Truth Magazine

By Ron Halbrook

Promote and Protest “An Appeal to the Stomach”

Woods has been known through the years for opposing church sponsored recreation, but inconsistent with that principle, he has argued that the local church should promote social meals in the name of “fellowship and brotherliness” (Gospel Advocate, 4 Mar. 1976, pp. 149-50). By the same token, why shouldn’t the church provide a fully equipped gymnasium to provide for “fellowship and brotherliness” seven days a week? In 1977 an Arkansas church billed Woods as coming to contrast “the pure gospel” with “apostasy in general,” including “Church Softball Leagues” (G.A., 19 May 1977, p. 315). Can Woods not see that the church has as much reason to induce “fellowship and brotherliness” through softball games and gyms as through social meals?

But as late as 1977, Woods opposed the church honoring Christians for their diligence by giving them a spaghetti supper. “Is it not sad that it takes an appeal to the stomach to induce people to serve Christ, who no longer feel the compulsion of love?” (G.A., 4 Aug. 1977, p. 485). We might ask whether the church must induce people to spiritual “fellowship and brotherliness” by “an appeal to the stomach” or by an appeal to any other carnal desire on any occasion for any reason I Woods is blind to the inconsistency of both permitting and protesting church sponsored social activities. He plants the acorn and protests the growing tree.

In the conversation of 1 March 1980, Woods emphatically claimed that he still believes it is unscriptural for churches to provide from the treasury recreational facilities and programs to the general membership of the church, such as gymnasiums. The church might incidentally supply such things in providing for the needy, he added. All this was confirmed in his 8 April 1981 letter. We reminded him that this was not consistent with his endorsement of Ira North and the Madison, Tennessee church with its elaborate recreational program and million-dollar gym. Woods professed to know nothing about any such program or gym.

Believing that Woods had at least some conviction against church sponsored recreation, many brethren were shocked when he agreed to be Associate Editor with Ira North (1922-84) as Editor of the Gospel Advocate. The new team greeted the world in the 5 January 1978 issue. Woods found it “an unmixed joy” to work with North and pronounced him as completely dedicated to “New Testament Christianity in its purest form” as Woods himself “in every instance” (G.A., 4 Jan. 1979, p. 2). In preparing for Woods to become Editor and North Editor Emeritus, each man recognized a common “love for the truth” in the other with only a difference of style in speaking it (G.A., 19 Nov. 1981, pp. 674-75, 691). Woods’ first editorial appeared in the 7 January 1982 issue.

Did Woods never know of North’s and Madison’s heavy involvement in church sponsored recreation, or has Woods further compromised his convictions and violated his principles? The Madison Marcher of 7 February 1979 announced that Woods would speak every Wednesday evening during March. The next column of print talked about activities in the Family Life Center-the common euphemism for a gym. The next two pages carried a full spread headlined, “Family Life Center-A Great Boon to Madison Young People.” Large photographs show the Norths jogging in the gym, game tables, weight lifting equipment, a devotional, and a basketball game with teenage boys and girls together in shorts-some of the activities going on “seven days and seven nights a week.”

In case Woods did not get the Marcher, I sent him various issues which detailed in announcements and pictures such activities as classes on cardiac pulmonary resuscitation, slimnastics, ceramics, macrame, bowling, basketball, basketball officiating, and jogging. Also included were junior high and golden age banquets, softball teams, parties, dinners, trips, costume contests, and movies such as Walt Disney’s “The Jungle Book.” This recreational craze, ranging from social meals to gyms, has spread by leaps and bounds in recent years. If such obvious and outrageous perversions of the church for which Jesus died can go forward without fearing opposition in the Gospel Advocate, then indeed the cancer of compromise has eaten deeply into the vitals of faith. Guy Woods has been sitting in the editorial chair for five and a half years in Nashville, in the very shadow of a church with one of the most elaborate and outrageous recreational programs in the country, yet has failed to cry out against such idolatry. Indeed, North is pronounced sound “in every instance.”

Compromise Leads to Defeat

In an age of apostasy, the course of compromise and inconsistency is often followed by men who think they are maneuvering into a position to counterbalance and restrain the more radical trends of liberalism. But when they fail to make the applications of truth which their professed principles demand, they simply permit Satan to maneuver them into tolerating more and more error. The churches and human institutions such men attempt to save by posturing and maneuvering slide gradually into deeper apostasy.

Such was the experience of some for-a-while very popular men 100 years ago – J.W. McGarvey (1829-1911), Moses Lard (1818-80), Robert Graham (Ik2-1902), W.H. Hopson (1823-88), I.B. Grubbs (1833-1912), J.B. Briney (1839-19-27), and others. These middle-of-the-roads were blind to their inconsistencies-preaching principles of truth while tolerating, excusing and practicing violations of those principles. Often they took hard blows from men committed 100 percent to apostasy and from men equally committed against it. There is a large group caught up in the web of maneuver, compromise, and inconsistency today-Guy Woods, Ira Rice, Johnny Ramsey, Thomas Warren, Garland Elkins, Clifton Inman, Bill Jackson, Jerry Moffitt, Franklin Camp, Gary Workman, and others. As the apostasy runs off and leaves them, they must posture and maneuver more and more, or else be left in the dust.

To the chagrin of his own friends, Guy Woods yoked himself with Ira North. Now comes another shifting of the ground beneath Woods’ feet. Neil W. Anderson, President and Publisher of the Gospel Advocate Co., has reorganized the paper without consulting Woods at all (G.A., 6 June 1985, p. 323). That means that Woods is out as Editor, but will be allowed to handle the “Question and Answer” page. Woods tells us in advance the views to be stated in that column may not be shared by “others associated with the Gospel Advocate” and fails to say one word commending the new Editor.

F. Furman Kearley began as Editor on 18 July. Who is he? After teaching in several Bible departments in colleges run by the brethren, most recently at Abilene Christian University, he moved to the small west Texas town of Monahans to preach. During a unity meeting of Christian Church preachers and our liberal brethren at Joplin, Missouri (7-9 Aug. 1984), Kearley made the following comments along with the ultra-liberal Wayne Kilpatrick of Birmingham, Alabama:

FURMAN KEARLEY: This is an aspect of the isolation, is, a lack of knowledge of our histories. If we could start in our congregations doing some more study of the Restoration history outside of our own branch and looking at the distinctions between the conservative, instrumental and the Christian Church.

WAYNE KILPATRICK: I wonder, too, if bringing Christian Church preachers into our class like this might not be a good thing. Let them come in and tell their history in a class situation.

FURMAN KEARLEY: Yes, that’s right.

WAYNE KILPATRICK: I think you can ease from the class to the pulpit.

FURMAN KEARLEY: Right, and you can get by with. . .

WAYNE KILPATARICK: . . . the class . . .

FURMAN KEARLEY: . . . telling history . . .

WAYNE KILPATRICK: Yeah.

FURMAN KEARLEY: . . . whereas if they’re telling doctrine . . . (chuckle)

WAYNE KILPATRICK: And while they’re telling history let them tell about doctrine . . .

FURMAN KEARLEY: Yeah.

WAYNE KILPATRICK: . . . to make us know that, “Hey we believe alike on so much of this.” So that may be a beginning point – through the classroom. (Transcribed from a tape and published in Ira Rice’s Contending for the Faith, June 1985, p. 4.)

Woods spoke out strongly against the Joplin unity meeting precisely because it largely represented the sentiments of men such as Kearley and Kilpatrick (G.A., 4 Oct. 1984, pp. 578-80). Now Woods finds himself in the harness with Kearley, trying to hold on to a forum where he can speak. Once again he puts his convictions in a nutcracker-how much must he swallow and excuse, how much can he afford to say without risking another demotion?

To Overcome: Remember and Resolve

Yes, brethren, we live during a period of history that is full of lessons which reflect and underscore the truth of the Bible. Remember Israel’s profession of respect for God’s authority in the praise offered on the shore of the Red Sea, in the promise before Moses at Sinai, and in the response to Joshua. Remember Saul’s profession of loyalty to the truth and his blindness to compromise and inconsistency. Remember the stinging indictment by the Holy Spirit, “Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself” Remember Campbell’s unwitting regression from the high ground, “In their church capacity alone they moved. ” We cannot forget classic statements of fundamental truths made by McGarvey and Lard, nor forget the error they were practicing when they made those fine statements.

Let us remember the grand principles so eloquently enunciated by brother Woods. his caution of the ruinous effects of “the tendency toward institutionalism;” his warning against the pseudo-logic of “those who affect to see grave danger in Missionary Societies, but scruple not to form a similar organization for the purpose of caring for orphans and teaching young men to be gospel preachers;” his reminder that the local church is all-sufficient without “boards and conclaves unknown to the New Testament”; and his protest of “an appeal to the stomach to induce people to serve Christ.” But with sadness, remember too his inconsistency in defending church sponsored institutionalism and social gatherings, and how his blindness to compromise yoked him with Brewer, then North, and now Kearley.

Let there be no bitterness, rancor, or self-righteous arrogance as we meditate upon these lessons, but a sense of tragedy of it all and of our own frailty and proneness to err from the principles we profess. At the same time, there ought to be a sense of righteous indignation in us when men preach the truth but refuse to apply and practice it. The principles are right if we can put our finger on the verse. But that is not enough. Let us resolve to correct our course when we fall into practices which are inconsistent with the truth, rather than changing our principles or closing our eyes to the violation. Let us constantly and prayerfully review both our faith and our practice, with a determination to do what is right no matter what the costs or consequences may be. “Considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Gal. 6: 1).

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 20, pp. 618-619
October 17, 1985

By Irven Lee

“But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). This is a part of a conversation the Christ had with His apostles just before He ascended to the heavenly throne. You and I are not about to receive miraculous power to bind on earth that which is bound in heaven. Neither are we witnesses of the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension that others might establish their faith on our direct knowledge of these great events. We could, in our feeble way, profit by considering the Master’s order of evangelizing: Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost part of the earth.

The beginning place for the preaching the full gospel was Jerusalem (Lk. 24:47). This was a matter of prophecy (Isa. 2:1-3; Mic. 4:1,2). From this beginning place the gospel was to spread to every creature in all the world (Mk. 16:15). Jerusalem was in the province of Judea, and Samaria was an adjacent province. Saints from Jerusalem might be expected soon to preach the word in Judea and Samaria. Later Paul preached at Ephesus, and the word spread to the Roman province of Asia around Ephesus (Acts 19: 10; Col. 1:7; 4:12). Planting the truth at Thessalonica. led to the sounding out of the word in Macedonia and Achaia and to regions beyond (1 Thess. 1:8).

It would be wonderful if each church today could see that the territory surrounding it (its Judea and Samaria) could hear the word. Philippi helped in the preaching of the word at Thessalonica and Corinth (Phil. 4:15,16; 2 Cor. 11:8). Is this not the Lord’s will-for every place? The seed of the kingdom is planted in one place that the resulting church might plant the church in the area around it and beyond. Even in the field of nature a seed that falls on the ground is designed to produce a plant that will provide seed for the area around it. That is the way the ground is covered. That is the way the gospel should cover the earth in every generation.

It is scriptural and important to send men to distant places with the gospel, but at the same time we should be able to evangelize the home county and adjacent counties. The Lord’s pattern for the early church included Judea and Samaria as well as the uttermost part of the earth. Is the church where you meet neglecting its responsibility in this regard?

It is easy to see that starting a new church within a neighboring community may be less difficult than it would be to send some one into a distant area to start from the “ground up.” A few might go to the new work in “Judea” or “Samaria”and the home church still carry on somewhat as before. In fact, the challenge of seeing the will of the Lord carried out can strengthen the church that encourages this special effort. The few that left may soon be replaced by new faces at the church which is made more zealous by the worthy activity.

We are not suggesting starting “missions” under the control of the “mother church.” We are suggesting starting independent churches through the preaching of the pure gospel in another community. The Bible says nothing about little churches being under the control of the older church. There is an abundance of Scripture that encourages the preaching of the word in other communities. When the truth is faithfully preached this leads to the obedience of some. When they are saved they become members of the church, and they will need to continue “steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:36-47). Churches spread over an area as the gospel is faithfully preached publicly and privately.

The new work may develop new skills in leadership and more zeal for some. It is a challenge to find song leaders, teachers, and preachers for another church. The need will be there, and the need encourages a pleasant response. Each servant is to turn his five talents into ten, or his two talents into four. It is a shame for one to bury his talent. In reaching out in the work new abilities are discovered and developed. Good preachers and other good workers are born in such efforts.

Sometimes a new work gathers in trouble makers who seek to dominate the work. Factious people are to be marked, avoided, and rejected (Rom. 16:17, 18; Tit. 3:10, 11). The older church may have strengthened itself to handle such problems while the few at the new place find it hard to deal with such at first. Satan evidently likes to attack where the defenses against him have not been put in place. Beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing while you continue to search eagerly for worthy laborers.

Do not despise the day of small things. Patience is needed in planting and watering where time and past effort have not already established a strong church. Rome was not built in a day, we are told. Many of the strong churches today began small and grew slowly. Those who first struggled had much to do with the good work that is being done today. Do not be ashamed or afraid to start small and persevere.

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 20, p. 617
October 17, 1985

By Bill Hall

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Phil. 4:6).

If there were ever a people whose hearts should be overflowing with thanksgiving it is the people of God in 1985. Have there ever been people so richly blessed?

We have our God, whose “eyes are over the righteous and whose ears are open to their prayers.” We have our Lord, who died for us, through whom we have forgiveness, salvation, and access to God’s throne. We have truth, revealed by the Holy Spirit through the inspired apostles and prophets of the first century. We have our Bibles, the complete truth in written form, written not on cumbersome, handwritten scrolls, but in clearly printed, compact books which even the poorest can afford. We enjoy the benefits that have come from great characters of recent generations, whose faithfulness has contributed heavily to our understanding of truth. We are a part of God’s family, made up of all the saints of all ages, with whom we sit in the heavenly places in Christ. We have brothers and sisters in Christ of the present age, who, though yet in the imperfect state, will come to our aid at any hour of the day or night, and without whose encouragement we would hardly be able to maintain our faith and service to God. We have material blessings, in varying degrees of abundance to be sure, but in sufficient abundance to supply the needs of all. We have hope, that which “anchors the soul,” hope of happiness beyond imagination for eternity. Never should a grumbling word pass through the lips of people so blessed.

But all are not grateful. There is a tendency among us to take our blessings for granted. Have we not seen within the same audience some visibly weeping at the story of the cross while others were sleeping throughout? Do we not see some treasuring the word of God, reading it and “hiding it in their hearts,” while others are virtually ignoring it? Do we not see some who find so much joy in their salvation that they are excitedly telling others of the Christ, hoping that they, too, will find that same joy, while others are assuming that their friends will be as bored with it all as they are? Do we not know people who can trace their “Christian heritage” back to the third, fourth, or fifth generation, but who are themselves lukewarm, indifferent, and ungrateful? Blessed beyond comprehension, but ungrateful! In fact, the sad truth is: the more we receive, the less thankful many of us tend to be!

It is not mere words that the Lord desires. We can say “Thank you” an hundred times a day without being truly grateful. The Lord wants us to count our blessings, to realize how truly rich we are, and, with our knees bowed in His presence and our hearts filled with gratitude for all He has done, to say, “Thank you, God”; then to go out to conduct ourselves as people who are genuinely thankful.

But, even then, our noblest of praise and thanksgiving will fall far short of what His goodness and mercy deserve. But one day we shall see our God and our Lord Jesus Christ, and in the fullest sense we shall comprehend His matchless grace, and then, and only then, shall we thank Him as we ought. But, till then, we must continue to offer our imperfect expressions of thanksgiving and strive for greater appreciation for what we have in Christ. Have you said, “Thank you, God,” today?

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 20, p. 616
October 17, 1985

By Larry R. DeVore

While a youth, more years ago than I care to enumerate, I was traveling with my parents, returning from a visit to my grandparents. While traveling, I became ill and lost consciousness. My parents rushed me to the hospital, disregarding the speed limit. I soon recovered from the illness.

I am using this story to illustrate the point that a law, in this case the speed limit, was set aside for the emergency. My parents felt justified in ignoring the speed limit to get me to the hospital as quickly as possible. No doubt, if they had encountered a police officer, he would have escorted us to the hospital. I think we recognize that these are manmade laws (and designed for our good) that can be temporarily set aside because of emergencies.

The concept that I would like us to consider is whether this has application to spiritual matters. Can we set aside scriptural principles and ways of doing things if an emergency, or something we consider an emergency arises in the church?

For example, in the story at the beginning of the article, suppose my parents had been en route to worship services. The emergency would have been just as real and immediate. I Timothy 5:8 requires that a Christian “provide for his own” which would include medical care. So the admonition in Hebrews 10:25 would have to be temporarily set aside to meet the emergency.

But sometimes situations arise in the church that brethren treat as emergencies that do not fit the definition. The dictionary defines an emergency as “an unexpected situation or sudden occurrence of a serious and urgent nature that demands immediate action.”

Informed brethren are aware that our institutional brethren have been going “Full Speed Ahead” for many years, ignoring God’s laws and Bible principles both in matters pertaining to the local congregation and brotherhood wide. This has been shown to be too obviously true to need more documentation at this point.

But conservative brethren need to heed biblical principles. We are not immune to the “emergency” syndrome. I heard of a church that had planned and arranged a gospel meeting two years ahead of time, and when the meeting was underway, decided the church was short of funds to pay the preacher. Now there are several ways such a situation could be handled, such as borrowing money from a bank, or arranging to pay the preacher later. But in this case, it was handled by taking up a collection in the middle of the week. No, the baskets were not passed to the assembled congregation. Instead, the word was passed around, and brethren were expected to dig into their pockets then and there to come up with the funds to pay the preacher.

Perhaps this was not a true collection in the formal sense as we usually consider it, but I Corinthians 16:1-2 was set aside. It was definitely not on the first day of the week. Also, not every member was informed, so that “every one” could lay by in store. The point is, there is no way the mid-week collection could be made scriptural. Does a gospel meeting scheduled two years ahead of time constitute an “emergency”? I hardly think so. One preacher told me that the church could receive funds any day of the week (i.e., interest posted to a savings account), but could only take up a collection on the first day of the week. The case described above doesn’t seem to fit either way.

The above story could be altered and multiplied. Can we claim an “emergency” and collect funds in a different way or time than the New Testament teaches? Can we withdraw from a brother who is a false teacher without following the scriptural steps because it is an “emergency”? Can we set aside God’s laws on benevolence because an “emergency” exists somewhere in the brotherhood? Could our poor singing constitute an “emergency” and so could we bring in an organ to help us until we can sing better?

Brethren, we need to study and think before we go “Full Speed Ahead” (Col. 3:16-17; 1 Pet. 4:11).

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 20, p. 623
October 17, 1985