Truth Magazine

By Jim Gabbard

Paul tells us in Philippians 4: 6, 7, that religion is good for our mental health. According to current news re-ports, (I’m sure you’ve heard it on TV) religion is also good for the physical health. We have known for a long time, of course, that true religion is good for the health of the total person; what we wonder is, why are scientists just now finding it out? A column appeared February 12, 1996, in the Dallas Morning News, written by Maggie Gallager, who writes for Universal Press Syndicate, parts of which we wish to share, and about which we’ll make certain comments.

But first, let me just say that Christians do not suffer alone. There are many things in this life that we do not understand; much of what we some-times endure goes beyond our comprehension. But God gives us a context in which to put all of these eruptions which plague our lives and are difficult or impossible to cope with. Paul himself was arrested essentially for believing in the resurrection, which was really not contrary to the Roman law, and was sent to jail, a hard fact to swallow. Yet, sitting there in chains, he said, “But I rejoice in the Lord greatly . . . I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in anyand every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

Here this innocent man sits in prison, rejoicing. Just about any ordinary man would be moaning his head off and his heart out over the plight Paul was in. And what was he in for? Nothing! Innocent! Then, why is Paul so calm about it and even rejoicing? Because his name is written in the Book of Life (Lk 10: 20). Because he has a context into which he can put his trouble, and so do all true Christians everywhere, anytime.

Recently, a child of a friend of mine was diagnosed with not one, but two very serious physical maladies. In a discussion with the father, I noted quite clearly that he had minimum of anxiety about it, which reminded me that he was a child of God. The very word of Paul to the Philippians came to mind. Forgetting the financial circumstances for the moment and focusing on the part where he said, “… In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Back to Gallager’s column. It starts with a question, “Is God good for you?” and soon gets around to a re-sounding positive report based on a number of research findings primarily from a report by Patrick Fagan of the Heritage Foundation, summarizing his findings in a brief, Why Religion Matters. Ms. Gallager informs us of that which we have known forever, that “thinkers” like Karl Marx and Sigmund Freud, and other intellectual elites view faith in three evil ways: first it was an irrational superstition; second a distraction for the oppressed, and finally, a crutch for the weak. She then quoted George Washington, as saying, “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.”

Fagan further suggested, according to Gallager, that people who go to church, synagogue or mosque, on a regular basis reap benefits, in addition to being happier and better adjusted, of a healthier kind. The re-port says “by far” they have lower rates of depression, higher self-esteem and a much less frequency of alcohol and drug abuse or crime. They are also credited with longer, happier marriages, and wouldn’t you know that our sex obsessed media added that women even have bet-ter sex than agnostics.

The report goes on to suggest that religious people have less problems with blood pressure, on average by 5 milli-meters  enough to reduce mortality rate by as much as 20 percent. That is a significant amount. One of the odd statistics in the report is one which says that among people who smoke, church attendance decreased the risk of an early stroke by 700 percent.

It seems that there is something for everybody in this report. One of our big problems today is black teenage pregnancies, which, in girls with religious background, is reduced significantly: premarital sex also is greatly reduced. Another provision which begs for attention by black people, shows that black men in prison come almost exclusively from one group: those who never went to church or those who stopped going at about age 10.

Another social benefit of being a careful worshiper is reaped by minority youths who live in the inner-city. Their chances of “escaping” the cycle of poverty there is greatly increased. Also affected is school attendance, work activity, and frequency of socially deviant behavior.

As unlikely as it may seem to many, an analysis of a large national sample found a very positive relationship between religion and prosperity. Among those who at-tended church weekly, the average family income was $37,021 in 1993, while those who attended none or less had an average income of $24,361.

It seems that that the “great” liberals of the past (and present) had (have) it all wrong. We believe, whether or not these reports confirm it, that the dynamic force of religion, and the great value of being a Christian, is the resurrection, and without the resurrection, our faith would be worthless, Be that as it may, it seems that folks reap a very great host of other benefits for their religious efforts. I do not wish to close, however, without saying that, while it may be true as stated in this report that many benefits accrue to church goers, the only benefit that really counts comes from a very careful, fine-tuned study of the Scriptures, and obedience to it precepts. In the final analysis, the only problems that matter are: Who am I? Where did I come from? What does it mean that I’m here? and What will happen to me when this life is over? The answer to these questions will not come from church attendance alone. It will not come from any library, or from science, or any man or men. The only source which speaks positively and correctly to these questions is the Bible, the word of the Living God.

Guardian of Truth XL: 12 p. 1
June 20, 1996

By P. J. Casebolt

In the days of Hezekiah, it is said of Israel and Judah with respect to the Passover feast, “. . . for they had not done it of a long time in such sort as it was written” (2 Citron. 30:5).

Both Israel and Judah had been doing some things which were intended to be acts of service, sacrifice, and worship, but not “as it was written.” Many people in the religious world never have done things according to that which is written in God’s word. Their entire system is based on the doctrines, commandments, creeds, and traditions of men, and therefore vain (Matt. 15:8, 9). Some in this system have even forsaken their own original traditions, and for the most part could not tell you what they believe or why they believe it. They have been merged into a milling mass of philosophy and social agendas which have neither point, purpose, nor identity.

But among the Lord’s people at this present time, there are those who have not served God for a long time “as it is written,” and a generation or two have never even heard what is written with respect to their worship, service, and spiritual sacrifices.

In a recent meeting with a congregation which still teaches and practices things “which become sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1), brethren from churches of Christ which have not done things “of a long time in such sort as it was written” were invited to attend, and like the invitation of Hezekiah to “all Israel and Judah,” divers accepted the invitation and came.

After a sermon on “The Unity of the Spirit,” a dialogue was initiated by the visiting brethren who had never heard things which pertained to unity among brethren, and why division exists among the people of God. I judged these men to be in their 30s or 40s, and they were sincere brethren who were willing to discuss issues which divide us, and made an effort to justify their present practices.

When one of them asked if they were not “doing a good work” by preaching the gospel through human arrangements such as sponsoring churches and elderships, I told them that this was exactly the same argument which was made to justify the human missionary societies of the last century. They had never heard of a missionary society, and wanted to know what one was. (In fact, they were sending their support for a particular TV program through two sponsoring churches.)

When I and other brethren pointed out that the digressive “Christian Church” or “Disciples of Christ” was formed from divisive efforts to bind “expediencies” and “methods” upon other brethren, these brethren conceded that they did not know why this division took place. They knew that some used mechanical instruments of music and some didn’t, but had no idea as to how, why, or even when such things transpired. They had never heard that a “good work” had to be defined, determined, and limited by the Scriptures, or a “thus saith the Lord” (2 Tim. 3:16, 17; 1 Pet. 4:11).

We cannot be held responsible for the fact that many churches of Christ have not done things “of a long time in such sort as it was written.” Preachers and elders in those churches have long since ceased to justify doctrines and practices by “book, chapter, and verse,” and have purposely kept the membership of such congregations in darkness and ignorance as to why we do not have unity in the Lord’s church. But we can be held responsible for not indoctrinating present and coming generations in those congregations which still practice things “as it is written.”

Even among what we know as conservative churches of Christ, we are neglecting to teach new converts and remind older members about such things as scriptural authority; the work, mission, organization, and worship of the church; what has caused division among God’s people in times past; and the importance of “book, chapter, and verse” preaching.

Not only are we neglecting such subjects in the local pulpits, classrooms, and in gospel meetings, we are becoming preoccupied with gimmicks, philosophy, psychology, sermons and assemblies more on the order of a TV sit-corn or talk show, and otherwise appealing to the desire to be entertained and pampered.

We have only so much time on Sundays, in mid-week classes, and gospel meetings to indoctrinate the member-ship of local congregations. If necessary, we need to “observe other seven days” (2 Chron. 30:23), in addition to our regular efforts to preach the gospel to the unbeliever and edify the believer.

Once we become negligent and fall behind in doctrinal matters, it won’t be long until we fall behind in matters of morality, and even forsake the true and living God for the gods of this world. It would be better to explain to our children why we observe divinely approved memorials, rather than try to explain why we have not observed them “of a long time.”

Guardian of Truth XL: 11 p. 24-25
June 6, 1996

By Irvin Himmel

The situation look grim. Saul’s men had dwindled to only about six hundred. The army of the Philistines numbered into the thousands. Saul’s men were poorly armed. Since all the smiths were among the Philistines, Saul’s soldiers had neither sword nor spear. There was much trembling among the Israelites. Some were hiding in caves, thickets, rocks, pits, and other out of the way places. Some had fled to the region east of Jordan (1 Sam. 13).

Jonathan, Saul’s son, took his young armor bearer and approached the Philistine garrison. Saul was not informed of this movement. Jonathan said to the young man that bore his armor, “Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the Lord will work for us: for there is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few” (1 Sam. 14:6).

The faith that Jonathan had in God brought reward. Despite their being terribly outnumbered and poorly equipped to fight, the Israelites were given victory over the Philistines. God turned seeming defeat into certain triumph.

Too often we suppose that we are defeated if outnumbered. Not so! God is able to save by many or by few. God can use a few faithful people to do great works in his sight. God is not swayed by numbers.

Guardian of Truth XL: 12 p. 9
June 20, 1996

By Steve Hardin

We are just entering that season of the year once again when God blesses us with warm sunshine, beautiful flowers, and the wonders of nature in the springtime. As the temperatures climb each year at this time, immodest attire once again becomes the order of the day. Old man winter helps to put an end to this in Indiana for several months of the year. Yet, as spring begins, semi-nudity is once again glorified as the norm and modesty is scorned as an outdated relic.

Our nation is grievously distressed by divorce, fornication, and adultery. Many things in society contribute to such sins, including lust producing attire worn by so many. It seems that the public in general applauds such, parents often practice and promote it, and Christians themselves often fail today to be separate from the world in this area.

The Word of God says, “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefastness and sobriety” (1 TIM. 2:9). “Shamefastness” suggests a sense of shame. “Sobriety” involves the idea of self-control or inner government, with its constant reign on all passions and desires, which would hinder the temptation to these from arising. The person who would seek to always please God will dress in such a way as not to arouse sinful passions in others with whom they come in contact. If Christians care what God thinks, they will not dress in the brief attire which is so common or popular today. If the skimpy and skin tight (or tighter) clothing is modest according to God’s standard, then the only thing which is immodest would be total nudity!

In Galatians 5:19, Paul condemns “lasciviousness” (KJV) as a work of the flesh. In verse 21, he wrote, “they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Lasciviousness is not a term which we are generally familiar with in today’s world. Just what is this thing called “lasciviousness”? Webster in his dictionary defines it as “wanton; lewd, lustful; tending to produce lewd emotions.” Something is lascivious if it tends to excite or stir up lustful thoughts in other people. Words, actions, or the way one dresses could all be classified as lascivious, if they promote or produce lust in the mind of others. When one dresses (or undresses) in such a manner, she shares in the guilt involved when others look to lust after her. “But I say to you that whosoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matt. 5:28).

Some men will look to lust no matter what kind of clothing a woman may wear. However, a woman who desires to serve God will always be careful never to share in that sin. She will not dress in such a manner as to invite or encourage that look of lust.

Many fashion designers produce their clothing with nothing else but sex-appeal in mind. No matter what “fashion” or “the majority” may dictate; God-fearing, spiritually minded people must not abandon the required virtues of modesty, sobriety and shamefacedness. Shamefacedness, in its very definition involves an ability to blush. This is something that a majority of people in the world have seemingly lost the ability to do. In-stead of blushing, many glory in what should be their shame!

God’s rules for modesty do not change with geography or the weather What is modest in Canada is also modest in Key West. Like-wise what is modest in January is still modest in July. The weather or the location do not justify or excuse one dressing in immodest clothing.

In the Word of God, more is written directly to women about immodesty. However, this does not mean that God has a double standard. Certainly, men as well as women, are capable of dressing immodestly and causing others to lust. Neither a man nor a woman should wear that which is designed to create lust in the heart of another. All of us, as Christians, are commanded to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul (1 Pet. 2:11).

We, as parents, hold the responsibility of bringing up our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:14). Fathers need to exercise their God given duty to teach and encourage their children to dress always in appropriate attire. Mothers, as well, should set the proper example for their daughter and never give in to immodest attire! Too many mothers and fathers contribute to immodesty by their own example or by refusing to allow their children to wear such. It may be easier to let it go than to face the objections raised by children when they want to wear what “everyone else” does. Yet, God places on us as parents the responsibility of guiding our children in the ways of truth and righteousness. We all need to wake up and see where we are headed morally and spiritually. We need to heed carefully the admonition of the Lord to “abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thess. 5:22). This should be true of us as Christians in our actions and our speech, as well as our manner of dress.

Reprinted from The Plain Path, Bulletin of the Plainfield Church of Christ, Plainfield, IN.

Guardian of Truth XL: 12 p. 6-7
June 20, 1996