Truth Magazine

By Austin Mobley

In Proverbs four we see the earnestness and tenderness of the father’s instructions and entreaties as he urges his son to ever keep before his eyes and in his heart the word of God. The great physical blessings of life and health are promised if the son will follow the father’s good teachings throughout life (Prov. 4:10).

This sage advice is also good for both young and old today (Rom. 15:4). It pleased God to have Solomon lay out a course that will not only enhance our physical welfare, but our spiritual lives as well, if we will give diligent heed to the words of the wise monarch. Here is the prescription for “health” in Proverbs 4:20-27.

An Inclined Ear

“My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart” (Verses 20-21).

An inclined ear is one that hears and obeys. We are blessed as long as we lend a listening ear to the commands of God, and then do our best to practice everything that will make us “. . . strong in the Lord and the power of His might” (Eph. 6:10-18). But it does little good merely to hear the sayings of Jesus and do them not (Matt. 7:21-27). We deceive ourselves when we hear only. The man is blessed when he is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the word (Jas. 1:21-25). Even a good seed planted in the soil will bear no fruit until it becomes active. It is not enough to hear a lesson taught or a sermon preached, we must put the lesson into practice. While a man is standing before a mirror he is seeing himself in reflection, but if something is out of order it will not change until he does something about it. Likewise, when one reads the Bible he is seeing his duties portrayed, but must do them to receive the blessings promised.

A Guarded Heart

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Verse 23).

Hearts should be guarded as a man guards a treasure placed in a bank vault for safe keeping. The heart is here pictured as an active fountain, from which flows the issues of life. As physical health depends upon the action of the physical heart, even so spiritual health depends upon the spiritual heart. The heart is hard to manage and often gets us into trouble because we let down our guard. When this happens evil enters, and that which enters the heart will eventually find its way out (Prov. 23:7). “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies” (Matt. 15:19). That is quite an evil potential. Few hearts are free from bitterness, anger, covetousness, hypocrisy and evil surmisings, so the heart must be guarded.

Controlled Mouth

“Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee” (Verse 24).

A “froward mouth” is one that issues fraudulent deceitful speech; that which twists, distorts, perverts, or misrepresents the truth. Our speech is but an index of our mind. Now the tongue is hard to control. Most of the third chapter of James is devoted to instructions concerning the use, and misuse of the tongue. Small as it is, it is capable of controlling the rest of the body. With it we say “Yes” or “No” to the temptations of Satan. With it we help or hurt friends and loved ones. With it we speak the truth or lie. With it we teach the word of God or the doctrines of men. With it we bless God or curse men. It is true that no man can tame the tongue (Jas. 3:8), but he can control it. The black panther can never be tamed, but he can be controlled.

Single Eyes

“Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee” (Verse 25).

A favorite expression among young people today is, “Right on,” meaning that which has their approval. God wants our eyes to be “right on” heaven. We cannot serve two masters, keeping one eye on the pleasures of the world and the other on the glories of heaven. There is but one way for the Christian to look-toward his Christ! Thus we “seek those things which are above where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God” (Col. 3:1). When we take our eyes off the strait and narrow way, we veer into the ditch of condemnation.

Established Feet

“Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: Remove thy foot from evil” (Verses 26-27).

A pondered path is one that is carefully thought out. Before obeying the gospel of Christ one should first sit down and count the cost (Lk. 14:28). The road is narrow, sometimes rough, and long. It will take much courage and perseverance to reach the end. Pondering well our next step will prevent many a heartache and keep us from making shipwreck of our faith. A little pondering over Matt. 19:9 would stop any God-fearing person from entering into a marriage contract that involved an unscriptural divorce. Pondering over 1 Cor. 15:33 should cause Christians to be selective of the company they keep.

There are no short-cuts to heaven; once we have begun to travel there is but one way to go-ON! If one is not allowed to turn to the left or the right, his way is mapped out for him. The great tragedy of religion is the fact that so many do not want to remain within the limits of divine authority. So many prefer to turn to the left or to the right and see what men have to say rather than accept the authority of Christ.

Conclusion

Suppose for a moment that God would place in your hands a massive, priceless diamond, then ask you to inscribe some brief sentence upon it which would be read at the judgment. What caution you would exercise in the wording of that sentence! But He has placed in your hands something far more precious than diamonds; your soul. Guard it well by heeding this advice of Solomon.

Truth Magazine XIX: 51, pp. 811-812
November 6, 1975

By Ron Halbrook

The Bible is the Word of God. This the Bible claims. Expressions like “the Lord spake unto Moses” appear hundreds of times in Genesis through Deuteronomy. David’s Psalms are famous. David made this claim for his writings, “The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue” (2 Sam. 23:2). “The word of the Lord came unto . . . .” “Thus saith the Lord . . . .” Such phrases are used over and over by the Old Testament prophets. The writers of the New Testament also claim divine authority. For instance, Paul said he spoke the things of divine wisdom “not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth” (1 Cor. 2:13). ‘All scripture is given by inspiration of God” both Old and New Testaments -that is what the Bible claims for itself (2 Tim. 3:16). To make such a claim, the Bible must be either truly God’s Word or else the worst fraud and foulest hoax ever perpetrated. There is no middle ground!

Bible prophecy proves the inspiration of Scripture. Of many examples, Isaiah 53 is perhaps best. About 700 years before Jesus Christ came, Isaiah gave a detailed description of his appearance, character, life, death, burial, and resurrection. “He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities . . . the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all . . . he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” Men cannot see such future events as Isaiah saw without God’s help.

Men unaided by God could not have written the Bible-66 separate books written by some 40 different writers generally not knowing each other or living in the same towns. Yet there is perfect unity, harmony, and consistency-one Deity, one story of love, one Savior. Our universe reflects a variety (different planets, creatures, laws, etc.) and harmony-the planets, creatures, laws, etc. are inter-related and work together for the good of each other; this is possible only under the supervising hand of God. Even so, the Bible reflects a variety natural to the personality, times, purpose, and location of the human authors; the harmony of the Bible is possible in these circumstances only under God’s direction.

Supporting evidences for the inspiration of the Bible include historical and archaeological evidences. In other words, although the Bible is primarily a religious book and not a history text, still the Bible contradicts no proven historical fact. It is consistent with all proven historical facts. Archaeologists dig up the remains of ancient peoples. Not only is the Bible consistent with all proven archaeological data, it has even been used as a guide to many archaeological sites! If the claim of the Bible to inspiration is true, we would expect just such accuracy in the text.

If man be considered the ultimate producer of the Bible, an inadequate cause is accepted. God is the only possible Adequate Cause for these and other features of the Bible. “To forge the Bible is impossible as to forge a world.” Some people object to the idea of God speaking to man in His Word, but there is the evidence. Others object saying the Bible has been used abusively, barbarously, even insanely, so it could not be God’s book. But science has been misused monstrously, and we do not discard science; we try harder to use it properly. That’s what we should do with God’s Word. “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15).

Truth Magazine XIX: 51, pp. 810-811
November 6, 1975

By Luther Blackmon

These are some terms that are often used, but I fear little understood even by members of the church. Let us take them in reverse order and examine each one.

Anti-scriptural: means “against” or “opposite” the scripture. When one commits murder or adultery, for example, he is acting in violation of a direct prohibition of the scriptures. Such things are anti-scriptural. Some people seem to think that this is the only way the scriptures forbid anything. But let us look to the next word, “unscriptural.”

Unscriptural: means “lacking scriptural authority;” not a thing specifically forbidden by the scriptures. This would be anti-scriptural But a thing not authorized in the scriptures, either by direct statement; approved example, or necessary inference, is unscriptural. Instrumental music in worship falls into this category. W e are often asked why we do not use instrumental music in worship. When we answer that it is not authorized by the New Testament scriptures, we are saying that it is unscriptural. To this answer we usually hear the objection, “Well, the Bible doesn’t say not to have it.” Those who offer this objection labor under the impression that for a thing to be wrong it must be anti-scriptural. Not so. The sons of Aaron “offered strange fire before the Lord” and were killed by a fire that “went out from the Lord and devoured them” (Lev. 10:1,2). God had not forbidden them to offer this particular fire. He had told them what fire to offer and that made the use of any other fire wrong. It might be well for us to meditate upon some of these Old Testament cases and see what God did to those who impiously acted without His authority in such matters. A lot of otherwise good people think nothing of presuming to add to what God has authorized in the worship and organization of the church. These same people would feel horrified at the thought of committing murder or adultery. Well, let me tell you something, neighbor. If you will read your Old Testament, you will find that God has always been more tolerant of such things as adultery and murder than He has of those who presumed to add to His arrangements. If you think this isn’t so, look at David. He committed adultery with Uriah’s wife and then had him killed, but God forgave him. Then look at the sons of Aaron, look at Korah, Dathan and Abiram (Numbers 16). Look at Uzzah (2 Kings 6). They were careless and presumptuous with the things of God, and they died for it. How do you come to the conclusion that it is wrong to kill or commit adultery, but a small thing to add to the word of the Lord? Of course, murder and adultery are wrong, but I would just as soon take my chances of going to heaven guilty of these as to try to get there while disregarding the authority of the scriptures in some matter pertaining to the name, worship, doctrine, organization or function of the church.

Scriptural: means authorized by the scriptures, or having scriptural support; not merely mentioned in the scriptures. Many things are mentioned in the scriptures that could not be called scriptural. As stated above, a thing is scriptural when it is authorized by command, approved example, or necessary inference.

Truth Magazine XIX: 51, pp. 809-810
November 6, 1975

By Bob Felkner

A good citizen will obey the laws of the nation in which he lives (Rom. 13:1-7). Not only should he obey those laws, but he should also encourage legal action against criminals. We usually insist on the prosecution of murderers, rapists, thieves, and dope peddlers, but what about smut peddlers? Why do we allow them to promote perversion in our cities? I am often amazed at our apathy! So many people are sitting around and spewing forth pessimistic statements like, “We can’t do anything about it.” Others complain about the pornography problem, but too often they direct their complaints to the wrong people. We need to express ourselves publically against pornography. This will also provide us with an opportunity to reveal what the Bible teaches about sex, morality, and family life.

For those who are interested in the fight against filth, I have prepared a few suggestions:

1. In order to combat the pornography problem, citizens must coordinate their efforts.

2. Contact leading citizens and ask them to speak out against pornography.

3. Every citizen should be made aware of the severity of this problem. It is far worse than immodesty or nudity. Pornography includes torture, rape, and sickening perversions (Lev. 18:22-23; 2 Cor. 2:11).

4. Study federal, state, and local obscenity laws. John Drakeford’s book, Pornography, the Sexual Mirage is very frank and informative. In order to stay informed, you may want to get on the mailing lists of the following organizations: Citizens for Decency through Law, 5670 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90036 and Morality in Media, 487 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10022. I am not suggesting membership in these organizations, but the information they publish is very helpful.

5. Speak to store owners and managers about the materials they are selling. Also speak to the owners of movie theaters.

6. Circulate petitions against X-rated movies and pornographic magazines. Make copies . of the signed petitions and present them to public officials. (A petition is defined by Webster’s Dictionary as: “a solemn, earnest request; entreaty” or “a formal document embodying such a request.”)

7. Meet with city and county officials and urge them to enforce existing obscenity laws. Complain until you get results (Lk. 11:8). Be kind but firm, and speak to the sheriff, city attorney, district attorney, mayor, and oracles of God” (1 Pet. 4:11); while John cautioned, “Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ hath not God, but he that abideth in the teaching the same hath both the Father and the Son” (2 John 9); and Paul instructed, “and whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Col. 3:17). From these passages we learn that whatever a man does in religion that is done without the name (or authority) of the Lord Jesus, and whoever transgresses by going onward and not abiding in the teaching of Christ and so does not speak as the oracles of God brings the displeasure of heaven upon himself. There is no escaping this conclusion. And, a choir is without the necessary authority and so displeases God. “The Bible doesn’t say you can’t have one” is not sufficient authority. In fact, the very fact that such an argument as this is used in its defense is almost enough to cause lovers of God to exclude it.

2. A church should not have a choir because it amounts to a harking back to the Law of Moses. The Bible tells us that in the Old Testament worship a special class called “singers” was appointed the task of performing in this capacity in the temple worship (1 Chron. 15:19). At times they seem to have sung with the congregation (2 Chron. 23:13), while at other times “in the congregation” but not “with the congregation” (Ps. 68:25, 26). They performed with instruments of music accompanying them (2 Chron. 23:13). And this was also a part of a system involving dancing in the worship (Ps. 150:4) as well as animal sacrifice and a multitude of other outdated and now unscriptural modes.

Brethren have always realized the distinction in the right division of the Word between that which is a part of the Old Testament and the New Testament. The only time that the difference begins to get fuzzy is when there is a pet practice that is not authorized in the New but was practiced in the Old. And in the case of the choir that is what we have. The Hebrew writer marked clearly the difference: .”But now hath he (Christ) obtained a ministry the more excellent, by so much as he is also the mediator of a better covenant, which hath been enacted upon better promises” (Heb. 8:6), and “He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second (Heb. 10:9). Paul said, “having blotted out the bond written in ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us: and he hath taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross” (Col. 2:14). Choirs are found in a law which has been “taken out of the way” and “nailed to the cross.” They have no business in the church of God.

3. A church should not have a choir because it seeks, to please the human ear rather than the Divine Will. The first argument usually heard in defense of the introduction of a choir into the church is based upon human satisfaction therewith: “It just sounds better than congregational singing.” This argument has been used all along by those intent upon justifying the use of mechanical instrumental music in the worship. The question we should ask at this point is, “To whom does it sound better?” Whom are we trying to please when we worship, ourselves or God? Perhaps it does sound better to certain human ears, but that is not a good enough reason for adopting it. In effect we are worshipping ourselves if we are the ones we are attempting to satisfy by our worship. After all, worship is “showing reverence for a deity” (Webster’s New World Dictionary, p. 627), and if our reverence is for our own wishes rather than His, -how can we think that He is pleased by such self-centered service?

4. A church should not have a choir because it makes worship a spectator sport instead of an act of communion of the saints with God. When Paul wrote to the Colossian congregation, he said, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns arid spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God” (Col. 3:16). To the Ephesians he wrote, “Speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord” (Eph. 5:19). Christians in their singing are told to “teach and admonish one another” and to “speak one to another.” A select group from the congregation is riot given the task of teaching and admonishing the remainder of the church. Everyone is to participate. This is congregational singing. In this situation everyone makes melody with his heart and all possess grace in their hearts to God. They are not special qualities possessed of an elite segment of the church. Neither is the singing a thing .to be watched and listened to by a majority while a small minority of the church “performs.” The New Testament nowhere teaches that singing should be a spectator sport. Neither soloists nor choirs have any place in a church that is trying to please God. Their intent is for the enjoyment of those present rather than God-the satisfaction of the human ear instead of the divine will. “Through him then let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which make a confession to his name” (Heb. 13:15).

5. A church should not have a choir because it is of denominationalism. It is a well known fact that denominational churches have long made use of choirs in their worship services. This is not strange, though, for it is obvious that denominationalism does not usually concern itself with the limitations enjoined by scripture. Choirs originated in the 4th century A D. during the period of apostacy from New Testament simplicity and order. By the time of Gregory the Great (died 604 A. D.), a Schola Cantorum or “School of Singing” was established for training choristers. The practice was continued by the Catholics down through the centuries and taken over by many Protestant groups. In Catholicism a choir still sings certain parts of the Mass, Vespers, etc., either independently or antiphonally with the congregation. (Cf. F. L. Cross, ed., The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, p. 273; L. A. Loetscher, Twentieth Century Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, Vol. I, p. 238; and Donald Attwater, ed., A Catholic Dictionary, pp. 92-93).

But wherever and whenever, churches have forsaken Catholicism and denominationalism and their doctrines and practices they have left choirs behind. And whenever once-faithful churches have left the truth and begun to sink ever more deeply into denominationalism they have introduced choirs into their worship. The same has generally occurred with the mechanical instrument of music. Both are characteristics of mancentered worship, rather than God-centered, Biblecentered worship. And the fact that some churches of Christ across the land are starting to desire them is simple evidence of this transition. Members of the church of long standing are usually staggered by the very thought of their introduction. It is another sign to them and to faithful people of God everywhere that the church is losing its identity, its distinctiveness. Once the cry “Come ye out from among them and be ye separate” f2 Cor. 6:17) was heard from pulpits far and wide, but now that plaintive call is all but silent in most.

6. A church should not have a choir because it is divisive. Where there are still people who ask for “Book, Chapter, and Verse” there will be a fight whenever a questionable activity is engaged in or an unscriptural practice is introduced. They realize that it is their responsibility to fight the good fight of faith (2 Tim. 4:7), and prove all things, holding fast what is good (1 Thess. 5:21). They cannot compromise with error by fellowshipping it and allowing it to go unreproved (Eph. 5:11). Thus division will many times occur when choirs are introduced, and the fault of the division will usually be placed upon those who oppose them even though the promoters are actually responsible. Some will therefore be manifestly shown approved of God by such (1 Cor. 11:19) while others will be damned for the aforementioned sins as well as dividing the body of Christ (Gal. 5:19-21).

Choirs have no place in churches of Christ. Perhaps there are other reasons why they do not, but these should surely suffice to prove this point.

Truth Magazine XIX: 51, pp. 807-809
November 6, 1975