Truth Magazine

By Matthew Allen

A recent quote from an acquaintance of mine was, “When I read the Bible I just do not understand what is going on.” He went further by saying, “I have a hard time seeing how the Bible is relevant for my family and me in today’s society.” I believe it would be safe to say that this could be a major reason why many do not read and study (i.e., seek to learn) from it. How have these predominant attitudes come about? Please consider:

Society at large in America during the late 20th century has turned away from the standards found within the inspired pages of God’s Word. Those who publicly acknowledge living by Bible standards are disregarded as “right wing extremists” or “religious fundamentalists.”

Feminists decry the Bible as being written for men by men. Homosexuals and their supporters argue that God is pleased with their immoral behavior. Scientists and “experts” of the day endeavor to explain away miracles of the Bible. Denominational creeds and teachers instruct the masses that the Bible is not understandable. Even in churches of Christ we are witnessing a movement away from the importance of Bible authority and the acceptance of all sort of creeds. Members of the Lord’s church were once known as “walking and talking Bibles.” Unfortunately this is no longer the case with many. The movement some congregations are facing only contributes to the religious confusion of the day instead of uniting people in the truth.

Despite all of these things, how important is Bible study to you? Certainly there are many trials and temptations that have a tendency to hinder us from study. However, these can be overcome if one wants to overcome them badly enough (1 Cor. 10:13). Is being affluent in knowledge of the Scriptures toward the top of your priorities? As Christians we are expected by God to be knowledgeable in the Word of God. For example, Paul told the Ephesian brethren, “Do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:17). In 2 Timothy 2:15, Paul told Timothy to be diligent (study, OKJ) to present himself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the truth. We should strive just as much as the first century Christians did to find and know God’s will for mankind.

How can one understand the context as he is reading the Bible?

As mentioned earlier, a common problem of many is that they do not understand “what is going on” while reading Scripture. How may one deal with such a problem? Remember: 

•    The Bible should not be read as a novel or a fictitious short story for mere entertainment. We live in a world that is entertainment driven. From 24-hour television, concerts, sports events, to “worship services” that are purely and only entertainment,” Americans expect to be entertained in almost everything. The Bible is an instruction booklet on how to get our souls to heaven. It should be read and studied in a serious manner.

•     Study a few verses or a chapter at a time and take notes. One of the greatest aids in my personal study has been to study in “small chunks.” High school teachers and college professors recommend that this is the most profitable way to study: be it for an accounting exam or part of God’s Word. Write down points you believe are relevant and other items of importance concerning the text. These could aid you in your study at a later time.

•     Don’t be overwhelmed by the size of the Bible. Some open the front cover — begin at Genesis — read a chapter or two — and rationalize, there’s too much here — I’ll never know it all. Bible study involves time and a steadfast commitment. The more time that is invested the more knowledge will be gained. Bible study is a life long process. Unlike secular courses of study, the study of God’s word is unending during this life.

•     Don’t be fooled by the popular thinking that to understand the Bible one has to go to “Bible school.” Many of our denominational friends believe and teach that creeds must be written to explain the Bible. Those who have attended years of schooling at a seminary (those who will be the “clergy”) then must explain it to the “laity.” This line of thinking is totally unknown in the Bible. The Bereans in Acts 17:11 had never been to a seminary. They were able to reach an understanding of Scripture. We read, “. . . they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” Certainly we can see that they benefited from Bible study!

How is the Bible Relevant To Today’s World?
Christians have the responsibility to teach those around them  the relevance of God’s Word to people living in the late twentieth century. How can we fulfill this responsibility? Those around us need to understand: 

•     The Bible contains information on how to be saved. What better argument for relevance than this? As long as mankind exists, there will be someone who will need to be saved. God’s plan of salvation is found only in the Bible! Jesus said, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws Him; and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me.” Later in John 8:32 Jesus said, “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free” (John 17:17). That truth is found in the Bible.

•     The Bible will help one become a better Christian. As stated earlier, the Bible is the set of instructions on getting one’s soul to heaven. Christians are to put away the things of the world and follow after the example of Christ. There is not a single page in the Bible that will not help one learn something to improve his life. Notice what Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:16-17: “All Scripture 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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

•     The Bible will help the Christian bring others to Christ. As one engages in study of Scripture an awareness of the danger of a soul becoming lost to the fires of hell becomes of tremendous importance. This consciousness should motivate the Bible student to tell others about the Way. This is an expected duty of all Christians. Notice Peter’s words in 1 Peter 3:15: “Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.” Are you living up to this standard?

•     The Bible will help one become prepared to stand before God on judgment. Hebrews 9:27 says, “It is appointed for men to die once, but after this, the judgment.” There will be a day of reckoning for mankind. All men will stand before God and give an account of their actions on earth (2 Cor. 5:9-10). If one applies the things studied in Scripture to his life he can be prepared for this great day. Titus 2:11-12 says, “The grace of God has appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.” This is very relevant to today’s society and all future societies as well. Let us heed what we read!

The study of God’s word is of tremendous importance. It is a shame those in the majority of the religious world (even some in the Lord’s church) fail to understand this. Don’t let Satan fool you by drawing you away from its contents. Make it your first priority to know more about the word of God!

By Matthew R. Miller

It is not uncommon for Christians — defined here as those who follow the teachings of Jesus Christ as revealed in the Bible — to be accused of various evils. Verbal persecution of Christians has existed since the days of ancient Rome, and will continue to exist until the second coming. In fact, Christ himself was verbally persecuted (Matt. 11:19), and “a disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master” (Matt. 10:24). If Christ was accused of evil, so will be his disciples. Often, verbal persecution of Christians is little more than name-calling, but every once in a while very serious accusations are made which must be addressed and acquitted. One such charge is the claim that the church of Christ is a cult. The church of Christ is here defined as the group of all Christians.

The seriousness of the cult charge stems from the fact that cults are destructive, harmful, deceptive, and inherently false religions. Moreover, such a charge indicts not only the individual Christian on whom the accusation is thrown, but also all Christians everywhere. Therefore, it is essential that Christians be able to defend the truth that the church of Christ is not at all a cult.

A cult is generally defined as any religious group which has specific practices, beliefs, or organizational structures which control its members through dishonest, deceptive, extreme, or invasive methods. It is not the case that any group which contradicts traditional Roman Catholic or Protestant beliefs is inherently a cult, as this assumes Roman Catholicism or Protestantism to be the sources of all truth. As the definition indicates, cults are dangerous, harmful, and clearly not according to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Christ teaches, “love your enemies” (Matt. 5:44), not “control your neighbors through dishonest means.” Therefore, any group which is a cult is inherently false and to be avoided. If the church of Christ were a cult, then all members should leave it immediately. However, if it can be demonstrated that the church of Christ is not a cult, then those who make such an accusation are slanderers.

There are many traits which most cults have in common to some degree. These identifying characteristics are universal in cults and are all negative and contrary to the teachings of Christ. First, cults have a single, human leader to whom all devotion is pledged. Secondly, cults are isolationist to an extreme degree. Thirdly, cult proselytizing methods are dishonest, unfair, manipulative, deceptive, invasive, and are designed to prey upon people with weak psychological profiles. Fourthly, cults practice an extreme and invasive form of financial control over their members. Fifthly, cults exercise an extreme and invasive form of control over most other areas of their members’ lives, especially in the areas of dating, marriage, work, and social life. Sixthly, cults require members to accept and believe doctrines which are based not on evidence, reason, and open thought and discussion, but rather on the unfounded claims of a human being. Often, these doctrines are very bizarre. Seventhly, cults make it extremely difficult for members to leave the cult, even to the point of threatening violence and stalking. Eighthly, cults require excessive amounts of their members’ time, often invasively pervading every aspect of their members’ lives to the point that members cannot carry out basic human activities. Finally, cults use psychological, manipulative, mind-control tactics in their affairs, and psychologically intimidate their members in a negative manner. There may be other defining traits of cults which are not included in this list, but these will serve as a working definition.

According to Bob Larson in Larson’s New Book of Cults, some modern cults are Christian Science, Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Worldwide Church of God (Armstrongism). Some other extreme examples are the Branch Davidians, who, under David Koresh’s leadership, recently met their demise in a bloody standoff with U.S. federal agents; Heaven’s Gate, who recently committed mass suicide in the belief that a spaceship in the tail of the Hale-Bop comet would transport them to paradise; and the Moonies, who believe that their founder, Sun Yung Moon, and his wife, are the perfect human couple. The author of this article himself was even approached in Washington Square in New York City by two cult members who, along with their leader, proceeded to attempt conversion by extremely pervasive suggestion. Fortunately, the author recognized the methods and refused to attend a meeting.

Based then on the proper definition of cults, is the church of Christ a cult? There may be denominational religious groups which call themselves “The Church of Christ” or who use that phrase in their name, but the author is not part if any such group and will never be. The church of Christ refers to the group of Christ’s people, or Christians. A comparison of the church of Christ with the defining traits of cults will vindicate the church from the false charge of culthood (please refer to the nine-point list above).

The church of Christ has no single human leader. Rather, it follows Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who performed miracles and rose from the dead to prove that he was more than a human. In fact, human leaders are shunned in the church of Christ, except for the biblical concept of elders.

The church of Christ is not isolationist. Though the Bible teaches Christians to be separate from the world in the sense of not joining the world in sin (2 Cor. 6:17), it also teaches that Christians are to be shining lights to the world (Matt. 5:14). Christians cannot be shining lights if they isolate themselves and avoid social contact with non-Christians. Rather, they should befriend as many people as possible in the hopes of acting as good influences.

The church of Christ does not practice dishonest or manipulative preaching techniques. The author being an evangelist himself, it can be safely stated that preachers in the church of Christ insist on open, honest discussion, based on the Bible, and invite any and all to discuss any biblical topic freely, even if there is disagreement.

The church of Christ does not control its members’ finances. The only teaching of financial contribution to the church is that which is taught in the Bible: members are to freely, generously, and cheerfully give what they deem fit to God in the weekly collection (2 Cor. 9:7; 1 Cor. 16:1). Usually, no one knows how much a member gives except that member himself and God.

The church of Christ does not control every area of its members’ lives. Though the Bible teaches that Christians are to live godly and avoid sin (1 Pet. 4:1-6) and that it is certainly wiser for Christians to date and marry other Christians (2 Cor. 6:14), Christians do not act as spies and stalkers to one another. As long as his actions are godly and scriptural, a Christian may spend his time as he pleases.

The church of Christ does not create bizarre doctrines without evidence and then force members to believe them. Rather, gospel preachers reason soundly, based on textual, historical, logical, archaeological, scientific, and physical evidence that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. The author personally has a section of his library entirely devoted to such proofs.

The church of Christ does not harass, threaten, or stalk members who leave. Though the reprobate Christian is not right with God (Heb. 6:1-8) and is very much missed out of love, and though Christians try to encourage him to return and show him God’s love and grace, no one is ever physically or violently prevented from leaving. Members are free to quit the church, although there are spiritual consequences for such a decision.

The church of Christ does not take all of its members’ time and prevent them from doing anything else. Christians recognize that people have to work (1 Tim. 5:8), relax, spend time with their families, etc. Though the Bible teaches Christians to attend assemblies (Heb. 10:24, 25), and though the occasional gospel meeting will usually require attendance on a few week nights, no member is controlled and not allowed to carry out normal human activity. The true Christian should show his faith every day in everything that he does.

Finally, the church of Christ does not use negative, psychological manipulation and mind ­control to intimidate its members. The manner in which the author preaches, and the manner of all faithful evangelists, is this: the gospel is set forth very straightforwardly in love. A choice of action is biblically given, the spiritual consequences of both obedience and disobedience are stated, and the listener is invited to respond to God (Acts 2:1-38). If there are any gospel preachers who do otherwise, they are wrong, and need to change.

It has been amply demonstrated that, according to the standard definition of cults, the church of Christ is emphatically not a cult. Out of nine common defining characteristics of cults, the church of Christ does not even practice one. The church of Christ is not a manipulative, harmful, brainwashed, deceptive, man-made organization. Rather, it is a group of sincere Christians who are trying their best to serve God, to love their fellow man, and to go to heaven when this life is over. Anyone who charges otherwise is ignoring the evidence and committing slander.

By Steve Willis

This show tests knowledge of trivia. Did you know that “trivia” comes the Latin for “three roads”? People would discuss many things where three road came together. Isn’t it amazing how people know so much of so many topics! Don’t you find yourself answering along with the contestant — when you can? But what about Bible knowledge — I dare not call it “trivia.” Look how often people can cite sports statistics, words to popular songs, lists of provinces, states (and capitals). Yet when asked to remember a few dates related to Bible things, or a group of names, or even the books of the Bible, people draw a blank. What should we be seeking first?

Many shows have made trivia questions less trivial with large cash prizes. In November, a man won one million dollars! The week before that, on another show named “Greed,” three people split one million. We need to be careful that we don’t get greedy. Greed, or covetousness, is idolatry (Col. 3:5). Once again, what should we be seeking? “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you” (Matt. 6:33).

Then we come to that ubiquitous question, “Is that your final answer?” which is asked before revealing whether the contestant is right. We often sing the invitation song “What will your answer be?” God offers his kingdom and his righteousness. One must realize that each time he does not obey the gospel, he has chosen to say “No” to God. Maybe we can encourage you today to obey the gospel as you consider the oft-repeated question in the “Millionaire” show:

Is that your final answer?

By Aaron Erhardt

The World Wrestling Federation (WWF) is the highest rated program on national television. A single episode of “Raw is War,” a two-hour program that airs every Monday night, has a rating of 5.9, attracting 4,537,000 viewers in the first hour, and 4,524,000 viewers in the second hour. The WWF also has other shows that attract large ratings as well!

What is it that makes wrestling so popular? Could it be the cussing? Could it be the immodest clothing? Could it be the total lack of respect for mankind? Yes, all of these sinful activities, as well as others, collide to make the WWF the top-rated program in America. As the owner of the WWF, Vincent McMahon, put it, “The World Wrestling Federation has become the recognized leader in sports-entertainment, attracting half a billion global viewers each week, in addition to enormous live event success.”

The WWF is certainly not suitable entertainment for a Christian to engage in. Let’s look at what the Bible says about the things previously mentioned:

Language: In Ephesians 4:29-30 we read, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” The same point is made in Colossians 3:8 when Paul wrote, “But now ye also put off all these, anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.” The WWF promotes what the Apostle Paul said “to put off!”

Clothing: In 1 Timothy 2:9 we read, “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shame facedness; and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or costly array.” (This concept can apply to both men and women.) The WWF wrestlers wear immodest apparel to say the least, and the women are not dressed any better!

Respect for Fellow Man?: In John 13:34 Jesus said, “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” Now I know that clean wholesome wrestling can be fun, but when men are hung on crosses and women get their clothing ripped off, then respect for the fellow man has been lost!

Professional wrestling has gone from “wholesome entertainment” to “sinful garbage!” In walking by a television that was tuned in to the WWF’s “Raw is War” program, I heard three curse words in about five seconds. I turned toward the television just in time to see one wrestler giving another wrestler an obscene gesture! A camera shot of the crowd showed young children making the same gesture! Those same children were wearing shirts that say AUSTIN 3:16, when they should be at home learning about John 3:16!

I was watching a special on the WWF one evening when the owner, Vincent McMahon, was interviewed. In that interview he openly admitted to making Satanic references and denied that he, or any other wrestler, were role models. I would have to disagree with that comment, and say, “Yes, Mr. McMahon you and your wrestlers are role models, and unfortunately this article cannot change that!”

I need to mention one more of the many sinful things that the WWF encourages, alcoholic drinking! I was saddened to see the most popular of all the wrestlers, Stone Cold Steve Austin, come on national television with a beer in each hand? It is my understanding that Austin drinks this alcohol on a regular basis. My friends, drinking is a sin, and your children must not be taught that it is cool or popular to do so!

I would like to close with this statement found in Philippians 4:8. The Apostle Paul says, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” So, what are your kids watching?