Truth Magazine

By Mike Willis

Each of us owns a copy of a book which is known as the “Holy Bible.” Some of us have spent a considerable chunk of money in order to purchase a copy of the Bible. But, what for? Have we merely purchased a decorative book to lay on a coffee table? Have we purchased a color-coordinated piece to take to worship services with us? Or, have we a copy of the Bible for the express purpose of learning God’s revelation to man?

One wonders just which is the reason that people have a Bible when he- sees manifestations of the ignorance of the Bible among those purporting to be Christians. Large numbers of us could not name the books of the Old Testament. Others could not pick out the non-biblical book from the following list: Zechariah, Hezekiah, Zephaniah, Haggai and Malachi. Because of the vast amount of spiritual ignorance among us, the number of ashdodic phrases which we hear at worship services continues to grow. Someone says, “I am a Church of Christer” or “He is a Church of Christ preacher.” Such expressions manifest the influence of denominational expressions upon our own thought patterns.

The Privilege of Having A Bible

We need to consider the blessed privilege we have in being able to own and use a Bible. Many ages in the past were such that the average man could not afford to own a Bible; other ages made it a capital offense to own such a book. But we live in such an age that owning a Bible is something available to all of us. Yet, man takes this privilege for granted.

God has given us a revelation, not to benefit God, but to benefit man. God is not made better by giving to man a revelation. The entire purpose of God revealing Himself to man was to direct man in this life and to make it possible for him to live forever in heaven after death. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psa. 119:105). We need to meditate on the fact that our Bibles are given to us by God to meet our needs. Consequently, we need to treat the Bible with respect due to the fact that it is from God. We need to crave any knowledge which we can gain thereby. Like David, we should say, “O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day” (Psa. 119:97). We need to personally learn God’s word and to labor to impart knowledge of God to others.

Our Moral Responsibility to Know God’s Word

Inasmuch as God has given a special revelation to man, He expects man not only to treat that revelation with respect but to know it. Man has made a moral decision when he decides not to study God’s word. The book of Hosea shows God’s attitude toward us when we allow ourselves to reject or neglect God’s law. The fourth chapter opens with God bringing a legal charge against Israel: “Hear the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel: for the Lord hath a controversy (RIB: case at law; lawsuit) with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land” (4:1). There was no reason for Israel to lack knowledge of God; God had given a revelation to them. Yet, they had no appreciation for God’s law: “I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing” (8:12).

Instead of being disciples of the word of the Lord, the Israelites chased after the idols and committed spiritual adultery against the Lord. “They will not frame their doings to turn unto their God: for the spirit of whoredoms is in the midst of them, and they have not known the Lord” (5:4). Chasing after the idols and pursuing immorality, Israel had no use for God’s revealed word. Hence, the knowledge of the Lord passed out of the land. Consequently, the judgment of the Lord came upon Israel: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children” (4:6).

Seeing the attitude of God toward Israel for their allowing the revelation of God to be neglected and rejected, we should have no trouble understanding our need to constantly study God’s revealed word. God’s inspired revelation which was once given only to the Jews has now been directed to all men; we are possessors of divine revelation designed to give us all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Tim. 3:16, 17; 2 Pet. 1:3-4). We stand in exactly the same position in this respect as Israel of old stood.

Lessons Taken From This Text

Understanding the fact that we possess a revelation just as Israel did and have a moral responsibility for learning and obeying that revelation just as Israel did, let us draw some lessons from this text:

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou has forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children (4:6).

Consider the following thoughts based on these facts and this text:

1. True religion is based on knowledge of God’s word. Idolatry, superstition and modern denominationalism all thrive when people do not know the revealed word of God. Divine religion is based on the knowledge of God’s word; it cannot exist where men are ignorant of God’s word. Man must know the truth to be free from sin (Jn. 8:32). Saving faith comes through the hearing of the word of God (Rom. 10:17). Hence, the Christian religion is a taught religion (Jn. 6:44-45) and cannot exist where men are ignorant of God’s word.

Furthermore, a religion which is based on emotionalism is not divine religion. I have witnessed people shouting “Ilove you, Jesus” at the top of their voices who could not find John 3:16 in their Bibles to save their lives. Emotionalism which is void of the knowledge of the word of God is not the Christian religion. Divine religion exists and thrives in direct proportion to man’s knowledge of the word of God.

2. The rejection of God’s revelation is a moral decision. If a man does not know the word of God today, he does not know it because he does not want to know it. The word of God is known to man and easily assessible; a man can purchase a Bible for a little over a dollar at many local markets. The man who does not know the word of God does not want to know the word of God. Notice the text: “because thou hast rejected knowledge:” Man does not know the word of God today because he has rejected and neglected God’s divine word. He has chosen to worship materialism, entertainment, society, etc. and has rejected the word of God (cf. 2 Thess. 2:10).

3. Spiritual ignorance is God-offending. One cannot read Hosea 4:6 without noticing how offended God was that Israel had allowed themselves to become ignorant of God’s holy revelation. The same principle is true today. Jesus said, “He that is of God heareth God’s word: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God” (Jn. 8:47). Again, He said, “He that receiveth you received me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me” (Mt. 10:40). Hence, the man who does not have enough interest to receive the evangelist and the gospel has rejected God. He has offended God!

4. Spiritual ignorance is destructive. Hosea said, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (4:6). Spiritual ignorance destroys the souls of men. Those who do not have the love of truth in their hearts will perish (2 Thess. 2:10). When men do not know the proper way to worship God, the conditions which they must meet to obtain God’s grace in salvation, and the nature, work, and organization of the New Testament church, New Testament Christianity cannot exist. In a similar fashion, a group which has historically known these truths can depart from these truths and cease to be God’s people when spiritual ignorance exists. Inevitably, in such cases, an apostasy will come which destroys the church. Consider the lesson from history drawn from the Christian Church. The Christian Church formerly stood identified with New Testament Christianity. After the departure from the revelation of God in introducing instrumental music into the worship of the church, the way to digression was quickly traversed. Today the Christian Church people have no concept of New Testament Christianity, the New Testament church (its nature, mission, worship, organization, etc.), and other aspects of the Lord’s church. Some among them no longer respect the Scriptures as God’s inspired and infallible revelation. Spiritual ignorance has destroyed this people and will destroy any other group of people who neglect or reject the study of God’s word.

5. Spiritual ignorance affects others. This same text in Hosea says, “seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children” (4:6). Sometimes men seem to think that spiritual ignorance only affects the man who is willingly refusing to obey God’s word. That is not so. Consider how it affects the children. I have seen cases where some Christian fell away from grace. I knew that they knew enough about God’s word that should they ever decide to straighten up their lives that they would return to Bible worship. In the meantime, however, their children grew up without the knowledge of the Lord being planted in their minds. These children cannot recognize the difference in the worship of God as revealed in the New Testament and that which is devised by men. Consequently, they likely never will study God’s word and learn the truth.

Jesus said it like this: “Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch” (Mt. 15:13-14). Yes, spiritual ignorance does affect others. It affects our children, friends, and whoever else might follow us down the road to spiritual damnation.

There are some among us who apparently do not believe that spiritual ignorance affects others. For example, when I talk to some brethren, they think that these preachers in the Christian Church and liberal churches are going to be lost because of their participation in instrumental music, church sponsored recreation, the sponsoring church arrangement, etc. However, they do not believe the members of those congregations will be doomed because they are ignorant of this being sinful. Somehow, the grace of God is imagined to extend to cover those who are ignorant of the sins which they are committing. Yet, the word of God teaches otherwise. The Bible teaches that spiritual ignorance affects those around us as they are led into following our wrong example into spiritual damnation.

Conclusion

Seeing the grievous problems which come upon us when we ignore and neglect God’s revelation, let us resolve to work to learn the word of God and to teach others what God expects of us. Let us “buy the truth and sell it not” (Prov. 23:23). Let us go into all the world with the message of the saving gospel of Jesus Christ. Let us do our part to spread the word of God that “the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea” (Hab. 2:14).

Truth Magazine XXII: 39, pp. 627-629
October 5, 1978

By Mike Willis

During the work of Jeremiah, God commanded Jeremiah to write his words on a scroll and send them to Jehoiakim. The message was to be read to the people upon the fasting day. When the message was heard, some of the people were terrified. Finally, the book was taken to Jehoiakim. “And it came to pass, that when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth” (Jer. 36:23). Jehoiakim was somewhat more brazen than many in eliminating from the word of God those parts with which he disagreed but, in principle, very similar to not a few religionists today.

Modernists follow the example of Jehoiakim. With the penknife of higher criticism, they go through the pages of God’s divine word and eliminate the things which they do not want to believe. The record of creation, a universal flood, Jonah and the whale, Daniel in the lion’s den, the miracles performed by Elijah, Joshua’s long day, etc. are all “cut out” of the Old Testament, being treated as Jewish folklore or myth. Form critics of the New Testament eliminate the miracles from its pages in the same way. In their quest for the historical Jesus, they completely eliminate anything supernatural or divine from Him.

The miracles are not the only thing removed by the penknife of modernists. Prophecy is re-interpreted and eliminated. Where re-interpretation is not possible, authors who lived after the prophesied event are imagined so that one has five or six men responsible for the writing of a book such as Isaiah. The result of all of this is an edited Bible-edited in the same fashion as Jehoiakim edited it. Modernists have simply chosen to eliminate everything in the Bible which they do not believe. They undermine the authority of God’s word by making it appear to be self-contradictory.

Modernism has generally been somewhat removed from the churches of Christ. Yet, in recent years, more and more modernists are raising their ugly heads among us. We can no longer pretend that modernism is not a threat to the church. Hence, we have planned and produced this special series on modernism. I think that you will want to lay these special issues aside and keep them for future reference. The material is excellent. But, you do not need me to tell you that; it speaks for itself.

Two Conflicting Religions

The religion of modernism and the religion of Christ are two conflicting religions. The God of Christianity is One who has revealed Himself to man through Jesus Christ and through the Bible. The God of modernism is either dead (cf. the God-Is-Dead Movement of Altizer) or silent, in that He does not reveal Himself. The Christ of Christianity is God manifest in the flesh who died for our sins. The Christ of modernism is a mere man with whom they disagree and correct on a number of occasions and who suffered a death on a cross but not for the sins of mankind. The Bible of Christianity is the revelation of God’s mind to man. The Bible of modernism is the human record of man’s religious experiences. We could continue to contrast the salvation, church, etc. of Christianity with that of modernism but enough has been written to show that modernism and New Testament Christianity are two conflicting religions.

These two religions cannot peaceably co-exist. “In the intellectual battle of the present day there can be no `peace without victory’; one side or the other must win” (J. Gresham Machen, Christianity and Liberalism, p. 6). So, let the battle rage. Let the presuppositions, the doctrinal assertions, the moral consequences, etc. of the two systems come into conflict and let truth come forth victorious.

About These Issues

The materials presented in these special issues on “An Assault On Modernism” are somewhat more detailed and scholarly than our usual articles are. They become collector’s items and valuable for that very reason. Sometimes the materials presented in subscription papers such as Truth Magazine are excessively top-water. Hence, every so often I request that we give some more detailed study to some special topics of interest pertaining to problems surrounding us. Though these materials will not be of equal interest to all of our readers, we feel that the extensive study in these articles makes them extremely valuable to those more interested in coming to grips with some of the problems in dealing with religious infidels. With this in mind, we commend this material to you and thank our writers for their labors in putting it together.

Truth Magazine XXII: 40, p. 642
October 12, 1978

By Leslie Diestelkamp

When Joshua challenged the people to “Choose you this day whom you will serve,” he punctuated that challenge with a strong declaration of his own determination when he said, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Judging from the response of the people (see Josh. 24:15,16) they obviously recognized that Joshua had the leadership capability to not only lead their armies in battle, but to also lead his own household in devotion to God.

In an altogether different circumstance, we read of a “great woman” who prevailed upon her husband to assist a prophet of God. Wherein her husband did not recognize and appreciate the need, she did not hesitate to plead for cooperation with the servant of the Lord. Her zeal for spiritual matters was such that the very expression “that Shunammite” came to mean devotion to God (see 2 Kings 4:8-25).

Today, even in these modern times, fathers and mothers to that of Joshua an the Shunammite woman. We cannot relinquish our responsibility to the government, the school or even the church. Success in the family cannot be attributed to others, and likewise, failure cannot be blamed upon them.

In leading the family in religious activities, and in producing proper religious attitudes in the whole family, certain very deliberate and definite steps must be taken and some principles must be pursued steadfastly and aggressively.

1. Spiritual values must predominate in the activities of the home. The Bible must be respected. Children must learn to read it, and parents must read it with the children. Their questions should be answered and their inquisitive minds should be encouraged to search for its truth.

2. The Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ must be honored in every family circumstance. Their names must be held in reverence and the parents must demonstrate love for God and for the Savior.

3. Children must learn from the parents to have due respect for the church. (Too many times about all the children hear their parents say about the church is criticism. They hear mothers and fathers say, “The church is unfriendly” or “I don’t like the way they do things,” etc. (And then those same parents wonder why their children do not want to “go to church.”)

4. Attendance at services of the church, and active participation in those activities should be regular and steadfast. Under the best conditions, attendance will become almost habitual. Under ideal circumstances the question, “Are we going today” will not even be asked (when the church is assembling).

Hard Questions

When I am discussing these matters, some parent is sure to ask, “What shall I do if Junior refuses to go to services?” Well, that depends. If Junior is yet a lad, he should be given no choice. But if Junior is almost a man, I do not know how to answer the question. I am sure there must be much prayer, much reasoning with him, patient perseverance and genuine devotion. If he is a reasonable young man, it will probably be wise to confess to him the mistakes you have made and to try to help him see the better judgment you are now expressing.

But we must remember that once a twig is bent it may be very difficult to straighten it. This is not written as a mere criticism of those who have failed, but it is intended as a constructive suggestion to those who still have opportunity. Undoubtedly the only real cure for rebellion is to prevent it. By that I mean, bend that twig in the proper way to begin with — do not let it get bent in the wrong way.

It has always been true that we cannot force religion upon anyone. There is no way you can force your children to love God or to obey His Word. Success is accomplished, not by force, but by teaching, by example, by guiding, by leading. And success is assured when parents begin to train and guide that tender plant even the very first day you take it home from the hospital. If you wait one week the child may be a spoiled baby and become a spoiled brat! If you wait a year you have imposed a much more difficult task upon yourself. If you wait five years, you have probably lost the fight already.

Character is formed and life-long attitudes are developed very early in life. A few exceptional people voluntarily make a radical change in their character and their attitude in later life, but most people become and remain basically what they have been trained to be in childhood (as far as character and attitude is concerned).

I would like to make a fervent appeal to parents, especially to young parents. You are naturally careful that you do not neglect your children in physical things, because you love them and even because you know that child neglect is a violation of the law of the land. But, with even much greater care you should make sure you do-not neglect the spiritual welfare of your children because you love them so much and because you know that such neglect is a violation of the law of Christ (Eph. 6:4).

If your baby is old enough to be taken to the doctor’s office it is old enough to be taken to church services. Do not fail to take it then, and take it every time the church meets through all those formative years. You say you have a headache, a stomach ache, a toothache? Go anyway, and take the child! For your own good, and for his good, go, and never excuse yourself from going if you can possibly go, for the child will remember your excuses and imitate them. If you will go, and go joyfully, and if you will go regularly through those impressionable years, and then if you will practice the same fidelity in daily life, your child will not refuse to go in later life. “When he is old he will not depart from it” (Prov. 22:6).

Truth Magazine XXII: 39, pp. 631-632
October 5, 1978

By Earl Robertson

In the parable of the sower, Jesus said, “The seed is the word of God” (Luke 8:11). In this parable, Jesus was teaching some essentials of the kingdom of God, and they could be illustrated with no greater force than with the elementary lesson of seed sown and its results. God’s order has always been harvest after seed sowing; and seed produces after its kind (Gen. 1:12; Gal. 6:6-10). This rule of God does not change. Corn seed produces corn; wheat seed produces wheat. This unvarying rule was understood by the people of Jesus’ day, He could, therefore, apply it in his teaching the disciples about a harvest of souls the kingdom of God.

The great commission given by Jesus stresses this same fact (Matt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15, 16). Every case of conversion in the book of Acts also shows the necessity of the seed (word of God) being sown in the hearts of people before their conversion to Christ. Some have the idea that Christians are made without the gospel being preached, but such is not true. The power to deliver sinners from darkness is the gospel (Col. 1:13; Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 1:21). You cannot make Christians without sowing the seed! Jesus further said, “Come . . , learn of me” (Matt. 11:28-30). The same is taught in John 6:4345. God does not operate directly upon sinners in converting them; but rather, He uses His word-the seed-in the accomplishing of it.

The seed produces after its kind! The word of God only is the medium used by God to make Christians. No other cause will effect such an accomplishment. The words of men have never been able to make saints out of sinners. The doctrines of men in Jesus’ day only made the religion of men vain. It can do no better today. The disciplines, manuals, articles of faith, confessions, and catechisms, have men as their authors and do not have within them the power to unerringly guide one soul out of darkness and lead that one to the Lamb of God! The word of God and only the word of God makes Christians. The word of God will make only a Christian-and there are no kinds of Christians-no human adjectives attached to the noun Christian either! Are you what you are because of the word of God and only the word of God?

Truth Magazine XXII: 38, p. 619
September 28, 1978