Truth Magazine

By Donald P. Ames

(NOTE: My apologies for this material getting in so late. I waited quite a long time for the kit from Quality Publishers, which never arrived. I was then slowed down by plans for our up-coming move to Leland, Illinois. Next year I’ll do better. – DPA)

To say that I am not overjoyed over the selections available this year is probably an understatement. It is a shame that conservative brethren cannot put out a sound system of rotating VBS literature, but no doubt the cost of producing such would be prohibitive. Some of the material published (i.e., Sweet’s) looks about as inviting as that from the denominations, and all kits this year manifest a growing looseness toward the word of God.

Gospel Teacher: “Doing God’s Will”

Of the three kits we finally received, I suppose this one is least objectionable. It deals with the thought of doing-the. will of God in the world, in the nation, in the church, in the home and in our individual lives. It has some excellent material on attitudes toward authority in the high school booklets and, over-all, contains some very good material. All three kits include a book for the adult class as well, but this kit has no teacher’s manual for the adult nor high school class. The cut-outs are pre-stamped for easy removal in the lower grades, and the material is attractive.

On the other hand, most of the work in all the classes below the high school age must be done in the class room itself, which places a tremendous job of preparation upon the teacher, and very little study for the kids. Refreshments are recommended for the classes, and in the high school student booklets both the bus ministries and “mission VBS” (VBS held at other churches by larger churches) are promoted quite strongly. I did not find this in the lower grades, and perhaps it might be a good occasion to discuss what is wrong with these projects – if you do not have a lot of outsiders present to be influenced by the booklets. Thus, I find this kit least objectionable, but hardly feel like recommending it.

Lambert: God’s Way Is Best

This kit is attractive, and deals with why God’s way is best today for the home (morality, divorce, etc.), church, worship, in serving others and for happiness. It too contains an adult booklet for those who wish to have an adult class. The cut-outs for the lower grades are not pre-cut, but it does contain some very good material on why we need to be concerned about morality, pre-marital sex, divorce and remarriage today; as well as getting involved in the work and worship of the church.

However it seems as if Lambert felt called upon to go out of their way to include material so conservative brethren would not use their material – or have lots of problems if they did! The Nursery and Beginners booklets advocate and contain a letter to be taken home to the parents for special fruit to be brought for a fruit basket for the class (church) to take to a needy family (not necessarily Christians). The Junior book advocates strongly the idea of universal benevolence – including caring for strangers, orphans, widows, etc. The Intermediate booklet further promotes the idea that church benevolence should involve aid for the old folks home, orphan home, campaigns, disaster aid, blood banks, etc. These are riot ideas included only in the Teacher’s Manual, but strongly pushed in the Student booklets too. I cannot in good conscience recommend them, despite some otherwise good material contained therein (what is it someone once said, even rat poison is 98% wheat and only 2% poison).

Sweet: Jesus, My Best Friend

Sweet Publishing Co. continues their heavy promotion of their own bank account. T he entire kit is full of ideas that are essential to follow their laid out program – all of which must be ordered separately (from them, of course!). The program would fall through without the use of their puppets and film strips (order separately). T he songs are special, designed to emphasize special points in the lesson (order separately). T-shirts are heavily promoted in all student booklets (order separately). And the organizational set-up that is recommended (like last year’s). looks more like the president’s plan to run the entire government than a simple VBS, with special committees, leaders, directors, teachers, supervisors, etc. In fact, it comes across almost like something expected from a large Baptist or Methodist denomination than something designed as a vacation Bible school. The teacher’s manuals are full of lists of books to be bought and read to do a good job – all new and not readily available, of course.

Heavy stress is placed on “mission VBS” in the manuals. The lower grades are suggested as being divided into departments within the class-room (auditorium?) for centers for blocks, art, books and puzzles, home living centers and discovery centers (I could not find a Bible center recommended). Refreshments are urged in the grades. Responsive prayers are encouraged in the Junior student books (sort of like a chant, with the teacher reading a phrase, then the students reading another in response; doesn’t sound like the type prayers Jesus taught in Matt. 6). The Teen booklet denies the authenticity of Jn. 7:53-8:11, but acknowledges it does sound like teachings of Jesus. It also implies that Jesus directly functions in our lives in some mystical way today as He responds to our “direct call.” T he adult class also has a book (at least that seems to be the only place I can conclude the book is to be used for) entitled “T he Power T o Be” by Thomas Olbricht (who formerly, if not still, was on the board of the ultra modernistic journal Mission). It passes along the name of Good News For Modern Man as if it were a good, acceptable translation of the word of God (which it is not!), and is full of doctrinal error, such as claiming that Mark wrote his gospel strictly from memory of what he had heard from Peter, and at that, possibly after Peter’s death! It also denies that there-are any rules to be kept in the course of following Jesus, but rather that Jesus was more interested in molding lives of love than setting any guidelines. It also advocates the idea one should not discourage “gifts” of the Holy Spirit today, even though you may not personally feel they are valid. T here was more, but that was about all I could stomach in one setting. Sweet has continued to move toward denominationalism to the point I would not trust any literature coming from them without careful examination first.

Quality?

Despite repeated promises, nothing to date has been received from Quality Publishers. I do not see how it could hardly be worse than what has been offered thus far. Last year they did have a good kit (“Praising Jesus”) in their rotating series and, personally, as of date, I would about as soon discard all three kits and urge our readers to try it or maybe even set up a program of Bible study worked out by the elders and teachers for the age levels and coordinated to coincide with the other classes of their own choosing. If and when Quality Publishers does release their kit, perhaps it will offer a decent alternative.

Unfortunately, I find little thus far this year to recommend.

Truth Magazine XXIV: 25, pp. 405-406
June 19, 1980

By Mike Willis

Inflation has been hitting each of us in recent months. Gasoline prices are approaching $1.50 per gallon; it now costs nearly $30.00 to buy a tank of gasoline for a larger car. Interest rates are running nearly 20%. If one has to borrow money on today’s market, he will pay dearly for it. Prices at the supermarket reflect the inflationary spiral when one purchases a product which has three price tags on it, one pasted on top of another to reflect the increase in cost.

Support of gopsel preachers simply must go up in such an inflationary period. When inflation is reaching nearly 18% on an annual basis, preachers must receive a generous raise just to stay even. To move is not even practical to those who must purchase a house simply because of the interest rates on homes. A man with an 8% mortgage would have his house payment to double if he borrowed the same amount of money at today’s market price of interest. Hence, preachers cannot afford to move just because some brethren are inconsiderate about giving him the needed raise. Brethren must be realistic in compensating preachers during this period. Whereas a good many brethren have labor contracts which have an automatic cost of living raise for their employees, the preacher does not. T o a large degree, the preacher is at the mercy of elders and, in churches without elders, the brethren in general. T he pressures of inflation are hurting your preacher; how long has it been since he was given a raise – not just a salary increase, but a raise which reflected a real increase in buying power because it was greater than the inflation rate?

T he pressures of inflation are being felt by local congregations in more than one way. T he number of requests for support which arrive where I preach demonstrates that raising support is becoming harder. It is becoming more difficult to raise outside support because a greater percentage of one’s budget is being used to keep present programs going. Heating and cooling costs on a good many buildings has risen to $350-400 per month. Radio programs, bulletins, class literature, and preacher support are all increasing. Churches are suffering from the pressures of inflation. How long has it been since you increased how much you are giving? Salary increases have come from your job; has your giving increased to reflect these increases in pay? We are expected to give as we have been prospered (1 Cor. 16:1-2); as your prosperity has increased, has your giving increased?

Cogdill Foundation Also Feels The Pinch

The pressures of inflation are hitting Cogdill Foundation even as they are hitting other industries. Our costs have gone up through the years. Yet, we have tried to hold the line on price increases as much as possible. T he last time we announced a price increase on our graded literature was in 1975; hence, the announcing of an increase on our literature is necessary at this point.

T o illustrate our need for a price increase, let me show you how closely we have been operating. Our class books sell for $.95 retail; they wholesale for 57e. We received a new printing of some of our pre-school material the other day and it was invoiced at 63e per book. Even I have enough sense to know that the volume of our sales will not make money at this rate. Hence, we are literally forced into raising our prices on our graded literature.

Truth Magazine Price Increase

On January 1, 1979, Truth Magazine announced a price increase from $7.50 per subscription to $10.00. We were operating at a considerable loss at the time we announced that price increase. It cost us $11.07 to print and mail a subscription which we sold for $7.50. By changing printers and cutting back on our usage of color, we thought that we could operate for several years at this price. However, we were not prepared for the present rate of inflation.

Consequently, beginning August 1,1980, we will be forced to increase our price to $11.50 for a one-year subscription and $14.00 for a foreign subscription. We shall hold the line on our group subscriptions at $.75 per family per month (this is $9.00 per year on an annual basis). We regret having to announce an increase in prices but we must operate this on a sound financial basis for us to stay in business.

Despite our increase in prices, Truth Magazine continues to be one of the best bargains in religious periodicals. Compare our prices with the following papers:

Vanguard (24 page monthly) $9.50

Gospel Anchor (32 page monthly) $7.00

Sentry (I6 page monthly) $6.00

Gospel Guardian (32 page monthly) $7.00

Searching The Scriptures (24 page monthly) $7.00

The Preceptor (32 page monthly) $6.00

Faith And Facts (76 page quarterly) $4.00

Gospel Teacher (32 page bi-monthly) $7.00

I remind you that Truth Magazine is a sixteen page weekly. T o give you some comparison in prices, compare the number of pages and the prices of these various periodicals.

Paper	Number of Pages	Cost
Vanguard	288	$9.50
Gospel Anchor*	384	$7.00
Sentry**	192	$6.00
Gospel Guardian	384	$7.00
Searching The Scriptures	288	$7.00
The Preceptor	384	$6.00
Faith and Facts*	304	$4.00
Gospel Teacher	144	$7.00
Truth Magazine	816	$11.50

* Uses a smaller page size than Truth Magazine

** Is not professionally type-set.

When one compares the number of pages published in relationship to the cost, he can see what a good bargain Truth Magazine is when compared to other papers.

Conclusion

The exact amount of price increase on other Cogdill Foundation publications can be obtained by writing the bookstore. Probably by now, some of you have already received written notice of our increased prices in giving you an opportunity to purchase quantities prior to the increase. In a similar fashion, we are going to offer any renewals of Truth Magazine at the old price until August 1, 1980. Hence, if you would like to renew your subscription or extend it for another year at the old price, do so prior to August 1,1980.

Truth Magazine XXIV: 25, pp. 403-404
June 19, 1980

By Ron Halbrook

For the truth’s sake, not only must the gospel be proclaimed, it must also be obeyed. It is not proclaimed merely as a basis for speculation and mental exercise, but is proclaimed “for obedience to the faith among all nations” (Ram. 1:5). The Good News of God’s grace and forgiveness through Christ ought to be gladly accepted and obeyed by all men, “but they have not all obeyed the gospel” (Ram. 10:16). “7 he god of this world bath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ . . . should shine unto them.” “T he light” is hidden and “the treasure” lost unto those who give themselves over to “the god of this world” (2 Cor. 4:3-7). Satan is served when we walk “according to the course of this world . . . the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience,” fulfilling “the desires of the flesh and of the mind” (Eph. 2:2-3).

Men may ignore and reject the gospel, still it is Good News. The message does not change its character simple because some turn away their ears from hearing it. Others are glad to hear and glad to obey. It is still good news that (1) Jesus Christ does for man what man cannot do for himself, and that (2) Jesus Christ reveals the love of God. There are other reasons the proclamation is good:

3. Jesus Christ reveals spiritual things. In spite of all man’s advances in knowledge and all his accomplishments, “there is no new thing under the sun” (Eccl. 1:9). The planning and striving of man cannot reach beyond a realm called life “under the sun” in Ecclesiastes. All governments and nations constructed by men are temporary. Every social arrangement, restructure, or plan will change in time. Economic systems built with the utmost care must finally crumble. Money, knowledge, pleasure, and all other labors are left behind at death. What then? And, even while we live and struggle and labor “under the sun,” what is our relation to God? Can we know His will for us? Can we know when we have obeyed His law and when we have erred – can we know His law? Is worship accepted in heaven? Is there conscious existence after death? Are there rewards and punishments – can we be with God in eternity, or be separated from Him?

The eye, ear, and heart of man cannot pierce beyond life “under the sun” to uncover things in the mind of God, but He has revealed Himself in the gospel of Christ, “comparing spiritual things with spiritual words” (1 Cor. 2:9-13 ASV). That is Good News, indeed! Rather than offering plans and schemes of earthly reform, Jesus said, “The words that I speak unto you,.they are spirit, and they are life” (Jn. 6:63). Going beyond the realm of material kingdoms, interests; and cares; Jesus pointed to a spiritual birth, a spiritual kingdom, and spiritual blessings. He said, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (Jn. 3:5).

4. Jesus Christ conquered death. One by one, each of us comes face to face with death. With flowers, memorials, and manicured graveyards, we try to soften the shock, but death is an enemy and it will wrestle each of us down into the grave. Jesus Christ entered the mighty castle of death, but “the gates of Hades” could not hold him (Matt. 16: I S ASV). “He is risen,” angels told the first visitors to His grave; prophets had foretold it and eyewitnesses then reported it (Matt. 28; 1 Cor. I5:1-8). He has promised to raise “all that are in the graves” when He returns – “they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation” (Jn. 5:28-29). Christians know that when He returns, “the dead in Christ shall rise first” and then the faithful living will join them “to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thess. 4:13-18). Words of comfort, Good News!

What of you, dear reader? Will you not accept and obey the gospel? Moved by faith, repent of your sins, confess Christ’s name, “be born of water and of the Spirit.”

Truth Magazine XXIV: 25, p. 402
June 19, 1980

By A. C. Grider

There is a command in First John 4:1 to “Try the spirits.” We are warned that “many false prophets are gone out into the world.” Several things are involved in this business of trying the spirits. First of all, we must know the scriptures to be able to successfully try the spirits. And usually there is the love for the truth that helps us to know the truth in the first place.

We need to keep in mind that we do not need to know everything in order to try the spirits. We do not even need to know all about the subject at hand to try the spirits. If we know enough to uproot some of the foundation of a given position we can know that the whole thing is wrong.

Brother N.B. Hardeman said once, “It is ill-becoming and for the want of common sense for one to say, the Bible says thus and so but the Greek says . . . .” So when one comes with a theory which seems to dispute the common English, and he relies on the Greek to sustain himself, you can just know that his is a false notion. When one comes with a complicated hodge-podge of “component- parts” and “total situations,” you can be sure that he is fostering a false position.

For instance, I do not know all about premillennialism. But I do know enough about it to know that it is a false theory. I know that my Lord said that all that are in the graves will come out at the same hour (John 5:28-29). Any theory that separates the resurrection of the dead by a thousand years or any other period is a false theory.

I do not know all about the Jehovah’s Witnesses, but I, know enough to know they constitute a false system. Their theory is that the earth will not be burned up but that only the systems here will be destroyed and the earth preserved for certain people. But Peter said “The earth also and the works therein shall be burned- up.” So, they teach a false doctrine.

I do not know all about the liberal positions. But I know enough to know that they constitute a false group. They contend that the benevolent work of the church is not limited. But they must know that it is. When I tell them I will send my salary for the next year to any home they want to name if they will show me a scripture that binds the church to help anyone except saints, and they cannot do it, they must know they are teaching a false doctrine.

I do not know everything about Catholicism. But I know enough to know that my Lord said, “Call no man your father on earth.” And they keep on not only calling a man “Father” but calling him “Holy Father.” They just have to be a false group.

So, do not let the fact that you do not know everything keep you from trying the spirits. Do not follow them off into some kind of wild goose chase into things you cannot answer. Hold them to what you do know and keep that before the people and they will do you like they do me they will avoid you and will have nothing to do with a discussion where they will have to defend their position.

Truth Magazine XXIV: 25, p. 401
June 19, 1980