies during the mornings. In one sermon he was emphasizing the need for spankings in correcting children. What he said impressed me enough that I think I can repeat it nearly verbatim.

Mrs. Lee does not like for me to use this illustration. The Scriptures teach that a man will not harm his own flesh. (At this point, he raised his right leg and struck it about four times with the palm of his hand.) That did not. do any serious damage to my leg. Do you think that you are going to seriously harm your child physically by doing the same thing to his back side?

I am confident that this kind of common sense and biblical approach in the family has created an atmosphere in which God-fearing children and grandchildren could be produced.

Preaching God’s Word

Brother Lee could have worked with many of the large congregations across America. However, he has not generally chosen to do so. In a recent conversation, he said something to the effect that he was only asked to preach in little congregations which had recently divided, or in congregations which were just beginning. While I am confident he has been asked to preach at many large congregations, brother Lee has spent his energies in working with small, struggling congregations, many of which had a long history of problems.

His energy humbles me. I come home from Lord’s day worn out. Brother Lee preached for more than one congregation on many Lord’s days, journeying in the afternoon to preach with some small group needing his help. Even now, he drives several miles, from Athens to Arab, Alabama in order to preach each Lord’s day.

Here is a summary of his work in preaching as recounted for us by his daughter Sandra Waldron:

1934-1936 – Attended Vanderbilt University in Nashville. Taught part time at David Lipscomb High School. Drove to small congregations around Poole and Dixon, Kentucky, taking other young preachers with him to speak at various places.

1936-1941 – Valdosta, Georgia. Principle of Dasher Bible School. Preached at Dasher congregation two years, then began working to establish new congregations or helping little, sick congregations in the area.

1941-1942 – Trenton, Florida Preached at Trenton and at little or new places in North Florida.

1942-1947 – Athens, Alabama. President of Athens Bible School as it began. Supported by Market Street congregation to work with new or sick congregations in Limestone County.

1947-1951 – Florence, Alabama. President of Mars Hill Bible School as it began. Preached at Killen congregation and helped begin new works.

1951-1953 – Chattanooga, Tennessee. Intending to be president of the Chattanooga Bible School that was beginning, but withdrew before it began because the board members wanted to accept funds from churches. Preached at East Ridge congregation and helped start new works.

1953-1957 – Athens, Decatur, and Trinity, Alabama. Taught at Athens Bible School, served as Acting-President one year. Preached at small places around Athens; moved to work with Grant Street congregation, was soon fired over the institutional problems; supported by Somerville Road congregation to work with small congregations in Morgan County – particularly the one at Trinity just out of Decatur.

1957-1963 – Russellville, Alabama. Preached at Washington Avenue and helped start new works.

1963-1968 – Jasper, Alabama. Preached at North Jasper congregation as it was beginning, and helped start new works in Walker County.

1968-1981 – Hartselle, Alabama. Preached at the Westview congregation and helped start works in the area. He had his heart attack in May 1974, followed by heart surgery in the fall, and then pneumonia. By the spring of 1975, he was preaching again and even going to meetings. In the spring of 1977, his son-in-law Bob Waldron moved to Westview to take his place so he could retire. Instead, he began working with the little Midway congregation out of Florence, Alabama and began accepting more and more meetings every year. One year (1979), he held 44 meetings. He and sister Lee would be gone 6 to 8 weeks at a time, going from Florida to West Virginia to Ohio.

1981-1986 – Athens, Alabama. lie moved to Athens and began preaching for the Jennings Chapel congregation. Finally, he retired again. He is living in Athens, driving to Arab (about an hour’s drive) each weekend to work with the small group there. In addition, he holds about one meeting per month – and spends the rest of the time grieving that he no longer has the health to do more work!

During his lifetime, brother Lee has taught school for twenty years in various Bible schools, fourteen of which he served as president or principal of the school. In his preaching, he has helped establish thirty new congregations. He has been one to take true joy in going into tiny, sick congregations that every one else had given up on and reviving them. He preached on the radio daily for many years. He has averaged twelve or more meetings every year since he began preaching, no matter how busy he was with other jobs. Sister Waldron wrote,

He has marveled at young preachers who say they have never been asked to hold meetings, because he has held so many of his in tents, under the shade of some trees, or in some empty building in some community that he found that did not already have a congregation of the Lord’s people. Or he has gone to some sick little group that has not had a meeting in ten years and announced that he is starting a meeting next Monday night. Of course, practically all such meetings were without pay – or if he were paid, he put the entire amount back in the collection the next Sunday to help the little church’s finances. I do not believe there has ever been a more unselfish man in the Lord’s work.

How many fathers have this kind of respect from their children?

Spreading The Gospel Through The Printed Page

Brother and sister Lee have been partners in spreading the gospel via the printed page. Sister Lee has written two popular children’s Bible story books entitled Mrs. Lee’s Stories About Jesus and Mrs. Lee’s Stories About God’s First People. She wrote two books for ladies Bible classes entitled Old Testament Women and New Testament Women. In addition to that, she wrote eight books of the beginner section of Use Your Bible Workbooks.

Brother Lee has written Preaching in a Changing World, Good Homes In A Wicked World, and God Hath Spoken. Recently he published another paperback entitled Things That Make For Peace. In addition to that, he has written several good tracts, including “Preparation For Marriage” and “A Friendly Letter on Benevolence,” and booklets, including “Do All Roads Lead To Heaven?” and “Money: Earning and Spending It.” He has been a frequent contributor to various periodicals, including editing Sword of Peace in the early 1960s, and has been a staff writer for Guardian of Truth since 1979.

A Gentleman

Brother Lee is known for his calm-spoken manner. Let me hasten to add, however, that one should not confuse this with spinelessness. He is willing to directly confront an issue, doing so in such a manner that his love for the souls of men is evident. I recently heard him preach on a controversial list of subjects in one sermon. He spoke on using tobacco, social drinking, dancing, immodest dress, the need for forbearance on personal issues (such as wearing the covering), and other lively issues. Though he pressed his points, I did not sense that anyone present was angered by his pointed message. He has the unique ability to preach without making enemies through his manner of presentation.

Some people might mistaken brother Lee’s mild manner for softness. When the Grant Street congregation in Decatur, Alabama was going liberal, brother Lee was trying to prevent their apostasy. Shortly after that, brother Lee was in a meeting at Kansas City, Missouri with the O.C. Birdwell, Jr. family. Sister Frances Birdwell said, “Brother Lee, they are saying that you got sarcastic at Grant Street.” Brother Lee replied, “Brother Lee did get sarcastic at Grant Street.” Like the Savior, brother Lee recognized that there is a time for strong language.

Conclusion

As the Lee’s reach and pass the milestone of their fiftieth wedding anniversary and fifty-years in gospel preaching, I am confident that some of their friends would like to send them their warmest greetings. You may address them at P.O. Box 214, Athens, AL 35611.

May God send us more Christians such as brother and sister Irven Lee!

Guardian of Truth XXX: 9, pp. 272, 274
May 1, 1986

By Don Givens

The life of the child of God is not free of hardship, trial, and tribulation, but it is, by far, the best life one can live. Your neighbors, in this secular, fleshly-oriented world, may doubt and deny such a statement, but in view of “the end of the pathway” it is gloriously true.

Take Moses as an example. Of course Moses was not a “Christian” since he lived before Christ, but he is a splendid example of why you and I should live the life of obedience today. Hebrews 11:24-26 vividly explains how Moses chose to suffer with the people of God rather than enjoy the “pleasures of sin for a season.” Moses accounted the treasures of Egypt worthless and took instead the reproach of scoffers with the children of God. Why? Was Moses a fool for so doing?

Why would Moses leave all the vast treasure and luxury of Egypt in order to suffer with the people of the Lord God? Would you have done what Moses did? When we answer these penetrating questions we will also have answered why individuals today become Christians and suffer for Jesus. The latter part of Hebrews 11:26 is our answer: “for he looked unto the recompense of reward.”

Yes, Moses chose to suffer as a child of God because he saw the end result of this life of righteousness compared with the end result of the wicked and pleasurable life of sin. What is the end result of the pathway you are now traveling? Though we may enjoy “pleasures of sin for a season,” eternal condemnation awaits such at the end of that pathway (Rev. 21:8). But the end of the journey for the faithful Christian is a mansion in the Father’s house (Jn. 14:13; Rev. 22:14).

It is the same today as it was during the time of Moses. Obey God and be blessed; disobey God and be damned. Individuals become and remain loyal children of God because they can look to the end result of this blessed life contrasted with the final result of a life of unbelief and disobedience (Rom. 6:23).

The father in heaven wants every sinner to become His child through gospel obedience. He desires none to perish, but all to come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9). Only as a Christian can one give glory to God. There is only one way to eternal life and that is Jesus (Jn. 14:6) and when I follow Jesus I will willingly submit to His Word (Lk. 6:46).

May we all with unfeigned faith look for “the city which hath the foundations, whose builder and maker is God” and yearningly “desire a better country, that is, a heavenly” (Heb. 11:10,16). What is it all about? Heaven. . . at the end of the pathway. “Make your calling and election sure” (2 Pet. 1:10) because eternity is getting closer with every breath you take.

Guardian of Truth XXX: 9, p. 275
May 1, 1986

By Frank Jamerson

The subject of hell is shunned by many preachers. It is considered distasteful and, I suppose some think that if we will ignore it, it will go away.

Recently, while preparing a lesson on the subject, I looked through several bound volumes of periodicals and did not find a single article on it. It made me wonder if our writing reflects our preaching on the subject!

False teachers try to evade the Bible teaching on the subject and give false consolation by such statements as: “Hell is what you go through on the earth,” or “Hell is only temporary.” Even some who claim to be Christians reveal a lack of conviction about hell by their preparations to go there. When you hear a brother say: “If I go, I will not be by myself,” or “If I go, you will be on the front row,” you are listening to one who does not truly believe what the Bible teaches about hell.

Some of the confusion on the subject comes from translation. The word hades is translated “hell” in some versions, but these are from two different words and do not refer to the same place. The Greek word hades and the Hebrew word sheol refer to the abiding place of spirits between death and the resurrection. The spirit of Jesus went to hades (Acts 2:25-27), not to “hell.” Jesus told the thief on the cross that he would be with Him in “paradise” (Lk. 23:43). We conclude from this that a part of the hadean world is “paradise.” But the rich man of Luke 16 also went to hades and was in torment (v. 23). So, the hadean world is divided by a “great gulf” into paradise and torment.

The Greek word gehenna (hell) refers to the eternal abiding place of the wicked, after judgment. The word is used twelve times in the New Testament, and is always spoken by Jesus Himself, except in James 3:6 (see Matt. 5:22,29,30; 10:28; 18:9; 23:15,33; Mk. 9:43,45,47; Lk. 12:5). This is the place of eternal punishment, which implies eternal existence, for you cannot punish what does not exist!

Some say that since hell is called the “second death,” this proves that it means non-existence. The truth is that “death” never means non-existence. It means separation. When it refers to physical death it means that the body is separated from the spirit. When it refers to spiritual death it means that man is separated from the spirit. When it refers to spiritual death it means that man is separated from God. Isaiah said, “Your iniquities have separated between you and your God. . . ” (Isa. 59:2). When Jesus said, “Let the dead bury the dead” (Matt. 8:22), He was not saying that those who do not exist can bury those who do not exist! He was saying that those who were spiritually separated from God (dead) could bury those who were physically dead. Paul said that the widow who gives herself to pleasure “is dead (spiritually) while she lives (physically)” (1 Tim. 5:6).

The word “death” is used to refer to hell, because it is eternal separation from God. “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death” (Rev. 21:8). This does not mean “second non-existence,” but second separation. All men die physically (Heb. 9:27), but the unsaved will experience another death – eternal separation from God.

What does the Bible say about the condition of those who go there? It calls it “a lake of fire” (Matt. 13:42), and “outer

darkness” (Matt. 25:30). But, some ask, “How can it be fire and darkness at the same time?” God has used terms with which we are familiar to present a picture to our minds of a terrible place, a place where there will be “weeping and gnashing of teeth.” It does not have to be understood literally in order to get the picture of a place that we should avoid at all cost.

The same Bible that says that heaven is eternal says that hell is eternal. Any argument that will shorten the time in one will do so in the other. “And these shall go away into eternal punishment: but the righteous into eternal life” (Matt. 25:46).

Guardian of Truth XXX: 10, pp. 291, 310
May 15, 1986