Truth Magazine

By Connie W. Adams

The Corinthian church had many faults to overcome, not the least of which was the tendency to exalt human wisdom above divine simplicity. The simple gospel was foolishness unto the Greeks (1 Cor. 1:23). Apparently, some in the church in Corinth sought a synthesis between the gospel and Greek philosophy. In that number were some who were “puffed up” with human wisdom and who looked with disdain upon Paul and the other apostles. In a passage filled with irony, Paul checks this notion. He said:

For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, be ye are strong; ye are honorable, but we are despised. Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place; and labor, working with our hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and the off-scouring of all things unto this day (1 Cor. 4:9-13).

As gladiators sent into the arena to be slain and devoured by wild beasts as a spectacle to those in the stands, even so, the apostles were looked upon as a curiosity to the world and their debasement provided amusement for the worldly wise. They were counted as filth washed from the body, unworthy of the slightest respect. Paul and his companions suffered such indignity for the sake of the Corinthians and others they taught in order to enhance their spiritual state. It was through the labor of such a despised one that they had received the gospel. “For in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel” (4:15).

The world still considers those who live by the principles of the gospel to be “fools.” Let some high ranking official state a religious conviction and watch the secular press go into orbit. A recent instance of this was found in a speech made on April 9, 1996 by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia before the Mississippi College School of Law. He said, “Devout Christians are destined to be regarded as fools in modern society … We are fools for Christ’s sake . . .We must pray for courage to endure the scorn of the sophisticated world . . . Surely those who adhere to all or most of these traditional Christian beliefs are to be regarded as simple-minded.” Some of his remarks were draped in sarcasm aimed directly at those worldly sophisticates who deprecate the principles and values which believers in Christ hold dear.

That was enough to start a firestorm. Richard Cohen of the Washington Post wrote: “I think this Supreme Court justice is a cheap shot artist.” He characterized Scalia’s remarks as “foolishness,” said they were “jarring” and suggested that the judge was not suited to sit in on any case involving the separation of church and state. Jamin B. Raskin, professor of constitutional law at American University in Washington, D.C. said Scalia “stepped over the line of what is proper . . . we expect Supreme Court justices to be the most secular of our public servants.”

You would think that expressions of faith were new to this justice of the court or to other leaders in our nation. Not so. The first chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court was John Jay who was also governor of New York at one time. In 1816 he said, “Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers” (Johnston, The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay, Vol. 4, p. 393). As late as 1952, justice William O. Douglas wrote: “We are a religious people whose institutions presuppose a Supreme Being” (Case of Zorach vs. Clauson). One of the more liberal judges we have ever had was chief justice Earl Warren. Yet, in a speech in 1954 which was reported in Time magazine, he said:

I believe no one can read the history of our country without realizing that the Good Book and the spirit of the Savior have from the beginning been our guiding geniuses … whether we look to the first Charter of Virginia . . . or to the Charter of New England . . . or to the Charter of Massachusetts Bay . . . or to the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut . . . the same objective is present … a Christian land governed by Christian principles. I believe the entire Bill of Rights came into being because of the knowledge our forefathers had of the Bible and their belief in it: freedom of belief, of expression, of assembly, of petition, the dignity of the individual, the sanctity of the home, equal justice under law, and the reservation of powers to the people . . . I like to believe we are living today in the spirit of the Christian religion. I like also to believe that as long as we do so, no great harm can come to our country (“Breakfast in Washington,” Time, February 14, 1954, p. 49).

We could multiply quotes from George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, Woodrow Wilson, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Ronald Reagan all of whom made public their views concerning the need for adherence to the principles of the Bible and a conviction that there is a divine Providence that guides the destiny of nations. Are we to write them all off as “fools”?

The most despised and scorned people in our land today, the most maligned and misrepresented are those who stand up for Bible principles whether in matters of morals or doctrine. Movies and television shows habitually depict religious figures who represent any aspect of so-called Christianity as hypocritical, wimps, or simpletons. Academia is notorious for heaping scorn upon Bible believers. The press has an obvious bias against Bible believers. They are unable to completely disguise their disdain. Watch for buzz words or phrases which are dead give-ways. “Fire and brimstone fundamentalists” or “Biblical literalists” or “rightwing radical fundamentalists.”

Even in conflicts among brethren which involve a liberal vs. conservative stance, those who insist on adherence to what the Bible teaches are described as “legalists,” “antis,” “theological backwaters.” In the nineteenth century conflict over instrumental music and missionary societies, David Lipscomb was caricatured as an old woman trying to sweep back the ocean with a broom. He was “non-progressive.” It is not popular to be a faithful Christian. Even among those who profess to follow the Lord, scorn is heaped upon those who are outspoken about what all of us used to consider plain, everyday godly character. Preach on modesty and make it plain enough to be clearly understood and you will soon learn what I mean. Speak on women’s role in either the church or the home and be prepared to either take it on the chin or duck! Preach forceful and clear sermons on fundamental truths that draw a line between denominational error and the will of God and then brace yourself. Warn of dangers and trends among us and then be prepared.

Well, brethren, with Paul, if the world, or the brethren, think us “beside ourselves” or consider us “a spectacle” fit only for sport and destruction, then we will just have to be “fools for Christ’s sake.” Are you willing to pay the price?

(Thanks to the June, 1996 issue of Focus On The Family newsletter by James Dobson for quotes and documentation from justices and presidents.)

Guardian of Truth XL: No. 19, p. 3-4
October 3, 1996

By Jarrod Jacobs

As we know, the Centennial Olympic Games were played in Atlanta, Georgia. As I watched these fine athletes compete in their respective events, I could not help but think of their drive and determination that got them there. You see, one does not simply “show up” and compete in the Olympics! Each Olympian had trained for many years and had sacrificed family and social life to get a chance to compete with the world’s best athletes.

As noble as their drive and de-termination for the gold medal was, my thoughts turn to the spiritual “competition” that all Christians must endure. The Bible compares our living for Christ to a “race” (Heb. 12:1; 2 Tim. 4:7). It also compares our living for Christ as “a fight” (1 Cor. 9:25; 2 Tim. 4:7). I wonder if we truly can appreciate what this means. If we did, why do we not have more Christians who are “in shape” spiritually? Why do we have to constantly remind fellow Christians to be faithful to God? The Bible says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33). Is this our goal?

Each Olympian in Atlanta had trained and had been working very hard to reach the gold medal. How great it must be to feel that gold around the neck, and know that this was the end result of hard work and determination for those many years. When thinking of spiritual matters, how great it will be someday to know that the hard work and determination we put forth in this life has been worth it all. I would suggest to you that the reward we receive as Christians will be far greater than a room full of gold medals! Paul teaches, “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.” “But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation” (1 Cor. 9:25; 1 Tim. 4:7-9).

How much greater our heavenly reward will be than that which the Olympians received. However, we must remember that we must train our bodies and minds to be in sub-mission to God (1 Cor. 9:27; Rom. 12:1-2). Paul said, “if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully” (2 Tim. 2:5). In other words, we have a standard, or rule, that we must follow just as the Olympians do. Our standard is the Bible. It is inspired of God, and reveals all we need to know to get to heaven (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:3; Phil. 2:12).

Are you in shape, spiritually? Are you looking, training, and striving “for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Heb. 11:10)? Paul said, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:13-14). When your life is nearing its end, will you only have memories to give you comfort, or will you have hopes to give you comfort? What is your goal in life? Is it for the gold medal, or the streets of gold?

Guardian of Truth XL: No. 19, p. 1
October 3, 1996

By Mike Willis

The Law of Moses demanded that the children of Israel have a year of Jubilee every 50 years. The instructions for how this year was to be observed are revealed in Leviticus 25. Among other things, the Law required that all debts be canceled and that all property revert to the families to whom it was parceled out when Israel conquered the land of Canaan. There are many good things that could be said about the concept of a year of Jubilee: (a) It prevented too large a concentration of wealth into the hands of a few; (b) It gave poor people something to hope for and an opportunity for a fresh start; etc.

However, one verse in this context draws our attention. In explaining why a person’s inherited property could not be sold forever, but could only be sold for the period until the next year of Jubilee, the Lord said, “The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me. And in all the land of your possession ye shall grant a redemption for the land” (Lev. 25:23-24).

Notice what the Lord said in these verses: (a) The land is mine; (b) You are strangers and sojourners. I suspect that we need to be reminded of these two truths.

The Land Is Mine

Sometimes we act as if we own our possessions. The truth is that we are granted the opportunity to use them for a brief span of time. After we are gone, the land will continue and someone else will have the use of it for a span of time. The land continues; men come and go.

In some countries in a previous time, a person took on the name of the estate on which he lived because the land would continue, but he would soon pass from this earth.

Even during the time that we have use of land, we need to remember that it belongs to the Lord.

You Are Strangers and Sojourners With Me

We are just guests on the Lord’s property. A stranger or sojourner was someone who was not a citizen of a given country but was an alien living in another land. We are like military personnel who are stationed in such far away countries as Japan, Bosnia, Germany, and other places. They do not apply for citizenship in the land where they are stationed. Generally, they do not learn its language or its customs because they know that they will be there for a short time.

Christians are to accept their life on earth as a pilgrimage and sojourney. Peter wrote, “And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear” (1 Pet. 1:17).

The writer of Hebrews wrote, “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city” (11:13-16).

One of our songs says, “Here we are but straying pilgrims; Here our path is often dim; But to cheer us on our journey, Still we sing this way-side hymn: Yonder over the rolling river, Where the shining mansions rise, Soon will be our home forever, And the smile of the blessed Giver Glad-dens all our longing eyes” (“Here We Are But Straying Pilgrims”).

Do your view your life as a pilgrimage and sojourney?

Our Jubilee

The Old Law has passed away but we still look for “heaven’s jubilee” when our redemption comes. The years of our pilgrimage will end and we will be taken away to our eternal home, Even as the poor Jewish man looked forward to the year of Jubilee when all of his debts would be canceled and he would be reinstated to his inheritance, so also we who are Christians look forward to our year of Jubilee. Our debt of sin is canceled and we will be given our eternal home.

Guardian of Truth XL: No. 19, p. 2
October 3, 1996

By Tommy Glendol McClure

Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:21: “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” Paul did not mean that preaching was a foolish act, but, by the simplicity of preaching God’s word, salvation is possible. Many today and in Paul’s day looked upon preaching as a foolish act. Most certainly, much of the preaching done today is foolishness!

Preaching is Foolishness

When the gospel message is perverted! The apostle Paul wrote: “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed” (Gal. 1:8, 9). Paul marveled that the Galatians had been persuaded to believe “another gospel: which is not another.” Many preachers today pervert the pure and simple gospel of Christ by teaching such doctrines as, justification or salvation by faith only, the impossibility of apostasy, Holy Spirit baptism, etc. These doctrines are distortions of the truth and are foolish preaching!

When all the counsel of God is not proclaimed! To omit teaching the truth on a subject because the subject is controversial, is wrong! Paul wrote to the Galatians saying: “For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ” (Gal.1:10). Preachers must “preach the word; be instant in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (1 Tim. 4:2). Paul taught all the counsel of God (Acts 20:26). Can we preach anything less and be pleasing to God? To preach so that the message is pleasing to men, results in a compromise of the truth and this is condemned by the inspired apostle.

When a preacher spends more time telling jokes and stories than he does preaching! Some “preachers” would do well to be comedians instead of preachers. I have heard some “preachers” who spent more time telling jokes and talking about current events than they did preaching a Scripture based sermon. Some seek popularity and will tickle the ears of the hearers with trivial talk, which will not save one soul! Only the gospel has the power to save and it must be preached for souls to be saved (Rom. 1:16, 17). See also 1 Peter 4:11; Titus 2:6-8.

When application to God’s truths are not made! Preaching must involve making proper application to the truths taught. For example, some preachers talk long and loud about believing God, but never get around to preaching on what belief involves or making application by using Bible examples and principles of truth. Paul made application in his preaching! He dealt with sin and error and got to the point! In 1 Corinthians 5, he specifically dealt with the problem of the church in Corinth accepting a brother who was guilty of fornication. Paul didn’t hold back when sin was in the camp. Likewise, gospel preachers need to make application as Paul did.

When a woman is preaching! Some denominations have women “preachers” in their so-called “clergies.” Where in all of the New Testament do you find an example of this practice? In fact, this is condemned by the Scriptures! When Paul wrote to the Corinthians concerning the proper use of spiritual gifts he said: “Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church” (1 Cor. 14:34, 35). Women are to learn in silence and not usurp authority over the man (1 Tim. 2:11-15). In Titus 2:3-5 Paul wrote: ” The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.” Women can and should teach in their proper place, but they must keep silence in the church.

Yes, there are many ways to preach foolishly. But, souls are saved by the “foolishness of preaching.” What kind of preaching do you desire to hear?

Guardian of Truth XL: No. 18, p. 5
September 19, 1996