Truth Magazine

By Luther Blackmon

The claim is made by the Catholic Church that they have given the Bible to the world. From an issue of Our Sunday Visitor, a Roman Catholic paper, we quote the following:

“The Protestants cannot be sure that the Bible contains the word of God, pure and unadulterated, while we Catholics can. You depend upon us for the Bible you possess. The New Testament writings were not gathered and declared to be infallible until the 4th century. Moreover these witnesses were all Catholics, and they accepted the scriptures as divinely inspired because their church declared them to be so. How then can the Protestants hold as an infallible truth that writings known as the Sacred Scriptures are inspired, when for their reliability you have the Catholic Church’s word alone.”

The unwavering loyalty of the Catholic people to their Church, and their faith in her infallibility, blinds them to her faults and blunders. They are nurtured from childhood, on the idea that the Catholic Church is infallible; that she alone teaches the truth and that they must not read or listen to anything that teaches differently. It never occurs to the average Catholic to challenge or even investigate the boastful claims of this institution. If they could be persuaded to investigate, they would not be Catholics, and that is why their Church has forbidden her members to read what she is pleased to call “heretical” writings. That means anything written by Protestants or other which have not been through the Catholic screen.

In the above quotation from Our Sunday Visitor, there are two statements that are misleading and untrue. Consider for instance the declaration that the books of the New Testament were “gathered and declared to be infallible” by the Catholic Church in the fourth century. In her anxiety to turn people away from the authority of the “church” they have made a very obvious blunder. When Catholics, Protestants, or Christians say that a book of the New Testament is inspired, they mean that when it was written (being written), the Holy Spirit guided the writer. Now if the books of the New Testament were inspired when they were in the process of being written, how could a council some hundreds of years later “declare” and “decree” that they are inspired? (The Catholic church says that they were declared to be inspired at the Council of Hippo in 390 A.D.) That is the same thing as if some council had met in 390 A.D. and declared that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin. If He was born of a virgin, no decree of a council years later could make it any truer: and if He was not born of a virgin, all the councils on earth declaring and decreeing could not make it so.

Be it remembered that printing with movable type was not invented until the fifteenth century. Prior to that time the Bible, as well as all other books were written in manuscript form by hand. We do not have any of the original manuscripts, but we do have authentic copies. One of the oldest of the manuscripts is the Codex Sinaiticus, which dates back to the middle of the fourth century, or about 350 A.D. It contains all the Bible except for small portions of the Old Testament, and it has never been in Catholic hands. This manuscript was made years before the Council of Hippo convened-the council which Catholics declare “gathered and declared to be infallible” all the books of the New Testament.

Consider some of the versions of the Bible. A manuscript is a copy of the Bible made in the same language; a version is the translation of the Bible from one language to another. The Bible has been translated into almost every known language. Homer’s Illiad was translated into 20 languages; Shakespeare’s plays into 33; Pilgrims’ Progress into 111. But the complete Bible has been translated into 136 languages and portions of it into well over one thousand languages and dialects.

Let this fact be placed alongside the Catholic claim that the Council of Hippo in 390. A.D. “gathered” the books of the New Testament and declared them to be infallible.

Note: The Syriac Version was translated from the original language into six dialects of the Syriac in the second century-a full two hundred years before the Catholics claim that they gathered the books together. How could the books have been gathered together for the first time in 390 A.D. when tile Syriac Version had already been in circulation for more than 200 years?

The Old Latin Version was translated from the Greek into Latin at the close of the second century. The Coptic Version was translated from the Greek into the Egyptian at the close of the second century. These and many other translations of the Bible, as we have it today, were made and in wide circulation centuries before the Catholic Church says she gathered the books.

Do not be misled by the advertising of the Knights of Columbus. The world is in no sense dependent on Catholicism for her Bible. The Bible was in existence, widely circulated, and recognized as the inspired word of God for many centuries before the Catholic Church even existed.

Truth Magazine XXI: 33, p. 514
August 25, 1977

By Dennis C. Abernathy

“Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” This passage of scripture has been, and is, misused by not a few in our religious world. When one dares to speak out on sin, or to examine some false doctrine, the old worn out cry comes forth: “Judge not that ye be not judged.”

Many are not willing, are not able, or do not have the conviction, to try and defend what they claim to believe in religion, so this is the easy way out. But I ask; is this honorable? Can we not face God’s Word, the truth, without manufacturing a way out by misapplication of His Word? God forbid!

“Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (Jn. 7:24). Does the Bible contradict itself when it says in one passage to “judge not” and in another passage to “judge?” Certainly not! “Let God be true, but every man a liar. . .” (Rom. 3:4). One passage simply speaks of righteous judgment, and the other of unrighteous judgment. One is right and permitted, the other is wrong and forbidden.

Many have the idea that if you do not agree with them on a certain Bible question, that you should not say anything, lest you judge them. Think about it for just a moment. That would make everyone right (in their own eyes) and there would be no such thing as a false teacher (and if there was, you could not expose their false teaching).

For example, let us look at this question in the following way. Some feel it is right to teach “salvation by faith only”; but if I teach that baptism is essential to the remission of sins (and give book, chapter, and verse-Acts 2:38) and that salvation is not by faith only (and give book, chapter, and verse — Jas. 2:24) I am guilty of judging! To some, it is fine to teach the use of instruments of music in the worship of the New Testament church; but if I teach that such is forbidden by God’s Word (giving book, chapter, and verse — Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; 2 Jn. 9; Rev. 22:18-19) I am guilty of judging! Who can believe it? How inconsistent can one be!

The Lord forbids “fault-finding” and “self-righteous” judgment such as the hypocrite, with the beam in his eye, wanting to remove the mote from his brother’s eye (Matt. 7:3-5). The beam (log or pole) should first be removed, then he can be in a position to try and help remove the mote (speck) from his brother’s eye, and that “in the spirit of meekness” (Gal. 6:1).

Neither are we to judge the heart or impugn the motives of another. We are to have the proper attitude and the facts, or evidence, in hand in order to judge righteously. “For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him?” (1 Cor. 2:11). “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the heart. . .” (1 Cor. 4:5).

The word of God is the standard that will judge you and me. “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (Jn. 12:48).

Many feel that we are judging them when we speak out against their beliefs and practices. They would have us manifest the attitude of “You let us alone and we’ll let you alone.” The day I, or any other gospel preacher does that, is the day that I cease to be worthy of being called a gospel preacher! “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Tim. 4:3-4). Now if you should fit that description (God forbid!) I for one, do not intend to scratch your itching ears! If I know my own heart, I am concerned about saving my own soul and the souls of others, and that can only be done by teaching the truth! “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (Jn. 17:17). “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Tim. 4:2). “Take heed unto thyself, and unto thy doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (1 Tim. 4:16). My dear reader, when this is done, and that is judging in the wrong (according to you) then SO BE IT!

Truth Magazine XXI: 32, p. 509
August 18, 1977

By Larry Hafley

Under the above caption, L.D. Perdue, a Baptist, wrote in the Northwest Baptist News as follows:

“One of the most distressing things that happens in one’s ministry is seeing churches that were once faithful to the cause depart the faith. This is usually because of the wolves in sheep’s clothing who take over the leadership of these churches. The First Missionary Baptist Church of Brentwood, California, under the leadership of Ron Cowger, is rapidly departing the faith. The church in Oakley and also the church in Antioch, California, will no longer grant or receive letters of fellowship from this church. Ron Cowger has led this church to receive alien immersion and practice pulpit affiliation, all in the name of progress. I say he is leading the church to commit spiritual adultery, which is even worse than physical adultery.

“Dewey Caves has led the Santa Cruz Church to do the same thing. As a result of this leadership, the Salinas Church and other churches have withdrawn fellowship from the Santa Cruz Church. I am told the pastor of the San Jose Church, if he had his way, would lead his church in the same paths.

“These moves are not something that have just happened overnight. They have been coming to a head for quite some time. What I can’t understand is why the Sentinel and the men in positions of leadership in California didn’t expose these situations quite some time back. Error ought to be exposed and those who are preaching error should likewise be exposed. It is high time we expose the hypercalvinists, the universalist, the New Lighters and anyone else that is going off into heresy. The Bible tells us to know them which labor among us.”

Reactions and Observations

We are not disposed to get into the midst of a Baptist fuss over Baptist faith. Frankly, it is good to hear that some are departing from the Baptist faith. The bad news is that they are not leaving in order to surrender to the New Testament system of faith. So, while we are not going to enter into the “pros and cons” of a Baptist battle, we propose to notice an item or two which the above article genders.

1) The Tone and Tenor of the Article: You will see that Mr. Perdue is not afraid to call the names of men. He is not squirmish or squeamish to identify both who and what he is talking about. Is that representative of good, Baptist manners! Horror of horrors, we have a name calling Baptist! Some of the sect of the “Campbellites” get upset when their brethren call names and label doctrines as erroneous. Now, we have the same from a Baptist. Perhaps Leroy Garrett or Carl Ketcherside will reprimand their Baptist brother for such “unloving” castigation. Maybe not, though; after all, it would not be very “loving” to condemn a man for condemning.

Another thing-even those who agree “in principle” with the fight Mr. Perdue is making, surely they cannot agree with his “censorious,” “pompous,” “dictatorial,” “highhanded” methods. Mr. Perdue may as well expect such criticism. His fellow Baptists will acknowledge their doctrinal stand with him. They will tell him they regret the “departure from faith” just as strongly as he does. “But,” they will whine, “Who is Ron Cowger? He is not influential. He is not going to lead very many astray. You are just publicizing him unduly.” Others will say they sympathize with the necessary “stand for the truth,” but they sob out their slobbers about how Perdue is out to “ruin” Cowger. “Oh, do not misunderstand,” they affirm, “We know Cowger is just as wrong as he can be, but Perdue is just out to `head up his own Missionary Baptist Church.'” Yes, brother Perdue, you are right in your fight, but cancel my subscription to the Northwest Baptist News.

2) A Case of Apostasy? Mr. Perdue has no love for Cowger’s contortions and distortions of Baptist faith. Again, the Baptist belief needs to be bent, but if it does not point back to the Bible, the bending is in vain. It does no good at all to bend a thing crooked; however, one wonders if Perdue has pondered his plight and position. Cowger and others are guilty of something “which is even worse than physical adultery,” and of “going off into heresy.” Yet, according to Baptist doctrine, they cannot be lost in hell. Even if they never repent, even if they “wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived,” they need not fear the judgment of God, for once one is saved, he is always saved; it is impossible for a child of God to fall from grace. That is Baptist doctrine. Will Perdue say that his brethren who “commit spiritual adultery” are going to be saved in heaven at last. He certainly will! It will not do to say they were never saved in the first place because Perdue begins his treatise with the lament that some who were “once faithful to the cause” have now commenced to “depart from faith.” Besides, they could not be “rapidly departing the faith” if they were not in it to start with.

3) It Did Not Happen “Overnight. ” Departure from the faith is a cumulative process. As Perdue notes, it does not occur “overnight.” This is a fact Christians and congregations would do well to know. Neither Rome nor roaming from the faith was built in a day. Hebrews 2:1 emphasizes this point. Catholicism had a gestation period of centuries. The Christian Church had a slow, evolutionary birth. Therefore, watch for subtle signs of slippage.

4) “All in the Name of Progress.” Perdue says these Baptist perversions were all done “in the name of progress.” It is far better to do all in the name of the Lord (Col. 3:17), which is the only genuine progress. Instrumental music and institutionalism have infested and infiltrated the church in the name of progress. Every error in every era appeals to the name of progress. Progress is its god; destruction is its end. Progress is not a vice, but toward what and for what is one progressing?

(Any reference in the above article to men and issues living or dead is purely and coincidentally on purpose.)

Truth Magazine XXI: 32, pp. 508-509
August 18, 1977

By Eugene E. Clark

A T.V. commercial by a manufacturer of a leading toothpaste depicts a young ski instructor in an interview. The young man is asked the question, “How is your love life?” The young man affirms that he is after all a ski instructor and that it is well known that ski instructors have it made. Under further questioning he finally breaks down and admits that things are not as they appear and he is indeed having trouble. Quite naturally the answer to his problem is to use the right brand of toothpaste and all will be well.

Along the same lines what would happen if Christians were put on the spot and asked about our Christian love lives? Would we confidently affirm that we were Christians and assert that Christians love Christ and their fellow men? Would we under closer scrutiny, have to admit that things are not quite as they appear? If this is the case a change of toothpaste certainly will not solve our problem.

Before going any further on the subject of Christian love perhaps some definitions are in order. “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments” (1 John 5:3). “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). These two passages clearly teach us that we display our love for the Lord by obeying his commandments. In Matthew 22:36 Jesus is asked, “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” His reply, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment” (Matt. 22:37), should shed some light on both the definition and importance of love.

What about our relationship with our fellow men? “And the second is like it: ‘Love your. neighbor as yourself’ ” (Matt. 22:39). “This is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12). “Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the Law” (Rom. 13:10). “For you were called to freedom brethren, only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh but through love be servants of one another” (Gal. 5:13). In Luke 6:35 we are taught to love our enemies. These passages help define our love relationships with our fellow men. These examples are by no means exhaustive as there are many more in the scriptures on the subject.

As human beings we cannot trust our subjective feelings as to what Christian love is (both toward Christ and our fellow men). Instead we must be guided by the objective instructions given to us by the author of our faith, Christ. These instructions are found only in the scriptures and are put there for our enlightenment. Our task as Christians is to acknowledge and obey. Only then do we truly love the Lord.

Truth Magazine XXI: 32, p. 507
August 18, 1977