Truth Magazine

By Earl Robertson

John records the obtrusive conduct of Peter with Jesus. The lesson is one that needs to be learned by many disciples of the Lord today. But I find it to be one of the most difficult things to get some to accept without question. It was on this occasion that Jesus, for the third time, showed Himself to the disciples after His resurrection (John 21:14). After the conversation Jesus had with them and specifically telling Peter to “feed my sheep,” Peter wished to know what the Lord wanted John to do. The Lord responded to Peter, “If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me” (John 21:22).

Peter was too concerned with business that was the Lord’s personally. He is told that of which he inquires is none of his business, and what should deeply concern himself is “following” the Lord. To do the will of Christ was his business; however, he seemingly could satisfy himself by putting his nose into the Lord’s business and forget all about what really constituted his own responsibility. As long as Peter stayed busy trying to interfere with the Lord’s own plan, he had neither the disposition nor time to keep himself walking properly before God. How could he be satisfied so cheaply?

There are always some who like to live like Peter in this respect. Industriously and constructively they are pygmies as compared to those whose business they seek to run. If they knew all they try to obtain without common sense and manners, they would be no better off. This is the lesson which must be learned by all who would serve the Lord profitably. If God’s people so live as to have no saving influence, the Savior says they “are good for nothing” (Matt. 5:13).

The matter of trying to run someone else’s business is totally contrary to both the spirit and letter of Jesus’ teaching. Solomon wrote, “It is an honor for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling” (Prov. 20:3). We are told to “do your own business” (1 Thess. 4:11), and not suffer “as a busybody in other men’s matters” (1 Pet. 4:15).

Guardian of Truth XXV: 1, p. 7
January 1, 1981

By Irven Lee

An elder is to be “one that ruleth well his own family, having his children in subjection with all gravity; for if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?” (1 Tim. 3:4, 5). The elder wins the respect of his brethren in being the good husband and father to his family. The orderly family with well-behaved children and a loving wife is a tribute to a man, indicating that he has good judgment, courage, and traits of leadership. Our nation needs thousands of more fathers who have skill in guiding and training their children.

It is just as easy to show that wives are to be in subjection to their own husbands as it is to prove that fathers are to have their children in subjection. “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything” (Eph. 5:22-24). The idea of the husband being the one in authority in the home could not be taught with more plainness of speech. A business needs a manager; a school needs a principal; a state needs a governor; and a home needs a head a decision maker with the power of oversight in a position of leadership.

The father is to love his children so that he will bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:1-4; Prov. 22:6; Heb. 12:5-11). It is love that causes him to use the rod when needed (Prov. 13:24). The children are given a sense of security by his strong arm of protection and guidance. The little people need the love and chastening of a good father just as they need food and clothing for their bodies.

The wife is to obey her husband since he has been given the responsibility of leadership. The manager of a business and the principal of a school are in charge in their respective spheres. This position of leadership is not a pedestal for praise and special honor. It is rather a special responsibility to see that the business and the school operate properly. Neither is to have the unpleasant attitude that he is a lord over the teachers or the clerks. The workers are not at war with their leader, but they work as parts of the team under a captain whom they appreciate. They realize the need of a leader who can co-ordinate and systematize their work. Many teachers have no desire to be principal because they know the responsibility that comes with the position. Many good wives are very happy as worthy helpers of their husbands who have been so good to them.

We could read of the wives being in subjection to their husbands in Col. 3:18 and 1 Peter 3:1-6, as well as in Eph. 5:22-24. In each of these references, the very next verse teaches that husbands should love their wives. Love suffers long and is kind (1 Cor. 13:4-7). In finding a good wife a man is abundantly blessed (Gen. 2:18; Prov. 18:22: Prov. 31:10-31). Aged women are to teach young women to love their husbands and their children (Titus 2:3-5). The wife will find happiness in being in such intimate association with loved ones. The one true God asked that men serve as head of the house, and He insisted on the proper love that flows both ways. His plan offers a pleasant situation for all members of the family.

The leaders of the Women’s Liberation Movement are atheists and admit it. They seek woman’s liberation from the responsibilities of a wife and mother. To them the woman who is a home maker is a slave. They do not count that it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:25). To them, Christ was only man and the Bible only a book to be rejected. They would give the children to the government to be cared for in communes. Women and men could live more like a herd of animals.

I am not ashamed to admit that I recognize Christ as having all authority in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28:18). We are to be judged by His word at the great day of reckoning. Any may deny these fundamental facts if he desires, but he will realize the error of his way when he finds his place outside the walls of the great city with his own kind from all ages (Rev. 22:15).

The Bible was given to the human race to give hope, instruction, and warnings so that we might find the abundant life now and in the world to come (1 Tim. 4:8; Mark 10:28-30). It was not God’s purpose to crush men or women nor to mistreat children. There is a God, and those who realize this should treasure His counsel and His exceeding great and precious promises (2 Pet. 1:1-4).

The leaders of the National Organization of Women (NOW) have many deceived followers who think that this well-financed political body is working toward women receiving fair salary in the industrial and business world through the ERA. Congress and the presidents have already put laws to this effect in the statute books, and the courts are going about to enforce them. The real effort of NOW is to bring honor to the homosexuals and lesbians. Their thrust is against marriage and the home.

When people follow the Bible they “prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God” (Rom. 12:2). Those of us who visit one home of true Christians after another know that God’s law is best. One of the most effective proofs of the divine origin of the Bible is the evident blessedness of those who believe it and live by its precepts. A husband who is a Christian and a wife who is a Christian find great happiness in living with their obedient children. Truly the husband rules with love.

The church is subject to Christ. Wives are to be subject to their own husbands as the church is unto Christ. Christ and His apostles used the picture of the bride and groom to typify the church in its relationship to Christ. (Read Romans 7:1-4; Rev. 21:2; 2 Cor. 11:2; John 3:29.) It is wonderful that the church can be married to Christ who is head over all things to the church. The church needs His guidance, protection, and love. When is a more beautiful picture of happiness seen than in the picture of a happy bride who is glad to help make a stable home with the one she loves? Her husband has found a good thing and is happy, but she is just as happy.

Faithful servants of God are referred to as children of God (Rom. 8:16, 17; 1 John 3:1). Christians are subject to their heavenly Father. What more appropriate relationship could be found than a son to his father to typify the Christian’s relationship to God? The ideal father and a wonderful son give us a picture of genuine happiness when they walk down the street together. Oversight and authority in no way destroy love. God is love, but we are to obey Him. We love Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:19).

Guardian of Truth XXV: 1, pp. 5-6
January 1, 1981

By Mike Willis

With this issue, we officially begin publication under our new banner Guardian of Truth. We also have added hundreds of new readers to our mailing list through the purchase of Gospel Guardian. That being the case, to write an article respective to our purposes and goals through Guardian of Truth seems appropriate. It should serve to introduce our new readers to this journal and acquaint them with what we intend to do through its pages. To the rest of our readers, this should serve as a reminder of our goals and as an opportunity to assess how well we have been doing in attaining them.

Our Twenty-fifth Year of Service: The Old and The New

We commence our twenty-fifth year of service with renewed determination embodied in our new name, Guardian of Truth. For twenty-four years, Truth Magazine has circulated among Christians; through its pages many people have been taught the truth on apostasies such as church support of human institutions, church sponsored recreation, and the sponsoring church arrangement. Numerous articles on good moral living, biblical studies, news of the brethren, etc. have been published which have encouraged and edified many faithful Christians.

Last year, after the Cogdill Foundation accepted Theron Bohannan’s sacrificial offer to sell the Gospel Guardian, our Board decided to simply merge the Gospel Guardian and Truth Magazine into one paper. This step unites in one journal the high standards of gospel journalism represented in the past two separate mediums of the same truth. Hence, Guardian of Truth is born. We have retained the volume number of Truth Magazine in order to remind brethren that we have been publishing for twenty-four years and to indicate that the thrust of Guardian of Truth will be the same as that of Truth Magazine. But we bring aboard part of the respected name of the Gospel Guardian to indicate that our thrust will be in the high tradition of Yater Tant during the years that Roy E. Cogdill and others stood at his side, the tradition continued by Eugene Britnell and James W. Adams more recently. In fact, we invited brother Adams to come onto our staff, but he preferred not to take on new obligations now and wished us well in our venture. Hence, we begin our twenty-fifth year of service – a full quarter of a century – with every intention of continuing the finest ideals in the militant propagation of New Testament Christianity. As I reflect upon the stand for truth which has been made in the past through the pages of these two gospel papers, I recognize the rich heritage which has been passed down to us. “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Tim. 2:2).

What do we hope to accomplish during 1981 through the pages of Guardian of truth? We certainly have some specific goals in mind, but let me address the general goal first of all. Our primary goal is to publish a paper which contains articles on Bible subjects which are true to the Book. We have no desire to see so much as one page or one line directed toward the teaching of falsehood; if we should deem it necessary to publish an article which defends a false position, we shall strive to be sure that it is answered and in the same issue, if possible. Hence, our foremost aim is to teach the word of God in its purity.

Though Guardian of Truth will continue to be largely addressed to the Christian, non-Christians can continue to read it with profit since the fundamentals of the gospel must be stressed and emphasized again and again on our pages. We have addressed topics of controversy among Christians on our pages, just as the New Testament itself does. When it is necessary to call attention to a false position held by a Christian, every attempt will be made to make sure that the discussion is held on an honorable level. Though no man is infallible in this regard and every writer views his own material subjectively, I shall strive to present controversial material in a manner which is as inoffensive as possible. But we are more concerned about the danger of offending the Lord and undermining the truth by failing to defend it than we are of offending the nicer-than-the-Lord sensitivities of some apostates.

Brethren should be mature enough to realize however, that there is no way to expose a man as a false teacher which will please that man. He will cry “foul” regardless of how careful his opponent is in trying to call attention to his false doctrines. Luther Blackmon used to say, “There is no way to skin a cat which the cat will like.” I have already found this to be so in my little experience as editor of Truth Magazine.

Guardian of Truth will be a militant journal. As editor, I have no interest in seeing us compromise with denominationalism either inside or outside of the Lord’s church, with worldliness, or with any of Satan’s disciples. The staff of writers whose names are assembled on our masthead feel exactly as I do in that regard. We shall not hesitate to call sin by its name. Neither shall we hesitate to expose a false teacher who is posing as a teacher of righteousness when he seeks to make inroads among the people of God.

We seek to be a Guardian of Truth. We do not seek to sit on the truth to keep others from sharing in it but we do seek to guard the purity of revealed truth. When the Judaizers tried to bind circumcision on the first century church as being essential for salvation, Paul said, “. . . to whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you” (Gal. 2:5). This expresses our attitude as a Guardian of Truth. We do not want to see the truth of God shackled by human tradition; we do not want the wisdom of God hidden beneath the philosophies of men. Consequently, we shall guard the precious truth to be sure that it is not tainted by human philosophies and traditions.

A second major goal of Guardian of Truth is to publish a balanced paper. There will be times when doctrinal errors’ must be dealt with; however, we shall attempt to publish articles on other subjects than these doctrinal issues in the same issue or in issues before and after that. We do not want to see the paper become obsessed with one issue. My idea of what a paper should be like is that it should contain material aimed at the new convert, the growing Christian, and the mature Christian; in that fashion, every Christian would find something which would be of interest to him.

A third major goal of Guardian of Truth will be to inform brethren of the news among brethren. We have invited and encouraged gospel preachers to send in field reports to keep brethren informed of the progress of the work in various parts of the country. Many have responded and we hope that many more will begin to send in their field reports.

Special Issues

In the past, Truth Magazine has published several special issues which have provided more in-depth studies of different topics. We have two specials planned for 1981 which will be multi-issue specials. The first special will be a study of 1, 2, 3 John. The material for this special is already in hand. I can assure you that this material is exceptionally good; the writers have provided questions with their articles. Hence, the material would make a very good class workbook. Those who might be interested in purchasing extra copies of these issues should send in their orders prior to publication so that enough can be printed for brethren to use them in their Bible classes as they desire.

The second special issue which is planned for 1981 is a special on the eldership. This will also be prepared with questions in case brethren desire to use it in an adult Bible class. Assignments for this material have not yet been made but we hope to have this available for publication by late summer or early fall.

Let’s Get Together!

If we sound excited about 1981, that is because we are. We are excited about hundreds of new readers, about the specials which we have planned, about the warm reception which we have been getting among brethren, and about the encouraging words which we have received regarding our labors. We are excited because all of this means more service and better service to you, the reader! Consequently, we are looking forward to another year of service through the printed page under our new masthead Guardian of Truth.

You are invited to be a part of this effort to preach the gospel of Christ in keeping with the highest ideals of the New Testament. Pray for us that we turn not to the right or to the left from that highway of holiness. Send us your suggestions for articles, special themes, workbooks, and other improvements. Your constructive criticisms are valuable to help us see ourselves as others see us and to help us make corrections where needed. We are always happy to consider for publication in Guardian of Truth your manuscripts which proclaim the gospel of Christ in its purity and simplicity.

Help us introduce the paper to new readers. Let us know if you can use a few sample copies of the paper. Why not personally subscribe for an individual ($11.50 per year) or a group (10 copies for $7.50 per month)? Would the church where you worship consider sending the paper to each family as an aid to enrich their Bible study, knowledge of current problems, and the positive application of spiritual principles to daily living? More churches are using this service and enjoying its benefits, but someone must make the suggestion – let it be you! Let’s get together to make the Guardian of Truth as effective as possible during 1981 in the spread and the defense of the gospel of Christ!

Guardian of Truth XXV: 1, pp. 2-5
January 1, 1981

By Hoyt H. Houchen

Question: Concerning Tit. 1:6 and the qualifications of elders, must all of an elder’s children be free from the charge of living riotous and unruly? Also, must all of his children be believers? If so with the first, why not with the second?

Reply: The Scriptures teach that certain things are required of men in order that they may qualify to be elders in a local church. Included in the qualifications, as set forth by the Holy Spirit in both 1 Tim. 3 and Titus 1, for a man to be an elder, (1) he must have a family (a wife and children, I Tim. 3:2, 4; Tit. 1:6), (2) he must rule well his own house (having his family under control, 1 Tim. 3:4), and (3) he must have children who are believers (Christians, Tit. 1:6). The word “believing” in this passage is from the Greek pistos. While at times the word simply means “faithful” or “trustworthy” it may, in other instances, refer to those who are Christians (Acts 10:45); 16:34; 1 Tim. 6:2 etc.). These “believing” children are not to be accused of riot or unruly. The word “riot” is the same word that is translated “excess” or “riot” in Eph. 5:18 (“And be not drunken with wine, wherein is riot. . . “). Being old enough to conduct themselves as profligates, it is logical to conclude that “believing” children in Tit. 1:6 would be those who are Christians.

In response to the first part of the question, all of the children of an elder must be free from the charge of being riotous and unruly. As a father he must “nurture them in the chastening and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4). If his children who are in his household are out of control, he has not obeyed the admonition of Eph. 6:4. Furthermore, he does not rule well his own house (1 Tim. 3:4). Therefore, he would not be qualified to serve as an elder.

In response to the second part of the question, all of an elder’s children would not have to be believers (Christians) if there are some in his household who were not old enough to obey the gospel. If those children of a man’s family who have reached an accountable age have become Christians, but there are younger children not yet accountable and, therefore, have not become Christians, he would meet the qualification of having believing children. Should there be any doubt about him fulfilling that requirement, please consider this. Suppose there was a man who had been faithfully serving as an elder in a congregation. He has children who were Christians. His wife became pregnant and bore him a child. We do not believe that this man becomes disqualified to serve any longer because he now has a child who is not a Christian. Logic shows us that all of a man’s children do not necessarily have to be Christians in order for him to qualify to serve as an elder. Should there be those children in his household considered to be old enough to obey but who have not obeyed the gospel, would be another matter.

So, as to why all of the children of an elder must be free from the charge of living riotously and unruly, but all of a man’s children would not have to be believers, is explained by the reasons above.

Question: At what age do you feel a child should be baptized? Do you feel that a child should be held back?

Reply: The specific age at which a child should be baptized cannot be determined. It all depends upon the circumstances. One child may be taught sufficiently at a very early age and will, therefore, want to render obedience. Whatever the age may be, the child should be accountable; that is, he should know right from wrong, realizing that he is lost and must obey the gospel. When the age of accountability is reached must be determined by each individual case. One child may have reached it at a very early age, whereas another child may not have reached it until later years. How much the child knows, his awareness of his condition and his desire to be baptized are determining factors as to when the child is a proper subject of baptism.

Dealing with the child who wishes to be baptized can be a very difficult matter. A young child should not be pressured to be baptized, neither should he be discouraged. First, parents should make it their duty to teach their children fully as to the seriousness of the step in becoming a Christian. Also what is involved in being a Christian, in addition to the truth about baptism itself should be greatly stressed. Children need to know that there are other things important as well as baptism. When they have been sufficiently taught and thereby become proper subjects of baptism, then it should be left up to the child as to when he should be baptized.

Guardian of Truth XXV: 1, p. 2
January 1, 1981