Truth Magazine

By Ron Halbrook

In Isaiah 5:20 the prophet of God thundered against the perversion and perverts of his day,

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Such men pile sin upon sin, perversion upon perversion, and struggle to drag this ever increasing load of ungodliness through life as an overloaded wagon. It is pulled by cords of falsehood, to which they have harnessed themselves (v. 18). They defy God to do anything about it, laughing at the threat of his judgment (v. 19). No one can rebuke or restrain them because they “are wise in their own eyes” (v. 21). Their moral vision is dimmed not only by arrogance and conceit but also by intoxicating drink (v. 22). They “justify the wicked” and “take away the rights of the ones who are in the right! ” (v., NAS 23) God said their root and their blossom would rot, and be consumed “as the fire devoureth the stubble” (v. 24).

Those who call evil good in our time proclaim sexual perversion and pornography as “art.” Robert Mapplethorpe was a photographer and a homosexual who died of AIDS at 42 in March 1989. A collection of his photographs has toured America with the help of tax money from the National Endowment for the Arts. It appeared at the Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati, Ohio in the Spring of 1990. On 7 April the arts center and its director were charged with pandering obscenity and displaying children in “nudity-oriented material.”

In addition to harmless pictures, there were male and female nudes and homoerotic images. Two portraits of children display their exposed genitals. Five photos involve sadomasochism (seeking pleasure by inflicting pain on oneself or others). One of these is a self-portrait of Mapplethorpe with a bullwhip in his rectum. Another shows two men with one urinating into the mouth of the other. Three additional obscene pictures similarly explore Mapplethorpe’s homosexual perversion. These seven were the basis of the court case.

“Jury acquits art museum in obscenity case,” even though “. . . They were gross,”‘ read two headlines in the Houston (TX) Chronicle (6 Oct. 1990, p. 1A and 7 Oct., p. 6A). On Friday, 5 October 1990, the jury returned “not guilty” verdicts. Jurors who admitted the homoerotic Pictures projected a lascivious or “prurient interest in sex and depicted sexual conduct in a patently offensive way” decided the pictures were legally protected by their “artistic value”

(7 Oct., p. 6A). Ann Tucker of Houston’s Museum of Fine Arts agreed that Mapplethorpe’s homosexual and sadistic pictures are “legitimate subjects for art if done by an artist in an artful way.” The artist must express his “thoughts and feelings and experiences,” she said, and, “If it’s art, it’s not obscene” (“MFA reacts to victory in Cincinnati,” Houston Chronicle, 6 Oct. 1990, p. 18A).

This is all very enlightening! it turns morals into semantics. Hocus-pocus, evil is art and if it’s art, it’s not evil. Now you see evil, now you don’t – it’s “art.” What if an artist’s “thoughts and feelings and experiences” lead him to cut off parts of his body or the body of another person? Let him record the images on film and circulate the photo collection with the help of tax money. “If it’s art, it’s not mutilation.” Rape? Put it on film, circulate the pictures, and, “Presto! If it’s art, it’s not rape.” See it? Get it? “If it’s art, it’s not murder.”

Talk about a new morality, this could eliminate all crime! If a choreographer waltzes into a bank and robs it, it’s not robbery, it’s art. The pictures are not evidence of a crime, they are a collection of images of the robbers, er, I mean, artists’ “thoughts and feelings and experiences.” Another show can go on the road with tax money. Actually, every U.S. Post Office displays the pictures of such artist’s faces at government expense, so why not display photos of their “work” too? Think of it: every post office can be a cultural center of art!

Prisons need culture, too. How else can inmates be rehabilitated? Art collections depicting bank robbery, rape, and murder will be v-er-y popular and educational. Prison overcrowding will be solved – prisons will soon be empty. Criminals will become “artists” who record their “thoughts and feelings and experiences” on film. To interfere with the recording and displaying of their “work” would be “censorship.” (If some Bible-thumper retorts, “If it’s art, it’s not censorship,” tell him to sit down and shut up before he gets us all confused. We can solve all the world’s problems in the name of “art” if we can keep the Bible out of it.) Culturally deprived policemen may try to arrest some poor artist at work, but the criminal, er, I mean, artist will be instructed by the National Endowment for the Arts to recite his rights in the creed of fine arts, “If it’s art, it’s not a crime.” All activities from the work of petty thieves (er, budding artists) stealing hub caps to the work of professionals running drug cartels are “legitimate subjects for art if done by an artist in an artful way.” The con artist was just ahead of his times!

Preachers Part of the Problem

“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil” (Isa. 5:20).

The text well describes the spirit of our age. In our overrefinements we arc losing the sternness of the truth, carefully polishing off every edge and point and corner that might prick conscience into activity. We are toning down moral distinctions until they are becoming quite confused and indistinct; we can hardly tell for certain what is right and what is wrong, what is evil and what is good (Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah, 1:102).

When a jury made up mostly of church members can attach artistic value and legal protection to homoerotic and sadistic photos, our nation has lost its moral bearings and sense of moral outrage. We are puffed up with vain pride and empty falsehood when we get too refined to call evil by its real name. Its real name is not art!

What are churches teaching when so-called religious people will compromise truth and right in the face of the vilest immoralities and criminal acts? The people of America have been fed the moral pablum of situation ethics until “the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint” (Isa. 1:5). Preachers have been accentuating the positive until they really have eliminated the negative – not eliminated sin and evil from the lives of people, but eliminated the ability of people to recognize sin and evil. If babies can be murdered in the name of “a woman’s choice,” certainly children can be used and abused as the subjects of erotic photography in the name of “art.” If churches can compromise on abortion, church members can compromise on pornography. If some churches can view homosexual preachers as acceptable though not ideal, some church members can view homosexual pictures as acceptable though not ideal.

As preaching has drifted further and further from the Bible, so the people who hear such preaching have drifted further and further from the Bible. The only solution is to go back to the Bible as the final and absolute revelation of God’s will, and as the final and absolute standard of right and wrong. Scriptural marriage is honorable and right (Heb. 13:4; Matt. 19:9). God allows one man to one woman in marriage for a lifetime, the only exception being that an innocent partner may put away a fornicator and marry another. All marriages in violation of this principle are adulterous and sinful. This is the very same principle which condernns homosexual practices as immoral and sinful. The same Bible which prohibits homosexuality prohibits adulterous marriages. Sodom was the cultural capital for artists and museums which depicted homosexuality and sadism. God destroyed the city with “brimstone and fire” and recorded it as a reminder of his wrath against such perversion (Gen. 19:24-28; Jude 7).

Practicing or tolerating homosexuality is characteristic of men and women who turn awary from God and reject his truth (Rom. 1:18-32). Professing God or religion does not change this reality. Nations which profess God but become engulfed in perversion decay and fail. “Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people” (Prov. 14:34). More serious than the fall of a nation is the eternal torment of hell which awaits those who live and die in sin (Matt. 25:46).

The simple truth is that preachers are not preaching the simple truth. In Jeremiah’s time, wickedness filled the land because the prophets and the priests lied to the people about their sins, saying, “Peace, peace; when there is no preace.” People became blind to their sins and “were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush.” When Jeremiah cried out against their sins and begged the people to walk in “the old paths” of truth, they would not listen because they preferred the positive message of false teachers (Jer. 6:13-17).

People are confused and blinded today by a combination of loving their sins and loving their preachers who speak an uncertain sound and minimize sin. Men will not come to the truth of the gospel of Christ while their hearts are set on sin and on preachers who tickle their itching ears (Jn. 3:19-21; Matt. 6:22-23; 2 Tim. 4:2-4). Jesus said, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 7:21-23). Just like not everything called art is true art, not everything called religion is true religion.

It is time to call evil evil, and good good. Let God be true. His Word is right. Rather than blurring the line between truth and error, we must diligently search God’s Word and take our stand for truth and right. The Bible settles what is right in matters of morality and in the realm of religion. The Bible is right when it calls sinners to believe in Christ, repent of every sin, confess Jesus as God’s Son, and be immersed in water for the remission of sins (Acts 2:37-38; 8:35-38).

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 4, pp. 112-113
February 21, 1991

By Terry F. Sanders

The story is often told in the newspapers and news reports. It is a story of tragedy in which we all are touched with sadness. It seems that a house somewhere caught on fire. In the house was a typical family of four – a father, a mother, a son, and a daughter. The house burns to the ground, a tragedy. Yet, if the house burns to the ground with the family still inside, it is a tragedy of greater proportions.

To make a point, let me add some details to this story. While the house is burning, the family remains inside. The fire department, police, and other people involved in fighting the fire begin to cry out, “Come out of the house! Escape while you can! Get out now!” The family then comes to the window and shakes their heads and reply, “No, we will remain inside the house and fight the fire from the inside! If we come out now we could do little good. So we will remain here and do what good we can inside!”

How tragic! How pathetic! To think of the foolishness of that family remaining inside a burning house and actually thinking they were doing the correct thing. While this story is imagined (to the best of my knowledge and the sincerest of my hopes), another similar story is quite true. The story goes something like this:

A family is attending some church where unscriptural teachings and/or practices are holding forth. Their “house is on fire,” so to speak. Perhaps many others have identified the problem and found out that it could not be headed off. Perhaps these same ones left. They are attending elsewhere at a place where people believe in following the New Testament as a pattern for all things. They turn to those left behind and cry out, “Wherefore, come ye out from among them, and be ye separate (emphasis mine, tfs), saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you” (2 Cor. 6:17). Those who are left behind reply, “No, we will remain here and work from the inside! We will do what good we can! We will remain although we do not approve of some of the things going on here!”

How sad! How inexcusable! To think that people recognize error and then stay among it when they can easily see that the die is set. So many times the excuses are pathetic. “We have many friends here, our children like it here, we have some family here,” etc. And let us not forget the best one, “It doesn’t make any difference anyway!” Since when did any one thing that a church did or taught not make any difference to God? Isn’t God interested in what we do? I think so.

Can you see the sad end in both of these stories? The family that stayed in the burning house perished unnecessarily. The family that stayed in the apostate church will be, I fear, woefully lacking in the day of judgment. Because the Lord says to be separate, they will have no reason for remaining and fellowshipping what they know to be wrong. Staying inside to fight error might seem to be a noble thing, but it would be a terrible price to pay for such with your soul and the souls of your family.

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; But the end thereof are the ways of death” (Prov. 14:12). Think about staying in a place of danger, but don’t think very long. Salvation is now (2 Cor. 6:2).

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 4, p. 117
February 21, 1991

By Keith Greer

Just by the mere fact that we live in Las Vegas, with gambling not only legal but a very lucrative industry here, there are many temptations placed before us to participate. Even if we stay completely away from “The Strip,” there are slot machines in virtually every grocery store in town. One has only to stand in a grocery store line and watch a child begging his mother to go home – while she just keeps putting one quarter after another in the machine – to realize that gambling is not the “fun little pastime” that many would have us to believe.

Gambling is one of the most difficult sins to recognize. There are those who want to gamble and want to prove that it is correct in the sight of God. As we go through our study, I would like you to consider some questions that you should ask deep within yourself and answer according to the Scriptures.

(1) What is good about gambling?

(2) What is attractive about gambling that entices so many to want participate?

(3) Does gambling damage your example and influence as a Christian?

Gambling, by definition, is “to play a game for money or other stake. . . Hence: to take money or other thing of value upon an uncertain event; to hazard; wager” (Webster’s N.I. Dictionary). There are two essential elements involved in gambling.

(1) The “stake” (one must win at the expense of another);

(2) The element of “chance.” (If you play, then you have the chance to win or lose.)

One of the reasons that many have trouble seeing anything wrong with gambling is the fact that it is accepted, in some form, in virtually every part of our society.

Many denominational and secular groups, not only approve, but also arrange gambling operations to raise money for some “worthy cause.” Such events as bingo and “Monte Carlo nights” bring funds to various organizations which hide behind the “good” that this money does. Here in Las Vegas, much publicity is given to the contributions that the gambling industry has made to our schools in the form of revenues.

Presently adopted by one-third of our states, lotteries have become an “acceptable” means for governments to raise revenues without calling for a tax hike.

Regardless of what others are doing, as Christians we are to “abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 5:22-23). If the Lord comes today, are you ready?

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 5, p. 129
March 7, 1991

By Mike Willis

Shortly before departing this life, Jesus offered this intercessory prayer in behalf of the twelve apostles:

I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine . . . . And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee, Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil (Jn. 17:11-15).

These Scriptures show Jesus’ concern for the apostles following his departing from this life.

The Dangers

There were legitimate reasons for Jesus to be concerned for the apostles, and the rest of God’s children. The world is a hostile environment; all that live godly will suffer persecution (2 Tim. 3:12). Jesus was aware that persecution would soon break out against the saints, even as the ungodly world would crucify him the next day.

Too, there are other temptations of the devil which threaten and endanger the souls of men. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life tempt men to sin (1 Jn. 2:15-17). The cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches distract men from God’s service (Matt. 13:22). The Lord was as concerned for his apostles as a father would be for his child if he were walking through a snake pit.

Jesus was leaving the apostles. His time of earthly sojourning was over. He was to begin a different relationship with the apostles than they had previously known. For these reasons, he was concerned about their future safety.

The Father To Whom He Committed the Saints

Jesus entrusted the saints to the Father’s care. He did not entrust them to some uninterested nanny. Even as an earthly father watches over his children, so also does the heavenly Father watch over his children. As our children play, they sometimes are unaware of their father’s watchful eye. The father may sit back watching the child trip and fall, knowing that this is the manner in which he learns to walk; but when real danger threatens, the father is there to give the protection the child cannot provide for himself. So also, the heavenly Father watches over his children. (See the Scriptures which emphasize the Lord’s watchful care over his children: Psa. 17:8-9; 121; Ezek. 34:11-16; Isa. 27:2-6; Jn. 6:37-40; 10:27-29; 18:9; 1 Pet. 1:5; Jude 1,24; 2 Thess. 3:3.)

God’s keeping does not keep us from suffering physical ailments, persecution, temptations and death. Rather, God keeps us from the evil one (Jn. 17:15).

How God Keeps Us

The Father’s keeping of the saints must be understood to be similar to that keeping which Jesus provided for the disciples when he was present with them (Jn. 17:12). Jesus’ keeping did not violate the disciples’ free will, did not release them from personal responsibility (cf. 1 Jn. 5:18 – they were also responsible for keeping themselves), and did not prevent Judas from apostatizing (17:12; Christians can fall from grace [Gal. 5:4; 2 Pet. 2:20-22]). Nevertheless, Jesus kept the apostles through his teaching, exhortations, and care for them.

Here are some of the things which the Father does to keep his saints.

1. Providence. God acts in his providence to keep us from sin. Jesus taught us to pray that the Father would lead us from temptation (Matt. 6:13); Paul promised that God would be faithful to protect us from temptations we are unable to bear (I Cor, 10: 13). Peter promised, “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished” (2 Pet. 2:9). He kept Abimelech from sinning through marrying Sarah, the wife of Abraham (Gen. 20:6). The Lord works providentially to keep his saints.

2. Provisions. The Lord has provided these other things which work to keep the saints saved: (a) His word. The word of God was provided to enable men to persevere (Acts 20:32). Through its teachings, we are alerted to the dangers which threaten our souls (cf. Psa. 119:11,105,130,133). (b) The church. The congregation of God’s people was provided for saints to provide spiritual encouragement to one another (1 Cor. 12:26). (c) Worship services provoke us to love and good works (Heb. 10:24-25). (d) Mature Christians provide a good example for us (Heb. 13:7). (e) Elders watch over the souls of saints (Heb. 13:17). Many people are not “kept” because they willfully turn away from what God has provided to keep them.

3. Restoration. Still saints stumble into sin. God’s provisions for our souls do not stop when we sin. He commands spiritual men to restore us (Gal. 6:1). He is patient to give us time to repent (2 Pct. 3:9; Rom, 2:4; Rev. 2:21). He graciously forgives us our sins when we confess them (1 Jn. 1:6-9). We see God’s working with David when he fell into sin (2 Sam. 12). After David committed adultery and murder, God gave him time to repent, sent Nathan to rebuke him, and graciously forgave him his sins. These provisions are part of God’s keeping of his children.

Man’s Insecurity

Some Christians feel insecure about their salvation. They ask, “What will happen to me if I am faithful to the Lord for 30 years, stumble into sin, and die immediately?” The very question presupposes a world view different from that described by the Bible. It pictures the Christian living in a world guided and directed only by chance and fate. This world view does not include a concept of God in control of all things, watching over and caring for his children.

Stemming from the incorrect view of the world, men have invented various systems to give a child of God security (such as continuous cleansing). Rather than finding security in the nature of the sins committed (through weakness, ignorance, or inadvertence instead of high-handed rebellion), Christians need to place their hope in the God who is keeping them.

My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber . . . . The Lord shall preserve thee from evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore (Psa. 121:2-3,7-8).

Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings, from the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about (Psa. 17:8-9).

God is “able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory” (Jude 24). His children are “preserved in Jesus Christ” (Jude 1). Saints are “kept by the power of God through faith” (1 Pet. 1:5). “The Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil” (2 Thess. 3:3).

I find my assurance and confidence in my Heavenly Father who watches over my soul and keeps me. All the while, I recognize my own responsibility to keep my own soul. The same apostles who recorded Jesus’ prayer that God would keep the apostles also wrote, “We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not” (1 Jn. 5:18).

Conclusion

Man will never be lost as a consequence of a deficiency of God’s grace. God will provide for us what we cannot provide for ourselves.

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 4, pp. 98, 119
February 21, 1991