Truth Magazine

By Lewis Willis

The great desire of David, King of Israel, was “to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord” (1 Chron. 28:2). However, because David had been a man of war, God would not permit him to build the temple. In this chapter, David gathered all the leadership of Israel together, announcing to them that God had chosen his son, Solomon, to rule over Israel and to build the temple. Then, still before the leadership of the nation, David issued this charge to Solomon: “And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off forever” (1 Chron. 28:9). Though this was a statement made to an ancient king, it surely contains some good instruction and exhortation for us today. Herein, we give brief attention to teach of the things which David said.

1. David told Solomon to know God. Too many people are like the Gentiles who, Paul said, refused to know God (Rom. 1:21). He charged that “they did not like to retain God in their knowledge” (Rom. 1:28). How can we today know God? Let us allow the Scriptures to answer that question: “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 Jn. 2:3-4).

2. The next thing David said was, serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind. Service to God has always been required of men. The “perfect heart” follows directions from God. Note 1 Chronicles 29:19, “And give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes.” When Paul discussed the planned contribution of the Corinthians to assist needy brethren, he said they needed a willing mind. “For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not” (1 Cor. 8:12). Ours is to be a wholehearted service to God. Jesus said, “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment” (Mk. 12:3).

3. Next David said the Lord searches all hearts and understands all imaginations of the thoughts. One is re-minded of the statement the Lord made to Samuel when David was being selected as King. “But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth: for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7). In Psalms 139

David talked about how God searched and knew him. He said God knew him when he sat down and when he got up; that he was acquainted with all his ways and words. There was no place David could go out of the presence of the Lord (Psa. 139:13). He later welcomed the search of God: “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psa. 139: 23-24). We should remember that God knew the evil imaginations of the hearts of men in the days of Noah (Gen. 6:5). Man is defiled before God because of evil thoughts. Jesus said, “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things while defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man” (Matt. 15:19-20). Also, we must remember that we shall give account unto God for our thoughts and actions. Many pas-sages speak of this impending day of reckoning (Rom. 14:12; Heb. 9:27; 2 Cor. 5:10). To the church at Thyatira, Jesus said, “And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works” (Rev. 2:23).

4. David told Solomon that if he would seek the Lord, he could find him. Jeremiah wrote, “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart” (Jer. 29:13). David said a blessing is in store for those that “seek him with the whole heart” (Psa. 119:2). Jesus rebuked some people who sought him for the wrong reason an. 6:26). Paul told the people in Athens, “That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us” (Acts 17:27). Jesus said that those who seek, will find the Lord (Matt. 7:7). Eternal life is promised to those who seek glory, honor and immortality (Rom. 2:7). Who are you seeking? What are you seeking?

5. Finally, David told Solomon, “but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off forever.” Joshua had made a similar statement to the nation of Israel: “If ye forsake the Lord, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good” (Josh. 24:20). If we do the will of God, he has promised, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Heb. 13:5). We must understand that man is the one who does the “forsaking,” when he turns aside to do evil. The Lord will not tolerate this, so he turns away. But, it is man who “moves,” not God. He is constant and willing for us to be near him. We simply must not forsake him.

As you can see, this is a rich text, containing many valuable lessons for men throughout all ages. Let us make certain that we learn these valuable lessons.

Guardian of Truth XXXVIII: 10, p. 9
May 19, 1994

By Olen Holderby

This is really an article about obedience to God; but, with considerable emphasis on “the man in the pew.” First, let us talk about 

Obedience to God

I do not think it necessary to offer a definition of the word “obedience”; rather, I believe it to be more helpful if we understand the attributes of obedience, as given in the scriptures. These attributes ought to be a challenge to every child of God that lives upon the face of God’s earth.

Obedience is a learned process: “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered” (Heb. 5:8). Ephesians 6:1-4 clearly shows that this is true even in the rearing of children. Obedience is a lesson which we all must learn; it does not come automatically, nor does it come easily. Have we learned this lesson, and have we learned it well?

Obedience to God must be complete obedience, in every thought, in every word, and in every act  if we are to be pleasing to God. “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: . . . Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience of Christ when your obedience is fulfilled” (2 Cor. 10:3-6). This passage, alone, fully and plainly establishes the fact that obedience to God must be complete, covering every facet of our lives. Partial obedience, my friend, will not stand the test, neither here nor in the judgment. Each of us must examine himself carefully (2 Cor. 13:5); and, each of us must be honest in his conclusions. Have we really yielded ourselves in compete obedience to God?

Obedience to God must be a willing obedience. Jesus taught this when he spoke of those who honored him with their lips, but their hearts were far from him (Mk. 7:6-8). Willing obedience is the only obedience that will free us from sin, keep us that way, and make us servants of righteousness. “But God be thanked that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness” (Rom. 6:17-18). This passage shows that acceptable obedience is an act of the will, coming from the heart. In 2 Timothy 3:1-5 Paul spoke of those who had a form of godliness, but were denying the power thereof. Timothy was urged to “turn away” from such and for good reason: Those whose obedience was just a form would, sooner, or later, end up with one or more of the sins enumerated in these verses. Read them carefully; for, this is exactly where those are headed whose obedience is not a willing obedience, but just in form.

Obedience to God must be understood to be for man’s own good. Since man cannot properly direct himself (Jer. 10:23), and since there is a way that seems right but the end is that of death (Prov. 14:12), God sent his Son Jesus Christ to bless us “in turning away every one of you from his iniquities” (Acts 3:26). James says, “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed” (Jas. 1:25). God wants our obedience because it is best for us, and not because it is best for him. God can get along without us, but we cannot get along without him.

Do not forget these attributes of obedience, for they are essential ingredients for our obedience to be acceptable to God. We must earnestly work on these things for the simple reason that the eternal welfare of our souls is at stake.

Obedience In Teaching

Even though God expects all his children, at some point, to be teachers (Heb. 5:12), we shall be concerned in this section with the “man in the pulpit.” Yes, the gospel preacher must examine his own obedience  especially in his preaching.

He is plainly told what he shall preach, “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mk. 16:15). This gospel must be preached to every creature, both before and after his baptism (Matt. 28:19-20). Yes, the gospel is to be preached to both Christian and non-Christian. To the Christians in Rome Paul declared, “I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also” (Rom. 1:15). Further, he is limited in his preaching to the gospel; and he is condemned if he preached anything else (Gal. 1:8-9). Long before Christ was born, God said, “… he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully” (Jer. 23:28). Concerning the coming of his Son into the world God said, “. . . he shall speak unto them all that I command him” (Deut. 18:18). After he arrived in the world, that Son said, “I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him (the Father)” (Jn. 8:26). In John 12:49-50, that same Son affirms, “I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. . . . Whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.” Jesus did not speak more, nor did he speak less than what the Father told him to say.

The apostles followed the example of their Lord. Paul said to the Ephesian elders, “I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). When it is said that the Apostles preached the gospel, it meant that they preached all of God’s truth on any subject at hand. But, why did they do this? They did it because the people had a right to the truth, the whole truth (Deut. 18:19). The truth, and only the truth, would free their souls of sins and keep them that way (1 Pet. 1:22-23; Jn. 8:32). Anything less than the whole truth would be presumptive disobedience.

In spite of the examples of Christ and the apostles, many preachers have become thieves of God’s Word  stealing it from their hearers. Listen to it, of the false prophets God said, they “steal my words every one from his neighbor” (Jer. 23:30). We can easily understand and apply this statement to the denominational preacher who does not preach all of God’s plan of redemption, or all of God’s plan for worship, etc. But, is it not also true of preachers in the Lord’s church who will not preach all of God’s truth (as they perceive it) on the moral issues with which we are confronted? What about those who say that they will not preach on the subject of divorce and remarriage from the pulpit? If we are to believe the excuses used by such fellows, then we must conclude that both Jesus and his apostles must have used terrible judgment, did not want peace, and were real disturbers of God’s people. I think C.R. Nichol said it best and had it right, “The preacher or teacher today who withholds any of God’s truth from the people is as much a thief as were the false teachers of old” (Sound Doctrine I:128). Such preachers or teachers take from their fellows what rightfully belongs to their fellows, they steal God’s words from their neighbor. And, this is true whether it is done publically or privately. Having thus dealt with “Obedience in Teaching,” we now turn to 

Obedience to the Teaching

This is where we talk to the “man in the pew.” I am using this term to refer to all those who sit in the pew and listen to preaching. This part of my article is a plea to every “man in the pew” to listen carefully, to consider prayerfully, and to act honestly and consistently. I beg you, therefore, to hear me!

Permit me, first, to describe some scenes with which I am personally acquainted. Scene #1. The people in this congregation sat for years and listened to the truth preached on all subjects at hand. The preacher resigns; and the majority of these people wish to hire a man that believes the very opposite of that to which they have listened for years.

Scene #2. The people of this congregation, after listening to the truth for a number of years, just do not believe it makes much difference what a preacher believes, just so he is well-liked and a good mixer. Scene #3. Here the people have listened to a not-so-well known preacher for years, but he does preach the truth. But, when a better known preacher begins to teach error, they just will not tolerate their preacher calling attention to that fact. Dear reader, do you get the picture of what I am talking about? Other scenes could be used, but these must suffice. Now, back to the “man in the pew.”

What about this man in the pew? What is wrong with him? Is he dishonest, pretending to support the truth until his chances to change things occurs? Has he become a “slop-bucket” permitting the false teacher to fill an empty head with garbage? Can he no longer think for himself? Have human relationships become more important to him than his relationship to God? Has he permitted himself to become just a tool, a pawn in the hands of anyone who tickles his ears? Has he lost his faith in God and his word? Has he really listened to the truth preached? Do these questions arouse any thought? That is what they are meant to do.

Does God have anything to say, especially, to the man in the pew? The man in the pulpit is charged, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Tim. 4:2). In like manner, the man in the pew is charged, “We must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it” (Heb. 2:1 , NAS). In 1 Timothy 4:12, the man in the pulpit is instructed, “be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” For what reason is the preacher to be an example? Is it not so that others can follow and be right? What kind of an example will the man in the pew follow these days?

When Paul said, “I am set for the defense of the gospel” (Phil. 1:17), cannot the man in the pew understand that such is just as important to him as it is to the man in the pulpit? Does the man in the pew understand Jude 3, “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints?” Or, was this written only for the man in the pulpit?

The ideal situation is plainly expressed in 1 Timothy 4:16, “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” However, this would be true only if the man in the pulpit would do this; and, the man in the pew would obediently follow that doctrine. I would to God that it was completely as this passage suggests; but, we both know, don’t we, that it has not worked as it should. Either the man in the pulpit has not preached the truth, the whole truth; or, the man is the pew has not followed.

The church of the Lord is not composed of only preachers; the vast majority is of the man in the pew variety. The man in the pew must join the battle. He must rise up “in arms” in defense of the truth. He, as others, must put on the whole armour of God (Eph. 6:11 ff); and, he must fight the good fight of faith (2 Tim. 4:7). When it is all over, we shall be able to say, with the Apostle Paul, “Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:57). My brethren “in the pew,” I beg of you to do just this!

If elders are present and they are doing well their job of watching for souls (Heb. 13:17), by all means, uphold their hands, submit to them, and let them know of your solid backing (1 Thess. 5:12-13). If elders are lacking, and error is taught, the man in the pew must obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29). The man in the pew must learn to demand the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, in both teaching and practice. The purity of the Lord’s church fully depends upon this (Eph. 5:25-27). Again, my brethren in the pew, I beg you to do this!

The man in the pew pays the salary of the preacher; and if you pay the salary of a purveyor of error, you become partaker of his evil deeds (2 Jn. 9-11). What God does not accept, and he does not accept the false teacher, we dare not accept. On the other hand, what God accepts, we dare not reject. You have every right, and duty, to make sure that the money which you give to the great Cause of the Lord, is used in perfect harmony with God’s truth. And, again, brethren in the pew, I beg you to make this your business!

The man in the pew must find courage to stand fast and behave like men (1 Cor. 16:13,8,9), and he must do this in face of all opposition. The fear mentioned in 2 Timothy 1:7, is a cowardly fear (deiliaos), of one not standing for truth and right. Revelation 21:8, says the fearful have their part in the lake of fire. Brethren in the pew, don’t let this be you; find the courage to say and do as God would have you do in defense of the truth.

The man in the pew might say, “Does it really make any difference?” In reply I ask, Where have you been? Where is your Bible? Have you lost your faith in God’s word? (Rom. 10:17) Are you really willing for the eternal welfare of your soul to rest in the hands of another man, any other man? I beg you to think about this, my brother in the pew!

It would seem that one who preaches God’s truth and only God’s truth, is loved and respected less and less. Paul expressed it like this, “And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved” (2 Cor. 12:15). It is heart-breaking to see this repeated over and over. My brethren in the pew, you can change all this by taking a firm stand for the truth and by joining hands with those who stand only for the truth. I beg you to do so!

While you go about to do these things, and more, you must always keep in mind that there never is a time when a Christian can become unchristian and still be accepted by God. You life, too, must be in harmony with the gospel (Phil. 1:27); you must not permit the world to be your pattern of behavior (Rom. 12:2).

Yes, this is a plea, a passionate plea, to every man in the pew, to pay “more earnest heed to the things (truth) which you have heard.” Facts do not cease to be facts because they are ignored; nor, will God’s instructions to us change because we ignore them. We must heed the call, now, before it is too late.

Now, on the personal side. Make no mistake about it, I (along with others) will not quit! We must fight, at all costs, for our souls (and yours) are at stake. However, my years are rapidly winding down. I beg you to join me (and others) in the fight. Let nothing silence us but death! Even then, may it be said of each of us, “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them” (Rev. 14:13). My brethren in the pew, will you listen? May it ever be so!

Guardian of Truth XXXVIII: 10, p. 6-8
May 19, 1994

By Frank and Joyce Jamerson

Jill Louise Jamerson. . . . It had a wonderful ring to it. We had a girl’s name picked for three babies, but they turned out to be named Randy, Byron and Allen. Somehow, with this fourth one, the name we had picked before just did not click. It was to be Jill, if by some chance we should finally have a girl.

She arrived early Sunday morning on her mother’s birthday. We were soon to learn that she was in distress as a result of meconium aspiration which caused a hole in one lung and it collapsed. We prayed for her life and after the initial recovery, had a healthy little girl.

Being almost seven years younger, our boys thought she was a queen, and treated her as such, often teasing her about being one. They all doted on her, pestered her, adored her. They dressed her in funny clothes, invented puppet shows, and one Christmas season wrapped her with artificial pine boughs. We had to stop them when it came time to plug her in.

Being the center of attention started early. The older members of the Rose Hill congregation in Columbus, Georgia always praised her, commenting on each new thing she accomplished and on each new dress her grandmother made. Jill was five years old when we moved to Dothan, AL. There were several young children among the members at Honeysuckle Road, and the first Sunday no one commented on her new dress. On the way home she said, “Humph . . . not one person told me I was pretty.” We knew we had our work cut out!

Six-year-old Jill, who loved to sing, and could hum “Jesus loves me” even before she could speak words, prepared a song in anticipation of the talent show at Florida College camp. She was able to go early because we were both counselors. Before leaving, we were at a pot luck supper and she announced to Dot Moss, “I can sing a song,” and Jill proceeded to pump out “I Know a Heartache When I See One.” When she per-formed it at camp, it brought the house down, and of course, her brothers were first to their feet in applause!

Everywhere we went, people were drawn to this friendly, bubbling little ball of enthusiasm. She accompanied her Daddy on several meetings and made friends so quickly we called her our ambassador.

When she was very young, one night after Bible reading, she insisted that she needed to be baptized. Her mother was sitting on the bed with her and asked her why she thought she should be baptized. She gave the correct answer; but when asked to define repentance, she thought a while then said, “Well, I guess if I don’t know what it is, I don’t need to do it.” She did obey the Lord when she was twelve and within a few weeks another half dozen young people had followed her example.

She was a good student, and was chosen to participate in Dothan’s talent pool. Being a somewhat independent thinker, she would defend her conclusions with an unwavering persistence, being sometimes right and sometimes wrong, but not minding if there was opposition. In later years this was to her advantage; unless of course, she had drawn the wrong conclusion. In that case, you had better be ready to prove your position, for she did not accept “just because” as an answer. Once convinced, she would readily admit defeat and accept right.

She was crushed when the decision was made to move to Lakeland, Florida. She was fifteen years old, ready to begin her sophomore year in high school and closely bonded to friends she had been with since kindergarten. Her activities with the band and flag corps included high hopes of being Dothan’s next drum major, and we were ruining her life!

She became an only child overnight, when the move was made, because her brothers remained in Alabama. Jill had heard the reputation of the Lakeland High band, so we bought our house in that school zone. She started band camp the day after we moved here, and was voted friendliest in band each of the three years. In her junior year she advanced to the symphony band, and in her senior year was assistant drum major. The highlight of her senior year was the symphony band’s trip to Chicago to perform for the American Bandmasters Convention.

These years, as with most teens, were the toughest for avoiding evil. Somehow, she usually came to right conclusions and we were amazed at her ability to keep her head on straight. She would typically burst through the door after school or work with “Mom, guess what?,” and then tell what someone had said or done and how she had responded. On one such day, the topic of conversation at work had been how many of the six or eight girls who worked at the sandwich shop were still virgins. There were only two and about three weeks later, the other girl came in and announced that she no longer held that status. When she started to tell Jill about the details, Jill stopped her and said, “I’m not interested in hearing about your sex life.” As the girl turned her back and said, “Well, at least I have one,” Jill walked around in front of her, held up her left hand, and pointed to her ring finger and said, “No, I don’t have one. I don’t intend to have one until I get something right here!” End of discussion.

One of the major decisions we had to face our first year here was whether to allow her to go the junior-senior prom. Though she was a sophomore, a senior had asked her to go to the prom with him. After we investigated the local practices, we told her that we could not in good conscience allow her to go to the prom. As she and her mother sat on the bed discussing the decision, she finally saw that the principle in 1 Corinthians 8, influencing others to do wrong, would apply. It was hard for her to accept, but when she saw the tears in her mother’s eyes, she said, “Well, Mom, don’t let it get you bent all out of shape, it’s not worth it.” About a week later, she told her mother, “I’m glad you all said no, I don’t think I could have gone anyway.”

The next year a new boyfriend asked her to go to the prom. She told him that she could not go because she did not dance. He wanted to know what was wrong with that, so she proceeded to explain lasciviousness to him. He listened for a while, and then said, “Jill, would you go to the beach with me?” When she said “no,” he said, “All right, I was just checking your consistency.” Then he used the line, “We will go and not dance.” She told him that she could not do that because she knew that other girls were looking up to her and she could not disappoint them. During her senior year, she had dated the same boy for the whole school year, so he did not even ask! A group of her close friends went somewhere else on prom night. (Here is an interesting fact. The first boy was a Christian. He dropped her and got another date for the prom. The next two boys were members of denominations. The first said, “If my girlfriend cannot go, I wouldn’t feel right about going,” and the next one knew her well enough not to even ask.)

During her senior year, she was nominated by the Band to be on homecoming court. In connection with this, she had to be in a skit on Wednesday night at the school. She went to the principal, Mr. Dunn, and said, “I have a problem. I go to church on Wednesday nights and this skit is on Wednesday night.” He agreed to let her group go first; so, she changed clothes in the car at stop lights arriving in time for Bible study. Afterward, she repeated the process arriving back at school in time to take a curtain call with her group. While she was talking to Mr. Dunn, she also asked if she could be obligated to attend the homecoming dance if she won. He assured her that others had not attended and it would be no problem. We will always have a kind regard in our hearts for that principal because of the way he put her at ease and supported her convictions.

Florida College was on her mind, and she was eager to graduate and get on with life. Her GPA dropped in college, for this `party waiting to happen’ had so many friends and so little time! Life was wonderful and she had found the true meaning of being able to associate with Christians and not be in the minority. Her outgoing personality endeared her to many of the students. A class-mate wrote that she was “an example of delight in life, talent in band, strength in volleyball, humility to admit when you were wrong, pride in what was right, confident to reach out and light up someone’s day with a sincere compliment, sure enough to know who you were, what you did and how to enjoy doing it.” She loved God, loved her family and friends, and knew we loved her.

At the beginning of her sophomore year at Florida College, after a volleyball game one evening, she developed a severe headache and went to her room, where she fell into a coma. Two days later she was pronounced dead. The medical report revealed that she had a malignant brain tumor that had hemorrhaged.

In her death, as in her life, she influenced others to examine themselves. We know of eight young people in Lakeland who were baptized after her death. She was been the crowning jewel of our family, and now wears another crown.

Guardian of Truth XXXVIII: 10, p. 16-17
May 19, 1994

By Dick Blackford

I have often encouraged Christians to write letters to the editors of their local newspapers concerning religious and moral issues of our day. This is about the only “marketplace” left where one can express his views without it costing anything. Most editors have some guidelines and restrictions (some won’t allow you to quote scripture) but there still is an opportunity to get through with some truth and to expose error.

Humanistic reasoning has been the live issue in the media. Here are some letters I have written in the past few months dealing with this subject.

To Little Rock’s Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: Editor:

This is a response to your special feature on Helen Gurley Brown, editor of Cosmopolitan and author of Sex and the Single Girl. She bragged that her greatest accomplishment was the sexual liberation of young women.

We owe a lot to Helen. Her promotion of self-indulgence caused unwanted pregnancies to skyrocket. Many of those single girls had sex with married men and the divorce rate skyrocketed too. Add to that a huge increase in death by abortion to innocent preborn babies. Add to that many children growing up with only one parent who is absent much of the time making a living. Add to that an increase in crime because moral training is often neglected due to circumstances. Add to that the V.D. epidemic. Add to that higher taxes to pay for all the damage in each of these areas.

The breakdown of the family was listed by Edward Gibbon as the first cause for the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. To determine the true health of a nation, take a look at its homes.

“Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.” Helen got that backwards. She did it to her country and for herself, and laughs all the way to the bank.

Score one for women’s lib and the humanistic philosophy that says “self first.” Thanks Helen. We owe a lot to true liberals like you when it comes to morality.

Sincerely,

Also to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: Editor:

Our president wrings his hands at the rise in crime and its increasingly bizarre nature. Little Rock just had its worst year. The surgeon general wrings her hands over AIDS, unwanted pregnancies, and illegal drugs. We are stunned at the magnitude of these problems.

The liberal solution has been to throw money at problems in the form of more policemen, condoms, abortion, and legalized drugs. None of these reaches the hearts of the people and may be like extinguishing a fire with gasoline. Our nation flounders to solve its problems while it has bound and gagged itself against teaching morality. It is now unsafe to go anywhere. When you bury your head in the sand the part left sticking out becomes very vulnerable. As Pogo said, “We have met the enemy and he is us.”

A major factor is the breakdown of the family. An absent parent causes the other one to work outside the home and to be preoccupied with housework upon returning. Moral training of the children is neglected. Some of our most bizarre crimes were committed by young people from broken homes. The family is under attack from Hollywood and the music industry as adultery and sodomy are glorified and monogamous marriage is made light of.

Humanists have become our “social engineers.” Human life becomes cheap when children are taught they had a bleak origin from lower animals with no future destiny but to die. Homicides and suicides have increased greatly among the young. When each man is recognized as worth more than the whole world and created in God’s image, life greatly increases in value. One’s beliefs about his origin affect his estimate of human life. Little Rock gave evolution a victory a few years ago. We are now reaping.

Humanism redefines morality. It is moral to protect endangered species but immoral to overpopulate society. Thus, save whales but abort babies. Humanism’s doctrine of “no moral absolutes” has turned morality upside down and a whole generation is confused. The Bible and prayer have been replaced with fiction on animal origins and how to use a condom.

Feminism is a part of humanism. What was intended to demand respect for women, has backfired. The “in your face” attitude of women’s lib with the “it’s my body and I can do what I want with it” philosophy has led to increased adultery (breaking up marriages), AIDS, and unwanted babies which are aborted or raised with the same philosophy so as to repeat the cycle. Humanistically thinking, why would a man make a lifetime commitment in marriage when he can have the privileges without the obligations? Instead of increased respect, women are viewed as pieces of flesh to gratify lust. Who can blame the rapist who acts out of the evolutionary view of “the survival of the fittest”? He learned it at school.

Some of the blame also rests with a clergy that has the backbone of a jellyfish. Many seem unable to decide the simplest of moral issues. They have left the pure gospel and perverted churches into country clubs with their social gospel. Periodically they call for a National Day of Prayer when they should be calling for a National Day of Repentance with genuine change from the heart.

The social engineers have made a terrible mess as they refuse to acknowledge that “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Prov. 14:34). History shows that no nation has ever survived its own moral decline. Will America change the course of history? Only if she repents.

Sincerely,

To Abigail Van Buren in care of The Jonesboro Sun: Dear Abby:

You recently told a woman her adultery was wrong. You also told a father his daughter was wrong for letting her male friend sleep over. I commend you for taking a stand for what is right. In making such statements you imply there is a moral standard that should govern us. What is that standard? I don’t believe you are saying it is you. Therefore, I assume you are being true to your Jewish upbringing and using the Scriptures as your standard. However, they also explicitly condemn sodomy, which you uphold. Abby, you can’t have it both ways. Both adultery and sodomy are a scourge to mankind and are killing this once great nation. You have the ability and influence to clarify morality or to confuse. I encourage you to send forth a clear sound, rather than confusion.

Sincerely,

Also to Abby in care of The Jonesboro Sun: Dear Abby:

Your response was right to “Tough Decision” who promised to tell his grandparents of his brother’s homosexuality after the brother died. The rabbi said you were wrong from a “Jewish ethical perspective” and you should have opted for compassion as “the more compel-ling of the values.” More compelling to whom? This subjective standard makes each person into his own god. What could be more Jewish and more ethical than “Thou shalt not bear false witness” (Exod. 20:16)? Where did he get authority to set aside this commandment? Certainly not from the Hebrew Scriptures. His perspective is humanistic, not Jewish.

Judging from the crime rate and the number of students who cheat, it isn’t hard to see that people have problems with honesty. When religious leaders give forth such uncertain sounds there will be consequences. If we can’t depend on the Scriptures which have stood the test of time, we certainly can’t depend on religious leaders who are here today and gone tomorrow.

Ideally, the brother should have had the courage to confess his own homosexuality while he was alive, if he wanted it told. A person should think twice before making promises that have unpleasant consequences (Eccl. 5:4,5).

Sincerely,

At this time the two letters to Abby have not been published. It is hard to get through but I still have hope. I want to encourage readers to get involved in using this teaching medium. If you have trouble with grammar, spelling or punctuation, ask for help from a fellow Christian who may be qualified. If there is anything in this article that you can use, feel free to do so. If you strike a nerve it is possible you may get some anonymous mail or phone calls. Even some threats. Count it all joy (Acts 5:41). You may also receive encouragement from right thinking people, and that helps. Regardless, let us be about our Father’s business.

Guardian of Truth XXXVIII: 10, p. 3-5
May 19, 1994