Truth Magazine

By Mike Willis

Edward O’Neal Bragwell Added To Staff

We are happy to announce the addition of brother Ed Bragwell, Sr. to the writing staff of Guardian of Truth. Brother Bragwell will make a fine addition to our staff of writers; our readers will appreciate what he has to say.

Brother, Bragwell.was born 28 May 1936 in Franklin County, Alabama (near Russellville). In September 1955, he married his wife, Patsy. To this union, five children have been born. Their oldest son, Eddie O Bragwell, Jr. (28 years old), preaches in Anniston, Alabama. Eddie’s twin sister, Vicki is married to Doug Russell. The Bragwell’s second son, Martin Loyd (26), preaches at Martinez, Georgia. Their other two children are Carla Dawn (22) and Jonathan Tyler (11). Their four older children are Christians; the two married children are married to faithful Christians. They have four grandchildren.

Brother Bragwell has preached full-time at Pontotoc, MS; Mt. Hope, Trinity, and Hanceville, AL; Charlotte, TN; and Fultondale, AL. He has been in Fultondale since August 1970. Brother Bragwell has written in various subscription journals circulated among brethren and has published several church bulletins through the years. His work in The Reflector demonstrates his writing ability, his loyalty to the truth of God’s word, and his wisdom. Though we have not had close personal contact, I have learned to respect brother Bragwell through his writings. He is held in high esteem in Alabama. Consequently, we are happy to have him working with us in Guardian of Truth.

Diestelkamp-Patton Exchange On Forgiveness

Elsewhere in this issue (pages 16 and 17) is the first exchange between brethren Marshall Patton and Leslie Diestelkamp on the subject of forgiveness. During the latter part of last December, brother Leslie Diestelkamp, sent me two articles disagreeing with some things which I had written over a period of time on forgiveness. I had encouraged brother Diestelkamp to write an affirmative proposition which he could defend on the subject; in response, he wrote the two affirmative articles to be published in this exchange without a proposition.

After reading this exchange and some other correspondence which I was receiving, I became convinced that too much of the issue was becoming centered on Mike Willis. I asked myself, “Who besides me cares whether or not I have always been consistent? Who cares how many brethren agree or disagree with me?” The issue must always be, “What does the Bible teach?”

Consequently, I sought a means of removing Mike Willis from the center of the issue in order that the teachings of the Bible might be the center of the focus of our attention. I decided that if I could persuade someone else to reply to these articles, asking him to ignore whatever personal references to me were in the article and respond only to the doctrinal teachings, brethren would be better served by the exchange. Consequently, those comments related to what Mike Willis believes will not be replied to in the interest of a less clouded study of the Bible issue.

The two participants in this discussion, Leslie Diestelkamp and Marshall Patton, are two of the most respected brethren among us. There is an issue of significance about which brethren are disagreed, as both writers recognize and admit. In the interest of adding to our knowledge of truth in a calm study of the word of God, these brethren have written. May each of us read the exchange with an understanding of our responsibilities before God.

Finley Article Regarding Darwin Chandler

Elsewhere in this issue (pg. 6) is an article by Ernest Finley. Brother Finley has taken the time to document the apostasy of brother Darwin Chandler from the Lord. Brother Chandler left the church to work with our liberal brethren about a year ago; more recently, he left the liberal brethren to work with the Charismatic movement. Brother Finley relates the apostasy of brother Chandler as kindly as one can.

I appreciate his work. Writing such an article causes some to compare the author to a watchdog or “guardian of the truth.” There are many thankless jobs which one must do and this is one of them. I, for one, would like to commend and thank brother Finley for his work on this article. An article such as this serves several purposes: (1) it reminds each of us that he can fall from grace (1 Cor. 10:12); (2) it demonstrates that the desire to challenge the “old paths” is dangerous and ultimately leads to the acceptance of denominationalism; (3) it serves to warn others of the error in order that they might “take heed.” Brother Chandler has already led several others into his denominational errors; we should do all that we can to prevent further damage to the kingdom of God.

Brother Finley relied heavily on two taped sermons by brother Chandler. One was preached in the liberal church, explaining why he left “anti-ism”; the other was preached in a Charismatic church explaining why he left the church of Christ.

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 11, pp. 322, 341
June 6, 1985

By Hoyt H. Houchen

Question: What do you believe about abortion? Is it murder? What about abortion for medical reasons?

Reply: The number of legal abortions in the United States each year is estimated to be between one and two million. Colorado became the first state to liberalize its abortion laws according to American Law Institute guidelines (in 1967). Very few were aware of the moral landslide that was initiated by this action. Since 1973, when the Supreme Court legalized abortion nationwide, at least 10 million unborn babies have been legally killed. By way of contrast, about 500,000 American soldiers were killed in the Civil War and about 400,000 in World War II (statistics from article by David Pratte in Gospel Anchor, July 1984, p. 15). To the thinking person, these figures are staggering and shocking.

There is no doubt about abortion on demand being sinful. If abortion on demand is right, then euthanasia can be justified. We are here considering the willful killing of the unborn infant for the purpose of population control. If the life of the unborn baby can be willfully terminated under this circumstance, then it would logically follow that the willful killing of the aged and those physically and mentally handicapped would be justified. Abortion and euthanasia are parallel in this respect. Both are nothing short of murder. President Reagan made a speech to the National Religious Broadcasters Convention in which he made the statement, “How can we survive as a free nation when some decide that others are not fit to live and should be done away with . . . ? Medical science doctors confirm that when the lives of the unborn are snuffed out, they often feel pain — pain that is long and agonizing.” He was challenged on this; but a group of twenty-six prominent physicians have written the President, supporting his contention. They stated that, “Observations of the fetal electrocardiogram and the increase in fetal movements in saline abortions indicate that the fetus experiences discomfort as it dies” (quoted in Stand, January 1985, No. 1).

There is much controversy as to when life actually begins, but it is my sincere conviction that it begins at conception. This is not simply the opinion of a preacher, as there are medical men who share the same conviction. Dr. Bernard Nathanson was once a strong supporter of abortion and head of New York’s first and most active clinic. Before me is a significant statement quoted from him. Now opposing what he once believed, he wrote: “To vehemently deny that life begins when conception begins is absurd . . . . I had to face the fact that in abortion, a human life of a special order is being taken” (in an article by Ernest A. Finley, The Discerner, Dec., 198 1). Dr. Heather Morris, Canadian obstetrician and gynecologist, speaking in Ontario Canada, stated: “Abortion is a situation in which life is killed. Human life starts at conception. A complete, unique human being is the result” (quoted by Clarence R. Johnson, The Preceptor, Vol. 22, P. 219). Dr. W.W. McWhirter of Rochester, Michigan, stated in the American Medical Association News. “I believe there is no question, either scientifically, or philosophically, about when life begins. A human life begins at the moment of conception, i.e., when the ovum is fertilized. There is no question but that to destroy the product of conception at any time thereafter is to take human life . . . … Also, in the St. Louis Globe Democrat (April 18, 1969), 94 physicians published a signed statement affirming the same thing as quoted (in an article by Larry R. Devore, Truth Magazine, Vol. 15, p. 808). So, my conviction that life begins at conception is not without scientific testimony. The sanctity of human life must be regarded, both before and after birth.

The Scriptures nowhere, authorize abortion on demand. Some argue that the fetus in the mother’s womb is not yet a child, and in an effort to prove their contention, they refer to Exodus 21:22-24. The incident recorded in this passage is that of two men who are fighting, and in their struggle, a pregnant woman is accidentally hurt and her fruit (the unborn) departs. This a simple case of miscarriage. The aborted fetus does not lend any support to the advocates of “legalized” abortion on demand. For what it is worth to this study, the Hebrew word yeled is also translated “child, son, youth” (Theological Wordbook of the O.T., Vol. 1, p. 378). This same word (yeled) which refers to the unborn child also describes the child after birth (see Gen. 21:8; Ex. 2:3,10). Neither can it be argued that the case referred to in Exodus 21:22-24 proves that, according to the law, the abortion of the fetus was not as serious as the death of a person already born. It should be noted, however, that the harm was done to the mother. The mother was hurt to the extent that it resulted in her having a miscarriage. We can see no justification for abortion on demand from this Scripture, nor any other.

That there is life before birth is evident from Luke 1:36-44. Verse 36 is to be particularly noted where it is written, “and this is the sixth month with her. . . .” Then in verse 41, it is recorded that “the babe leaped in my womb.” These two verses indicate that there is human life in the unborn infant. The word “babe” is translated frt)m the Greek word brephos. This word identifies both the unborn child and the baby, infant (Arndt and Gingrich, A Greek-English Lexicon, p. 146). (See also Lk. 2:12,16; 18:15; Acts 7:19; 2 Tim. 3:15; 1 Pet. 2:2.) We see in Acts 7:19 that infants were put to death by the command of Pharaoh, “that they should cast out their babes (Gr. brephos), to the end that they might not live.” To cast out infants, unborn or born for the same reason as did Pharaoh (that their lives would not be preserved to populate the earth) is murder.

As to abortion for medical reasons, I am not competent to decide; therefore, I would not attempt to offer solutions in such cases. Circumstances in these matters vary. Rather, I have dealt with the moral issue of abortion on demand. To abort a fetus that another human life will not populate the earth, or for the convenience of the mother, or because of the poverty of the parents, or to cover up fornication, etc., is murder. The Bible states, “But for the fearful and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers (my emphasis, HH.), and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part shall be in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death” (Rev. 21:8).

“Legalizing” abortion does not, in and of itself, justify it in the sight of God. The law of the land is not always the law of God. Human life is precious in the sight of the Lord, whether it is an infant unborn or born.

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 11, pp. 325, 333
June 6, 1985

By Edward O. Bragwell, Sr.

“O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you and crucified” (Gal. 3:1, NKJV).

As Christians, we are not immune from making fools of ourselves. The Galatians not only became foolish, they did it with such speed that it made Paul marvel (1:6).

In Paul’s short letter to them, he points out various ways in which they had acted foolishly and were in danger of doing so. He does this by direct reference to their foolishness or else relating the examples of others for their benefit.

Satan is no fool. If he can’t get us to play the fool one way, he will try another-even in almost opposite ways. This can be seen from Galatians.

Doctrinal Softness

The Galatians had played the fool with doctrine. They had taken the bait of false teachers (likely Judaizers) — hook, line and sinker. Having escaped the spiritual bondage of paganism, they are now about to jump into another bondage — the Judaizer’s brand of Christianity (4:8,9).

How could a people, “before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly, portrayed,” act so foolishly-so quickly? Paul hints that the spirit of compromise may have had something to do with it, by relating his own experience with “false brethren.” He says that he did not “yield submission even for an hour.” This was the same Paul, who willingly yielded personal rights and advantages for the cause (1 Cor. 9), but when the truth of the gospel was in danger of being taken from his brethren-“‘yield” was out of the question, even if it meant publicly withstanding a fellow apostle to his face (Gal. 2:11-21).

The very fact that Peter was an influential figure in the church made it the more imperative that his actions not go publicly unnoticed. He was not walking uprightly and others were being influenced by him. This was no time for softness and timidity-the brethren’s relationship to the truth of the gospel was at stake. Would this make an enemy of Peter? It was a risk that Paul had to run. This public exposure of Peter’s hypocrisy did not ruin Peter’s usefulness in the Lord’s work, but rather increased it. And what about relations between the two men? We are told little of the immediate reaction, but in the long run we know about Peter’s attitude. He later wrote of “our beloved brother Paul” (2 Pet. 3:15).

Too often, mere attention is more persuasive than solid information. It has not been long since Paul had, at great personal sacrifice, supplied them with the truth of the gospel. They had been willing to pluck out their own eyes for him. Now, he asks, “Have I become your enemy because I tell you the truth?” What had happened? False brethren had “come-a-courtin”‘ and had turned the heads of the Galatians by the attention given. Paul wrote, “They zealously court you, but for no good” (Gal. 4:17). The truth had not been nearly as influential as “courting” of the false brethren. Like the young man courting the young lady, care is given to saying just what he thinks she wants to hear. She enjoys every minute of it and is often swept off her feet by it, even though most of it is just “sweet nothings.” False brethren have some advantages in battle for the minds and affections of brethren. They have no problem with using means of persuasion that true teachers dare not use. They give attention to courting, while true teachers are giving “attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine . . . meditation” (1 Tim. 4:13-16).

As a young preacher, I almost ran myself up the wall trying to stay ahead of the attention that other religious people were giving to some of the brethren. A brother or sister would begin to slack off (or even become a little disgruntled) and some well-meaning soul -would find a way to tell me how much attention the preacher and/or members of the Church Down The Street had been giving these folks. The message was clear, if I didn’t get on the ball and out-do them, we would lose out in the competition. It took me a while to learn that I could not out Church Down The Street the Church Down The Street. If I had the truth, then I could. do nothing better than teach it and admonish the brother or sister to obey it. If that would not do the job, then all the courting in the world that I might do would not do it. Once I learned that lesson, preaching sure has been a lot easier on me.

Dispositional Hardness

If Satan can’t get us through the front door, he will try the back. In this same letter, where Paul urged a kind of hard-nosed approach toward false brethren and com promise, the Galatians are warned against a general hard-nosed disposition — one that showed little softness and tenderness toward brethren, but geared more toward selfish ambition.

He warns against “biting and devouring one another . . . lest you be consumed one of another.” While they were to “Stand fast in the liberty by which Christ (had) made (them) free” (5:1) – no room for softness here – they had to be careful lest their need to stand fast in, and faithfully defend their liberty in Christ, did not become an excuse to resort to the works of the flesh (5:13). It is easy to get so involved in fighting the influence of false brethren (and there is plenty of that to do) that we simply cannot find any place to quit fighting. It is so easy to turn to biting and devouring one another until we are consumed one of another.

We pay a lot of attention to some of the “works of the flesh”: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, murders, drunkenness, revelries and the like. And we should. In fact, many of us could stand to give more attention to these things in our teaching and preaching than we do. But, we may miss the very point that the writer had in bringing up this list at the time he did. The attitudes that caused them to bite and devour seem to be the real target of the apostle. These attitudes are linked to those more easily recognized works of the flesh to show these foolish Galatians the kind of company they were in by their hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions and heresies. He then lists the “fruit of the Spirit” to counter this bad disposition (5:22-24). He then says, “And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another” (emphasis mine, EOB5:24-26). In the next chapter, he calls for a spirit of gentleness in restoring brethren overtaken in faults, the bearing of one another’s burdens, the sharing with teachers in good things, the sowing to the spirit rather than the flesh, and the doing good to all men as they had opportunity (6:1-10). All this reflecting a tenderness of heart and gentleness of disposition befitting one walking after the Spirit. Thus, if they would “through love serve one another” and put aside selfish ambition and conceit, they would not likely be biting and devouring one another. They could have this soft touch and still be firm for the truth and hard against error. It might take a good balancing act, but it could and must be done.

Conclusion

Let us not be so foolish as to think that we can compromise with “false brethren” even for an hour without getting hurt. Let us not be so foolish as to think, that we can just ignore error and it will go away. Let us not be so foolish as to think that we cannot be deceived by the favorable attention (courting) of false brethren. Let us not be so foolish as to think that time is on our side in the battle for truth. Brethren can “so soon” be carried away into error.

But, neither let us be so foolish as to fall into the habit of biting and devouring one another-jumping down each other’s throats at the slightest disagreement and/or provocation. Let us not be so foolish as to allow our desire to stand fast in the faith, to cause us to become hard-nosed, unkind, unforgiving, ungentle and cold in our dealings with one another.

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 11, pp. 323-324
June 6, 1985

By BIB Cavender

Each child of God is taught by the Holy Spirit to “be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,” and “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:58; 2 Pet. 3:18). My observation is that the majority of God’s children are not really doing this. Our Lord’s work languishes in disinterest and indifference, greatly due to the lack of personal involvement in saving souls. Many Christians, often long-time members of the body of Christ, have never seriously attempted to save a soul or to really be a worker for Christ in His kingdom. “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise” (Prov. 11:30), yet many of us are not wise and our fruit is oftentimes unto death and not unto life! “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever” (Dan. 12:3), but many of us never let our light shine, nor will it shine forever and ever, for we are not turning many, or even any, to righteousness (Matt. 5:13-16). To save a soul from sin and death is the greatest, most needful work, most soul-satisfying work which can be done in this lifetime (Gal. 6:1; Jas. 5:19-20; Matt. 16:24-27).

Often we hear someone say, “What can I do” And some of these will actually do a work or task given them by the elders or others. This kind of person requires direction, instruction and motivation. They will follow if someone will lead and show them the way and how to do it. When the guidance stops, they stop. Comparatively few Christians develop and cultivate that personal initiative so necessary to doing God’s will, to act on their own from the instructions in God’s word, and without the assistance and fellowship of others. One mark of real spiritual strength in a Christian is that he will be busy working for Jesus, whether anyone else helps, participates, or even knows about his efforts. To “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,” and to “save yourself from this untoward (crooked) generation ” (Phil. 2:12; Acts 2:40) is a big order for each of us, yet not impossible. If we walk by faith, we can obtain the promises of God and receive that abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (Heb. 11:39-40; 2 Pet. 1: 10- 11). God has never commanded or required the impossible of any man.

But what can I do? Much, in many ways! All Christians can do these basic, simply spiritual works and exercises which will make us strong in faith and save some souls along the journey we make through this present evil world (Heb. 11: 13; Rom. 4:20-22; Gal. 1:4; 1 Tim. 4:6-11). We can:

A. Read and study the Scriptures (Jn. 5:39; 1 Tim. 4:13; 2 Tim. 3:14-17). If one can’t read, he can buy recordings of the Scriptures and listen to them. Few individuals in our society do not have a tape recorder. We can listen to the word of God continually while we work, play, drive, etc. We can buy good reference books and commentaries and become serious students of the word of God if we will do so.

. B. Pray for everyone (1 Tim. 2:1-5; Rom. 12:12; 2 Thess. 2:13). Every true child of God prays consistently, often, habitually. There is no such thing as a faithful child of God who does not spend much time in prayer, talking to our Father in heaven.

C. Visit the lost, the weak, the unfaithful, the aged, the infirm, the sick, the broken-hearted, etc. If you are physically unable to visit people, you can phone them, write to them, send them tracts and literature, etc. The individual child of God who visits, to help and teach and encourage, will do so much good in this world of sin and sorrow. The child of God who visits to gossip, back-bite, stir strife and create problems and divisions, becomes an enemy of all righteousness. The Christian who visits will grow spiritually. The congregation which visits will grow spiritually and numerically. If a church does not visit, it will die!

D. Have Bible classes in your home. All of us have friends, family members, neighbors, and fellow-workers on our jobs who can only be reached with the truth of Jesus by those who are their acquaintances. Preachers cannot reach these people; elders cannot reach them; Bible class teachers cannot reach them. Only their personal friends, family members and acquaintances can make those opportunities for teaching. We will baptize more people through home Bible studies than by any other method of teaching, for it puts the gospel on the personal level, one soul caring for and teaching another (2 Tim. 2:2). If you feel incapable or unqualified to teach in your home, begin seriously preparing yourself, but in the meanwhile have a man or a woman in the church who is qualified to come to your home and teach.

E. Hand out tracts to people. Keep a supply of gospel tracts in your car, your pocket or purse. Brethren have written many excellent, scriptural tracts on every conceivable Bible subject. We can spread the gospel easily by use of tracts.

F. Send a good gospel paper into homes of good prospects for teaching. The regular, periodic receiving of good literature into the home through the mail is most beneficial. Yet here we may run into a problem and do more harm than good. Some papers have axes to grind, deal in needless and harmful controversies, are opinionated, and amount to scandal sheets. We will not convert sinners to the truth of God revealed in the New Testament by sending them literature which will , distort the plain truth of the gospel and the simplicity and loveliness of the truth as it is in Jesus.

G. Attend each and every service of worship and Bible study. If our hearts are open to listen and to learn, we can glean truth from every lesson and be blessed by every meeting of the saints. You can be an example of faithfulness to others. You can encourage all the brethren by your consistency in worship, work and interest.

H. Live a clean, pure, godly, upright, unquestioned life. We must live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world (Tit. 2:11-12), a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty (1 Tim. 2:1 -8). Our clothing must be in modesty, and our inner self clothed with humility and a meek and gentle spirit (1 Tim. 2:9-10; 1 Pet. 5:5-7; 3:1-7). Each of us can cultivate the “‘fruit of the Spirit which is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, temperance, “‘ against which there is never any condemnation of law, of God or man, and the sky is the limit on the cultivation of this fruit in our lives (Gal. 5:22-23).

I. Have a happy, thankful, optimistic attitude toward life, toward God, toward the brethren, and toward all of life’s joys or sorrows. All things (sufferings, sorrows, etc.) will work for our good if we are God’s called and faithful children (Rom. 8:28). A merry heart still does good like a medicine (Prov. 15:13-15; 17:22). We should ever rejoice in the Lord (Phil. 4:4), and be of thankful hearts (Col. 3:15; Psa. 100:4). A Christian anywhere at anytime, and especially a Christian in America, has nothing to be unthankful about or ungrateful for. Of all people who have ever lived in all the history of the world, the Christian in America at the present time is the most blessed. An upset, worrying, complaining, fault-finding Christian is altogether foreign to the teachings of God’s word. Life is worth living. God watches over us (I Pet. 3:1012). There is much good still left in the world. Each of us can do much good. Souls can kill be saved from sin and death. We can still work for the Lord.

We could be baptizing people daily, into Christ and for the remission of their sins, if every member of the church would be personally involved in the work of Christ, How is it with you, brother or sister?

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 11, pp. 321, 343
June 6, 1985