Truth Magazine

By Leonard S. Tyler

Prayer is much neglected, I believe, because it is much misunderstood. There are many aspects of prayer one cannot understand just as in all of God’s dealing with man. Notwithstanding, prayer is a part of the life of a Christian.

There are many false concepts of prayer. Some feel that since miracles have ceased no good can come from prayer. They forget that God operates through natural laws both spiritual and physical. This is God’s way of performing His own will as He designed it. Who can deny it? Prayer must be in accord with the will of God and faith is essential for effective prayer (Jas. 1:6; Matt. 21:22).

An expression from Brother E.A. Elam is as fresh and timely now as when it was first read in 1928:

The men and women named in the Old Testament as the most reverential, having the profoundest respect for the word of God, having made the greatest advancement in spirituality and the knowledge of the truth, and the most suited to serve God’s purpose in advancing his cause were the most prayerful – Moses and Samuel, for instance (Jer. 15:1); also Noah, Job, and Daniel (Ezek. 14:14).

So it is in the New Testament, and so it is now. The ones most advanced in real piety, in grace and godliness, and in the knowledge of the truth, are the most sincerely prayerful.

Paul, the most self-sacrificing and heroic and the one who accomplished the most in planting and building up churches, was also the most diligent in following his own inspired admonition: “Pray without ceasing.” Without incessant prayer he could not have exercised so great self-control, have so advanced as he did in personal holiness, “bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5), and could not have reached the grand consummation described in II Timothy 4:6-8 . . . .

One of the first things said of Paul after he ceased to persecute Jesus was, “For, behold, he prayeth;” and his last recorded utterance is a prayer for Timothy: “The Lord be with thy spirit. Grace be with you.”

It is most instructive, and therefore helpful, to study all the recorded prayers, not only of Paul, but of all godly men and women of the Bible.

Not one of these many prayers, offered under different circumstances and at different times, was a collection of set phases and formal words, but an expression of the full desire of the soul and directly to the point.

Prayers addressed to God are not filled with empty, useless words, but are pointed and usually short.

Every one who prays would like to think the prayers will be answered; hence, one wants to know how to offer prayers acceptable to God. So there can be nothing so instructive as to study the prayers which have pleased God and have been answered (Elam’s Notes on Bible School Lessons 1928, pp. 316-17).

Some hold that any request which was made in the first century was for.. a miraculous manifestation of God in its fulfilment. this is not the way it was. When Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:24)3 He was not asking that without faith and obedience these would be saved. It must have been then, that He prayed -that they might come to believe, obey and be saved. When Paul prayed for Israel that they might be saved, he surely did not pray that God would save them contrary to His will nor miraculously. He, it seems to me, was praying that Israel might come to understand, believe, obey and be saved. Yet both the Lord and Paul prayed for sinners. So all prayers were not for miraculous fulfilment.

Christians are taught to pray. Paul wrote, “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17). Jesus taught men always to pray, and not to faint (Luke 18:1). Some will counter, “If these texts are for us, how are we going to pray without ceasing or always?” The answer is clear -just as the first century Christian did. We should thank God for the privilege of prayer and pray.

Truth Magazine XXIV: 6, pp. 98
February 7, 1980

By Earl Robertson

The human family has ever been ill-content with the arrangements of the Lord. We seek change and innovation. Change and innovation involving only the things of man is all right, but for man to change the things of the Lord is another matter. If any change must be made with the divine arrangements, let the Lord do it! For man to change the Lord’s things is nothing short of perversion and it is an abomination in the Lord’s sight. Perverters have tried to change God’s marriage arrangement. But when they have attempted such they only perverted the right order; His law still obtains. Marriage and the home offer man all he needs biologically and sociologically. The home is God’s arrangement for man and it is all-sufficient to meet his needs.

The church of Christ likewise is all-sufficient for man’s spiritual needs. We have no need of building different churches and certainly no business trying to change the Lord’s church. Yet, such men are constantly engaged in doing that. The Lord gave His church three works to perform: (1) evangelism, (2) edification, (3) benevolence. We maintain churches can do this work; we believe Ephesians 4:11-16 both authorizes and obligates each congregation to stay busy in these efforts. Many congregations contend the church is all-sufficient to do its evangelistic work but not its benevolent work. As a result of this concept, they do their own preaching but subsidize a human board somewhere to do their benevolent work. We ask: If the church can do its benevolent work through the board of directors, why not do its evangelistic work through a board of directors? If it is scriptural for a church of Christ to send so much money each month to a board, such as Potter Orphan Home and School so that board can do the benevolent work of the church, why is it not scriptural for that same church to send so much money each month to the United Christian Missionary Society so that society can do the evangelistic work of that church? When the liberals show what is wrong with the church subsidizing the Missionary Society, they will have also shown what is wrong with the church doing its benevolent work through a board. Frankly, they will have shown that both have no scriptural authorization. Yet, these same ones speak of doing Bible things in Bible ways. Their efforts have destroyed churches and caused heartache that time cannot change. Let us be consistent: let the church do its work and keep it free from the human boards.

Truth Magazine XXIV: 5, p. 93
January 31, 1980

By John M. Trokey

On the evening of December 21, the gentle spirit of the amiable Luther G. Roberts took its flight to the better world.

During the last two years, brother Roberts’ health rapidly declined (mainly because of Parkinson’s disease). He became conscience of his failing health in 1977 and saw it was -best to “retire” from full-time work with the North Freeport church, Freeport, Texas, which he did in September of 1977. From that time until his death, he lived with his beloved and devoted wife Christine in Refugio, Texas.

The last nine months or so were especially hard for him. It is difficult to describe the anguish and heartache he felt in not being able to communicate with those he loved. But, he faced the inevitable with great courage and confidence. And, oh how he loved and appreciated his beloved Christine. She was an ever-present help and joy at his side. No one has ever been blessed with a more loving and sacrificing wife.

Dean Bullock, long-time friend and co-worker, conducted the funeral December 24, 1979 in Refugio, Texas. He spoke of the life-long service brother Roberts rendered to the Lord and His church. Brother Bullock’s main topic was 2 Timothy 4:6-8, “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” He related how well this correlated with the life and service of Luther G. Roberts.

Born near Wildersville, Henderson County, Tennessee, February 28, 1903, he was raised by godly parents, whose primary concern for their children was their education. Luther grew up on farms in Henderson County and attended such “country” schools as Cross Roads, Sandy, Long Sought, and Wildersville. In the fall of 1918, his family moved to Henderson, Chester County, Tennessee. Here he attended Freed-Hardeman College grade school part of 1918-19; and then from 1919 to 1923, he attended Freed-Hardeman College High School. In the fall of 1923, at the invitation of A.G. Freed, he entered David Lipscomb High School and graduated in the spring of 1924. After being out of school for some two years, he again entered Freed-Hardeman College in January of 1927 and finished Junior College work in the spring of 1928. Some of his teachers during this period were A.G. Freed, N.B. Hardeman, L.L. Brigance, W.H. Owen, E.H. Ijams, W.E. Morgan and M.S. Mason. He completed his work for his B.S. degree at West Texas State College, Canyon, Texas in 1930.

Luther did his first “local work” with the church in Canyon, Texas. From there he moved to Post, Stephenville, San Angelo and Amarillo, Texas. In the fall of 1943, he moved to Abilene where his first wife Anna served as Dean of Women, while he devoted his time wholly to meeting work. From Abilene he moved to Dallas then to Pampa, Texas. In February of 1948 he accepted the invitation to work with the church in Clovis, New Mexico, where he stayed four years, then, he moved to Corsicana, Borger, and again to Amarillo, Texas. From Amarillo he moved to Salem, Oregon where he preached for ten years and did some of his most satisfying and profitable work. Anna died at Salem in December of 1965. He married Christine Evans in 1967 and, in 1968, they moved to Tucumcari, New Mexico. From Tucumcari he moved to Freeport, Texas, where where he preached until he retired to live in Refugio, Texas, in September of 1977.

Ira A. Douthitt, under whose preaching Luther was persuaded to obey the gospel and by whose hands he was baptized, used to tell of Luther’s conversion and subsequent life as a gospel preacher to his audiences to emphasize what the value of one life can be for the cause of Christ. It would be impossible to conceive of the many people brother Roberts’ life has influenced for good. His direct preaching and his association with people have led thousands to know Christ and what it means to be a Christian and to reverence and obey Christ. This good influence is yet with us and will continue on and on.

Luther preached in half the states and Canada. He engaged in debates to uphold the banner of truth. He was editor of The Preceptor magazine from May 1955 through April 1956. He edited The Oracles from January 1961 through January 1963. The Oracles was dedicated to fight against institutionalism and liberalism, especially in the Northwestern states.

His preaching was characterized by clearness, forcefulness, and was always marked with emphasis on the scriptures. He spoke in a most pleasing manner with precise diction, good grammar and complete sentences. The greatest aspect of his preaching was his love for the truth and an uncompromising spirit.

Luther worked tirelessly in an effort to serve Christ in the things that would promote the kingdom of God upon the earth. His devotion to the cause of truth had been unquestioned. He stood with the truth when it was not popular to do so, especially at the time institutionalism became an issue.

We extend our sympathy to sister Roberts and his son John T. Roberts of Salem, Oregon. The exceeding great and precious promises of God are theirs; their husband and father rests from his labors and his works will follow after him.

Truly the life of Luther G. Roberts is a song to be remembered. The song is ended but the melody lingers on.

Truth Magazine XXIV: 5, p. 92
January 31, 1980

By Dudley Ross Spears

Recently a swarm of new translations and versions of the Bible have become available to the Bible reader. Added to these are some older translations and versions that have never been what you might consider real popular. Some of them have made a real contribution to easier reading, better comprehension and clearer exposition of Bible truth. Some of them are dangerous and misleading. It is the purpose of this article to give a brief statement about each, that this writer has found through personal investigation, hoping to help those who may be curious about new translations but do not have the time to wade through each one.

It has been very difficult for many Christians to leave the beauty of the King James Version (KJV) for translations that modernize the language. Although difficult, it could be a very profitable step in the right direction to at least read a reliable translation that has been given in the modern language. The language from which our New Testament was translated was “street language.” It was not classical or formal speech. The letters of the Apostles were written in the speech in common use at the time they were written. We will profit from reading the same letters, faithfully translated, in our everyday speech.

Fortunately there are quite a few very reliable translations of the Bible in present day English. There are some that are totally unreliable and even dangerous. It does not take long to determine whether a modern-day language edition of the Bible is reliable or not. Please understand what I am about to say before you turn me off as a “wild-eyed’ liberal” in reference to modern translations. There is no translation of the Bible or version of the Bible that is totally acceptable to-everyone. If I had not had some help, I could have been misled by the KJV on a few things like “Easter” (Acts 12:4) and similar things. This is not to say that the KJV is unreliable, but to admit that nearly every acceptable translation to some is not acceptable totally to others.

Here are some I recommend. I recommend them because they are reliable in translation (as far as my limited knowledge of original languages go) and easy to read and understand. I have no misgiving that everyone who will read these words will agree with me. I write them only to help those who may be interested in reading a Bible in upto-date language and not fearing they are reading some ridiculous perversion of God’s Word. 1 will give the initials by which these are commonly identified after the title of each.

1. The New King James Version (NKJV). All of the archaic pronouns and verbs have been modernized. The “Thou, Thee, Thine, doeth, sayest, lovest,” are all gone. This does not mean there is a lack of reverence for God and Christ reflected in the NKJV. Somehow, the idea has developed among people that saying “Thee” in addressing God shows more reverence than saying “You.” I confess readily to having been among that number formerly – but no more. The same Greek text from which the King James Version of 1611 was translated was used for the NKJV. Thus, the continuing debate over the “Textus Receptus” and the Wescott-Hort Text, will be preserved, at least in part, by the presence of the NKJV. I like it and read it and profit from it, because it continues the thought order of the KJV in language that is true to the Greek text and understandable in English.

2. The New American Standard Bible (NASB). This version is essentially a revision of the American Standard Version (ASV). It has no connection with what is called the Revised Standard Version. In order to preserve the great work accomplished by the tranlators of the ASV, the Lockman Foundation in California determined to retain the accuracy of the ASV and revise it to modern day language. Special attention was also given to the tenses of verbs with particular emphasis on what we would call “past progressive” tense in English grammar. It is a good one and you will profit from reading it.

3. The Berkley Version (TBV). This one comes from the efforts of those who style themselves as “evangelicals.” That has come to mean (to me) that they fundamentally believe the word of God is true and that the Bible is verbally inspired. Dr. Garritt Verhuyl began the work and with the help of others, all professing to believe the verbal inspiration of Scripture, produced a literal translation as far as is possible. This came out in 1959. You may find some border-line instances where one can detect a smattering of Calvinism, so with that in mind I recommend it also.

4. The New International Version (HIV). Were it not for the use of “sinful nature” for the word “flesh” in several instances, this translation would be very good. There is another instance that I want to check on in which the word “messenger” in the KJV and ASV is translated “representative” in 2 Car. 8:23. On the whole you will find it readable and informative.

Here are a few you might be able to buy still, but you may have to find them in a used book store; they are worth the money you will pay for them.

1. Charles B. Williams Translation. Like the HIV, this translation gives “human nature” or “lower nature” rather than the word “body” or “flesh” but, other than that, it is excellent. Particularly is it good in reference to the truth on the purpose of water baptism – and Williams is a Baptist. Like the NASB, Williams stresses the correct translation of Greek tenses. Example: Matt. 16:19 and 18:18, “Whatever you forbid on earth must be what is already forbidden in heaven.” He translated correctly 1 John 3:8, 9, “Whoever practices sin belongs to the devil, because the devil has practiced sin from the beginning . . . . No one who is born of God makes a practice of sinning (my ephasis, DRS) because the God-given life-principle continues to live in him, and so he cannot practice sinning.” It is easy to read and a good translation.

2. The Twentieth Century New Testament. This one was published to be a most reliable translation of the Westcott-Hort text. It came out around 1898-1901. Identical passages were translated identically. The translators (unknown to me at this writing) pledged themselves to “examine every Greek word carefully and to translate directly from the Greek text.” It is not a revision of another version or a paraphrase. You might need time to get used to the order of the books of the NT in it because they did change that, but it is good to read – if you can find one in a used book store somewhere.

There are some that are completely unreliale and need exposure as outright error. They include The New English Bible. Anything a man called C.H. Dodd has anything to do with cannot completely be trusted. He is (if he lives now) from Cambridge, England and does not believe in verbal inspiration, the resurrection of Christ and far too many more things to mention. The NEB does not attempt to give a literal meaning to words – it intended to convey the idea, but the idea it conveyed was more the possession of the translators and the supervisor than the idea of God. There are numerous words that have no equivalent Greek word from which they were translated. Do not waste your time or money – unless you are wealthy and need some diversion.

The same can be said for Good News for Modern Man, The Living Bible, The Amplified Bible, and some more of these “jazzed-up” perversions. They are not translations and most of those who published them have never seen the Greek text.

I probably did not include one that you would like to know about – assuming you read this far – but these are some I have examined and read. There are others. One of the best things to do is talk with the elders where you worship or with the local preacher before you take what some of the modern language editions say. I hope what has been said in this article has been of some little profit to you.

Truth Magazine XXIV: 5, pp. 90-91
January 31, 1980