Truth Magazine

By Truman Smith

Some 15 years ago, I wrote an article for the Gospel Guardian under the above title. It was written then in an effort to alert brethren concerning a trend which I saw among some of our institutional brethren. I said in that article that I intended to keep my eye on the situation; and in the ensuing years since, I have kept up with the development of this matter.

At that time, I had seen a book advertised which was written by an elder of a ”Church of Christ,” in Which it was argued that girls may word prayer in youth camp meetings, even in the presence of boys. Though I did not read the book, it claimed to successfully meet all the arguments that brethren have made through the years against such practices. Also, from the tone of at least one of the many bulletins which I received each week, some of our liberal brethren were apparently trying to get a movement going to allow women as public proclaimers of the gospel. In this particular bulletin, a series consisting of four installments on that issue was published in an effort to make their brethren aware of the problem. The first paragraph in the series went as follows:

“Every significant movement within society will eventually, to some degree, make itself felt in the church. The phenomenon of ‘women’s liberation is no exception. There are those within the church who are clamoring that women must throw off the yoke of male domination and claim their rightful place in the body of Christ. The approach to this issue has been two-fold. Some have adopted a completely infidelic attitude by suggesting that certain ‘troubling passages’ in the New Testament are merely the result of Pharisaic and rabbinic prejudices reflecting the backward ignorance of the first century. It is thus claimed that such are not authorized for today’s church. Others, desiring to assume a more conservative stance, assert there is biblical support for women preachers, leaders, etc.”

(Wayne Jackson in Brentwood News). The bulletin was published by the Brentwood Church of Christ in Fort Worth.

As you know, over the past few years, the news media has reported concerning the battles that are raging by various religious denominations over the question of women taking positions of leadership in their churches. The frequency of such news items indicate that the matter has become a major problem with many nominations. This is understandable, since denominationalists have long ago abandoned the Scriptures as their complete and only guide. Thus, the dispute will be handled about like some kind of a political issue and settled in that same manner. Their hierarchy will simply vote on the matter. They will not let the Scriptures be the standard by which to settle such matters; for after all, ”it is impossible for all to see the Bible alike,” or “everyone has his own interpretation of the Scriptures.” Many of these do not believe that the Bible is relevant to our modern times. Thus, it is understandable why the denominational world might allow women such “rights.”

But, so have many of our brethren also abandoned the Bible as a complete guide. Considering the so-called “new hermeneutics,” essentially, there is no difference between the two attitudes! When our institutional brethren say, “We do not have to have Bible authority for everything we do,” are they not abandoning the Word of God as a complete guide? I still believe that it is because of “brotherhood loyalty,” or the fact that they feel the brotherhood is just not ready for it yet, might be all that is keeping them from permitting the practice generally. In fact, it seems that the pressure is already on in some parts of the country and it might be sooner than we think.

In February, 1992, I ran across an article titled The Role of Women in the Church? by Bobby Duncan. In the first paragraph he said:

“I have in my file a 20-page document sent by the elders of a church in Alabama to the members of that church. This document was under date of January 1990, and it tells about plans to change what they refer to as ‘traditional’ roles for women. Among other things, they said they would appoint some deacons, and then the statement is made: ‘Deacons will be male and female.’ The document further states that the elders would ‘initiate gradual change in the Sunday morning worship assembly.’ Notice that word gradual. We can’t do it all at once; it has to be done gradually. Those elders know that some of the members of that church, liberal as it is, would still rebel against what those elders were about to instigate if they did it all at once” (Vigil, Vol. 20, No. 2).

Brother Duncan also said,

“Another church in Alabama advertised in its bulletin a ‘Community Enrichment Seminar,’ with one of its members, a woman, speaking on ‘Grief The Road to Recovery.’ The bulletin urged the members to ‘use this as an opportunity to invite a friend to visit the [Blank] church.”‘

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 6, p. 1
March 18, 1993

By Connie W. Adams

Buzz Words

Have you noticed how gospel preachers are often influenced by the buzz words of the news media? We are no longer in danger of anything, we are all “at risk” of this or that. There are no more divisions into parts, we have a “dichotomy.” We don’t reach conclusions any more, we now have “the bottom line.” “At this point in time” has replaced the simple now, or “at this point.” We have stopped preaching to people, now it is “Oh, I just have to share this with you.” There have always been those who would not accept the truth when it was faithfully preached, so I guess these did not “share” with us after all. Don’t get me wrong. Our speech must be adapted to the understanding of the people we instruct but are we obligated to make the message sound trite by wearing out hackneyed expressions from the news people?

Respecting Dignities

Jude warned of those who “speak evil of dignities” (v. 8). They are contemptuous of rulers. While I do not know of any brethren who would deliberately belittle God or angelic beings, I do see a flippant attitude sometimes toward those who are worthy of greater respect. One brother described Jesus as “an ordinary guy like you and me.” He has since apologized for using that expression (“ordinary guy”) though other writings from the same brother present a different picture of the nature of Jesus than Scripture does. Not long ago another brother wrote a bulletin article about Jesus and entitled it “A Guy Without Credentials.” Webster gives as a third meaning for guy “man, fellow.” The other definitions are far less complimentary. Look it up for yourself. I have heard preachers who, in trying to make Bible characters real to the audience, refer to Abraham, Noah, Moses, Elijah, John the Baptist, Paul, Peter and yes, Jesus our Lord with this term. While we ought to speak to the common man, should we not seek to elevate his understanding of the noble characters who are presented in the Bible as worthy of our emulation? The world is already too casual regarding sacred things and biblical characters. Let’s do all we can to hold them up as worthy of honor before a mocking world. How can we hope to bring the world into submission to him who is “King of kings and Lord of lords,” who has “all authority in heaven and on earth” and before whom “every knee shall bow and every tongue confess” when we speak flippantly of him as “this guy.” Think about it.

Thrilling Reports

With the collapse of communism and the opening of doors around the world for the gospel to be preached, the reports coming from many fields are cause for great rejoicing. The work is not easy. Some are meeting firm resistance from false religions, deeply entrenched atheism, or scornful cynics. But some are listening to the gospel. There are now two faithful congregations in Moscow. One brother has justreturned from an encouraging trip to the Ukraine where those with whom he studied begged for more teaching. A brother writes from Cairo, Egypt about a congregation of about 25 meeting in his home. That is against the law there and I will not endanger him by naming him. He is a diplomat. Reports continue to come in from China about new converts and the maturing of earlier ones as these Christians assume more and more responsibility for their future evangelism and growth. Reports are often published in The Preceptor from the Spanish speaking fields. There are many baptisms reported as well as evidences of growth spiritually among the congregations. I recently received a call from David Bunting saying that nine had recently been baptized in Vilnius, Lithuania and that someone was urgently needed to go there and work among these new converts. David was there last fall with his father, Tom Bunting of Bergen, Norway. Steve Wallace, Derek Chancellor and Harry Osborne have all preached there and spent many days distributing literature on the street and conducting follow-up studies.

While we rejoice in all of that, let us not forget those laboring in needy areas of this country and Canada. There are many neglected fields right here in this country. There is always drama and excitement about good news from afar. But the gospel is for all, including lost souls in the U.S.A. “To the work.”

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 6, p. 3-4
March 18, 1993

By Mike Willis

But I would have you know, that the bead of every man is Christ: and the head of the woman is the mant and the head of Christ is God (I Cor. 11:3).

In recent years, our country has experienced a “women’s liberation movement-” Under the guise of requesting equal salary for equal work, this movement has rejected the Lord’s divine arrangements for the role of women and been the voice of a left-wing political agenda. The leaders of the women’s movement, National Organization of Women, have supported abortion, the family leave bill, and other political causes. As part of their message, this group has denigrated the role of motherhood, belittling those mothers who think that they best serve God and this country by raising their children and maintaining a stable home. Recently, one of the women’s leaders was exposed as being involved in a lesbian relationship. Obviously, the National Organization of Women does not speak for all, or even most, women.

The influence of the women’s movement has been felt in religion, even as it has been felt in every other area of society. The seminaries of prominent denominations have an ever increasing number of women enrollees and graduates- They are taking their place in the pulpits of Protestant denominations across the country.

The Lord himself has spoken about the proper roll of women. In 1 Timothy 2:11-12, Paul wrote, ”Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence-” Those who deny the inspiration of the Bible assert that these teachings are the words of a prejudiced man, not the inspired words of God!

What Influence Will This Movement Have Among Us?

We would be naive to think that this movement in society will not influence Christians. I would like to suggest some of the ways it is influencing us:

1. Women not willing to submit to the husband’s role as head of the house. The Lord is the one who commanded that man is to be the head of the house (I Cor. 1:3). Women who refuse to submit to their husband make an impossible situation for the management of the home and undermine parental authority over the children. The home is not like a corporation run by two partners with equal authority. In that case, when matters of disagreement occur, no decisions can be made. Instead, the Lord has laid the responsibility of headship on the man.

2. Women are overstepping their bounds w speak from the pulpit with men present. Already among the liberals, women are addressing audiences with men present. Articles are being published in brotherhood journals to prepare the ground for planting the seed of women preachers. Some extremists among the liberals have already stated their intention to appoint women as deacons and elders. Less God’s . extreme brethren allow men to stay in sessions designed for women. In some lectureships for women, those women who would not speak until the men were excused were belittled. We can expect that the influence of this movement will spread, the more liberal brethren continue to set aside Bible authority.

Women attending business meetings. Women are increasingly asking for a voice in the decision-making process. In some churches among faithful brethren, women already are attending the business meetings. God has assigned to men the role of headship in the home. He has assigned to men the office of elders and deacons (I Tim. 3:1-12). These men are responsible for the decision making of the local church. In the absence of elders, the men’s business meeting is generally used to make decisions for the local church. Women have no more role in that meeting than they have in the elders meeting. The decision to allow them to attend, but not speak, can as easily be defended for their attendance at the elders meeting as for the business meeting.

I have been surprised that some brethren have not recognized the desire of women to be present at these meetings for what it is a usurpation of the authority God gave to men. We Christians are not immune to the influences of the women’s movement.

I am not defending elders or the men’s business meeting not communicating with the women, either to receive or give information. Many times women are discontent in a local church, not because they desire to participate in the decision making process, but because no one communicates to them about the Lord’s work. They desire to be a part of it and are frustrated by the lack of communication they receive about the work. In this case, the elders or the business meeting need to address the issue of how they can more effectively communicate to the church.

Women’s concept of their role in society. The worldis also influencing women’s perception of their role in society. I cannot defend from the Scriptures that a woman is always guilty of sin when she takes a job. The godly woman of Proverbs 31 was involved in secular business as also was Lydia (Acts 16:14-15). However, I can confidently assert that, when a job interferes with a woman’s (or a man’s) obligations at home and in the church, a woman has her priorities out of focus if she places her obligations to the job over her obligations at home and at church.

A woman can be fulfilled as a housewife and mother! A person does not have to have a successful career, climbing the corporate ladder, to achieve self-esteem, satisfaction, and fulfillment. The person who thinks otherwise has accepted one of the primary theses propagated by the leaders of the National Organization of Women. The acceptance of the NOW teaching about women is sometimes reflected when women apologetically say, “I’m just a housewife” when they are asked what they do. Why should a mother apologize for giving her full time to managing the house and rearing her children?

There are some occasions which demand that a woman work in order for the family to have the necessities of life (not exorbitant living standards). Many godly mothers struggle daily to manage their time, fulfilling the role of wife, mother, and employee. These Christian women are to be commended for laboring to be faithful to God with the extra burden of full-time employment. We would hope that those husbands whom they help to provide for the family would willingly help them to keep things up at home, that their load might be a little lighter.

Conclusion

Let each of us be conscious of those things in the world which are shaping our concepts of right and wrong. Paul admonished, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Rom. 12:2). The National Organization of Women has, unfortunately, been an instrument to undermine the family.

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 6, p. 2
March 18, 1993

By Lewis Willis

The Bible is the inspired Word of God. Paul affirms as much in 2 Timothy 3:16 when he says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” Because this is so, we in churches of Christ emphasize that the Bible serves many purposes.

It is a store house of knowledge for people who would be free from sin. Jesus said that truth would make us free (Jn. 8:32). I like a statement from Leslie Diestelkamp which I wrote down several years ago: “The Word of God misunderstood is no more helpful than the Word of God unknown!” Because of the sins of past generations, the Bible is unknown to many. Here in our country, we are rapidly moving in that direction. Because of the corruptions of religious doctrine, many are not free because they misunderstand its profound message.

The Bible is also a guide which shows Christians how to live. David wrote, “Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory” (Psa. 73:24). The Bible is God’s counsel, and it is man’s guide. He learns how to live as God wants him to live by reading the Bible. Most of the New Testament is used to outline the responsibilities of those who would serve God.

The Bible is a statement of doctrine which is to be believed. Paul said it is profitable for doctrine (2 Tim. 3:16). I read a statement in an article by Johnie Edwards this week. He wrote of those who would try to make a distinction between “faith” and “doctrine.” Johnie cited Acts 13:7-12 to show that several words were used interchangeably to refer to the same thing — the Truth. Those expressions were the Word of God, the faith, the right ways of the Lord and the doctrine of the Lord. Men try to make a distinction where God made none. For our purposes, note verse 12: “Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.” Clearly, this man believed the doctrine.

Another of the functions of the Bible is that it nourishes us spiritually. Note the following passages which refer to it as food and water: (a) “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Pet. 2:2); (b) “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that uses milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Heb. 5:12-14); (c) “Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water” (Jn. 4:10); and, (d) “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world” (Jn. 6:51). The Bible is the only source for this spiritual nourishment.

Man is a religious being so the Bible teaches him how to worship. (a) He is to pray (Acts 2:42). (b) He is to sing (Eph. 5:19). (c) He is to observe the Lord’s supper on the first day of every week (Acts 20:7). (d) He is to give of his money on the first day of the week as he has been prospered (1 Cor. 16:2). And, (e) he is to study God’s Word, and this comes from teaching (Acts 20:7). There is no other source provided by God to guide us in worship except the Bible.

Man is a sinful being so the Bible teaches him how to be forgiven. (a) He is told he must hear the gospel and believe (Rom. 10:17; Jno. 8:24). (b) He must repent of his sins (Lk. 13:3; Acts 2:38; 17:30). (c) He must confess his faith in Christ with his mouth (Matt. 10:32-33; Rom. 10:10; Acts 8:37). (d) He then must be baptized as the Word of God directs (Matt. 28:19; Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 6:3-4; Gal. 3:26-27; 1 Pet. 3:21). (e) Thereafter a man must be faithful until the time of his death (Rev. 2:10). These are the things specified by the Bible which one must do to be saved. They are certainly not unknown to us anymore. One would have to have help to misunderstand them.

Man is a suffering being so the Bible tells him about the Great Physician (Matt. 9:12-13). The Word of God teaches us that God cares for us (1 Pet. 5:7), and that he will never leave us or forsake us, but will be a helper to us (Heb. 13:5-6). When the troubles of life beset us, the words of the Bible are to be used to comfort and console us (1 Thess. 4:18).

8. Because man is an intelligent being, the Bible is presented to him to instruct him in the ways of righteousness. God’s Word identifies the good works which man must do (2 Tim. 3:16-17; Eph. 2:10; Tit. 2:14). No instruction we receive is as great as the instruction found in the Bible.

Therefore, the value of the Bible is in the things it will do for us, as outlined above. We could have spoken of other things. When we are weak, it supplies courage and strength. It gives us occasions for joy, and comforts us when we are in sorrow. When we are in despair, it gives hope. And, when it is time to die, it tells us about eternal life which is available to those who have served God. Do you know of any other document or book about which all of these things could be said? Is the Bible of value to you?

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 5, p. 10
March 4, 1993