Truth Magazine

By Kerry W. Gateley

Physicians are often called upon to deal with a large variety of patient problems which are P not directly caused by physical disorders, but nonetheless contribute to the overall illness of the patient. Not the least of these problems is difficulty resulting from sexual attitudes and perceptions, which may be manifested in bodily complaints or even overt disease. To gain competence in managing these situations, it behooves the physician to become informed in the area of sexual function and dysfunction. I think the information I have gathered in my study of this subject may be of interest to preachers and other Bible students. The source of my data is a book published by the American Medical Association entitled Sexual Problems in Medical Practice (Lief, Harold I., Ed., AMA, Chicago, IL, 1981) and the page numbers cited herein are from that work.

Fornication

As mentioned earlier, the physician needs to possess the knowledge to deal with sexual problems presented to him; if this is true for the physician it is many times more important for the Christian, who, as a servant of the Great Physician, deals in spiritual disease that, if left unchecked, kills the soul. One such ailment is referred to in the book cited as “premarital sex,” “premarital intercourse,” and other such euphemisms; of course, this is known simply as “fornication” in the Bible.

Alfred Kinsey was a pioneer in the study of human sexual behavior; his research revealed a rise in the incidence of premarital relations beginning in the 1920’s, with a slow increase across subsequent decades. Later studies have indicated a sharp shift toward earlier sexual experience occurring in the late ’60’s and early ’70’s (p. 54). Of the adult population, 2007o “accepted” premarital intercourse in 1963, 50% in 1970, and 70% in 1975 (p. 62). Data collected in 1979 revealed that two-thirds of all white women were non-virgins by age nineteen. Other studies have documented that “the great majority of men are non-virgins by their late teens” (p. 54). The widespread acceptance of fornication is beginning to give rise to an interesting phenomenon:

Some subcultures still prize virginity highly; young people in these subcultures who want to remain virgins may feel intense conflict over maintaining a standard no longer adhered to by those outside their subculture. On the other hand, as permissive attitudes become more widespread, shame or anxiety over not losing one’s virginity may increase. Young people may feel ashamed or abnormal if they have not experienced coitus by late adolescence (p. 56).

(I might parenthetically note that by this statement Christians constitute a “subculture” in today’s society.)

Of course, fornication isn’t the prerogative only of the young:

. . . the trend toward non-marital sexuality, although most visible among the young, has apparently increased in all age groups. A sizable proportion of adults in their middle years live outside marriage, at least for a while, after divorce or a spouse’s death. They participate in non-marital sexuality as do their children, and fewer conceal behavior that years ago they might well have carried out surreptitiously. Many people over 65 also cohabit, some to avoid losing Social Security and other pension benefits, but others simply because they can accept sexuality outside marriage (p. 56).

This “liberation” of sexual attitudes has exacted a great cost in misery. In 1976 about 780,000 teenage premarital pregnancies occurred. Roughly 530,000 of these terminated in either abortion or miscarriage; of course, the remaining pregnancies resulted in 230,000 illegitimate children. Some 320,000 additional teenage pregnancies involved girls who married before or after birth occurred (p. 58), but studies have indicated that half of these marriages will end in divorce (p. 57). Of course, teenage parents are often forced by the demands of marriage and parenting to drop out of school. Consequently, many lack the qualifications for stable employment, and must depend either on their parents or public welfare for their livelihood (p. 58).

A discussion of the price paid for the “sexual revolution” would be incomplete without mention of the sexually transmitted diseases (formerly known as venereal diseases, or “VD’s”), Gonorrhea is one of our country’s most prevalent infectious diseases. In the three years up to 1981, one million cases of gonorrhea were reported annually the actual number of those infected is probably closer to two million annually. Nearly 90% of these cases occur in the 15-30 year age group. The disease is more severe in females, who suffer 90% of the complications and accrue 85% of the costs attributed to gonorrhea (p. 309). Ten to 20% of women with gonorrhea will develop pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). As the name implies, PID is a generalized inflamation of the pelvic organs; it is the most common cause of sterility among women and a major cause of pelvic surgery and abnormally placed pregnancies (p. 314). Other diseases, such as genital herpes with its well known painful, recurring genital blisters, are also a growing fraction of our payment for “sexual freedom.” Promiscuity can only give rise to further spread of these diseases; certain strains of gonorrhea are already becoming insensitive to penicillin, an almost inevitable result of the widespread use of this antibiotic to control the disease.

As disheartening as the obvious physical consequences of this sin are, what about the unseen spiritual carnage? We cannot be mistaken here: Although the attitude of our society toward “premarital intercourse” may have changed considerably, the attitude of the Word of God toward “fornication” has changed not at all. Paul says that the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord (1 Cor. 6:13). Fornication is one of the deeds that Paul told the Ephesians was not once to be named among them, “as becometh saints” (Eph. 5:3). The Thessalonians were told that abstinence from fornication was the will of God, and part of their sanctification (1 Thess. 4:3). The act is a work of the flesh, and as such will prevent inheritance of the kingdom of God (Gal. 5:19-21). Society’s vacillating morals are based on the shifting sand of public opinion, but ours must continue to be based on the Rock of the Word!

What direction, then, shall we take? Naturally, we must continue to denounce this sin in preaching and teaching. Beyond this, the home must assume a major responsibility. It is not enough to try to blame the problem on things beyond our control-for example the availability of oral contraceptives. A 1976 study (16 years after the “pill” became available) showed that most sexually active teenagers had never used oral contraceptives “regularly, if at all” (p. 55). In a study of pregnant adolescents and their parents, it was discovered that, parents were often taken by surprise when their teenager became pregnant, even though those parents were usually aware that most of the adolescents in their neighborhood were sexually active (p. 56). These parents were “genuinely shocked” at their daughters’ pregnancies even though they were aware of the immoral influence surrounding their children. Indeed, as our society’s mores have changed, the lax attitude toward premarital sex has become pervasive. Perhaps the parents who were “genuinely shocked” in the aforementioned study failed to listen to what their children were listening to on their stereos, and neglected to view what their children were viewing on their televisions. The wise man said, as a man thinks in his heart, that is what he is (Prov. 23:4). If a person’s thoughts are constantly directed toward sexual immorality, whether by television or movies or whatever, what will that person become? Jesus said a good man brings forth that which is good from the good treasures of his heart, the evil man evil things from the evil treasure of his heart (Lk. 6:45). If the treasure of the mind is continually filled with ideas of lust, licentiousness, and sexual permissiveness, what will inevitably proceed from that mind?

What can be done? Parents, as a young man I urge you to be aware of the nature of the treasure that televisions, radios, magazines, books, and friends are trying to store in the hearts of your children. I suggest that you make sure their hearts are filled with these instead: whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and gracious; things of excellence, and things worthy of praise (Phil. 4:8). See to it that the attitude in your home is one of “thinking on these things,” and not on the turpitude of the world. Most of an, make certain that your children know what the Scriptures say on these things!

Adultery

This work of the flesh is also known as an “extramarital sexual relationship.” Somewhat less research has been done in the realm than in that of premarital sex. Kinsey (mentioned earlier) reported that about half of all married men and one-fourth of married women had engaged in extramarital sex at least once by age 40. More recent data indicated this rate to be steady among men but rising in women (a Redbook study indicated that among women born in the 1930’s, 40% had had extramarital intercourse) (p. 62).

Although attitudes concerning adultery have altered less rapidly than those involving fornication, they are changing nonetheless:

. . . A minority view of intimacy, but a growing one, is the diffuse and partial one. According to this view, one person cannot satisfy all of another’s needs for intimacy, and there is room in one’s live for several (perhaps almost equally important) sources of support, friendship and sharing on an emotional if not also on a physical level . . .. Some marriage counselors agree that the diffuse view of intimacy is more realistic and that the total view (i.e., keeping to one mate for life-KWG) expects too much from a mate, thereby inviting resentment and disillusionment (p. 63).

Much of what has already been written about fornication applies equally well to adultery; God’s condemnation of it has not changed, even though we are witnessing the “glorification” of adultery in the entertainment media, where it is accepted and ultimately expected. Once again, if we allow our minds to be filled with this treasure of death, we cannot but anticipate the results. Jesus said if we harbor that illicit lust in our hearts, we are already adulterers (Mt. 5:28). With the lascivious attitude prominently displayed by many in our society we must take special care to “guard our hearts with all diligence, for out of it are the springs of fife” (Prov. 4:23). The person who dishonors the God-given institution of marriage by an “extramarital sexual relationship” in thought or in deed renounces his inheritance in the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9-10) and draws upon himself the judgment of God (Heb. 13:4). To a man who loves his wife “even as Christ also loved the Church, and gave Himself for it” (Eph. 5:25), the concept of turning one’s desires to another woman should be as repugnant as the thought of Christ denying His Bride; to a woman who is submitted unto her husband “even as unto the Lord” (Eph. 5:22-24), the idea of submitting herself to another man should be as repulsive as the notion of the Church in rebellion to Christ. Such unfaithfulness we can never imagine!

Homosexuality

While premarital sex and to a less extent extramarital “affairs” have insidiously, gradually become widely accepted, the recent vociferous demands of the “homosexual community” for approval of their “alternate lifestyle” have with alacrity been thrust upon us. As always, it hasn’t taken too long for their position to begin gathering general acceptance with the public. In 1974 the American Psychiatric Association voted to remove homosexuality from its classification of mental illnesses (p. 78). (Healed by the almighty Ballot Box1) As in other areas that the Bible calls “sin,” proposals have been put forth suggesting that homosexuality is a result of “aberrant fetal biology,” thus attempting to diminish or abolish the role of choice in the state of the homosexual (p. 71).

Approximately 3 to 6% of American adult males are predominantly or exclusively homosexual, while 1 to 3 % of adult females are believed to be so. This translates to anywhere from six to eight million people in the United States today (p. 78). Further, perhaps as many as 33016 of all people will have had some kind of homosexual activity in their lives (p. 71).

In the face of growing public acceptance, “genetic” theories, and militant “gays,” what can we say? What the Bible has always said-homosexuality is sin. In I Corinthians 6:9-10, we read that homosexuals have no part in the kingdom of God. The familiar passage in Romans 1: 18-32 describes the awful state of the homosexual among those rebellious to God. It is certainly hard to conceive of the depths to which the noble human being, made after the likeness of God, can sink! Yet it is true that the further man drifts from God, the more like the animals does he become. As the brightness faded from Moses’ face after his return from the presence of God on Mt. Sinai, so does the glorious light of God’s image wane on the souls of men who turn their faces from God! One study revealed that one-half of white and one-third of black homosexual males reported having had at least five hundred different sexual partners; another one-third and one-fourth, respectively, reported between 100 and 500 partners. Among the white homosexuals in this study, 79% said that more than half of their partners were strangers and 70% said they had sex only once with more than half their partners (the figures among black males were 51016 and 38%, respectively) (p.77). The mind is boggled at such gross depravity, yet the author goes on to say:

The fact that a predominant number of homosexuals (males, essentially) have numerous, and frequently changing, sexual partners who are strangers may or may not be indicative of pathology. There are not exactly comparable data for heterosexuals, but whatever data do exist indicate that heterosexual partner number and frequency of change are typically a fraction of that of many or most homosexuals. It is easy to make value judgments (as distinct from psychiatric judgments) about having so many casual partners, but such judgments may have little basis other than moral prejudice or even envy (p. 78).

No, Christian, envy should be the last emotion we feel for the homosexual, the adulterer, or the fornicator, even though envy of them seems precisely what our society wants to promulgate within us. Even though the preaching of the Word may be “out of season” in our present age, we must preach it and live it nonetheless! As a young man, the experiences and impressions of my youth are still fresh in my memory, and thus with conviction I can exhort: Parents, teachers, and preachers, do not assume that the sins that have been discussed are remote from you and your children, or that it is impossible for those of your family or congregation to become entangled therein. A mountain is worn to a plain by the constant, gentle touch of the rain; even the strongest faith may be weakened to breaking by the unrelenting and subtle assault of the evil influences around us, if they are allowed to progress unopposed. As it is written, “Let him who thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12).

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 13, pp. 386, 404-405
July 4, 1985

By Robert F. Turner

Ask your Bible class to explain briefly “The Plan we of Salvation,” and many will be content to say, “Faith, Repentance, Confession, and Baptism” or the like. I could tell you flatly that is not a complete answer, and leave you in shock; or we can study our subject and the place of faith, repentance, confession, and baptism in that plan, and perhaps all will gain a better perspective of important material.

The commands, faith, repentance, confession, and baptism, are not found as a stated unit in the Scriptures, as most of you know. For that matter, the expression “plan of salvation” is not found in the New Testament. The demoniac woman of Philippi said of Paul and his company, “These men . . . show unto us the way of salvation,” (Acts 16:17) although I know of no one who would insist she referred to faith, repentance, confession, and baptism. The gospel is called “the power of God unto salvation,” (Rom. 1:16) and the word of truth is the “gospel of your salvation” (Eph. 1:13); but responsible exegetes realize there is far more under consideration here than faith, repentance, confession, and baptism. Please note, “more . . . than,” for we are not pitting “The Man” against “The Plan,” nor do we accept the fallacious argument that “gospel” is limited to the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. We seek means of impressing you with basic elements in God’s plan for man’s salvation which will be missed if we limit ourselves to thinking faith, repentance, confession, and baptism every time we hear “plan of salvation.”

We can not know God’s full purpose in creating man, but Scriptures indicate there was a “plan” for innocent obedient creatures. Paul told the Athenians God made man to “seek the Lord . . . feel after him, and find him” (Acts 17:24-27). From the Roman letter we learn all men are expected to “glorify” God and “be thankful” (1:21). Such praise, honor, and “glory” could not come from brute beasts nor from men who were but puppets without a will of their own. God’s plans for man necessitated moral creatures with the power of choice — and that is exactly how man was made. God gave man something of Himself, for he made him “in the image of God”: capable of forming purposes, and directing thoughts and actions to attain these ends. Man can say “Yes” or “No” to his Maker — something many theologians find impossible to swallow. But what seems a divine limitation is in reality God’s plan to attain eternal purposes. Obviously, man can not say “No” with impunity. The absolute sovereignty of God is vindicated in final judgment.

Did God know man would sin? Yes, He did, although we remind the reader that foreknowledge is not the same as foreordination. God knew man would sin, but this does not make God responsible for sin. On the contrary, at great cost His plan for man’s redemption from sin before man was created. Ephesians 1:4 tells us we were chosen “in him (Christ) before the foundation of the world.” This is the “eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Eph. 3:1). God “saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began” (2 Tim.1:9). Careful study of the above will greatly assist us in understanding “grace,” as well as God’s plan for our salvation, for they are inseparable.

God acts in keeping with His nature. Being a just God, “the soul that sinneth, it must die.” But God is also merciful, and “full of grace and truth.” Paul says sinners are “justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 3:24); i.e., in Christ’s death on behalf of sinners (v. 25; 5:8-9). Look at it carefully! We are justified (freed of guilt, forgiven) by grace (God’s benevolent disposition toward man), through redemption (a buying back process); namely, Christ’s blood (His life, given in our stead). I sinned, therefore I should die. But God gave His Son to die in my stead: “that he might be just” (consistent with His justice) “and the justifier” (merciful, consistent with His grace), of those who believe (put their trust in Him).

Here is God’s plan for man. Having made him a self-determining, free moral agent, God intended man, of his own free will, to love and praise his Creator. Failure on man’s part condemned man to eternal separation from God. But there is God’s plan for man’s salvation. He freely gave of Himself (His Son) to die in man’s stead (Isa. 53) and promised to forgive all who would, of their own free will, put their trust in Christ. The means of salvation is Christ; the operation of salvation is forgiveness; and the condition for salvation is faith – complete loving, obedient trust. Forgiveness at the point of obedient faith is not a denial of grace; it is wholly consistent with God’s purpose in making these free moral agents.

The woman soothsayer of Philippi said the Philippians had been shown “the way of salvation” (Acts 16:17). Judging by what follows, she must have referred to Christ. We can know that when the Philippian jailer asked what he “must do to be saved,” he was told to “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ” (vv. 30f). This is no “faith only” passage, as the context clearly shows, but emphasis is given to faith in Christ as a basis for all that followed. Repentance, confession, and baptism are the results of a proper trust in the Savior who died for us. They are embodied in the condition (faith) as stated in Romans. The same principle is observed in all New Testament sermons.

On Pentecost, Peter preached the resurrected, glorified and enthroned Christ. Then, when believers asked what to do, they were told to repent and be baptized. Note the emphasis in Acts 3. In Acts 8 Phillip preached Christ as ruler (kingdom) and means (name) to lead Samaritans to baptism (vv. 5,12). To the Eunuch, he began with Isaiah 53 and preached Jesus (Acts 8:35f). An explanation of Isaiah 53 is a most appropriate way to preach Christ today and to lead people to want to obey Him in baptism.

Walter Scott is credited with having “organized” what many call the “Plan of Salvation” about 150 years ago. (His “order” was faith, repentance, baptism, remission of sins, gift of Holy Spirit — five items he counted on his fingers.) Scott knew that Christ was our Savior, but he assumed common ground with his hearers and moved from that to fight “faith only” and “experience of grace” advocates. T.W. Brents in his great book The Gospel Plan of Salvation, said Christ was “the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world” (Intro.); and “the elect one . . . on whom others believe to their salvation” (p. 17). Then he stated his immediate purpose: “We are more concerned in examining the election of men . . .” And our emphasis, for the past 150 years, has been on just this. But while we were telling people what to do, we have to some extent slighted the gift of God that gives meaning to that obedient faith. This ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. To truly appreciate and have others to appreciate the glorious gospel of Christ, we must resolve to preach a balanced “Plan of Salvation.”

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 13, pp. 390, 407
July 4, 1985

By Mike Willis

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and Perfect, will of God (Rom. 12:12).

In every age, the Christian is tempted to be conformed to the world in which he lives. By the word “world,” Paul refers to that mass of thoughts, pursuits, interests, styles, goals, etc., which characterize men at any particular period of time. There is the ever present danger that the Christian will allow the world’s standards to become his own.

Our world is characterized by significant dangers. A number of Christian beliefs are openly attacked by the worldly philosophies of this present age. Humanism, with its rejection of God, denies the moral standards of the Bible. Many who have no direct attachment to atheistic humanism have accepted the ethical codes of that movement. The ethical standard of atheism says that man should not withhold from himself any temporal pleasure in the hope of obtaining some future reward beyond the grave; atheism denies any afterlife and therefore has nothing to offer beyond the grave. Consequently, if fornication gives a man and woman pleasure, they should indulge themselves; if drinking a six-pack of beer with friends is enjoyable, get together and enjoy yourselves; if watching a sex movie turns you on, you should be free to watch that movie.

Our generation has accepted these moral standards which have been formally stated in the Humanist Manifestos I and II, and have been popularized in the pornographic magazines, such as Playboy. The general attitude of the young men in our age is that if a person has the opportunity to commit fornication and does not take advantage of it, he is a fool.

Bible Morality Must Be Preached

As the world around us has accepted more liberal moral standards, some of us preachers have been so reserved in our preaching that we do not like to deal specifically with the issues confronting our young people. While none of us wants a sermon which is so explicit in its depiction of fornication and immodesty that it is pornographic itself, we cannot leave any doubt about what forms of sin we are fighting.

The Bible has somewhat to say about fornication and adultery (1 Cor. 6:12-20; Gal. 5:19; 1 Thess. 4:3-7). If there was ever a generation which needed to hear what the Bible says about these subjects, it is this generation.

The Bible has somewhat to say about the evils of strong drink. Drunkenness, revelry, and social drinking are specifically forbidden (Gal. 5: 19-21; 1 Pet. 4:3). Godly people are warned about the dangers of intoxicating beverages (Prov. 20:1; 23:29-35). Our beer-drinking, social-drinking society needs to hear what the Bible says about this subject. We dare not leave the fight against drunkenness to the Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

The Bible has somewhat to say about the dangers of “looking on a woman to lust after her” (Mt. 5:28; Prov. 6:23; Job 31:1). Salacious literature is available in most minute markets in the local neighborhood; R- and X-rated movies are piped into many homes by network and cable television; the beaches are filled with men and women in near nudity. Our pornography plagued and lascivious society needs to hear what God has spoken on this subject.

The Bible has somewhat to say about “lascivious” behavior (Gal. 5:19). The word “lascivious,” from aselgia means “unbridled lust, excess, licentiousness, wantonness, outrageousness, shamelessness, insolence . . . wanton (acts or) manners, as filthy words, indecent bodily movement, unchaste handling of males and females” (Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, pp. 79-80). The word covers a whole multitude of sins generally accepted in our society. “Unbridled lust” is depicted in the bedroom scenes on television and in the movies repeatedly. “Filthy words” are the tools of trade of almost every comedian and are part of the standard vocabulary of most Americans old enough to be able to speak. Better words to describe the modern dance could not be imagined than “indecent bodily movements.” “Shamelessness.” is certainly the characteristic of a society which has lost its ability to blush (Jer. 6:15; 8:12). It is manifested in our society by television talk show hosts who discuss any private matter before millions of people, by men and women who go to public beaches with nearly nothing on, by those who openly say, “I’m gay,” and any other number of brazen admissions of immorality. The Bible has somewhat to say about lasciviousness, and we preachers need to be proclaiming what it has to say.

What the Bible has to say on these subjects needs to be preached openly and without apology. These are not subjects to be withheld from the general public and taught in the privacy of some classroom in a local congregation! They need to be preached in the pulpits on Sunday morning, on the radio and television, in bulletins and magazines, and in any other forum we have opportunity to use.

How Are We Doing In This Fight?

Only God knows for sure. However, there are some signs which point to the fact that far too many of us are being “conformed to this world” rather than having our minds “renewed” by the teaching of the Bible.

Christians go to the neighborhood swimming pool and beaches in the same kind of attire as the rest of the world. I hear stories of elders having pool parties in their homes where members of the church are invited over and mixed swimming occurs. I hear of Christians allowing their Christian children to attend modern dances, such as the prom. Unfortunately, involvement in these activities is not limited to weak, recently concerted members; weak Christians who have been appointed as elders and deacons are now involved. There is no way to know how many Christians are involved in watching the pornography of R- and X-rated movies coming into the home through cable television. Christians justify social drinking and beer parties on the basis that “my boss expects it of me.”

The impact of worldliness on the church is not limited to the occasion when one of the pretty young girls in the congregation comes forward confessing, “I have not been living as a Christian should,” gets married within a few days, and has a baby six months after her wedding. The worldliness was there when she attended the dance, spent long hours petting while parked at the drive-in theater or isolated road, went to the public pool in her skimpy swimsuit and watched the bed-romping scenes on television or at the movies. This worldliness has spread like a gangrene among us and it is past time that we should be alarmed by it.

The fornication has got to stop! The drinking has got to stop! Dressing immodestly has got to stop I Reading and/or watching pornography has got to stop I Going to the public beaches and mixed swimming has got to stop! Attending the prom and other dances has got to stop! A Christian cannot expect to go to heaven while continuing his practice of these things.

Conclusion

If we truly love those involved in these kinds of sin, we will do what we can to call them to repentance. Their soul stands in jeopardy before God so long as they continue in these sins. Unfortunately, some of us have become so desensitized to immorality that we are not very much alarmed when we see it. We are numbed to it. Or, could we say, as Paul said, we are being “conformed to this world”?

Brethren, let us not forget that sin has not changed. The dancing which was wrong when we were children is still wrong. The dance has not been “cleaned up” so that it is no longer lascivious. The mixed swimming which was wrong twenty years ago is still wrong. The attire which is worn at the modem beach is not more modest today than it was then. The drinking which was wrong when we were children is still wrong. Drinking is not less sinful or less of a problem in modern society than it was twenty years ago. These things are still sinful and those involved in them must be called to repentance. Our love and faithfulness to God demand that we preach the moral standards revealed in the Bible.

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 13, pp. 386, 406
July 4, 1985

By Phil T. Arnold

Have you ever had the occasion to witness an individual called upon to comment upon a particular passage and react something like this? He ponders momentarily, skims a little, and then confidently responds by saying, “Well, it just says what it means and means what it ways.” Such allows a class to cover a lot of ground in a short period of time but perhaps with less benefit than desired. It may be that such a response is evidence of a lack of knowledge of the text or a failure to prepare for our studies, or, more likely, both. Yet, this answer is still far better than many offer when commenting upon particular Bible subjects and texts. Because of a lack of love for the truth, “pet” doctrines and practices, and prejudices, individuals offer some pretty strange interpretations”(?) of simple passages and simply cannot (?) understand what certain passages have to say. In an effort to cling to the Bible and claim continued allegiance without changing their doctrine or lives, they invent fanciful and imaginative exegesis that make void the word of God. They conclude that while “that may be what the Bible says, but surely that isn’t what it means.”

What Does The Bible Say About Creation?

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1). The Bible plainly and firmly declared that “the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible” (Heb. 11:3b). This creation is revealed to have been accomplished in six days with the work of creation being mature and full-grown. Yet, many attempt to hold to the Bible and deny these simple and unalterable truths about the origin and development of life and this world. The theistic evolutionists, therefore, often conclude that while the Bible makes such statements this is not really what it means.

I recall being in a discussion with an anthropology professor who attempted to allegorize everything pertaining to man’s origin and early existence in order to bring the Bible record into harmony with his false theory about early man. Thus, to him the story of Adam and Eve being cast out of the garden of Eden was not a literal story but simply God’s way of figuratively describing the time that man’s early ancestors left the trees and began walking upon the grasslands of ancient Africa. Such an “interpretation” (?) of the first three chapters of Genesis takes a prejudiced heart, a fertile imagination, and a lack of love for the truth. Yes, the Bible says what it means and means what it ways. God created the world and all therein exactly as the Bible relates and not in harmony with science falsely so-called.

What Does The Bible Say About The Number Going To Heaven

I realize that some have placed an exact number upon the inhabitants of that glorious eternal home, but it is not to this that we have reference. Rather, we inquire as to whether or not heaven will be the abode of the majority of mankind. What does the Bible say? “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matt. 7:13, 14). But the world ponders as to whether or not Jesus meant “few” when He said “few.” You see, man through his intellect cannot conceive of a God who would allow the majority of mankind to be lost eternally and to experience the horror of hell. In fact, man is not so sure that God meant “hell,” an everlasting place of torment, when He said “hell. ” This too does not harmonize with the God of love (?) of their imagination. Yet, heaven and hell are both mentioned with frequency and in terms to suggest without doubt that hell is a literal place of punishment and terror, time without end.

The Bible also gives us examples of God’s judgment and the “few” who escaped the wrath of God. There were but eight souls who entered the ark and were delivered from the flood. Only two, Joshua and Caleb, entered the promised land in contrast to the multitudes that left Egypt and perished in the wilderness. Yes, the Bible says what it means and means what it says and it takes a prejudiced heart, a fertile imagination and a lack of love for the truth to arrive at the interpretation that most people will go to heaven and all others will simply cease to be, for there is no hell. The Bible says what it means and means what it says. Many will go unto destruction and few will enter into life eternal.

What Does The Bible Say About Man’s Salvation?

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matt. 7:21). “Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, he became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (Heb. 5:8, 9). Yet, man has with great persistence proclaimed that salvation is “wholly of grace” and by “faith alone.” God’s word says, “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only” (Jas. 2:24). Man denies that this is what James meant (the necessity of obedience), continued to profess allegiance to the Bible, and preaches his own doctrine of salvation apart from and without obedience. The objection in this matter is most often made to baptism as being involved with the salvation of man. This in spite of what God’s word has to say. The words of Jesus declare, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mk. 16:16).

I remember discussing this passage with a denominational preacher who simply could not understand this statement of Jesus in light of his own concept of salvation. In an effort to understand the passage as his doctrine demanded and convince me of my error, he pulled a commentary from his shelf and read aloud the comments of one he held in high esteem. He was surprised to find the following comment: “This passage appears to teach the necessity of baptism in salvation, but we know this cannot be so.” In other words, “That’s what the Bible says, but that’s not what it means.” Sadly, his surprise and inability to understand Mark 16:16, as well as many other passages in God’s word, did not alter his firmly held belief. His lack of love for the truth, prejudiced heart, and fertile imagination had given him an alternative to what the Bible actually said. My friend, the Bible says what it means and mean what it says. We best believe and obey it, if we would be saved.

Unfortunately, those who wear the name “church of Christ” are not immune to a hardened heart that blinds our eyes and will not allow us to see the truth. For years, numbers within the church have had difficulty in understanding (?) what the Bible teaches about divorce and remarriage for any reason. Their strange interpretation of repentance allows for a continued living in a sinful relationship. As such problems (divorce and remarriage other than for fornication) increase in the church, I fear that more and more brethren will have trouble believing that the Bible means what it ways and says what it means about this subject.

Even now we also witness new (?) teaching of a strange sound concerning other areas which we once understood differently. The grace of God is now allowing our fellowship to be broadened beyond those who walk according to His commandments and “sin” no longer is that which necessarily and always separates us from God. Such is but a fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah anew, which says: “Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, and seeing you will see and not perceive; for the heart of this people has grown dull. Their hears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should hear with their ears, lest they should understand with the hearts and turn, so that I should heal them” (Mt. 13:14,15).

Yes, The Bible Says What It Means And Means What It Says

The Bible says what it means and means what it says even when it talks about failing to love the truth, believing that which is false, and standing condemned. Therefore, let each of us guard his heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Let us maintain a love for the truth, study it diligently, apply it uniformly, and live it faithfully. “And now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified” (Acts 20:32).

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 12, pp. 374-375
June 20, 1985