Truth Magazine

By Larry Ray Hafley

Question:

From Georgia: “I have a question that I would appreciate your consideration of. It is a statement made by a brother in Christ, and I shall quote it as it is stated. 7 believe that 1 (or anyone else) as an individual have the liberty to privately celebrate the birth of our Lord every day or on any day of the year one might arbitrarily decide upon. (Read Rom. 14:5, 6.) In other words Paul seems to be saying that it is not a sin for a brother to observe certain days, nor is it a sin for a brother not to observe these days.’

`Do you believe this to be a correct understanding of what Paul is saying in Romans 14:5, 6? Would it be right for the individual to observe Christmas as Christ’s birthday as long as he did it privately? Or one step further, can the individual observe Christmas or any other day as a celebration of the birth of our Lord as long as he does it privately?”

Reply:

“One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks” (Rom. 14:5, 6).

Paul was discussing personal, conscientious opinions and scruples in Romans 14. Paul mentioned those “weak in the faith.” They held that: (1) certain days were to be esteemed above others; (2) and that they could not eat meat but herbs. These were “weak” brethren. The strong brethren were to: (1) walk in love; (2) not to enter into doubtful disputations; (3) not to condemn; (4) not to put a stumbling block in their brother’s way by causing him to act in violation of his conscience; (5) bear the infirmities of the weak, not pleasing themselves.

Romans 14 deals with the observance of days and the eating of meats which do not matter in and of themselves. They are harmless, private judgments of individuals. The “faith” of the weak brother is not “the faith” of Jude 3 and other passages. Their “faith” is their own private and personal conviction about incidental meats and days. They were not to go against their weak conscience and the strong brother must not do anything to cause the weak to offend or act contrary to what he conscientiously believes.

Paul did not say: “Now, in view of what I have said, you are at liberty to arbitrarily develop a weak faith and select a day to celebrate the birth of Christ.” Rather, “Hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word or our epistle” (2 Thess. 2:15). Disciples are to “observe all things” Christ has commanded (Matt. 28:20). His birth does not fall in that class of commandments. So, we are not at liberty to pick out a day, because of what Paul said, and observe the birth of Christ. Romans 14 does not authorize the capricious desire to descend and develop a weak conscience.

The brother our querist describes does not fit Romans 14. He is deciding “arbitrarily” to set aside a day to observe the birth of Christ. He is not acting conscientiously as per Romans 14 but “arbitrarily,” hence, presumptuously and sinfully. The issue in this case is not privacy, i.e., how privately it is done or not done. The real point is the character of the weak brother in Romans 14 and the arbitrary decision of the brother represented in the question, who merely presumes upon the case of the weak brother to justify what is not authorized by the word of God.

Truth Magazine XXII: 21, p. 344
May 25, 1978

By Lewis Willis

Were it not for the fact that we are inundated with so many schemes to give relevancy to the Gospel of Christ, it would indeed be shocking to see the things being promoted within “Christendom.” Inasmuch as this column is designed to look at some of these extremes in view of God’s Word, I direct your attention to the following items, both of which are done in the name of Christ.

The Puppet Ministry

One of the latest things to come along, especially within the Lord’s Church, is the “Puppet Ministry.” So widespread is this promotion, and so well entrenched is the terminology, that the North Irving Church received a circular the first of this month addressed: “Att: Puppet Ministry.” It is now automatically assumed that any up-to-date church has such a ministry — if not on TV then certainly in its Bible class program. Enterprising people see the economic impact of this idea and establish businesses to service this “ministry.” Irving is particularly blessed with such a firm and they have mailed out a 14page catalog to acquaint “Puppet Ministers” (these fellows minister to puppets, of course) with their products. At a cost ranging from $9.95 to $49.95 each, a church can embark on this latest religious fad. These “ministers” can select from The Country Crow, Cuddly Dog, a polk-a-dot dog named Tramp, Dopey Donkey or Cornie Crow. Now, any puppet minister worth his salt gets cold chills when contemplating the possibilities suggested by these cute little creatures. If he can develop the necessary voice inflections there is no end to his career opportunities in this booming religious market. (Or is it racket?) If he happens to be a ventriloquist, clown or magician, all he needs is exposure and he is off and running.

I was introduced to this new concept while living in Amarillo, Texas. Our liberal brethren (the Southwest church), with great fan-fare, entered this ministry with a 30-minute TV program on Sunday mornings. The “star” of the show was a fetching little creature called Bartholomew. ‘Ole “Bart”, you see, was a worm. The single most significant thing about Bart was that he could only read worm-words, and could not make out people words at all. Thus, everything had to be explained to him in meticulous detail. Bart’s people-word illiteracy was perfectly complemented by the Spirit-inspired-word illiteracy of the Puppet Minister. As a matter of fact, one often wondered which of the two was “pulling the strings.” If one was “turned off” by Bart, he was quickly captured by a grandmother-type people-puppet who baked cookies all the time for sick kids and actively traded cookie recipes with her TV audience. If her references to her mail volume were correct, the Post Office should send a “Thank You” note to the promoters of this nonsense, thanking them for the revenue they have generated. Truly, the modernists have had a field day among some of our brethren. They seem convinced that the Lord’s way of converting men is unworkable, even to the point of being unthinkable anymore (1 Cor. 1:21; Rom. 1:16).

A Stripper for the Lord

So reads a large headline on the editorial page of the Dallas Morning News (1 / 19 / 78). The article, by Bob Greene, relates the story of Kellie Everts who tours the country as a stripper with Minsky’s Burlesque. She says, “Besides stripping for the Lord, I go out on the street and do missionary work. I am saving all my money to build a children’s prayer chapel in Brooklyn.” As a matter of fact, this woman has even gotten God into her act! “I’ve needed a manager for many years. I knew that if only I had a manager, I would be a star. I was praying and I said to the Lord, `Are you gonna give me a manager?’ And the Lord said, `I am your manager.’ ” Can you imagine the deception that produces such an absurd view of Almighty God? He is the author of all that is pure and holy. Yet, we are supposed to believe that He is now serving as manager of a woman whose activities are immoral, vile filth!

Mr. Greene told her, “Frankly, Miss Everts, I think you are using God as a gimmick.” “That’s OK,”she said with a shrug, “The evil people never believed in Jesus, either.” For such a person to refer to others as evil is like the old adage of the pot calling the kettle black! This entire situation is a stench in the nostrils of Jehovah.

The thing that concerns me is the modern spiritual atmosphere that produces such perverted ideas as this. However, if today’s churches are going to embrace situation ethics, homosexuality, etc., these churches might just as well prepare themselves to receive such people as this into their fellowship, with all the rights and privileges afforded by that fellowship, which I am persuaded some are quite willing to do. Some time ago, I received a clipping from the Dayton (Ohio) Journal Herald religious page (1/8/77) about a United Methodist Church in Ingleside, Illinois, which had conducted “nude therapy sessions,” with about 30 men and women participants. There is not a shred of difference between this and Miss Everts, except possibly the location of the performance. Certainly, that church cannot cry out against her concepts, not while they practice the same themselves.

Conclusion

What, then, does this say to people who fear the Lord and who are working to go to Heaven? It just further illustrates the magnitude of the task before us. Each passing day reveals new excesses that enter into the battle for truth and righteousness. We can only remember the words of the Lord: “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matt. 7:22-23). The claims will flourish from those who say they do things “in the name of the Lord.” This disclaimer from the Lord still sets the record straight.

Truth Magazine XXII: 21, p. 343
May 25, 1978

By Jeffery Kingry

“The art of life is to focus on difficulties and deal with them as best one can, without making psychological problems out of them that then lead to nightmares. We could also say that the art is to maintain a sense of proportion in our lives. But we can keep a sense of proportion only, when dealing with sensible proportions. For if things become so vast that the mind cannot any more encompass them, a sense of proportion becomes an impossibility.

“When we are told that there are, say, seven million unemployed in the United States, the size of the problem paralyzes our imaginations and we have our nightmares of being unable to deal with it. It would be different if we were told that there are ninety people in our neighborhood who are out of work.

“We could then focus on the problem, find out who the ninety people are, what they could do, what they would want to do. Local action would become at least conceivable.

“Maybe what we most need is a holiday from global, national, in fact from superhumanly big statistics. I and my community may be in decline while national and global totals show healthy growth. The latter is no consolation; it cannot make me satisfied with my own condition. Conversely, if I can keep my own and my community’s house in good order, I am doing all I can do, and worrying about global or even national performances that I cannot influence because they are completely out of my reach does not do anybody any good” (Schumacher, E.F., “Small is Beautiful,” Psychology Today, September 1977).

What Mr. Schumacher proposes on a physical scale for dealing with national and international, problems, might well be heeded by each Christian for dealing with spiritual problems confronted individually and in the church. There seems to be a rising propensity to see problems and their solutions as “brotherhood wide.” It is not necessary to document statements to that effect, though it would be possible to do so. The current error being discussed in print is a case in point. That such teaching is false, I would not hesitate to affirm. That many preachers have left the truth, and many brethren’s thinking has become disquieted and confused, I would not deny. But, the solution and cause of such a problem is beyond my ability to deal with on a “brotherhoodwide” basis. Some men may think that it is not beyond their ability, but I venture to say that if they approach the problem on a universal scale, they are going to be disappointed. God, in His wisdom, directs each saint through His word, to approach problems on a level that he can do something about: individually or within the local church. One of the lessons we learn from the parable of the talents is that each was responsible only for what he did (Matt. 25:14ff). Each was rewarded according to what he did with what was entrusted to him. The five-talent man and the two-talent man were not responsible to see that the one-talent man used what was given to him properly. The man answered for himself.

Is there a sinner in the church where we worship? The Lord has given us the manner with which to deal with it, and all within the bounds of the individual relationship, or within the local church (Matt. 18:15ff). We cannot, in a practical way, discipline one who is a false teacher elsewhere. We can teach regarding error, mark false teachers, and warn, “lest any come unto you with another doctrine” that those with whom we work and share in Christ might “be on guard.” But, we cannot root out the tares in the kingdom of God. This belongs to God and the judgment (Matt. 13:24-30, 38-42).

Such an attitude of respect for both congregational integrity, autonomy, and self-sufficiency and individual responsibility before God would avoid such tragedies as is illustrated in the bulletins of some churches. With this tool of evangelism and edification, churches make a local problem, a universal one. I thought, as I read in the church bulletin about who did what to who, “Now, what am I supposed to do about this?”

My same thought arose when another church mailed mimeographed letters to all the churches and preachers for which they could get an address concerning a recent split they had. A few weeks before, I had gotten another mimeographed letter from the group that had left giving their side of the conflict. It appeared as though there was plenty of wrong to go around. I wrote a letter to the elders of one of the factions and asked if I could help, in any way, by teaching and acting as a go-between for reconciliation. They responded graciously by saying “mind your own business, and you will no longer be receiving the 9625 a month support we were sending you.” Why mail something to brethren all over the United States to folks who have no stake or interest or business in the conflict, asking them to take sides?

What about a new error? Are there saints who need instruction on a “current issue”? Solomon noted by inspiration, “There is nothing new under the sun.” “Current issues” are current only in that we are discussing them now. Every error is merely a corruption or a twisting of an eternal truth. Each church and each man have Paul, John, Peter, and the other inspired writers to enable them to overcome the ignorance of error. I can only be responsible for myself and the place where I teach and worship. “Study (give diligence) to show theyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15).

Congregational autonomy and self-sufficiency mean just that. When one loses confidence in God’s ability to accomplish-his goals through the means he has given, then we begin to see an outgrowth of the “wisdom of men” in action. What has the church and the cause of the Lord benefitted through the various societies and institutions men have erected to evangelize, edify, or do benevolence on a scale larger than the local church? Why is it that those who have a “sure-fire” way to do personal-work, train preachers, aid the home and parent in raising kids, etc. always seem to be able to market it at a distinct personal profit? What makes those gospel papers of the past that issued “calls” for the brethren to

rally round on one project or another (churches on the move!) wrong in one generation, yet right in this one? Those rallies always seem to wander off into error somehow. Anything done on a universal scale ultimately does when led by men.

But, sitting back in the calm coolness of Bible study, we might consider the example of what God did with Abraham, Samuel, David, Elisha, and other men of faith who lived their own lives purely and with dedication. We might consider what God did with John the Baptist, the apostles, and the self-sufficient, autonomous churches of the first century. We might consider the Lord Himself, who never did His works or His teaching in a universal way-but as one man working with the power of God. We begin to see that it is through weakness that God makes strength. What men consider inadequate, unorganized, effete, unprofessional or foolish, God uses and brings about His will (1 Cor. 1:20ff).

Therefore, when considering some problem, I need to look at it in its proper dimension. What can I do about it? If it is bigger than me or the local church where I work and worship, then I must leave it in God’s hands. But, even a large problem can be dealt with by straightforward, ordinary methods. Instead of “editorializing” about the state of the church, feeling its “pulse,” issuing “calls” or trumpet blows to rally everyone around one cause or another, “as for me and my house” we will serve the Lord right here. One of the great disadvantages of seeking to do a work larger than the local church is that is it doomed from the start. And too often, because we cannot do anything about a problem universally, we wind up not doing what we can locally. I cannot deal with the widespread worldliness and decay of the family I see in the world and many churches. But, I can keep myself unspotted from the world, and help those in need of family as I have opportunity. I cannot help those who teach false doctrine in other places, unless I have opportunity to go there and teach. But, I do teach my own family right and wrong from the scriptures, and “provoke unto love and good works” those brethren where I worship. Every man must do the best he can where he is and as he has opportunity. God does not ask anymore of us.

Truth Magazine XXII: 21, pp. 341-342
May 25, 1978

By Mike Willis

Numbers For Number’s Sake

One of the charges which I have made against the bus ministry is that it places an inordinate emphasis on numbers. During the reading of the literature on the subject, I have become even more convinced than ever that this is true. I base this charge on the following evidences:

1. The methods used for attracting riders. The reward motivation method of attracting riders emphasizes numbers for the sake of numbers. It does not seek to attract people through the appeal of a dying Savior; it seeks to attract children with bubble gum. It does not appeal to the spiritual man, but to his carnal desires.

2. The statements to that effect. Consider the following quotations from the literature on the bus ministry:

You are always interested in numbers-large numbs! Think Big and you will get big numbers (Russell L. Sample, op. cit., p. 7).

Some “cannot see afar off” (2 Pet. 1:9) when it comes to bus evangelism. They want to start in as small a way as possible, so they go and purchase as small a van as they can find and plan to have few workers and riders. . And that is exactly what they do have for they do not have the room. For a congregation to purchase a little van for bus evangelism is a splendid way to announce to the community that there is a lack of vision in this congregation and we want to do just as little as possible. It also says we do not believe we can get, many to ride to our services. Brethren do not start a bus program unless you are really serious about it. You will do more harm than good to the cause.

We need to learn to think big like Jesus. Jesus was the world’s greatest optimist when he gave the great commission to that small band of men. A failure to think big and act big retards the growth of the church. Often we exhibit more faith when it comes to our own personal matters than we do in the work of the church (Albert Hill, op. cit., pp. 28-19).

When one adds to those, quotations the number of “success stories” included in these books, he will see that there is too much emphasis on numbers.

3. The problems connected with the bus ministry. Practically every booklet on the bus ministry warns of problems to be faced. The problems cited show that the persons attracted are not attracted to the Christ but to the prizes. Therefore, this causes the following kinds of problems: (1) Disorderly conduct, (2) Damage to facilities, and, (3) Playing “hookey.” Furthermore, promotional contests are necessary for both the children and the workers. All of these problems emphasize this: the bus ministry emphasizes numbers above spirituality.

Part of the Social Gospel

The bus ministry also leads a church further down the social gospel trail. Those who conceive of the benevolent responsibility of the church to be toward non-Christians relate how the bus ministry involves the church in greater benevolent works. Consider the following quotations:

When you start the bus ministry in a successful way, get ready to enlarge your benevolent work (Albert Hill, op. cit., p. 60).

The bus program improves the benevolent program of the average congregation. Where the bus work is begun, cases of benevolence are frequent, as the routes are worked and boys and girls are invited and urged to ride the busses.

Many children, in poor neighborhoods, will not have proper clothing. Families that are truly destitute will be located on routes. This provides the church a marvelous opportunity to provide the necessities of life for those families needing assistance and thus practice pure and undefiled religion (Jas. 1:27) (Ibid., p. 90).

As you get more and more into the Joy Bus Program, you will come more and more into contact with poor, needy people-children and adults. They have pride and do not want charity. But they will respond to loving care and concern by Christians who do their duty and see to the needs of others less fortunate than themselves. A Joy Bus Program will do more than any other thing to spur a church on to being “Good Samaritans”. Then we can show the children the parable in living color! Provision should be made to store furniture, clothing, food, toilet items, etc., for use. Two to five or more men should be assigned to work with the bus captains and director in seeing after benevolent contacts. BE SURE SUCH WORKERS ARE COMPASSIONATE, DEPENDABLE AND TACTFUL! A man who thinks he is working with “beggars” should never be allowed to take even one sack of groceries to anyone! LADIES-should have regular sewing group meetings each week, probably during the day, to repair, mend and sew, sort and fold, and iron donated clothing. Ladies are more able to determine clothing sizes and should accompany men in making contacts to the needy. Be a Dorcas, ladies! (Carl W. Wade, op. cit., p. 42).

The church, according to these brethren, is some sort of Salvation Army out to clothe and feed .the world. Of course, I am not opposed to helping indigents. However, I am opposed to involving the church in a social gospel type of ministry.

Financing

Though the financing of the bus ministry frequently does not violate the Scriptures, that is not always the case. Albert Hill suggested the following methods of financing the program:

Take up a special contribution to purchase busses and thus allow many to be involved financially.

A Sunday School class may want to buy a bus or busses as a project. Also, help maintain the vehicles purchased.

A little bank bus, painted like the church busses, may be placed in the vestibule and people urged to give generously to support the bus program. The bank can be easily constructed out of plywood.

Contributions may be taken up in classes to support the bus program (Albert Hill, op. cit., p. 81).

Hill apparently sees nothing wrong with contributions taken at other times than the Lord’s day or with treasuries for the Sunday school classes. Who oversees those treasuries? The elders? If so, why have a special treasury? Why not put it in the common fund? When brethren think up unscriptural ideas, they find it hard to use scriptural means of running them.

Additional Usages of the Buses

The buses are not only used for bringing people to services, they are also available for other programs as Albert Hill explains:

Use the busses to take young or old on picnics, skating parties, retreats, etc. It is good when groups can be together on the bus and learn to know and appreciate each other more (Albert Hill, op. cit., p. 86).

Many of us have seen “Church of Christ” painted on buses at a number of recreational spots. This involves the church in more church sponsored recreation.

Conclusion

Thus, my brethren, the bus ministry is much. more than merely providing transportation to the services for those who have no other way to attend the services. It was borrowed from denominationalism; it uses denominational tactics; it further leads the church into the social gospel; it has too great an interest on numbers for tfie sake of numbers; it attracts people through reward motivation rather than through the death, burial and resurrection of the sinless Son of God. The great results which those involved in the bus ministry are bragging about having are not nearly so permanent as they think. When the reward motivation ceases, the crowds will quit coming. They come because of the “loaves and the fishes.”

Truth Magazine XXII: 21, pp. 339-340
May 25, 1978