Truth Magazine

By Connie W. Adams

While visiting the home of James Yates in Texas a few weeks ago, we drove out in the pasture to see a new colt. We kept circling trying to get a good picture of the frisky colt. But the mother would have none of that. She continually protected her baby by keeping herself between the car and the colt and the only picture we got was from across the pasture. My mind raced to 2 Timothy 3:3 to that context where Paul told of “perilous times” to come and listed those “without natural affection.” Here was a Texas mare which put herself in the way of any harm to her offspring while we have had over 30 million legal abortions in this nation since the fateful Supreme Court decision of 1973. Maybe what this nation needs is some horse sense!

Help Needed

An urgent letter from Paul Williams in South Africa tells of the need to raise an additional $1,000 a month support for Robert Buchanan who preaches in White River, South Africa. Paul has known him ever since he became a Christian and has known his wife since she was nine years old. Brother Buchanan left work as an instrumental technician to preach the gospel. Three South African churches supply support for him and one sister in the USA sends $15 a month. This totals $830 a month and is inadequate in that economy. Another $1,000 is needed and that would still amount to over $500 a month less than he was earning in secular work. If any who reads this can do something to help, please write to: Robert Buchanan, P.O. Box 2625, White River 1240, South Africa.

Ash Fork, Arizona

On our way back east from some California meetings recently, we worshipped one Sunday morning with the small congregation in Ash Fork, Arizona, on I-40 west of Flagstaff. There are four members, three women and one man. The older woman, Irene Toliver, has kept that work alive for many years. That Sunday was the once-a-month appointment for Gene Tope who comes up from Prescott to teach and preach. Many times they have no speaker but meet and sing, pray, observe the Lord’s supper, give and study a Bible lesson. Sometimes they hear a taped sermon from some faithful brother (they have quite a collection). The day Bobby and I were present, along with the Topes came a couple from Orlando, Florida, the Dillingers. With the four of them, that made ten that day. The lone male member arose to lead the singing and remarked how good it was to see such a good crowd. He said, “We get lonely here sometimes.” But they are holding fast the faithful word. I taught the Bible class, Gene preached, Austin Dillinger served at the table and the local brother led the singing. Like Lydia of Acts 16, Irene Toliver “constrained us” and the whole congregation went to her house for dinner. “No” or “Thank you, but we have a long ways to go,” or “That would be too much trouble for you” were not acceptable answers. It sure was a good day.

How sweet how heavenly is the sight

When those that love the Lord

In one another’s peace delight

And so fulfill the word.

“Dismiss Us Please”

Dismiss: 1: to permit or cause to leave Webster’ s New Collegiate Dictionary. It is evident that many do not understand what the term means, for instead of permitting an assembly to leave, we cause it to stay and stay and then stay. And this often after a congregation has stood during an invitation song, closing remarks, a closing song and for “dismissal.” There are times for prolonged prayers. This is the time to invoke the Lord’s blessings upon us as we take leave of one another. It is not the time for lengthy supplications, quoting Scripture to the Lord, half-soling the sermon and myriad concerns of the Lord’s people when they pray. The request is to dismiss, to permit or cause to leave.

The Rod of Correction

Real child abuse is a terrible blight. It must be addressed. But that does not justify the opposite extreme which argues that all corporal punishment of a disobedient child is abusive. Some are confusing “hitting” with spanking. This is a subtle maneuver to make all spanking appear brutish. I got my share of them as a boy and deserved them. And no, I do not hate my mother or my father. The Bible principle is valid: “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him” (Prov. 22:15). A steel pipe or butcher knife is a rod of abuse, not correction. The purpose of the rod in this passage is to cause a change in behavior, to demonstrate disapproval of an action. A kitchen spatula, a stick to stir paint, a keen switch, is not a rod of abuse but of correction. Those who argue that they are abusive are either ignorant of the word of God, or arrogant enough to think they know more about it than the Lord did.

I remember vividly one “rod of correction” which I received good-naturedly from my grandmother when I was about 10 years old. I thought it was funny to rush behind her, untie her apron and then run away laughing. One day I caught her on the back porch with a bucket of water in her hand. I untied her apron but was not fast enough. Quick as a flash she dumped the whole bucket of cold water on me. The soaking taught me to be careful about doing that any more. It was a wet rod of correction.

My Friend, Levy

My friend and brother, Dr. Levy Maravilla of St. Louis, Missouri passed away on March 21. Not only had he treated me many times as a physician, but he was a dearly beloved friend. For many years he served as an elder in the Hazelwood, Missouri church. He knew the Scriptures well, believed them implicitly and ordered his entire life according to them. He loved the church and he loved those who preach the gospel. He and his wife, Connie, were indeed “given to hospitality.”

Funeral services were conducted on March 24 in St. Louis by Ben Shropshire with congregational singing led by Mark Broyles. A large crowd was present, including many brethren and also a large number of doctors and other professional people who obviously respected him much. Included in that number were some Filipino doctors with whom Levy and Mark Broyles had been studying the Bible weekly.

His death leaves a large void in the lives of many. Our deepest sympathy is extended to his wife, Connie, sons, David and Mike and daughter Donna. Truly, “a prince and a great man has fallen.” But we take great comfort in the promises of the gospel.

Guardian of Truth XXXVIII: 13, p. 3-4
July 7, 1994

By Ron Halbrook

Kate Hankins was the daughter of Murray and Susie Bell Hankins. She was born 15 March 1921 in Lamar County, Alabama and died 28 August 1993 in Birmingham, Alabama. She was a Christian for most of her life and her godly influence touched a great many people through the years. She was affectionately known as “Kate” to most who knew her, but she will always be “sister Johnson,” the wife of an elder, to me. Truly, to know her was to love her because she exemplified the beauty of holiness in so many ways.

Sister Johnson was a graduate of Lamar County High School and attended Florence State College (now North Alabama University). Jay F. Johnson married Kate on 19 December 1941. While her husband was in the army and overseas during World War II, she taught grammar school. After the war was over he arrived back in California and her teaching days ended so that she could re-turn to being a homemaker. Being a homemaker was her highest calling and she was deeply devoted to it. Their three children are Jane, Kay, and Louis, and in addition they have five grandchildren.

After obeying the gospel at age 16, Kate continued to grow and to be faithful throughout all the days of her life. She loved the Lord, the truth, and the church with great intensity. Severe back pain tested her for a number of years and yet she continued faithfully to attend the services, even though it meant standing at the back of the building at times because of the discomfort of sitting. The joy of spiritual refreshment and fellowship with the Lord meant so much to her that she often attended services when she did not feel like it.

Sister Johnson loved to teach the Word of God. Most of her adult life included teaching Bible classes at church. The Johnsons have attended the Midfield (AL) Church of Christ for many years, where her husband has also served as an elder for many years. Her favorite class to teach was a class of young girls at Midfield which she conducted for several years. In the summer the girls would come to the Johnson home where she would teach them Bible, cooking, sewing, crocheting, and many other things women need to know to be good wives and mothers. Sister Johnson was an accomplished seamstress who made many wedding dresses and bridesmaid gowns and never charged for them beyond the cost of materials. She exalted the importance of the home and of the woman’s role in the home as God ordained it. She exalted this great truth both in practice and in teaching.

The Johnson home was always open for guests and visitors, and sister Johnson especially loved to cook, and was a master at it. The Johnsons have extended their hospitality to many Christians through the years. Preachers have stayed in their home on many occasions while holding gospel meetings for the church at Midfield. She has washed and ironed their clothes, polished their shoes, and even cut the hair of some!

Sister Johnson was always a hard worker and one who put the Lord first in all of her work. She exemplified the quality commended by Jesus when he said, “Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Lk. 10:41-42). All the godly characteristics of the virtuous woman found in Proverbs 31 could be seen in the life of sister Johnson. She was an ideal helper to her husband, and he safely trusted in her. She worked “willingly with her hands” and was diligent to supply every need of her household. “She stretcheth out her hand to the poor” and did not hesitate to share what she had with anyone who needed it. “Strength and honor are her clothing . . . and in her tongue is the law of kindness.” Her children “call her blessed” and her husband “praiseth her.” She will be remembered and praised as “a woman that feareth the Lord.”

Even when sister Johnson became very ill, she did not fear death but looked forward to it. In spite of all of her suffering, she only missed worship the last three Sundays of her life. Her worship to God on this earth was only a prelude to her worship of God in eternity. She embraced the exceeding great and precious promises of the gospel, fully believing that a better life awaited her beyond this world of sin and sorrow. Plans for her funeral service were made by herself long be-fore her death, including the songs, the pallbearers, and the other arrangements. No “sad” songs were selected but only songs such as “Hallelujah! What a Savior!” Singing was congregational. Brother Barney Keith, local preacher at Midfield, and brother Pete McKee, a former preacher at Midfield, spoke during the funeral service to a record crowd which had registered at the funeral. Brother Ed Owens, a long time member at Midfield, spoke at the graveside. Sister Johnson is buried in the Valhalla Cemetery at Bessemer near Birmingham to await the great resurrection day.

I must add this personal word. My family and I moved to Midfield to work with this good church in the summer of 1982 and stayed through the summer of 1984. Working with the Johnsons and the whole church there was a rich and rewarding experience in many ways. One of the highlights was being closely associated with the Johnsons, being in their home numerous times, eating at their table, and learning from them. They have been unusually dedicated people to the Lord, the kind who truly help others to reach heaven. Brother Jay F. Johnson (4905 Avenue R, Birmingham, AL 35208-5106) still lives in Birmingham and continues to work and worship with the Midfield Church of Christ there.

Guardian of Truth XXXVIII: 13, p. 12-13
July 7, 1994

By Ray F. Dively

Protestantism is the general name for all denominations outside the Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox churches. Protestantism resulted from a great religious and political movement, the Reformation, which began in Europe in the 1500s. The word “protestant” comes from the Latin protestants, one who protests. It was first used in Germany in 1529. At that time a Diet, or special assembly at Speyer decreed that the Bible should be taught only along the lines authorized by the Roman Catholic church. The assembly also decreed that Mass should be restored in the German states where it had been discontinued. Several princes and fourteen imperial cities made a formal protest against the decrees. Because of their protest, they became known as Protestants. The name soon came to mean all those who separated from the Catholic Church. There are now hundreds of Protestant denominations and sects that differ slightly or greatly from each other.

Protestantism may be said to have expressed itself in two main forms, classical Protestantism and radical Protestantism. Classical Protestantism includes the original groups which first revolted against the Roman Catholic church, especially Lutherans, Calvinists and Anglicans. Lutheranism, founded by Martin Luther, was the earliest expression of Protestantism. Calvinism or “Reformed Christianity,” came second in historical order and forms the largest Protestant denomination in the world. It originated in the teachings of John Calvin. Protestant denominations which follow the Calvinistic teachings include the Presbyterians, and various Reformed churches in America and Europe. Anglicanism grew out of Henry VIII’s break with the Roman Catholic church. It includes the church of England and related groups such as the Protestant Episcopal church in the United States.

Radical Protestantism designates religious groups that broke away from classical Protestantism or grew up independently. Many such groups were formed around some particular doctrine which members of the group felt to be expressive of the essential core of Christianity. Several radical Protestant denominations stress evangelicalism, or salvation through repentance and faith in Christ. Their members often exhibit an intensely personal religious commitment and may view the church as essentially voluntary association. You are a Christian before joining their church. The main groups include the Baptist, Congregationalists and Methodists.

The Reformation was a religious movement of the 1500s that resulted in the establishment of Protestantism or denominational churches. The Reformation movement began in the heart of a German Augustian monk named Martin Luther. Among his conclusions was that only the Bible, not the pope was infallible, or free from error.

Luther’s outrage at the way indulgence, or spiritual pardons, were sold in Saxony led him to speak out against the Catholic Church. On October 31, 1917, he nailed his “Ninety-five Theses” to the door of the All Saints church building in Wittenberg. He had no intentions of starting a movement to destroy the Catholic Church. He meant only to reform abuses within. But, when the theses was circulated throughout Germany, they stirred up a major upheaval. Later Luther was declared a heretic and excommunicated. He defied the pope and began to organize his conservative Lutheran church in 1522. Luther was the first to translate the New Testament into the language of the people of Germany.

The reformation spread to Switzerland, France, En-gland and other countries. More and more man-made churches were begun. Since that time and even now more sects are beginning.

The Roman Catholic church and the denominational churches are religious sects and not churches, for the Lord said, “Upon this rock I will build my church” (Matt. 16:18). He did not say, “churches” but church. The Lord promised to build only one church. The church was built upon Christ. Christ is the only foundation (1 Cor. 3:11), and chief corner stone (Eph. 2:20). The church was established on the day of Pentecost 33 A.D. (Acts 2). The Lord purchased the church with his own blood (Acts 20:28).

We must teach the Roman Catholic and Protestant people how to become Christians. We must do this in love. Let us face our responsibility and teach all people about Christ and his church (Mk. 16:15; Matt. 28:19). For without Christ and his church they are lost.

Guardian of Truth XXXVIII: 12, p. 22
June 16, 1994

By Mike Willis

As we move away from a rural environment, we may forget some of the images from rural settings which have been used to illustrate important spiritual lessons. Sometime ago, an elder used the example of “playing possum” to remind us of our need for action when spiritual dangers threaten. His use of the illustration reminded me of what I had seen as a child.

Some of our readers probably don’t know what the phrase “playing possum” means. Those who grew up in the country do. While growing up in a rural setting in East Texas, I occasionally heard our dogs tree a possum late at night. Sometimes the dogs would continue howling until someone would finally go to the tree and kill the possum. On several occasions, the dogs found the possum on the ground and tore into it. For whatever reason, whether it is a defense mechanism or a reaction to fear, the possum falls over and pretends to be dead when danger threatens. When the danger is gone, the possum awakens from his stupor and resumes his activities. This is what is known as “playing possum.” I have watched our dogs chew on the possum which was “playing possum” until I could hear his bones breaking inside, but still the possum pretended to be dead.

One day, my brother Cecil and our cousin Billy Mochman who were teenaged boys at the time, brought home a possum which was “playing possum.” After the dogs had chewed on it but were unable to awaken it from its stupor, these two young men decided they would make the animal quit “playing possum.” They got a can of kerosene and poured it in the possum’s ear. Nothing happened. You can guess what they tried next. They poured the kerosene all over the possum and lit it on fire. The possum woke up and took off running toward the house in which we lived.

Our house was flat against the ground in the front and was raised about 18 inches off the ground in the back so that it would be level. The possum was running toward the back of the house, blazing with fire. About this time, Momma walked out the back door. Something had to be done to stop the possum from running under the house and causing the house to burn down, so Billy grabbed the possum by the tail. The flames of fire were licking too close to his hand. He began to swing the possum around in a circle so that it would not burn him. Momma was standing on the back door steps and screaming.

About that time, the skin on the tail burned off, it slipped out of Billy’s hands, and the possum hit the ground running toward the cover which the house would provide. Momma hit the possum with the broom handle just as he went under the house. That knocked him out or killed him. Whichever, it saved the house from burning to the ground. All of this proved one thing: you can make a possum quit “playing possum.”

My cousin Billy is dead now and I have never turned my brother

Playing Possum .. .

Cecil in to the Society for the Prevention of the Cruelty to Animals. Perhaps the statute of limitations has expired for his offense. The incident was related to me years later. I have ever since remembered what “playing possum” means.

Some Brethren Play Possum

Brethren used to describe how some handle the threat of false doctrine and false teachers, saying they are like the ostrich who buries his head in the sand. Some still try to pretend that there are no dangers threatening the church. They accomplish this by burying their heads in the sand, like the ostrich. They refuse to read papers or listen to preachers who warn them of imminent dangers to the church. Soon the problems troubling other churches across the nation have invaded their local congregation and a major conflict ensues  a conflict that could have been averted had brethren been alert to the issues threatening the church.

Others “play possum” when danger threatens. They role over and play dead until the danger is passed. Stronger brethren take up the sword of the Spirit and confront the error and false teachers  the wicked men who attack the peace and unity of the local church. All the time they are fighting the error, other brethren are “playing possum.” When the danger is passed, these brethren will arouse from their stupor and talk about how “we” whipped them and drove them from among us.

Unfortunately, “playing possum” with false teaching has become the accepted conduct among preachers in some places. Those who have the audacity to put on the whole armor of God and stand against sin are castigated as “watch dogs,” “guardians of orthodoxy,” and other derogatory terms. These are the terms used by those who say they agree with the truth on such subjects as unity-in-diversity, institutionalism, the sponsoring church, and divorce and remarriage, but never raise their voices or lift their pens to expose the error. The bottom line is this: the false teacher has a higher position on the social ladder among those brethren than does the man who exposes his false doctrine. The highest position on the social ladder, of course, is reserved for that preacher who is too refined to dirty his hands opposing false teachers (his strongest words are reserved for those who expose the false teacher). He states that he agrees with the truth but “plays possum” when the false teacher arrives. However, he awakens to fight like a lion the man who exposes the false teacher!

“Playing possum” antics also exist in local churches threatened by strong-willed brethren who would rather tear a church apart than not to get their way. When such factious men are resisted, some of those whom godly men depended upon to stand with them in facing and overcoming the danger begin to “play possum.” They are as silent as if they were dead.

There have been times when I thought I needed to get Cecil and Billy to arouse brethren from playing possum. When the battle needed to be fought, brethren rolled over and played dead. Sometimes in a business meeting, those who you were counting on for support sat as quietly as a bump on a log while the battle raged. When false teachers are publishing their materials in the journals circulating among us, capable brethren sat back and said nothing, except to criticize those sometimes younger and less experienced brethren who loved the truth enough to resist the error. These were the times when I thought about calling for Cecil and Billy to awaken my brethren who were playing possum.

Playing possum may be a good defense mechanism for a possum, but not for Christians.

Guardian of Truth XXXVIII: 13, p. 2
July 7, 1994