Truth Magazine

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

By William C. Sexton

My Friday morning paper (September 3, 1993), the Metropolitan section of The Kansas City Star, had some-thing that shocked me, reflecting the extent to which our society has decended into the valley of confusion and degradation. The headline read: “Jury says teen deserves three life terms for rape.”

How Ridiculous!

First, what nonsense it is to sentence any person to more than a “life” sentence! No one has more than one life to do any thing! Yet, evidently the reason for this nonsensical action and report is that people with one life sentence, according to our non-judicial system today, can get out of prison very soon. So the ridiculous terms.

Secondly, even more foolishness is evidenced by the following statement by the person’s attorney: “If the judge stands by the recommendation, (rapist’s name ) won’t be eligible for parole until he’s 31 years old.” Now, what in the world have we come to, when three life sentences plus 30 years means that a person can be paroled in 15 years!

How Hurtful!

No wonder it’s unsafe to walk the streets, or even be in your home with the doors barred. Many of the people who are supposed to be responsible for the safety and well being of the citizens surely must have gone crazy! Let’s send them home and hire a new crew, please! However, we, the citizens, can’t be considered blameless when we have allowed such to become “common” practice. Shame on us all.

Let us be aware of the purpose of the law, as designed by God:

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, and avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’s sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing (Rom. 13:1-6).

Just the night before I watched a CBS report, showing a man who had been sentenced in 1978 to die, and all these 15 years, a group of people lawyers, men and women had been successful in using all the technicalities of the law to keep that execution from being carried out. They are still working. How much of the taxpayers’ money do you think these lawyers have collected for their years’ effort to obstruct “justice” from being done?

Is There a Solution?

Yes, there is, all spelled out in God’s book. How many are interested? How many are willing to study and apply it? Are we convinced that God’s law is fair, equitable and designed for the good of all people?

The way we view that revelation and apply it in our lives and work toward getting it implemented  tells the story! Beloved, let us work toward climbing out of this dark slimy pit of confusion and destruction. Where do we start? We have the key!

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

By Andy Alexander

“Spend with sense” is the advice given by Hoosier Lottery officials as the Powerball jackpot reaches an estimated 70 million dollars. These officials are afraid that innocent people will be hurt by uncontrolled spending for Powerball tickets. Innocent people include wives and children of gamblers who suffer because the weekly pay-check is spent for a chance to strike it rich at the state’s lottery window. There are many who play the lottery even though they do not have enough money to provide their families with the necessities of life; so the warning is sent out to those who play to “spend with sense,” while at the same time enticing ads are aired which promote the lottery as the place to hit it big and solve all of your money problems.

The commercials that appear on television in Kentucky that encourage its citizens to gamble imply that everyone is a winner. People are pictured buying lottery tickets and just having a good time while the winning number is announced. Those who do not win the jackpot do still win, because the state is enriched with the rest of the money the losers lost, and the state will certainly use that money to benefit its citizens.

It ironic that a state would spend money to promote gambling, and then spend additional money encouraging people to be careful how much they spend. The state of Indiana is spending $25,000 in an advertising campaign to encourage spending with sense, while spending much more than that showing all the benefits of playing the lottery and picturing everyone as the winner. If everyone is a winner, then the more everyone spends, the more everyone wins. However, the truth is, everyone is a loser.

Gambling produces nothing. There are no products or services rendered that benefit mankind. The only products of gambling are abused wives and children, debts incurred that cannot be repaid, theft and crimes of various sorts, and honest, hard working citizens that must foot the bill for the losses.

Gambling violates several principles in God’s word and violation of God’s word always brings heartaches. God has ordained that man should work in order to provide the necessities of life (Gen. 3:19; Eph. 4:28; 2 Thess. 3:10-11). The gambler wants to hit it big, quit his job, and sit back and take it easy. This individual appears to be a distant relative of the rich man in Luke 12:16-21 who had a bountiful crop and he told his soul, “Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry” (Lk. 12:19). This parable was told immediately after the warning to “beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Lk. 12:15).

Covetousness is one of the driving forces behind gambling and those who harbor it in their hearts have no “inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God” (Eph. 5:5).

Paul instructs Timothy concerning the danger of riches and of the desire to have riches. “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Tim. 6:9-10). A quick look into the life of those who gamble will prove the truth of this passage.

The degree to which one participates does not change the fact that sin is involved. Bingos and raffles for charity, just a few lottery tickets, just one dollar in a football pool at work, or a two dollar bet at the track all violate the word of God. Christians must “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Eph. 5:11). We must also abide by the golden rule which says, “There-fore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets” (Matt. 7:12).

Let us be separate from those of the world and “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16).

Guardian of Truth XXXVIII: 10, p. 11
May 19, 1994

By Keith Greer

Whenever a congregation is blessed by having some young people obey the gospel, questions come up. While we rejoice at the decision of young men and women to turn to the Lord, some voice a concern by asking the question: “What is the age of accountability?”

Some desire to know at what age “must” one obey the gospel? These questions have been raised by brethren over the years, and varied answers have been given. The only way to come to an acceptable conclusion is to examine what the scriptures teach.

Many are of the belief that the “magic age” for one’s obedience is “twelve.” Luke 2:40-47, is the place they use for their answer. Jesus, at the age of twelve, sat in the temple among the doctors, both learning and answering their questions. Many who use this passage tell us Jesus was at the “age of accountability” when he began going to the temple. Therefore, one must be at “least” twelve before he can be baptized into Christ.

But are these conclusions correctly applying these pas-sages? If there has not been any specific age given by God, then the age of Jesus when he was in the temple is irrelevant. How do you know this was the child’s first time in the temple? Can you determine such by the text? If this was the age, Jesus sinned since he was not baptized for some eighteen years later by John! For others to “set” a particular age, is to do so without divine authority. God has not given us a particular “age” that men must abide by. If one waits until fourteen, has he sinned? What about if one comes to him at eleven? Is his obedience invalid?

When Jesus sent the apostles out into the world, he commanded them to “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:15,16). In Acts 8:36,37, the eunuch asked Philip, “. . . see here is water, what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believeth with all thine heart, thou mayest.” In either of these passages, is the age of the believer an issue? If the apostles and early teachers made no issue, why should we!

A person who is desiring to be baptized must have the capacity to be able to believe, and to understand what they are being baptized for. This is why infant baptism is not in accordance with God’s divine will. How can infants believe? How can they understand what baptism is? “And they shall all be taught of God ” (John 6:45). Look at all the conversions in the book of Acts. What took place before baptism? In every account teaching! Why? Faith has to be in something! It is in God’s word!

In Acts 2:38, the Jews were told, “. . . repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.” A person must have the capacity to repent and have sins to repent of. Therefore, we have another reason why infants do not need to be baptized. What sin do they need to repent of? In 2 Corinthians 7:9, 10, we are taught that we must have “godly sorrow” towards repentance. A person must be able to be truly sorry to God because he has sinned against him, to understand what sin has done to his soul, and the need to have it cleansed from sin. One who cannot repent, cannot be baptized!

When Philip told the eunuch that he could be baptized if he believed, the eunuch answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God” (Acts 8:37). Also, in Romans 10:9,10, we read that confession with the mouth is made towards salvation. In order to become obedient to the gospel, one must be able to confess Christ and to under-stand what the confession means. It is an awesome step to take. One has now committed his life to God.

Like the conversions that we read about in the book of Acts, those who obeyed the gospel of Christ were willing to be immersed in water (Rom. 6:3,4; Gal. 3:27). One must understand what baptism does and why it must be accomplished. Does one understand that by rendering obedience to the gospel, the Lord adds him to the church (Acts 2:47)? Does he understand that this is where he comes in contact with the blood of Christ (Col. 2:12,13)? Does he under-stand his responsibility after baptism to “walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4; 2 Cor. 5:17)?

Responsibility

When is a person ready to accept responsibility? At what age does this occur? There is no fixed or set time that can possibly fit everybody. All people are different, all from different backgrounds, and they will reach the decision to obey God at different times. Some reach it much sooner than others. So, how can we tell if they are ready?

We must remember that becoming a child of God is a personal decision. Obedience to the plan of God must be done by the individual. If a person will humbly submit himself to God’s word and obey the gospel, then he is ready!

While it might be necessary in some cases to question the young person as to why he is desiring to be baptized, very often his background will give you a hint as to whether or not he has sufficient knowledge and is ready to obey the gospel. Personally speaking, I may ask: “What is baptism for?” “Why do you feel you need to be baptized?” “What takes away the sin?” “Are you willing to commit your life to the Lord?”

We need to remember Felix in Acts 24:25, when he said, “Go thy way for this time; when I have a more convenient season, I will call for thee.” Sometimes we discourage the zeal and yearning one may have to obey the gospel, and then that zeal is never manifested again. One by being told he is “too young” may go in another direction in his life. Sadly, I have known this to happen on two occasions! We never want to tell a person “not to obey God,” especially when he has a desire to do so!

Remember, that Timothy was taught as a child by his mother and grandmother (2 Tim. 1:5; 3:15). He knew about God and his duty to God from a very early age. Many of our children are brought up with the knowledge of God and his word from the pre-school years and up. I believe they learn more than we give them credit for! If a parent brings up his child in the “nurture and admonition of the Lord,” this child hopefully has greater knowledge than one who does not have this benefit. But parents, please do not rush your children into being baptized. Let them hear the gospel, believe the gospel, repent of their sins, confess faith in Christ, and then be baptized for the remission of sins. Only by doing so in this manner and for these reasons, will they be true children of God.

“But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine ” (Rom. 6:17). When they have done that, they have met the Lord’s requirements for salvation, whatever age they might be. “Can any forbid water, that these should not be baptized?” (Acts 10:47) My friends, if God would not, can we? G

Guardian of Truth XXXVIII: 10, p. 14-15
May 19, 1994