Truth Magazine

By Mark Mayberry

In our first article we provided an introduction to astrology. After having defined the subject, we examined the history, prevalence, and appeal of astrology. In our second article, we saw that astrology cannot pass the test of science. It has failed repeated attempts at validation. Its claim to analyze character is deceptive. Furthermore, it fails to accurately predict the future. In this final article we will see how astrology fails the test of Scripture.

It is Idolatrous

The danger in astrology is that people look to the stars for guidance in making important decisions. This becomes a substitute for true religion. Anyone who trusts in the stars, rather than in God, is engaging in idolatry. Anything that turns man away from God as the ruling force in his life is evil and sinful (cf. Col. 3:5).

Astrology was very common in ancient times, but it was strictly forbidden for God’s people. The Bible treats astrology as it does sorcery and other heathen traditions that are spiritual counterfeits. “Divination,” the general term for occult practices used in the Old Testament, included astrology. All such idolatrous practices were condemned (Deut. 18:914; 2 Kgs. 23:5, ASV Footnote; Isa. 47:11-14; Jer. 10: 1-2; Dan. 1: 19-20; 2: 10-11; 4:7; 5:7-8; Acts 19:19).

The heavens point to the power and majesty of God (Psa. 19:1-4; Rom. 1:20), but they do not offer us spiritual guidance. Man cannot discover the mind of God by gazing up into the heavens. God has given us the inspired Scriptures for guidance from day to day (Psa. 119:97-105; 2 Tim. 3:15-17). We must learn to trust in him.

It Is Fatalistic

Astrology also stands at odds with the biblical doctrine of human accountability. Man is personally responsible for his conduct (Acts 2:40; Phil. 2:12; Gal. 6:7). Nonetheless, we have a disturbing tendency to shift the blame for our mistakes (Gen. 3:12; 1 Sam. 15:14-15).

It is tempting to believe that cosmic forces beyond our control determine our lives. Shakespeare said, “We make guilty of our disasters the sun, the moon, and stars; as if we were villains on necessity; fools by heavenly compulsion; knaves, thieves and treachers by spherical predominance; drunkards, liars, and adulterers by an enforced obedience of planetary influence.”(1)

James Randi is right in saying that astrology “serves to release man from having to take the blame for his own stupidities. A bad conjunction of planets can always be blamed for unfortunate occurrences. Whatever its function, astrology is an irrationality that serves mankind poorly.”(2) The danger of astrology is that it becomes a way to escape responsibility for one’s behavior. Nothing that goes wrong is ever really our fault if our fates are determined by the stars. We end up saying, “Yes I did it, but that’s the way Leos act. It’s not my fault because that’s just the way I am.” However, Shakespeare put it best centuries ago when he said, “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars but in ourselves.”

It Is False

By their very calling, Christians love truth rather than falsehood (Prov. 23:23; Jn. 8:32; 17:17). Astrology simply isn’t true. It fails the tests of both science and Scripture. It is utterly wrong and wholly untrustworthy. Its prophecies consistently fail. Thus, we should not countenance it (Deut. 18:18-22). True prophets did not play the numbers game. They did not expect a certain percentage of their utterances to fail (Cf. Matt. 5:17-18).

Conclusion

Astrology is pure fiction. Its claims are fraudulent and deceitful. Yet, people continue to believe this claptrap philosophy, despite evidence to the contrary. Why is this so? Modern man faces a deep-seated spiritual crisis. We live in a spiritual vacuum, in a world devoid of values. Religion has lost its meaning and influence in the lives of many. Humanism has proclaimed the dawning of a new day for man, and yet it has left man without any spiritual foundation. As G.K. Chesterton once said, “When a man ceases to believe in God, he doesn’t believe in nothing, he believes in anything! ” It is imperative that we turn back to God and his word for guidance. Genuine faith gives us strength to face the trials of life. Christian hope is an anchor for the soul. Why trust in the deceitful message of astrology? Only the gospel offers a sure foundation.

Endnotes

1. Shakespeare, King Lear, Acts 1, Scene 2.

2. James Randi, Flim-Flam, (Buffalo, NY: Prometheus Books, 1982), p. 56.

Guardian of Truth XXXIV: 20, p. 612
October 18, 1990

By Lewis Willis

The “movement” to which I refer has had several identifications: Crossroads Movement; Boston-Crossroads Movement; Multiplying Ministry; The Discipling Movement. Possibly by now it has gotten another identification. The Movement had its origin in the mid- I 970s at the Crossroads Church of Christ in Gainesville, Florida under the leadership of their local, dynamic preacher, Chuck Lucas. It would subsequently spread its influence throughout the country and the world.

From the very outset the Gainesville Church was associated with the liberal, institutional, apostate churches. Thus, most of its influence was felt among those liberal churches. It never did affect, to any significant degree, faithful churches of Christ. However, considerable teaching was done on the subject and this probably accounts for its minimal effect on us. When good people know an idea is false, they are able to guard themselves against it.

“Under the leadership of Chuck Lucas, the Crossroads Church of Christ achieved rapid growth through its campus ministry at the University of Florida. They began training people for similar ministries elsewhere. Soon other churches of Christ wanted campus ministers who had been trained at Crossroads” (The Discipling Dilemma, Flavil R. Yeakley, Jr., p. 5). In 1985 Lucas did something that resulted in him resigning his ministry and leaving the Crossroads Church, along with his leadership of the Movement. Lucas was replaced, rather unofficially, by a young man he had trained named Kip McKean, who was working with the Boston Church of Christ at the time.

Boston quickly exerted great influence on the Movement and expanded its reach far beyond anything that has previously been seen. Large “Discipling Churches” began to appear throughout this country. However, with the growth of the Movement came a strengthening of the opposition to it. In the last two years there has been a noticeable decline in the headlines Boston had been receiving. Apparently the opposition to the Movement has greatly diminished its influence and growth. It would be foolhardy to assume that the battle is over, but it appears that the death-blow has been dealt it.

There were two basic problems associated with the Boston-Crossroads Movement. (1) They sought to establish a control over the members of each of these churches. Yeakley, in his 1988 book, reported the results of an invitation he had received from Boston to do psychological testing of their members, which they hoped would disprove the charge that their control over their members was cultic in nature. Yeakley, a professor at Abilene Christian University, proved with his testing that Boston was having precisely the same effects on their people as the Moonies and the Hare Krishnas, both recognized cults, had on theirs. This was a major blow to the Movement.

(2) The second major error of the Movement was its insistence on having the Boston Church control other congregations, in violation of New Testament teaching on congregational independence or autonomy. So-called “Mainstream” Churches of Christ started violating congregational autonomy almost 50 years ago, so it was rather surprising when they objected to Boston doing the same thing. However, their opposition was strong. Boston would go into a local church and “reconstruct it.” This usually meant changing its name, removing the local preacher, and installing a preacher who would do things like Boston wanted them done. This, of course, was a violation of congregational autonomy.

There were other violations that grew up around these two within the Movement. But, when it was shown that they were affecting people like a cult, and more brethren became aware of how they literally took over churches, the effectiveness and growth of the Boston Movement markedly declined.

I read a significant statement of its current status in The Christian Chronicle (August, 1990). On July 28, 1990, the elders of the Crossroads Church of Christ in Gainesville, Florida, “confessed error and requested restoration to fellowship with churches of Christ worldwide.” They confessed the error of controlling other Christians and other congregations, which were basic tenets of their Movement. They did not confess the sin involved in their other liberalism regarding fellowship halls, church support of colleges and other human institutions, which separated us from the liberals almost 50 years ago. However, it appears that Crossroads, but not Boston, has been received back into the fellowship of mainline, liberal churches of Christ.

We continue to oppose the errors incorporated into the life and activities of both the Boston Church and the mainline, liberal churches of Christ. And, we hope the time will come when all of them will follow the example set by Crossroads and confess the sins they have committed in introducing practices into the church which have resulted in division and alienation among brethren. In the meantime, we will not waver in our opposition to sin – in or out of the church.

Guardian of Truth XXXIV: 20, p. 621
October 18, 1990

By Royce Chandler

I had heard for years that Barcelona, Spain would be a really hard place to establish the Lord’s church. It’s so far away . . . Juan Monroy and his liberal organization control everything . . . the people don’t seem to be as responsive as in other Spanish countries . . . it’s expensive to live there . . . etc. But when brother Efrain Perez told me his family had agreed to Philip Morgan’s plea for them to move from Chile to Spain, I was thrilled. My first thought was: “If anyone can get a solid work going in Spain, it’s Efrain and Elba Perez.” My visit with them (May 15-20) in the city of Badalona, just out of Barcelona, confirmed my feelings.

The Perez family moved to Spain in February of 1989. Efrain encountered a small group of about 10-12 Christians, the result of some efforts by institutional brethren, They were demoralized, completely disorganized, and knew very little about the Lord’s church or any other Bible subject. After talking and studying with them, they agreed to Efrain’s offer to work with them full-time. He immediately began arranging studies, calling on those who had left the Lord, organizing classes for the few children, teaching them on N.T. worship and the nature of the church, and began a weekly program to train any interested men in how to teach and preach. It is the same program of “preacher training” he used in Chile, which resulted in twelve men giving themselves to preaching and working with local churches in that country.

After a year’s work, with the Lord’s gracious help, the church has grown tremendously. They now average around 4045 in attendance, have a solid core of adults who seem capable of helping in a stable, mature fashion with the work, enjoy a wonderful group of young Christians and children who promise a lot of strength for the future, have good contacts in the cities of Grenada, Madrid, and Zaragoza, and there are seven men attending the “preacher-training classes” each week.

In June of ’89, the Perezes were joined by Gregg and Georgia Perkins, and Jerry Falk. These two young North American preachers located on the opposite side of Barcelona (El Prat) and began work on making contacts, while also working on their grasp of the Spanish language. Gregg and Jerry also have been doing an excellent work. Starting from scratch, they now have a small group of about 15-20. Within the past two months of April and May, they have baptized nine souls. These are in addition to seven Efrain baptized in the same period. So much for any idea that Spain is a difficult place for the Lord’s work! The most enthusiastic and compelling response to our visit among all the brethren was from these new saints in Spain. They planned an entire week of “togetherness” – involving both spiritual and social activities. Numbers of them enthusiastically accompanied us everywhere we went and allowed us to develop a close bond with them, in spite of the short amount of time. Hospitality, brotherly love, sacrificial giving of their time and meager resources, opportunities every evening for sharing spiritual thoughts and values: they provided us in great abundance.

As uplifting as this might sound, remember that these Christians are all located in the one area in and around Barcelona. There are still thousands of other cities and villages that have no Philip to ask, “Do you understand what you’re reading?” – no Philip to hear them respond: “How can we, except someone should teach us?”

Guardian of Truth XXXIV: 20, p. 611
October 18, 1990

By David A. Padfield

When Paul charged Timothy to “wage the good warfare,” he mentioned some who had rejected “faith and a good conscience” and made “shipwreck” of the faith (1 Tim. 1:18-20). J.B. Phillips translated the verse like this: “as far as their faith is concerned, have run their ships on the rocks.” Hymenaeus and Alexander were among this pitiful group, and were “delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.”

Paul’s metaphor sprang from personal experience. He had physically suffered shipwreck on three different occasions (2 Cor. 11: 25). Ocean going vessels can fall upon the shoals for many reasons, i.e., equipment failure, bad maps, difficult weather, etc. Those who suffer “shipwreck of the faith” have no one to blame but themselves. Once they reject the faith their conscience will soon become seared.

Peter warns us that “there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies” (2 Pet. 2:1). Even elders, those entrusted with shepherding the flock, can become “savage wolves” who “will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after themselves” (Acts 20:29-30).

No man, regardless of his reputation or stature, is immune from the danger of digression. Even James and Peter who “seemed to be pillars” (Gal. 2:9) stumbled and played the part of a hypocrite (Gal. 2:11-13). Unlike Peter, those who make shipwreck of the faith will not admit their error nor turn from it. History is full of men who “were once enlightened” and had “tasted the heavenly gift,” who fell away and put the Son of God to an open shame (Heb. 6:4-6). In this article, I would like to look at a few of these men.

Barton W. Stone (1772-1844) started laboring with Presbyterian churches around Cane Ridge, Kentucky, in 1796. The Presbyterian Church put Stone and five other preachers (Richard McNemar, John Thompson, John Dunlavy and Robert Marshall) on trial because their preaching was not consistent with the Confession of Faith of that body. On January 1, 1804, Stone and his companions formed their own organization, The Springfield Presbytery. They went “forward preaching and constituting churches” in that area.

On June 28, 1804, these men signed the Last Will and Testament of the Springfield Preshytery. This historic document signified their departure from denominationalism and their desire to “take the Bible as the only sure guide to heaven.” With great zeal these men went out and preached the restoration of New Testament Christianity.

In 1805 three Shaker missionaries passed through that area and caused Dunlavy and McNemar (along with Matthew Houston) to defect and follow “that miserable delusion.” Shortly thereafter, Marshall and Thompson looked back with longing eyes to the creeds of men and joined the Presbyterians again. These men had all known, believed and preached the truth. Something happened to their faith: they made shipwreck of it.

Jesse B. Ferguson (1819-1870) began preaching the gospel in 1838, and within a few years was considered one of the best preachers in Kentucky. He was a brilliant man with a high degree of self-esteem. He moved to Nashville, Tennessee in 1846. While he worked with the brethren there, the congregation grew to over 500 members in a city of only 10,000. “During this time brother Ferguson was looked upon as the greatest pulpit orator in the South.”(1) This congregation became the place to be in Nashville. They soon built one of the most beautiful buildings in town, adorned with cushioned pews and chandeliers.

The brethren did not enjoy their exalted status for very long. “He (Ferguson) was a flatterer and was easily flattered. The church practiced open membership with many unbaptized believers taking a lead in the church. The trouble climaxed when Ferguson preached a form of spiritualism based on I Peter 3:19 concerning Christ’s preaching to the spirits in prison. The church was torn apart – loyal brethren finally gained the building by going to court – only 15 to 25 members remained of the once large church in Nashville.”(2)

H. Leo Boles described Ferguson with these words: “Like a meteor which flashes across the horizon, making a trailing of glorious light behind it, and then suddenly disappearing and leaving nothing but darkness in its wake, so Jesse B. Ferguson came above the horizon and shone as a great pulpit orator in the church of Christ at Nashville, Tenn., and then as suddenly disappeared and dropped into obscurity. Perhaps no preacher of the gospel ever stood so high in the estimation of the people and received the plaudits of the populace and then dropped so low as this man.”(3)

Ferguson died on Sept. 4, 1870. David Lipscomb wrote of Ferguson’s passing: “He was the most popular preacher in the Southern country at one time. He was almost worshipped by his admirers in this city, where he ministered as preacher of the church of Christ. He had not that humility of soul and strength of character to stand flattery and adulation heaped upon him. He apostatized from the faith . . . He attempted to build up a congregation of adherents on his loose views. He failed, turned politician . . . He lost respect of all parties here.”(4)

Like Ferguson, Charles Holt, Jr., is a talented speaker and writer. For over forty years Holt has taught by means of the printed page. He started The Gospel Advertiser in May, 1950. After two and a half years it merged with The Gospel Guardian. Fanning Yater Tant named Holt as an Associate Editor, to serve with men like Roy Cogdill, W. Curtis Porter and James Adams.

When the two papers merged in December of 1950, Holt praised The Gospel Guardian as “the most needed gospel paper published.” In almost prophetic terms, he warned of the “grave danger of another great apostasy.” He said, “We live in perilous times. We need to be on guard as never before for dangerous trends and outright departures from the New Testament pattern. These trends and departures are all around us.”(5) Holt has not only departed from the “New Testament pattern,” but now even denies that such exists.

Holt is no stranger to the polemic platform either. He engaged in one of the first debates on institutionalism. In October, 1954, he participated in a discussion with W.L. Totty and Sterl Watson on the “church support of Christian colleges, institutional orphan homes, and ‘sponsoring church’ evangelism.” The debate took place in the meetinghouse of the Garfield Heights congregation in Indianapolis, Indiana.

When The Sentinel of Truth (financed by the late J.D. Hall, Jr.) was launched in 1965, Holt was its editor. The paper quickly became on avenue for Holt to express his new found views on the eldership and the church itself. In 1969 Holt agreed to debate brother J.T. Smith on “the local ecclesia (church) of Christ.” Six weeks before the debate, Holt backed out. In 1985 Holt finally met Smith in a debate in Lake Jackson, Texas and later in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

In his present publishing endeavor, The Examiner, Holt has surrounded himself with men of little or no conviction. Terry Gardner was a member of the congregation where I preached in Bowling Green, Kentucky in 1978. After moving to Chattanooga and associating with Holt, Gardner was “led away by the error of the wicked.” When Gardner wrote about Homer Hailey’s position on divorce and remarriage, he said, “If Homer is absolutely wrong on this issue, does it really make any difference?”(6)

For years faithful brethren have enjoyed reading the Theophilus cartoons drawn by Bob West. These cartoons were used in church bulletins all over this country. In September, 1988 West announced that he had “learned better” about the eldership.(7) Since then he has used his artistic ability to “destroy the faith he once preached.”

It is possible for any Christian to make shipwreck of the faith. Let us imitate Paul’s care for his soul. He was always on guard “lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” (1 Cor. 9:27).

Endnotes

1. H. Leo Boles, Biographical Sketches of Gospel Preachers, p. 188.

2. Robert Hooper, A Call to Remember, pp. 3-4.

3. Boles, p. 186.

4. David Lipscomb, Gospel Advocate, Sept. 22, 1870.

5. Charles Holt, Gospel Guardian, Dec. 4, 1952.

6. Terry Gardner, The Examiner, May, 1989.

7. Bob West, The Examiner, Sept. 1988.

Guardian of Truth XXXIV: 19, pp. 600-601
October 4, 1990