Truth Magazine

By Mike Willis

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so (Acts 17:11).

On his second missionary journey, Paul left Philippi where Lydia and the Philippian jailer were converted and went to Thessalonica. Having arrived in the city, Paul entered the synagogue to announce to the Jews the good news that the prophesied Christ had come and established the kingdom of God. For three consecutive Sabbaths, he preached in the synagogue and converted several Jews and many of the God-fearing proselytes, including some of the chief women of the city.

His success stirred the jealousy of the Jews. Rather than taking the Scriptures and showing Paul where he was preaching that which was not true (which was impossible because he was teaching the truth), the Jews in Thessalonica arranged for some of the wicked men of the city to create a disturbance aimed at Paul. Not finding Paul in the house of Jason, they dragged Jason to the rulers of the city and brought false charges against him. The Christians saw that Paul must leave Thessalonica. During the night, they helped Paul leave the city. He went to Berea.

He found a different audience in Berea. These men were “more noble than those in Thessalonica.” Their nobleness did not consist in their birthright, wealth, or position in society. Luke describes what constituted their nobility: they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. True nobility still has these attributes.

True Nobility

True nobility requires a ready mind to receive the word of God. The word of God is not to be forced upon unwilling minds. The Lord himself taught, “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you” (Matt. 7:6). Sometimes we waste our time trying to reach those who make perfectly obvious that they have no interest in the “pearl of great price.” The Lord’s instructions teach us to turn from such people and search for those who are good and honest in heart. We cannot and should not “cram the gospel down the throats” of those who are not interested.

True nobility requires that we test the message which is taught. That which will free us from sin is the truth (Jn. 8:32). False doctrine and error will lead one away from God. Jesus said, “Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind; and if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch” (Matt. 15:14). We do not want to be “blind followers” of “blind leaders.” Consequently, we must beware of false teachers. Jesus taught us to “beware of false prophets” (Matt. 7:15). John instructed, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1 Jn. 4:1).

The Bereans had learned this concept. Consequently, when Paul came to Berea, they listened to his preaching and “tried the spirit” to see if the things taught were so. The truth will shine where such attitudes prevail.

Gospel preachers have publicly announced that the truth has nothing to fear from investigation. If we are preaching something which anyone believes not to be true, we will be glad to listen to what he has to say and search the Scriptures to see if the things which are taught are so. In our quest for the truth, we have gladly provided for such discussions in honorable debate. Honorable men have presented both sides of an issue to give the audience an opportunity to 4 ‘search the Scriptures to see if the things which are taught are so.”

False doctrine cannot survive and thrive where this attitude prevails. False doctrine wants to hide behind the pleasant personality of back slappers with a smile on their face. False doctrine does not want to be investigated in the light of the Scriptures.

Just as we fear false prophets and their false doctrines, we fear those who want to undermine the open investigation of truth. From time to time, we hear someone condemning debates. Many times those who condemn debates have never even attended one to know what occurs in such studies; on other occasions someone has gone to one where poor attitudes were shown. Despite the fact that some debates have occurred in which poor attitudes were displayed Oust as there have been some sermons delivered and classes taught in which poor attitudes were displayed), we would err to throw out all debates because of a few abuses. Debates have served the Lord’s kingdom well in helping honest-hearted men search the Scriptures to see if the things which are taught are so. Many have been converted through the good done in such discussions. When debates were prevalent with denominational preachers, the Lord’s church was one of the fastest growing religious groups in America. Denominationalism soon learned that debates were doing them no good and ceased participating in them.

A New Spirit

A new spirit is growing among us. This spirit fears and hates controversy. This spirit does not want preaching which contrasts the false doctrines of denominationalism with the truths of Scripture. This spirit will not listen when someone challenges the teaching of another. This spirit views opposition to the teaching of certain revered men as a work of the flesh. This spirit is unwilling to provide for open discussion of issues on which brethren differ. This spirit is the seed bed for false doctrine!

In the recent book The Cruciform Church (published by Abilene Christian University Press), C. Leonard Allen explained that some among us “have not intentionally rejected the traditional method (of hermeneutics, that is the restoration plea, mw) but, weary with the pugnacious, debate-all-comers attitude nurtured have found themselves spiritually malnourished, hungry for the things of the Spirit” (19-20). In The Worldly Church (published by Abilene Christian University Press), Allen, Richard T. Hughes, and Michael R. Weed made the same change saying, “Others, having associated a rigourous method with the hard and ugly sectarian spirit that did incalculable damage to our movement for so many years, may now resist a rigorous message of any sort” (2). They continued, “in the old days we often nurtured a rigid dogmatic, sectarian spirit” (7). They added that men were looking for a positive alternative “to the negativism, the sectarian diviseness, the debating, and the argumentative spirit that often dominated the church’s past” (38).

Some among us have described those who expose both the false doctrines which circulate among us and those who teach them as “professional buzzards” who “circle, swoop, and devour.” They have been maligned with loving an argument, being contentious, and self-promoting. They are caricatured as a group who fancy themselves the keepers of the kingdom like the spiritual F.B.I. Men who have exposed the false doctrines on divorce and remarriage taught publicly by well-known preachers have been publicly maligned both orally and in print. The effect of such treatment of brethren is to discourage the spirit of trying the spirits to see whether or not what is taught is the truth.

The devil has succeeded in deluding a number of brethren into thinking that “true nobility” consists in rising above controversy. The devil teaches that “true nobility” means avoiding the brotherhood fights. The devil has persuaded some into thinking that a lower class of brethren engage in debates over such issues as divorce and remarriage, institutionalism, baptism, apostasy, etc. In a former generation, the men who met false teachers in public debate to expose their errors were honored. We respected W. Curtis Porter, Foy E. Wallace, Jr., N.B. Hardeman, Roy E. Cogdill, and a host of others. A man who was unwilling to defend what he preached was not honored among us. But another generation has risen. Men who engage in debates are viewed as factional know-it-alls who are going around looking for a fight. Truly “noble brethren” preach a positive message without engaging in “brotherhood dog fights.” Those brethren who oppose the false doctrines circulated by false teachers among us are to be tolerated, not honored. Papers which expose the false doctrines which are circulating among us and those who teach them are an embarrassment to the cause of Christ. Such magazines are to be hidden from new converts and weak Christians. “Positive” papers which have a policy precluding controversy are preferred by some.

That the devil has succeeded in redefining true nobility is ironic. He has made many believe that true nobility consists in exactly the opposite of what God considers to be the marks and traits of a noble character.

Conclusion

Let us revive the traits of true nobility. Because of our respect for the truth which frees us from sin, let us treasure it above all else. Let us pursue it. Let us examine everything which calls itself truth in the light of the Scriptures. Let us show no respect of persons in “trying the spirits” (1 Jn. 4:1). None of us is infallible.

Let us teach our children to bring their Bibles to church and follow along when the lesson is presented to see if the things which are taught are so. In this manner we can rear noble-minded children who search the Scriptures to see if the things which are taught are so. As these noble minds prevail we prepare the soil in the hearts of our children for the truth to prevail. False doctrine cannot long survive in the hearts of those who “received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 16, pp. 482, 502-503
August 20, 1992

By Joe R. Price

Scientists recently announced the discovery of gaseous residue in far off outer space which they believe is evidence supporting the “Big-Bang” theory of the origin of the universe (a primeval explosion which they conjecture created the universe 15 billion years ago).

Now, theologians are heralding the harmony between the Big-Bang theory and the biblical theme of creation. Rev. Frederic B. Burnham, a science historian and director of the Trinity Institute said, “Christian cosmology and the Big Bang are very compatible understandings of the arrow of time . . . there was a beginning and there will be an end” (The Salt Lake Tribune, April 25, 1992, A-1).

A 1991 Gallup poll of Americans showed that 47 percent believe that mankind was created by God in the last 10,000 years. Only 9 percent polled said they believed mankind evolved without God, while 40 percent stated a belief that mankind has evolved during millions of years, but that God guided this process (Ibid.). This last figure is interesting. Many people are convinced they can harmonize the theory of organic evolution with the biblical record of divine creation. It cannot be done. One must either deny the inspired record of creation or give up the humanistic philosophy of general evolution. The question is: “Will we believe the Bible or not?”

The Bible says that God created the universe, including man, in six days (Gen. 1; Exod. 20:8-11). In attempting to harmonize his faith with scientific theory, the religious evolutionist changes the meaning of “day” in Genesis 1 to “eons” or “ages.” This is presumptuous handling of the word of God without grammatical support (cf. 2 Tim. 2:15).

Organic evolution says man is an animal who arrived here by chance. The Bible says man is the result of the deliberate, creative planning of God (Gen. 1:26-27). Theistic evolution cannot make these points agree.

Organic evolution asserts that man evolved from a one-celled creature to the fully developed organism he is today. The Bible says exactly the opposite. It reveals the creation of a man mature in body and intellect. The evolutionary theologians don’t like to discuss this!

No, God is not an evolutionist! God did not use organic evolution and natural selection to create and develop humanity. Divine command produced the heavens and the earth: “By the word of Jehovah were the heavens made, And all the host of them by the breath of his mouth” (Psa. 33:6). Let there be no mistake: Theistic evolutionists are infidels who deny the biblical record of creation! Male and female were made ‘!from the beginning of the creation” (Mk. 10:6). So said Jesus.

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 16, p. 486
August 20, 1992

By Ron Daly

God’s word warns against the improper use of the tongue in both the Old and New Testaments. James chapter 3 should be read and studied regularly as it shows how serious the misuse of the tongue is. James presents the tongue as “a little member that boasteth great things” (v. 5), “a fire, the world of iniquity among our members, which defiles the whole body, which sets on fire the wheel of nature, and is set on fire by hell” (v. 6), “a restless evil, full of deadly poison, that no man can tame” (v. 8), “Therewith bless we the Lord and Father; and therewith curse we men” (v. 9), a member which “out of the same mouth cometh forth blessings and cursing” (v. 10), a member of the body which is used for evil purposes by those who are not characterized by the wisdom which is from above, but who are filled with I ‘bitter jealously and faction in the heart” (v. 14), “wisdom not from above, but which is earthly, sensual, devilish; and filled with confusion and every vile deed” (vv. 13-18). Please, consider with me some of the important texts and words in the Old and New Testaments which relate to our subject of study.

Old Testament Words and Passages

Backbiter. There are two Hebrew words which are translated “backbiter.” The first is ragal, and means “one who goes about maliciously as a slanderer, one who speaks maliciously about another” (cf. Brown-Driver-Briggs Lexicon, p. 920, Gesenius’ Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon, p. 756). This word is used by David in (Psa. 15:1-3), where it is written, “Yahweh, who shall dwell in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy Holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh truth in his heart; He that slandereth (ragal) not with his tongue, Nor doeth evil to his friend, Nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor. . . “

The second word is sether, and it means “a secret slanderer, or hidden gossip, one of sly tongue” (Wilson’s Old Testament Word Studies, p. 26, Brown-Driver-Briggs Lexicon, p. 712, Genesius’ Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon, p. 597). Proverbs 25:23 says, “The north wind bringeth forth rain; So doth a backbiting (sether) tongue an angry countenance.” The point of the inspired writer is, no one is made happy to discover that he has been the object of hidden slander and gossip!

Mouth. The Hebrew word is peh. Proverbs 13:3 says, “He that guardeth his mouth keepth his life; But he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.” The teaching of this text is “the one who opens his mouth” speaks on every subject, gives his opinion on every matter, even those things which he does not know; and even if he does know whereof he speaks, he should not for the things about which he speaks are none of his business! And, by “opening wide his lips” by engaging in gossip, destruction will be his end. As an old commentator wrote, “God gave us two eyes, and two ears, but one tongue fenced with teeth!”

Slander(er). The Hebrew word dibbah, meaning “Whispering, defamation, evil report, calumny, to spread a rumor” (Brown-Driver-Briggs Lexicon, p. 179, Genesius, Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon, p. 184). “He that hideth hatred is of lying lips; And he that uttereth a slander (dibbah) is a fool” (Prov. 10:18). Another Hebrew word is lashan which means, “to tongue or make tongue, to use the tongue boldly, to slander, to backbite” (Brown-Driver-Briggs Lexicon, p. 546, Gesenius’ Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon, p. 443). “Whoso privily slandereth his neighbor, him will I destroy: Him that hath a high look and a proud heart will I not suffer” (Psa. 101:5). This text describes a person of a triple tongue, (1) The man who is slandered, (2) The one to whom the slanderer communicates the slander, and (3) The man who is himself the slanderer. Hence, three deadly wounds are inflicted!

Talebearer. This word comes from two Hebrew words. The first is nirgan which means, “a chatterer, a garrulous person; hence a whisperer, calumniator, a backbiter” (Brown-Driver-Briggs Lexicon, p. 920, Gesenius’ Hebrew Chaldee Lexicon, p. 567). In Proverbs 18:8 it is stated, “The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts. ” The teaching is that the busybody is a meddling croaker whose words are dangerous because they are eagerly listened to by others! The second word is rakil which describes a “slanderer, defamer, detractor” (Brown-Driver-Briggs Lexicon, p. 940, Gesenius’ Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon, p. 769). In Leviticus 19:16, Yahweh said, “Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbor: I am Yahweh.” Proverbs 11:13 says, “He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets; But he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth a matter. ” Proverbs 20:19 says, “He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets; Therefore company not with him that openeth wide his lips.” The teaching is, A walking busybody is one who trades in scandal, revealing what has been confided in him, and told in confidence; he is a newsmonger! A gossiper needs two things in order to thrive and they are: (1) someone or something to gossip about, and (2) someone to gossip to. We should supply neither! Where there is no tale receiver, there will be no talebearer.

Whisperer. Again the Hebrew word nirgan which means “a backbiter.” Proverbs 16:28, “A perverse man scattereth abroad strife; And a whisperer separateth chief friends.” The ambition of the backbiter is to destroy friendships by spreading rumors, scandal, and unfounded allegations, lies, or half-truths in order to create distrust and suspicion.

New Testament Words and Passages

Whisperer. The Greek word is psithurismos which means “to speak into one’s ear, secret slander” (cf. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, p. 676, Bauer, Arndt-Gingrich’s Lexicon, p. 901). Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12:20 that he did not want to find the saints in Corinth with “strife, jealousy, wraths, factions, backbitings, whisperings (psithurismoi), swellings, tumults.” Also see Romans 1:29.

Backbite. The Greek word is katalalos which means “to slander, to speak evil of” (cf. Bauer, Arndt-Gingrich’s Lexicon, p. 413, Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, p. 333). This is listed among those things which are objects of the wrath of God (Rom. 1:18-32).

Busybody. The Greek word is periergazomai which means “one who meddles with, or bustles about other people’s matters, one who is unnecessarily inquisitive about the affairs of others” (cf. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, p. 502, Bauer, Arndt-Gingrich’s Lexicon, p. 652). In 2 Thessalonians 3:11 Paul wrote, “We hear of some among you idle, that work not at all, but are busybodies.” See also 1 Thessalonians 4:11.

Meddler. The Greek word is allotrioepiskopos which means, “an overseer of business belonging to another, possibly an informer of other’s affairs” (cf. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, p. 29, Bauer, Arndt-Gingrich’s Greek Lexicon, pp. 39,40). In 1 Peter 4:15 the apostle commands, “Let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil-doer, or as a meddler in other men’s matters.”

Prating. The Greek word is phluareo which means “to bring unjustified charges against, malicious gossip, unfounded rumors” (cf. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, p. 655, Bauer, Arndt-Gingrich’s Lexicon, p. 870). According to 3 John 10, Diotrephes was “prating” against John and the brethren.

Tattler. The Greek word is phluaros which means “a babbler, one who bubbles or boils over (with words), one who gossips” (cf. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, p. 655, Bauer, Arndt-Gingrich, p. 870). In 1 Timothy 5:13, Paul writes of young women who “learn to be idle, going about from house to house: and not only idle, but tattlers (phluaroi) also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.”

Distinguishing Between Gossip, Whispering, and Backbiting

How Do We Know What May Properly Be Spoken or Asked?

Gossip is wrong because it involves idle talk, chatter, verbal nonsense, news spread by a tattler, rumors, information without fact or substance. The word as a noun refers to the person who chatters or repeats idle talk and rumors, especially about the private affairs of others. It is not wrong to inquire about or into the spiritual or physical well-being of others. It is not wrong to receive information about the spiritual and physical state of others. It is right to be concerned about brothers and sisters in the Lord. We have apostolic precedent for this (Eph. 6:21-22; Phil. 1:27; 1 Cor. 1:11).

The following questions with the appropriate answers are critical in assisting us in determining what should and what should not be spoken; what should and what should not be heard. (1) Will I help or hurt the person’s character by repeating this information? (2) Would it be better left untold, even if true? (3) Will anyone be edified if I repeat this information? (4) What is my motive for telling it? (5) Am I really seeking to build or destroy, to hurt or heal? (6) Will I cause unnecessary suspicion to surround the person by repeating the information? (7) Is the information true? (8) Is there any basis for it? (9) Is it rumor or innuendo? (10) Will anybody be made better by telling it? (11) Is the information about something which has been made right with God and man? (12) Is the information about something which has been repented of and stopped? If so, shouldn’t it be left alone? (13) Will I help the one who is spreading the rumors by receiving what he is telling? (14) Do I want to be an accessory in the commission of a sin against another person by receiving information which I should not be privy to? (15) Will I feel better towards the one being talked about by hearing the idle talk being spread about him by a gossiper? (16) Am I assisting in strengthening the character of one whom I allow to gossip about others? (17) Or am I becoming a party to their evil doings? (18) Can I with good conscience say that I am a friend of one from whom I receive information about the private affairs of others? (19) Am I responsible for the unfaithfulness of others when they have been hardened by the deceitfulness of sin through my assistance by spreading unfounded charges about them, or by listening to others do the same? (20) How many people have left active service to Christ by my going to them with unfounded charges and allegations received from others?

What Should One’s Attitude He Toward Those Who Backbite, Whisper, and Gossip?

Do not fuel the fire of such a poisonous snake. Do not be a tale receiver. Do not let “the dog bring a bone, and he will not carry one away!”

Tell those who are guilty of such a sin to mind their own business, do their own work, and stay home (1 Thess. 4:11).

Do not associate with a gossiper (Prov. 20:19; 2 Thess. 3:14-15). Stay as far away as possible from such a person, for they are like rodents that scour dump sites, looking for any piece of dead refuse which the maggots have not already consumed!

Expose by name, all those who persist in this vicious sin, so that the weak and unsuspecting will know who they are in order to rebuke and avoid them (Eph. 5: 11; 3 Jn. 9-11).

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 15, pp. 464-465
August 6, 1992