Truth Magazine

By Mike Willis

I started saving a clipping or two the other day in which brethren were working hand-in-hand with denominationalists. Before a month passed, the number of clippings which I .had set aside for comment in “Quips and Quotes” had outgrown the column: Hence, I would like to relate some of these instances to our readers through this column.

The Lord’s people have been opposed to denominationalism ever since denominationalism began. The Bible condemns denominationalism. The wearing of human names is directly contrary to 1 Cor. 1:10-13; the baptism of denominationalism is generally performed on the wrong subject for the wrong purpose and by the wrong action; the doctrines of denominationalism are in conflict with each other; the organization of denominations is contrary to the simple organization of the New Testament church; the worship of denominations violates the pattern of New Testament worship in respect to virtually every act of worship. Hence, brethren have been seeking to get men to depart from denominationalism and become simple New Testament Christians. Literally thousands have heard and accepted the plea to become a Christian without becoming a part of any human denomination.

It is sad to notice with the passing of the years that those who have accepted the liberal position with reference to church supported recreation, church support of human institutions .(colleges, benevolent organizations, etc.), and the sponsoring church arrangement have gradually begun to accept denominationalism. That you might not think that I speak falsehoods, consider the following items of evidence:

Item 1: From the bulletin of the Eastland church of Christ (700 Gallatin Road, Nashville, Tennessee 37206), the following item was reproduced and reviewed by its editor Howard See: “Gallatin Church of Christ will hold a four day series of gospel meetings, beginning Sunday, with Wayne Smith, minister of Southland Christian Church, Lexington, Ky., as the speaker.”

From this announcement in this local newspaper, one could almost get the impression that the local Church of Christ and Christian Church were in complete fellowship with one another.

Item 2: The Mid-America Evangelism Workshop which was held in Indianapolis June 7-9 featured Marvin Phillips as one of its speakers. The bulletin published by the Shelbyville Road Church of Christ where W.L. Totty preaches reported that Brother Phillips “spoke on the 5th annual Canton Christian Conference, March, 1977, and the tapes clearly show he was in fellowship with them. He was telling them how they could grow, rather than pointing out their departure from the truth.” Another speaker for this workshop is Alan Bryan. Regarding him, the author stated, “He organized no less than a missionary society in Florence, Alabama, January, 1977.”

From the looks of the bulletin presently being edited by W.L. Totty, one could get the impression that he has turned “anti.” You do remember W.L. Totty, don’t you? He was the fiery debater employed by the liberals to do warfare against us “anti’s.” But liberalism has gone to seed and its harvest is not attractive to Brother Totty. He just wanted a little liberalism. Unfortunately, he is learning that there is no such thing as a little liberalism.

Item 3: A friend of mine mailed me a clipping from his local paper in Trenton, Florida. The article was entitled, “Old Fashioned Work Day At Ebenezer Baptist Church.” The article read as follows: “On Saturday, February 3rd, First Baptist Church of Trenton called an old fashion work day at Ebenezer Baptist Church, along with Pine Grove, Bronson Baptist, Sardi’s Baptist and Trenton Church of Christ, Priscilla Baptist and many more friends.” The article contained a picture showing these men,including those from the Church of Christ, erecting a Baptist Church building.

How much preaching do you suppose is being done from the pulpit of the Trenton Church of Christ in which denominationalism is being condemned? If its members are involved in erecting a denominational building, I seriously doubt that they are supporting a man to teach them that the doctrines of the Baptist Church are sinful.

Item 4: The Greggton Guide (4/22/79), the bulletin published by the Greggton Church in Longview, Texas (4400 W. Marshall Ave.), criticized the following activity of liberals in their area. The article was taken from the daily newspaper and reproduced in the bulletin. It was entitled “Good Friday Service Planned By Alliance.” The article read as follows:

The Longview Ministerial Alliance is planning a special Good Friday service in the First Methodist Church, 400 North Fredonia.

The noon service on April 13, will have six participants and the Rev. Bob Parrots, pastor, will introduce the program.

Larry Hall, minister of the Pine Tree Church of Christ will speak. Rev. Kenneth Mann, president of the alliance, will give the invocation.

Music will be under the direction of Dale Thomas of the Gladewater Church of Christ. Associate Minister Roy White of the Pine Tree Church of Christ will read scripture from 1 Corinthians 15 . . .

I would certainly be delighted to have those involved in these activities to explain to me how sinful it is for churches to observe holy days not authorized in the scriptures. I would also like to hear these men tell me whether or not they were in an equal yoke with these denominational preachers when involved in this ministerial alliance.

Item 5: This item comes to us via Contending For The Faith (April 1979), the periodical edited by Ira Y. Rice, Jr. which has been fighting the more liberal among the liberals for several years. This issue of the magazine reproduced the following from the Abilene Reporter-News (March 10, 1979):

Lynn Anderson, minister of Highland Church of Christ, will lead a “Church Growth Seminar” from 8 to 10 p.m. Wednesday at Elmwood West United Methodist Church, 1302 S. Pioneer.

Pastors, church leaders and Council of Ministries members from Brookhollow Christian Church, Grace Lutheran Church, St. James Methodist Church, Westminister Presbyterian Church and Elmwood West Methodist Church will participate in the seminar.

All other interested persons are invited to attend.

Have you wondered why the programs on Herald of Truth have had little doctrinal content lately? I suggest to you that those leading the Herald of Truth missionary society are no longer convinced that denominationalism is sinful; they see no difference in the Church of Christ and denominations. Hence, these programs have become so watered down that they do little, if any, distinctive teaching.

Item 6: The editor of Gospel Advocate was among those who were promoting the erection of an ecumenical interchurch center in Nashville, Tennessee. He finally resigned from participating in this but not because of doctrinal convictions. If I remember correctly, he cited his work load as forcing him to resign from participation in this. Yet, the very fact that he could work hand-in-hand with denominationalists shows us something about his doctrinal convictions.

I cannot list this last item without referring to North’s recent editorial in the Gospel Advocate (May 10, 1979) entitled “Our ‘Anti-Co-operation’ Brethren Should Come Back Home.” In this article, North implied that the “anti’s” were drying up on the vine and that those who are left should return to the old doctrines from which they had departed. Brother North, do you really believe what you wrote? Do you expect me to believe that those of the previous generation believed that it was right to pussyfoot with denominationalists as you brethren are doing today? Do you expect me to believe that those of the previous generation thought that it was right for churches to build facilities for and sponsor recreational events as you brethren are doing? Do you expect me to believe that those of a previous generation believed that it was right for churches to support colleges and orphans home from their congregational treasury? I do not think that you believe that yourself.

Even if a few isolated cases of this could be cited, that would not prove that doing these things was right or wrong. Grace us with an exegesis of the passages that authorize the church’s involvement in the activities in which you believe they may be involved. When we become convinced that the scriptures authorize these practices then we will be engaged in doing them; until then, we shall not. Until you can produce book, chapter, and verse demonstrating that the New Testament authorizes these practices, you resemble the prodigal son chiding his father telling him to come home!

Conclusion

The move to consider the Lord’s church a human denomination is gaining momentum among the liberals. Next week, I shall consider some of the conclusions which must be accepted once a person admits that denominationalism is right. One thing is obvious from these items of interest cited above: there are growing numbers of brethren who regard denominationalism as scriptural inasmuch as they have quit fighting it and begun working to support it.

Truth Magazine XXIII: 30, pp. 483-485
August 2, 1979

By Roy S. Fudge

I have before me an eight page paper .written, by my nephew, Edward Fudge, entitled 4 Gospel Slogans. A few years ago I talked to Edward and told him I was considering writing some articles about his teaching. I wanted to talk with him before I went into print. He has never had time to talk with me when we have been together: After reading this paper, I feel I must write in answer to it.

He states, “The reformers therefore insisted on – solely by grace – and took their stand with Paul.” The reader is referred to Rom. 4:4; 11:16 in which Paul says nothing about grace only. Paul is here talking of works and grace. He simply states that if one works and merits salvation as a result of his work, it is not grace. James says a man is justified by works (Jas. 2:24). Shall we follow Martin Luther and throw James out of the Bible?

Under “Solely by Faith” it is stated, “Because the work that accomplished salvation and reconciled us to God was done solely in the representative life and death of Jesus, it is a finished work.” “We cannot contribute anything to it. We can do nothing to make it more acceptable than it has already been declared to be by Christ’s resurrection. We can do nothing to make it more certain than it already is seen to be in Christ at God’s right hand. Because it is done, we cannot do it, whether by climbing as high as heaven or stooping as low as hell. We can only confess that Jesus is Lord, and believe that God has raised Him from dead -and be counted righteous and saved. Or we can refuse to believe and continue under judgment.” We see from the above statements that Ed is teaching salvation by faith only, without man doing anything is taught. I heard Roy Osborne a few years ago teach this doctrine. It is not in the Bible and is, therefore, a doctrine of demons. Again, it is stated, “God pronounces the sinner righteous on the principle of faith, and that alone, but the faith that justifies never remains alone! The gospel is not `faith plus works’ (Rom. 3:4, 5) it is not `faith without works’ (Jas. 2:20) It is `faith which works’ (Gal. 5:6).” If “I by my works show you my faith,” is not faith plus works, I cannot understand plain English language.

Again on page four we read, “In the works that accomplished salvation there is no such thing as God’s part and man’s part.” In Acts 2, we see from Peter’s sermon that God had a part in man’s salvation which he had already done and then man was told he must do something in order to be saved. They believed as they were pricked in the heart and cried out “what shall we do?” They were told to repent and-be baptized for the remission of sins. They were -not yet saved although God had done His part and they had believed.

On page seven we read, “Gospel baptism is the response of faith to the good news that in the representative person of Jesus Christ, God has saved us already.” So then you have. it in so many words that man is saved by faith only and that before baptism. Baptism saves us from this crooked generation according to this paper. It does not matter that the Word of God says it is for remission of sins or to wash away sins, that was done when one believes. Will you accept God’s word or the word of. man?

This paper closes with the following statement, “Let us pray that God will grant us grace to believe all that He has promised, obey all He has commanded, arid rejoice in the salvation that He alone has accomplished .through Christ alone, to be received by faith alone as testified in scripture alone.” As a child of God I cannot pray for that which is not in accord with God’s will. as revealed in His word. Salvation comes by nothing alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matt. 4:4).

Truth Magazine XXIII: 30, p. 482
August 2, 1979

By Johnie Edwards

The Bible teaches it is Scriptural for a church to own and furnish a preacher a house in which to live as part of his support (2 Cor. 11:8). There are some real problems connected with this arrangement.

(1) “We furnish a house. ” When elders discuss financial arrangements with a preacher, they will tell the preacher how much they intend to pay him in money and then they say, “We also will furnish you a house.” This can be done. But, who furnishes who, what?

(2) The pay. The Bible teaches “that the laborer is worthy of his hire. . .” (Lk. 10:7). When elders decide on the figure to pay a preacher, they deduct the value of the house from what he would normally be paid if he provided his own house.

(3) Who furnishes who, what? Most have the furnishing business turned around. Instead of the church furnishing the preacher a house, the preacher is really furnishing the church a house! I know a church which owns the preacher’s dwelling and has an extra bedroom so the regular preacher can keep a visiting preacher. This is not so bad but the preacher had to buy extra bedroom furnishings for the visiting preacher’s bedroom. I doubt if this is the responsibility of the preacher!

(4) Salary is less. It has been estimated that a preacher who lives in a house owned by the church is usually paid 30% to 40% less than if he provides for his own house.

(5) Buys two houses. If a preacher lives in church owned housing all of his normal preaching life, he will pay for at lest two houses for churches in his lifetime. Who furnishes who, what?

(6) Profit. Oftentimes a church will sell a house, paid for by preachers who live in the house, for a profit. With inflation and the rising cost of living, this can amount to about 12% per year. Have you ever heard of a church who gave this profit to the preacher who really made them the profit?

(7) A suggestion. I have lived in both my own house and church-owned property, and I believe a good way to help provide for preachers (especially when they get older) is to pay them enough so they can buy their own house. They will need it when they get older.

Truth Magazine XXIII: 29, p. 476
July 26, 1979

By Jeffery Kingry

In our country’s last war, now forgotten and denied like a bad dream, I had the occasion to endure a year amidst the suffering and carnage. “Home” was taken from-me by the impersonal and cruel hand of bureaucracy. During that time, I was able often to recover from the sight of the ruins and the heaviness of heart that came by nightfall by sending my imagination off on a journey. I would recall the peaceful town of Columbus, Mississippi with the brethren standing outside the church building talking about hunting or the harvest. Smiles and handshakes and a quiet, “Good evening, brother Jeff” would greet me as I approached. In the eye of my mind it would be so.

But, after about six months I had a curious experience. On R & R in Hawaii, I met almost the very experience I had so long imagined. But the longed-for peace would not come to my heart. I felt ostracized and the idyllic scene was tormenting rather than tranquilizing.

Within five days, I was back amidst the horror and the people whose faces bore the ruines of our shared anguish. Strangely, I felt more at home. These understood what I was going through, because they were suffering it themselves. There was a kinship that could not be shared with those who did not know. The brethren “back home” did not understand. To them I was a somewhat disquieting apparition from another, far removed world. There is nothing more comforting than to have people who understand us. Just a glance, a knowing nod means so much from one who has shared the same pain. When ? person is hard pressed by dread and terror, then home and fulfillment and the people who are fortunate and have everything these suddenly become alien.

The Isolation of Living

It is in our isolation and hopelessness that God really touches the lives of his saints through His Son Jesus. In our presentation of the Gospel to the world and to those who have need in the church, we sometimes make the wrong approach. What is the good of all the usual religious froth we see in the materialistic cultism so many preach? What do these pious sentimentalities actually accomplish:

To some, Christianity is merely a pattern of teaching, or the organization and function of the church, some great Bible doctrines, or the social amenities and prestige to be found in being well thought of by the brethren. All these things are necessary, but actually constitute only a part. It is form that is adjunct to the substance of the gospel. Beside the form, the personality and character as a personal standard for the Christian stands but as a shadow, a far-removed pious figure that does not really touch our life.

What is love that no longer emanates from immediate contact with Him who “is” love, but lives in us only as a kind of memory, a mere distinct echo? In some men’s speech they reduce this shadow to a grotesque caricature: “Have joy in your heart! Wake to face each new day with sunshine in your soul!” It is pathetic to see the yearning that these expressions betray, but at the same time it is quite foolish to put them in the form of an imperative. How can I possibly go about getting sun into my heart? Obviously there can be sunshine in my soul only if the sun shines upon me, and then the brightness of my heart is a reflection of it. But how can I “produce” the sun?

Such imperatives reflect the sad longing of people who have lost the real thing and sorely feel the deep need that must be filled. Knowing that something is gone they try to effect a “synthetic” sun which can fill the void; “I love Jesus” bumper stickers, One Way signs, religious trinkets, symbolism, distinctive clothing, peculiar systems, fame, popularity, publishing endless books, and many other things represent this effort to create something from within that will fill the void they feel. Leaders of the materialistic religion offer nothing to those in need, and produce only disillusionment in those who listen to them.

The Wounded

What good then is all the religious talk which is directed everywhere but to the need of man? What difference does it make to speak to me of the identity of the church as a doctrinal matter, the history of the Bible, or various doctrines which do not touch my life or living in any way. What use are these things to me if I am repining in loneliness, my conscience is tormenting me, if anxiety is strangling me? What good is a omniscient, omnipotent, eternal King to me, a poor wretch, a heap of misery, for whom nobody cares, for whom life has become an existence of pain, someone stared at in public but never seen?

The “loving Father above the starry skies” is up there in some monumental headquarters while I sit somewhere on this trash heap, living in a walk-up or a mansion, working at a stupid job that gives me the miseries or at an executive’s desk which is armored with two anterooms. Most go their way, read their papers or turn on the T.V. and vegetate, for what does a “message” mean that is not good news to me in any way?

But, if someone says “There is someone who knows you, someone who grieves for you when you go your own way, and it cost Him cruelly to be the star to whom you can look, the spring from which you can drink and never thirst, the staff upon which you can lean and never fall,” then that is something I can listen to and be touched by.

Jesus is not the pastel colored picture man’s sentimentality has turned him into. Neither is he the intellectual exercise to be found in college courses on Biblical literature and hermeneutics. It was not the warm, cute creche of Christmas card scenes that Jesus was born into. Mary brought forth her manchild in pain with the smell of the barnyard sharp in the air. The child was shoved off into a stable by man’s indifference. His parents were forced to flee, and went out upon the road as refugees to a strange land to escape the bloody hands of a despotic politician who murdered little babies to get to Him. Then came the lifelong hostility of men; the child always remained, even after he grew up, a fugitive. His heart trembled under the impact of all the temptations and fears that shake us too. And finally, his life ended as it began. He was shoved out of the world by greedy, selfish, mean men. He died on a cross in shame and humiliation. His friends deserted Him and denied having ever known Him. It was not a “grand old cross” – it was a cruel gallows, the symbol of our sin and its cost. The Man who loved without measure, suffered without measure as He saw men rushing headlong into senseless destruction – they had no use for Him.

Mine Iniquities Are Over My Head

Man needs God’s words of comfort and hope. It is not in man to deal with the hurt and failure of life by himself (Psa. 38:2-22). But, the Gospel calls us to a different kind of life, for when Christ suffered for us, he left us a pattern, and we must follow in His footsteps. He did no wrong, nor was there ever any treachery upon His lips. Yet, when He was insulted He offered no insult in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, rather He left His cause in the hands of the righteous Judge. He carried the burden of our sins with Him to the cross, that we might be able to cease to live for sin, and instead live for righteousness. It was by His wounds that our wounds are healed.

God’s message is alive and full of power. It cuts through the hardest armor unlike any honed steel in this universe, striking through to the dividing line of even soul and spirit, to the innermost intimacies of a man’s being. The Word handled rightly is capable of exposing the very thoughts and motives of a man’s heart. No being created can escape God’s view, but lies bare and helpless before the eyes of Him to whom we must explain all that we have done.

We do not have one that takes our side who is incapable of being touched by how we feel, because He has shared the flesh and the experience with us. Every pain that is common to man, He has endured, yet never with sin.

We can therefore be bold, coming with courage to God’s throne that we might receive mercy for our failures. All this because He died for us. One who would give His very life for me will not deny me anything I need which was of lesser worth. We can find His strength to help us when we need it. He knows and understands, and is no stranger to our suffering. He loves me and He gave Himself for me. That is “good news” – The Gospel indeed!

Truth Magazine XXIII: 29, pp. 474-475
July 26, 1979