Truth Magazine

By Aude McKee

In Eliphaz’s speech in the fourth chapter of the book of Job, in verse seventeen he asked, “Shall mortal man be more just than God? Shall a man be more pure than his maker?” Whatever the correct rendering of the passage may be, we think the question as it appears in the King James Version is one appropriate to our own time and circumstances. It seems that there are people today who are making themselves more righteous than God. Let me suggest some of them and see if you agree.

Capital Punishment

There is a vocal group of people in America today who oppose capital punishment. If you were unfamiliar with the teachings of God’s word, you would think that anyone who would advocate the death penalty for serious crime would be about as hard-hearted and wicked as a person could get. But it is interesting that God ordained capital punishment in the period of the patriarchs. In Genesis 9:6, God told Noah, “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.” This life for life punishment was imposed by God, not out of disregard for the sacredness of life but because of it. And then in the Mosaic age, there were at least sixteen crimes that merited the death penalty: murder, kidnaping, rebellion to parents, incest, malicious carelessness (like allowing a dangerous animal to run loose and kill someone), homosexuality, bestiality, witchcraft, idolatry, blasphemy, rape, adultery, prostitution, false prophesying, rebellion against judges and violation of the Sabbath.

And then there is no doubt that God has authorized capital punishment in the New Testament. In Romans 13:1-6, several points are made clear. First, civil government is of divine origin – it has been ordained by God. Second ‘ there are at least two purposes to be served by civil government: He (it) is the minister of God for good, and he (it) is to execute punishment on evil doers. Also it is interesting to note that the passage says that he (it) does not bear the sword in vain. A sword is an instrument associated with death. It is worthy of note that the passage does not say that the civil authority does not bear the whip in vain. Without doubt the passage gives civil authorities the right to take life – use the sword when the crime merits such drastic punishment. So the point we are making is simply this – those who oppose the death penalty today are so “righteous” that they make God look like a murderer! God could take life (Acts 5:1-11) or command it to be done (Exod. 21:15-17) but we have people today who are too good to do it.

Animal Rights

In recent articles in the local newspaper I noticed that those who champion the rights of animals are one of the fastest growing movements in America. And I observed that the mail runs about 100 to I against the use of animals in medical research. In one of these articles one man was quoted as saying that “animals evolved along with humans and each one has its niche.” If a woman wears a coat made of animal skins, she has committed an unpardonable sin in the eyes of some. And it has been observed by someone that in some cases, the very people who are opposed to killing animals are in the forefront of the pro-abortion movement! Just recently in Dickson, TN, the city had a pigeon killing to reduce the bird population. You can imagine the uproar that produced! And again the question of Eliphaz is right on target: “Shall mortal man be more just than God?” In Genesis 3:21, “God made coats of skin and clothed them.” Then think of the millions of animals the patriarchs and the Jews offered in sacrifices to God. In Acts 10:10-13, Peter was told to “arise, kill and eat.”

Discipline of Children

A third application that needs to be made of Eliphaz’s question is in regard to the discipline of children. In the Nashville Tennessean of August 25, 1990, “Parents were advised by a national organization of social workers to stop spanking their children. This policy is an expansion of one opposing physical punishment in school adopted six years ago.” Then from the same paper, August 13, 1990, we learned that “Adults who were spanked as children – even if only occasionally – are more likely to physically abuse their spouses or children, assault non-family members or commit theft, according to a study released yesterday. Although physical punishment does, on the average, correct the child’s misbehavior, the long-term effects are to increase the probability of misbehavior-delinquency, drug use, violent and criminal behavior.” When people get “more righteous than God,” it is no wonder the world continues to grow worse and worse. One need only read passages like Proverbs 13:24, 22:15, 23:13-14, 29:15, and Hebrews 12:5-12, to appreciate God’s attitude toward discipline.

Remarriage

And then there are those who argue that there is no scriptural reason for divorce and remarriage. Years ago I attended one night of a debate where this question was discussed and the brother who took this position used his own son as an illustration, as I recall. It was sad to hear him argue that his son, whose wife had been unfaithful to him and was put away for this cause and had remarried, was in a lost condition. I do not recall the arguments that were made to sustain this position on that occasion, but some argue that marriage is for life and so a second union could not be formed as long as the first partner was still living. We certainly agree that in God’s arrangement, marriage is a life-long commitment. Such passages as Genesis 2:24, Mark 10:6-12, Luke 16:18, Romans 7:2-3, 1 Corinthians 7:10-11 and 7:39 make this abundantly clear. But the simple truth is that the one who made the law has a perfect right to make an exception. Aod that he did! Matthew 5:32 and J9:9 teach this truth beyond any doubt. Certainly there has never been a. time in the history of America when plain, straightforward teaching about marriage, divorce and remarriage is more needed than now, but we want to be sure that we don’t become “more righteous than God” on the subject.

Other applications could be made, but these examples will suffice to warn us about becoming more holy than God. ‘There is always the danger that we will become like the Pharisees of the Lord’s day. They, the Lord said, sat in Moses’ seat and they bound “heavy burdens and grievous to be borne.”

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 5, pp. 141, 148
March 7, 1991

By Lewis Willis

John S. Tompkins is a former correspondent for The Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and Time magazine. He recently wrote an article in Reader’s Digest (12-90) describing the widening gulf between denominationalism’s bureaucrats and the people in the pews. It was an alarming article. To understand the significance of what he says, you must realize that Tompkins is a member of the 2.9 million member Presbyterian Church.

He started his article by noting that he was recently given the job of removing his congregation’s old song books and replacing them with the new ones that had just been issued. He said he did the job with “no joy.” He found the new song book had left out “Onward, Christian Soldiers,” “Faith of Our Fathers” and “Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus.” He said these, and other songs “were censored largely because they were judged too ‘militaristic’ or ‘sexist’ by an 18-member committee.” He said the Presbyterians were not the only ones who had purged their song books. The Unitarian Church has issued an entire booklet containing 51 “gender neutral” songs. He further observed that this is “just one of the many waves of absurdities swamping the traditional Protestant churches.”

Tompkins explained why these changes were being made. Over the last quarter-century the seminaries that provide these churches their leaders have emphasized a “theology that down plays the spiritual.” Presbyterian minister, Frederick Buechner, when invited in 1982 to teach at Harvard Divinity School, found that numbers of his students did not even believe in God. “Many of these graduates are now our professional minister-bureaucrats” who have “gradually taken over the denominations.” James V. Heidinger II, of the Methodists, observed: “Too many in the pews don’t realize it, but a small group has hijacked the churches.” Tompkins wrote, “These people have substituted social, economic and political action for the real business of religion – worship, the study of Scripture, a spiritual vision of life and death, and a code of moral conduct.”

He cites several examples of the effects of this hijacking. He wrote of a self-proclaimed witch who was invited to lecture at a Presbyterian theological seminary in San Francisco, during which she offered prayers to “powers under the earth.” He also noted that the Episcopal Church had issued a manual which seems to condone homosexuality and adultery. Moorehead Kennedy, former U.S. Diplomat and Iranian hostage, has recently written a book in which he said of the churches, “I felt in some groups that I would have a much easier time denying the resurrection than questioning the nuclear freeze.” The article continues, “Congregations have responded to the endless politicking in dramatic fashion – by voting with their feet.”

The Presbyterian Church has lost 31% of its members since 1965. The Episcopal Church has lost 28% of their members. The United Church of Christ is down 20%, and the United Methodists are down 18%. These four denominations have been abandoned by 4.7 million members! The author wrote, “The stark fact is that the mainline churches are dying.” He said that 445 of the 500 fastest growing churches in the country are not mainline denominations.

He told of a visit to an evangelical church in New York recently. “It was a congregation with many young people who brought Bibles with them. The service was informal. We sang two hymns with great enthusiasm, prayed and read from Scriptures. As the minister preached, many took notes on his sermon on the space provided on the bulletin. Clearly, this was a church that expected faith to connect with practical life. I felt at home.” However, he said he didn’t intend to leave the Presbyterians but intended to stay and fight for it.

What do we make of all of this? For many years we have been saying that denominationalism is not the religion of Christ. We have pointed out that they are organized unscripturally, they are not worshiping as they should, they are not teaching the Truth of God, and they are engaged in activities not assigned by Christ to the Church. For the longest time they incorporated enough Scripture into their activities to deceive folks into believing they were right. As they have gone further down the path of denominationalism, even their own members are admitting that they are not of God. A poll was taken before the 1988 General Conference of the United Methodist Church. Only 11% of the clergy-delegates said they believed that the Bible is the literal word of God. How could religious movements headed by infidels possibly please God and offer salvation to men? Clearly, we must continue to expose such false religion. The modern denominational clergy has hijacked these churches, but their ancestors in the long ago hijacked people away from God when they set up these unauthorized religious organizations.

We, in Churches of Christ, shall continue to affirm a non-denominational, Bible based religion that calls on people to obey the commandments of the New Testament in all things, and to reject all religious organizations or movements that differ from the New Testament in polity, worship or mission.

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 5, p. 142
March 7, 1991

By Andy Alexander

If the denominations are right then the Bible is wrong! The churches which men have built contradict the word of God in almost every aspect of their teaching. When someone or a group of people move into the mainstream of a denomination with a particular sin they are not willing to repent of, then the creed is adjusted to accommodate that person or group. The Bible is never consulted because it has been cast aside in the interest of satisfying the majority.

There is either a standard of right and wrong or there is none; we cannot have it both ways. For those who believe the Bible to be the infallible word of God, then the Bible is the Standard. The Bible claims to contain God’s righteousness and those who do the righteousness of God are righteous (Rom. 1:16-17; 1 Jn. 3:7). Now, if the Bible is right, then its claims to contain the righteousness of God are right and those who practice the righteousness that it teaches are right.

The denominations claim to follow the Bible but they cast it aside and trample it under their feet as soon as they see it condemns a practice they are not willing to give up. They claim it is an outdated book that fit in a particular part of history but has no real relevance to our day. The Bible contends that “the faith” has been revealed and confirmed as the complete will of God (Jude 3; Heb. 2:3-4). Furthermore, a curse is placed on those who alter its teaching in any form whatsoever (Gal. 1:8-9). Either we believe the Bible or we do not believe it. Either we obey all the gospel and are righteous as it teaches or we disobey and are unrighteous.

Jesus taught that worship which originates with man either by man-made commandments or traditions is vain (Matt. 15:8-9). Worship that is pleasing and acceptable to God must be offered from a sincere heart according to the truth revealed in his word (Jn. 4:24). We are also not to call Jesus our Lord unless we are obeying the commandments which he has given (Lk. 6:46). Jesus gives us a glimpse of the Judgment where there will be many people who claim him as their Lord, but in actuality they have been workers of iniquity (Matt. 7:21-23).

What’s the answer? The answer is to forsake the commandments, teachings, traditions, and assumptions of man and obey God. We may not know the reason behind every command that God has given in the Bible, but we do know that we will be rewarded for faithful obedience to all of his commands and punished for disobedience (2 Thess. 1:7-9). We also know that every thing God requires of us is for our own good (Deut. 6:24).

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 5, p. 140
March 7, 1991

Author Unknown

It is 5:00 a.m. The squads are out on the parade ground. The roll is being called. There is an important lecture in a few minutes that all should hear. The sergeant calls out,

“Where’s Private Jones? ” “Oh,” says Jones’ buddy, “Jones was out late last night and did not feel like reveille. He said to tell you he’d try to be here next time.” “Okay,” says the sergeant, “tell him we’d sure like to have him with us when he feels like it.”

“Where’s Brown?” “Oh, he’s playing golf,” yelled another soldier. “Said this was the only day he could go golfing,” “All right,” answered the sergeant.

“Where’s Smith?” “He said tell you he has trouble getting up this early – he’s still asleep,” cries another. “Fine,” replies the sergeant.

“Where’s Robinson?” “His folks are visiting him,” comes the answer, “and they would feel hurt if he didn’t stay to entertain them.” “I see,” says the sergeant.

“Where’s Ackerman?” Ackerman’s buddy spoke up, “Uh, Sarge, he’s mad at something you said in your lecture last week. He told me he wasn’t going to come anymore while you were still sergeant.” “Sorry to here that,” says the sergeant.

“Where is Snodgrass?” “He has a slight headache,” comes a voice, “and thought he would just hang around the barracks today.” “Okay,” cries the sergeant.

“Is Private Black here?” “No,” says a buddy, “he is thinking about moving over to another company; he says this group is not as friendly as it should be.”

“How about Alexander?” Says one of the men, “Oh, he’s quit. He claims you emphasize rules too much.”

“Has anyone seen Snavely?” “He couldn’t find any suitable uniform this morning,” answers a friend. “He told me he would be back soon as he had a chance to pick out a decent looking outfit.”

“Where’s Blankenship?” “Right here, Sergeant,” says the soldier, “and I want to tell you right now that I’m getting pretty tired of all this tough talk in your lectures and always running down the enemy, calling their name and talking about all kinds of tactics and, strategies and . . . Sarge, er, Sarge . . . where are you going, Sergeant?”

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 5, p. 136
March 7, 1991