Truth Magazine

By S. Leonard Tyler

I am taking the liberty to pass on to you some of Mr. Henry Halley’s thoughts presented in his Halley’s Bible Handbook (24th Edition, copyrighted 1965, pp. 826-828). His expressions are denominational, being a denominationalist, but, not withstanding, he pushes the group singing, choirs, solos and special selections aside for the beauty, enjoyment and effectiveness of congregational singing. He also suggests that no “long winded preacher” should crowd out congregational singing, while he emphasized the need of purposeful preaching and pulpit appeal but not to the distraction of congregational singing. I may differ somewhat in his proportionate arrangement of the hour: twenty minute prayers: twenty minutes singing and twenty minute sermon but agree with allowing time for all.

Mr. Halley places emphasis upon the need and effectiveness of congregational singing. While differing from him on choirs, solos and special selections in the worship, I heartily agree with him on the need for good congregational singing. It has a divine place as well as a very special purpose in our worship to God. Professionalism is out in singing, preaching, praying and/or any other act of divine worship to Almighty God. It must come from the heart of the worshiper.

The New Testament instructs, “Speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Eph. 5:19). “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Col. 3:16). These texts teach congregational singing. Each one should sing with grace in his heart unto the Lord while teaching and admonishing others. Allow me now to quote from Mr. Halley’s book.

“CONGREGATIONAL SINGING next to Bible teaching is the BEST FEATURE of a religious service, the most effective way to preach the Gospel. A Singing church is always well attended. People love it. A SINGING church and a TEACHING pulpit. “Moses sang, and lead the people in singing. Miriam sang. Deborah and Barak sang. David sang, and wrote the Psalms to be sung. Jesus and the Twelve sang, Paul and Silas sang. The angels sing. In heaven EVERYBODY will sing.”

He also suggests that Luther’s hymns bore his preaching over central Europe and states that singing made the great Welsh revival. Then asks, “Was there ever a revival without it? The very best way now to rejuvenate dead churches would be to sing them into life.” Think of some of the exploiting Evangelists’ campaigns today. How are they winning and holding their audiences? Not by the message of truth of God’s word but rather by the professional exposition of musical entertainment. Mr. Halley may have over evaluated the effectiveness of singing, notwithstanding, he certainly calls our attention to a very important fact. Singing weighs heavily upon the hearts of people. Think of Elvis Presley’s songs, lyrics and lascivious gyrations that turned the whole international musical world upside down and with it the moral standard came tumbling down into the hippy jungle of uncontrollable, emotional passion.

Parents, be not deceived into thinking that the type of songs, lyrics and gyrations your boys and girls see and hear are without lasting effect upon their innocent minds in forming their concepts of life and the type of character they want to become. Singing carries with it a great influence with the quickest results both within and out of the religious world. “Is any merry? Let him sing psalms,” is applicable (James 5:13).

Singing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs is not to take the place of any other act of worship. Singing has a place in the divine plan and should hold and fill that place effectively. We must never think or say, “We just do not have time to sing.” Take time to sing praises to God and to teach and admonish one another. This should not be a task. It should be a love and joy fulfilled.

This is the more reason that selecting the songs should be carefully done. We are going to sing praises to Almighty God. We are going to teach and admonish one another, We are going to sing from our hearts with joy and thanksgiving to worship God acceptably and express unto Him our sincere devotion and praise.

Our attitude should be just as reverent, sincere and consecrated in singing as in any act of worship. It is just as divinely prescribed and its purpose is just as holy and heart searching as any offering given in worship.

Paul said that lie would sing with the spirit and understanding also (1 Cor. 14:15). What is your attitude toward singing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs? Do you love it? Are you glad to join with others in singing praises to God with grace in your heart? Then open both heart and mouth and let the praises ring and the joy of your own heart be expressed in singing, not to please men, but to praise God and teach people.

When is it most important to sing? Any time and every time we sing in worship to God. Sunday morning, night; Wednesday night, during the meeting – whenever we have the opportunity to sing and make melody in our hearts unto the Lord, let’s do it with all our might.

In the words of an old hymn:

“All hail the pow’r of Jesus Name!

Let angels prostrate fall!

They bro’t the royal diadem,

And crowned Him Lord of all!

Let every Kindred, every tribe:

On this terrestrial ball,

To Him all majesty ascribe,

And praise Him! King of all!

O that with yonder sacred throng

We at His feet may fall!

We’ll join the everlasting song,

And praise Him! Judge of all!

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 23, p. 713

By Ron Halbrook

We are reprinting an excellent article entitled “The Third Epistle of Paul to Timothy” by Steve Gibson (1001 E. Adams Blvd., Bartlesville, OK 74003). In the mid-1970s Steve came out of institutionalism but eventually fell back into it. I have loved him much, and love him still. He is a young man with much ability. While at Freed-Hardeman College he decided that our opposition to institutionalism was based on the premise that each practice must be authorized by specific example. I thought he was better taught than that, but have been unable to dissuade him from such claims and his present stance.

Steve is identified with the moderate liberals who are uncomfortable with many things being done and said in the mainstream movement. On 4 November 1984 he spoke on a lectureship in Muskogee, OK on the subject “Anti-ism Is a Tragic Misunderstanding of the New Testament Pattern.” Many of his brethren in the mainstream movement would call Steve’s “Third Epistle” legalism, reactionism, fundamentalism, and . . . yes. . . ANTI-ISM. ” They would turn him over to the one-cup, no-class, no-woman-teacher, no-Bible-college, no-located-preacher, no-literature, no-tuning-fork, and no-meeting house folks who suffer from “A Tragic Misunderstanding of the New Testament Pattern.”

I sincerely commend Steve’s article and commend him for having the courage to write it. The article implies that the Bible is a final and perfect pattern, and that everything not positively authorized by command, example, or implication is sinful. The more he focuses on that principle, the more he will realize that “The Fourth Epistle of Paul to Timothy” is the only authority for church sponsored social meals. the sponsoring church concept with its brotherhood- wide eldership, and donations from the church treasury to orphanages, colleges, and other human institutions. When the archaeologists find this “Fourth Epistle,” be assured we will not insist that authority be given by example only.

The Third Epistle Of Paul To Timothy Steve Gibson

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to Timothy, Associate Youth Minister of the church in Ephesus.

I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went to the Macedonian workshop, that thou mightest share thy dynamic motivational personality with the keen teens. I exhort therefore, that, first of all, candle-light devos be held for all cell groups. Meditate upon new schemes to keep them stirred up and on fire, give thyself wholly to them lest the aged men and women teach them to be sober-minded.

But watch out for them in all things. Do the work of a recreation director, plan a social calendar, entertain at hootenanies, chauffeur to amusement parks, referee ball games, make full proof of thy ministry. For bodily exercise produceth firm believers. These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the field house of God, which is the gymnasium of the church, the backboard and track of progress.

Let no man despise thy youth rallies: but be thou an example of the latest fad, in hugs, in applause, in altar calls, in neo-charismatic spirituality, in cliches. Do thy diligence to schedule Hymeneus and Philetus for next year.

Study to show thyself an intellectual. But progress beyond the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing the rigid traditionalists from whom thou hast learned them. Let the elders that rule be told they have no authority, especially over you.

I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, preach self-image psychology: relate, placate, and motivate with all values clarification and counseling. Use vague speech, that cannot be pinned down, that he that is of the contrary part may took foolish, having no charges that you cannot later deny. These things suggest and resent as all personal opinion so that anyone who disagrees may be ignored.

Hold back the faithful word, which you were taught, that you may be able by new doctrines both to find and fill felt needs. For there are many dynamic speakers and misunderstood thinkers, specially they of the circumcision, whose mouths must be given a wider hearing. A man that is a heretic to older brethren, after the first and second brother hood backlash, take a caravan of children a hundred miles to hear. Lay hands suddenly on anyone who seems visibly successful: keep thyself popular.

O Timothy, keep that which unknowing parents have committed to thy trust, avoiding doctrinal issues and oppositions o f knuckleheads, so-called. (Copied from The Edifier, 16 May 1985, p. 3, published by Church of Christ, 312 Pearl Street, Denton, Texas 76201.)

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 23, p. 710
December 5, 1985

By  Bill Hall

True greatness results from a blend of admirable traits. This truth is stated well by Dr. Andrew Thomson, as quoted in Pulpit Commentary: “There are persons to be met with in social life who, while possessing the more solid qualities of moral excellence, are singularly deficient in the more graceful. They have honesty, but they have no sensibility; they have truth, but they are strangely wanting in tenderness. They are distinguished by ‘whatsoever things are just and pure,’ but not by those things which are ‘lovely and of good report.’ You have the marble column, but you have not the polish or the delicate tracery on its surface; you have the rugged oak, but you miss the jasmine or the honeysuckle creeping gracefully around it from its roots. . . The strong and the amiable may meet and harmonize in the same character. Indeed, they do always meet in the highest forms of moral greatness” (Vol. 4, p. 38).

We see this beautiful blend of traits so clearly in the apostle Paul in his letter to the Philippians. We see the strong and uncompromising character of Paul as he warns, “Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision” (Phil. 3:2); or as he admonishes, “I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord” (Phil. 4:2); or as he writes, “Do all things’without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke. . .” (Phil. 2:14, 15); or as he confidently states, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil. 4:13).

We see beautiful tenderness and graciousness, on the other hand, in his words, “Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown” (Phil. 4:1); and in the words, “Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all” (Phil. 2:17). We see throughout the book an apostle who is warm, loving, caring, concerned. He is grateful for the abundant gift sent by the Philippians and for the recovery of Epaphroditus who had become ill in his mission to deliver their gift. He is joyful in spite of his circumstances and wants the Philippians to rejoice with him in the Lord. What a beautiful blend of the strong and the amiable! What greatness!

Rarely does this blend come naturally. Usually one has a penchant towards either the strong or the amiable, and the other quality must then be acquired. We cannot offer proof, but we suspect that Paul was by nature strong and uncompromising, and that just as he “learned” contentment (Phil. 4:11), so his amiable and gracious qualities were learned, developed through the years, and strengthened through his suffering, his sacrifice for others, his fatherly nurturing of younger men, his sharing so much with so many, his aging and approaching termination of life. It is to be said to Paul’s credit that with his growing amiability, he never lost his staunchness for truth, but became “the admirable blend.”

Some would refer to such a developing blend as softness, but in reality it is a mark of true greatness. Lord, help us to find that proper blend of strength and graciousness, of solidity and tenderness, that we might be like the apostle Paul, but, of greater significance, that we might be like Jesus.

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 23, p. 717
December 5, 1985

By James Bond

The June edition of Contending For The Faith, edited by brother Ira Y. Rice, Jr., discussed the unity meeting conducted in Joplin, Missouri in 1984. 1 am not a regular reader of this magazine edited by brother Rice, and know little about his convictions in regard to these unity meetings. A concerned brother asked me to read this edition. After reading this magazine I was startled at the fact that these two parties were on the bank of becoming one body. I had not been keeping current on the changes the liberal brethren have made, and was amazed at the great distance they have traveled in the last half century. My first response was, “No way can these two groups unite, because of their differences.” But after taking pencil and paper, and enumerating some of the things that the liberal churches of Christ have in common with the Christian Church, regrettably I found very, very few differences. Briefly, I call attention to practices both parties have in common.

(1) Both have the same attitude toward the Scriptures in that they act upon the silence of God’s word. Anything not expressly forbidden is permissible. Christian church preachers defend instrumental music with the “God did not say not to” argument. Liberal brethren use the same argument to defend their unscriptural practices.

(2) Both believe and teach that there is no set pattern in the Scriptures in regard to worship, work, cooperation and fellowship. Both parties believe it’s a matter of judgment.

(3) Both implement the work God enjoined upon the church through human institutions.

(4) Both activate the church universal through a sponsoring church arrangement.

(5) Both engage the church in the following unscriptural works: entertainment, recreation, business, politics, etc.

(6) Both have money raising gimmicks apart from the first day of the week contribution.

(7) Both take up collections on days other than the first day of the week.

(8) Both have special “singers,” apart from the congregation, who sing while the church listens.

(9) Both have youth ministers, directors, youth rallies, etc.

(10) Both have special services on Christmas, Good Friday, etc.

(11) Both have fellowship halls (kitchen).

(12) Both have the attitude of tolerance toward erroneous practices.

(13) Both fellowship denominations on a limited basis.

(14) Both have a better attitude toward denominations than they do toward conservative churches of Christ.

(15) Both are apostate churches in that they have abandoned the faith once revealed unto the saints (Jude 3).

(16) Both believe that instrumental music in worship is simply a matter of judgment.

What Doctrinal Difference Are There To Hinder Them From Uniting?

None. It was said in the magazine that no doctrinal issue was discussed. The truth is “there is none to discuss.” The liberal preachers said on page 10 of the magazine that the instrument was no problem to them, and if this be true there is nothing to keep them apart.

The Warning Of Jesus, Apostles And Sound Men Of Our Era Went Unheeded

Indeed it’s sad to see the condition that exists in liberal churches but these brethren closed their eyes, ears and hearts to the word of God, the only thing that would keep them in the strait and narrow way. The warning of Jesus went unheeded. “Take heed and beware of the leaven of Pharisees and of the Sadducees” (Matt. 16:6). Paul warned, “Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?” (1 Cor. 5:6) Some older preachers that now lament the condition that they are now in were the ones who advocated the “no pattern doctrine” in order to get the colleges, orphan homes and Herald of Truth in the budget of the church. Now they are harvesting the fruits from that digressive seed they planted many years ago. The Bible said, “You will reap what you sow” (Gal. 6:7). 1 can recall sitting at the feet of C.D. Plum, Roy Cogdill, Cecil Willis, Connie Adams, and a host of other sound men who warned them where the road they were !raveling would lead, but the warning went unheeded. Christians must be watchful in all things (1 Cor. 16:13).

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 23, p. 715
December 5, 1985