Truth Magazine

By Mike Willis

In recent years, we have read about the establishment of “free churches” among us as those infected with the grace-unity heresy crystallize into a movement to the point that they divide local congregations over their doctrines. It has always been paradoxical to me that this unity movement believes in unity so much that they will divide churches to show how much they believe in unity. Those who pull out start what they call “free churches.” They act as if they alone, of all the brethren among us, are the only free thinkers that exist. Regarding some “free-thinkers” of his day, Alexander Campbell wrote,

For Free-thinkers are not more free from prejudice and passion, from enthusiasm and infatuation, than those whom they denounce as dupes and impostors. With many of them, a Free-thinker is one who is free to form opinions as despots enact laws; free to assert and to decide, not only without, but even against reason and well established testimony. Those who are not so free in these respects, they rank amongst impostors and dupes (The Millennial Harbinger, Vol. I, p. 514).

The “free-thinkers” of today are no different from the “free-thinkers” of his day. They feel free to oppose those of us who call sin by its proper name (e.g., they have no opposition to those who divided the church by bringing instrumental music, sponsoring churches, recreation and institutionalism into the worship, work, and organization of the churches, but they stand opposed to those of us who call these things sin); they feel free to fellowship sin; they feel free to offer hope to the pious unimmersed; they feel free to offer hope to the man whose course of life involves habitual walking in darkness and the defense of the sin which he is committing (e.g., instrumental music in worship, the sponsoring church arrangement, recreation sponsored by the church, and institutionalism). My brethren, if this is the kind of freedom which they mean when they call themselves “free-thinkers,” I shall remain content to not be known as a free thinker. They remind me of the “free-thinkers” of Peter’s day whom he described as follows: “while they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage” (2 Pet. 2:19).

Truth Magazine XXII: 29, p. 473
July 27, 1978

By Bobby L. Graham

An admitted paraphrase (putting what the author thought the verses means rather than what the original text says), this book was composed by Kenneth Taylor for his children on his way to work. A simple reading is enough to convince the reader that, after all, not much time or thought was required to produce this one! The book has slang and curse words; two picture editions of the Living Bible, The Jesus Book and Reach Out, use pictures of trances, rock music groups, and couples in embrace to illustrate (imagine it!) the inspired Scriptures. Outright vulgarity appears in the Old Testament section of this “children’s book”.

At least two errors appear in Genesis 1: verse one has “when God began creating” and later in the chapter we find”period of time” used to explain the days of creation. A later Genesis passage, 6:2, says, “Evil beings from the spirit world became sexually involved with human women.”

The plan of salvation could not be learned from this perversion. It speaks of Abraham finding favor with God by faith alone in Rom. 4:12; says that trusting (faith) is a gift from God in Eph. 2:8; words Rom. 8:3 thusly: “We aren’t saved from sin’s grasps by knowing the commandments of God, because we can’t and don’t keep them”; and Rom. 6:3 like this: “We became Christians and were baptized.”

Instead of maintaining Paul’s contrast between the partial information available to any one person under the administration of the miraculous and the full knowledge under the completed revelation of God’s word, 1 Cor. 13:10 says, “When we have been made perfect,” without any warrant whatever.

The false idea of inherited sin is taught in Eph. 2:3 (“being born with evil natures”) and in Ps. 51:5 (“born a sinner”).

Romans 8:16 talks about the Spirit speaking to us in our hearts and telling us that we are God’s children, in a real distortion of what the verse really says. “Only those who have the Holy Spirit within them can understand what the Holy Spirit means,” according to 1 Cor. 2:14-another twisting to teach the direct operation of the Holy Spirit.

Premillennialism comes in for its share of help in 2 Tim. 4:1, which speaks of Christ appearing to set up his’ kingdom; Isa. 2:2, in speaking of Jerusalem and the Temple becoming the world’s greatest attraction in the last days; and Rev. 7:14, where special emphasis is given to the Great Tribulation by means of its capitalization.

The crude language of the gutter, not what the text says, is found in 1 Sam. 20:30; Gen. 19:5; 2 Sam. 11:4, and John 9:34.

Such flippancy as to be absurd occurs in Isa. 5:14; Eccl. 10:11; 1 Kings 20:11; and Acts 23:3.

It should be obvious that genuine respect for the word of God is just as lacking among those who claim to be giving the world a more readable Bible as it is among unbelievers and agnostics.

Truth Magazine XXII: 29, pp. 471-472
July 27, 1978

By Wallace H. Little

That’s right. I found a live, scared puppy in our trash can. It was about three months old, possibly younger. The can had been emptied the previous day. Someone who obviously did not want it, was trying to get rid of the animal “the easy way.” When I lowered the mouth of the can, the puppy skipped around me and ran off. I hope he found a home.

Sometimes I think we all have our “puppy in the trash can.” We have responsibilities, but do not want to fulfill them. Perhaps they are visiting the delinquent members of the congregation, going to see one who had sinned, or giving up an evening in front of the TV to teach a lost soul the gospel of Christ. Or, how about handing out Bible literature door-to-door? Or whatever. Perhaps it is not so apparent as the four-legged puppy I found, but are we not also guilty of rejecting our responsibilities sometimes? Have we not turned away when we had opportunity and ability?

The parable of the talents (Mt. 25:14-30) points out the two characteristics of responsibility: (1) ability, and (2) opportunity. Whoever put that puppy in my trash can had both, but rejected them. Thus he rejected his responsibility. What of our abilities and opportunities?

What is my “puppy in the trash can”? What is yours?

Truth Magazine XXII: 29, p. 472
July 27, 1978

By Casey A. Carlisle

Everyone has their own ideas about how to deal with children. This is fine unless of course our ideas conflict with the precepts established in God’s word. From time to time I am asked, due to being in constant association with children as a school teacher, how I deal with children. Here I present my experiences, perceptions and ideas on dealing with children.

Establish Boundaries

In dealing with children freedom is a must, but freedom must be accompanied with boundaries. Boundaries should be established with children so that the children and you know exactly what will and what will not be tolerated. Of course the boundaries being spoken of consist of the precepts and commandments found in God’s word and also the matters of judgment you must decide, e.g. how much noise do I tolerate, when does my daughter begin dating, etc.

Be Consistent

Once these boundaries are established, consistency must be practiced, if we do not want to “provoke the child to wrath.” Nothing disturbs and distresses children more than never knowing where they stand. Nothing undermines children’s security more than an adult with wide inconsistency-anything goes today, nothing is right tomorrow. Inconsistency leads to insecurity and distrust of you as a person. Establish your boundaries and, once established, enforce your border patrol. The scripture comes to mind, “But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil” (Mt. 5:37).

Be Fair

Children have a keen sense of fair-play. There is no room for favoritism when dealing with children, unless of course you want another Jacob and Esau (Gen. 25:281

Don’t threaten or promise unless you can and intend to fulfill the threat or promise. It will take only one unfulfilled threat or promise to sow the seeds of doubt and insecurity in the children. Don’t break a rule or boundary you have set with the children unless everyone concerned can see that it is an emergency or “have to” situation.

Always tell the child the truth. It is better to say that you don’t think they need to know than to risk being caught in even the most innocent and generous lie (Rev. 21:8) and you will be amazed at how much the children can accept and understand. If the children know you are trying to be fair they will accept your decisions without anger or resentment.

Finally, don’t be afraid to apologize if you’ve treated children unjustly. You’ll gain, not lose, the respect of the children for admitting your error, not to mention overcoming some of that “pride of life” (I John 2:15-17).

Don’t Be Afraid to Punish

Solomon, the wise man said (Proverbs 23:13-14), “Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.” Solomon here sets the purpose for punishment-the ultimate saving of the child’s soul. Is not this the same purpose as the teaching of Christ in Mt. 5:2930? It is truly better to suffer some things in this life than to suffer an eternity in hell. We have the responsibility of guiding the children. Those of us who want to hide behind the facade of “love” Solomon again answers, (Proverbs 13:24) “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.” And for those of us who feign “tenderheartedness” Solomon answers (Proverbs 10:18) “Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.”

It seems that it is better to warp a child’s behind rather than to warp his mind. Physical punishment, once completed, allows the child to “close out the case” on that particular infraction and it serves as a very effective deterrent on repeating the infraction. There are of course many other effective forms of punishment but none so well documented and recommended by God’s word. A chinese philosopher once said “Parents who are afraid to put their foot down usually have children who step on toes.”

Be An Example

Of all the people in the world that we influence by example, perhaps the children we deal with are the most influenced. Our example must be natural or real, for children can spot phonies as far as they can see them. We must be followers of Christ and his teachings if we expect to lead children in the paths of righteousness (Phil. 3:17).

We must give attention to dealing rightly and justly with children. Children can be compared to a garden, if no attention is paid to it nothing but weeds and trouble arise. If it is dealt with properly, cultivated, watered and cared for, much fruit will abound. Let’s deal as Christians with our children.

Truth Magazine XXII: 29, pp. 470-471
July 27, 1978