Truth Magazine

By Stan Adams

Death has come as an unwelcome intruder into our lives, and snatched away a vital part of our existence. I do not suppose there is any more empty feelings than losing the one who helped mold you and shape you and who carried you for nine months, and endured emotional, physical, and social pain for your well-being. It sure does deeply hurt to lose your Momma. I lost mine and 1 feel so lonely, empty, and yes, a little angry (not at God, or at anyone), simply angry that one so much a part of happy life could fall prey to the terrible unexplained, maladies of this life. We are all assured that she is in that much better place and that she is waiting on the other side for her children, husband, grandchildren, other relatives and friends to come home and join her.

I knew her as Momma, others knew her as Wilma Adams, or Wiley’s lovely wife. But, by whatever name anyone knew her, the outcome was still the same. They loved her and respected her quite demeanor. I do not wish for this article to simply be an obituary. Others have lost their mothers and they hurt just as I do. When my momma died, a big empty hole was left, not only in our lives but also in the lives of hundreds of Christians who looked up to, respected, and loved her. Just as Dorcas, in Acts 9:36, she was “full of good works.” Countless people have written or spoken to us about the many kind things she did for them. Godly women everywhere should heed the things she did for them. Godly women everywhere should heed the example of Wilma Adams and be about the business of serving God and helping their families and husbands be all they can be in service to God.

Momma trained her children well. I cannot ever remember my momma raising her voice in anger to any of her children. Oh yes, she corrected us, but not by throwing tantrums and yelling. She had a unique snap to her fingers that made you know when she was serious. She had the ability to appeal to the best in all of us. She could get us to answer our own dilemma, by saying, “You don’t want to do that, do you?” She firmly believed that the raising that she and Dad gave to us would win out over the obstacles of this life, if we lived long enough. This had been borne out in all of our lives. Her four children and nine grandchildren truly do rise up and call her blessed. One of the first things that Momma taught all of us children was how to pray. She had embroidered the “Now I Lay Me Prayer” for us, and hung it over our bed. This prayer was more than mere words to her. One phrase sticks out even more to me now, in light of the reality of the suddenness of her death. It is the phrase: “If I should die before I wake, I pray thee, Lord, my soul to take.”

Momma taught us kindness. She loved us fervently and protected us, but was never unkind or cutting. She had an aristocratic Virginian dignity that, when aroused, could quietly remind you of what you were doing, and your need to “back off,” if you were wrong. Momma told us in later years, repeatedly, to not let ourselves stoop to the level of those who would abuse us and say all manner of evil against us, without cause. She taught us to hate the evil but love the soul of the one in sin. She told us, “You don’t want that person to help send you to the bad place, do you?” She taught us to pity the evil doer and get about the business of going to heaven. Her kindness was demonstrated in the care she took to make things by knitting, embroidery, and cross-stitch. Her love for the beautiful shows in the legacy of her glass collection. She was gentle, loving and kind and such a classy lady.

Momma taught us what being a godly wife was all about. She and Daddy were married for 45 years. What a love story! He truly found is “million dollar baby, in the five and ten cent store,” as the old song goes. She worked at the candy counter and he worked at the plant. She was from an Episcopal background, he from a Christian Church background. They dated and much of that dating centered around going to meetings and church services. He taught her to obey the truth, and she did. She told her parents that she was going to be baptized and become a Christian, and they were very upset. She stated, that if she loved them more than she did Christ, she was not worthy to be a Christian, and she must do what was right. They strongly disapproved, but she obeyed Christ, and never looked back in regret. My dad later realized his baptism was not right and obeyed Christ. From the beginning of their married life, Wiley and Wilma Adams had deep spiritual roots. Momma recognized early that the young man she loved so much deeply wanted to serve God by preaching the gospel. She watched his pride and pain, when his younger brother went off to learn about the Bible at Florida Christian College. He didn’t see how he would ever be able to be a full-time preacher. After all, he was older, had two children and a promising career going for him in research at the plant. But his sweet wife knew where his heart was and wanted to help him to do what they both wanted him to do. Others thought them frivoulous but they knew what they wanted to do and they were going to do it. So they both worked to pay off everything and save to go to college with two children. After two years at college they had another child (me). Many times during their time at FCC, they would discuss whether they should continue. She would say: “Wiley, we haven’t missed a meal yet, have we? The kids and I will be alright. Let’s not quit now, we will always regret it.” So they stayed and finished and she was so proud of her “preacher man.”

She was the ultimate preacher’s wife and more preachers’ wives would do well to stop hindering their talented husbands from preaching the message, and start helping and encouraging them.

Momma taught us how to be happy when abased. Momma never whined about not having things. She would do without so we could have nice things. There were times when things were very scarce, but she sheltered us from her concern. She firmly believed that if we put the kingdom first, we would make it and, you know, we always did. She was Daddy’s best ally. They were a team, and in a different way now, always will be, even though she is at rest. When a congregation asked Dad to come preach for them, they got the best. Momma was an excellent teacher of young children and young ladies, but never sought the spotlight. She was a confidante to many, and carried the secrets of many people to her grave. She was honorable and trustworthy and the heart of her husband trusted in her. They walked with one another often and in the last few years had developed a system of filing problems, which helped them to cope with the stresses of life among brethren.

When I got the call, from my brother-in-law, to come to Tupelo, Mississippi, because my momma had suffered a severe stroke, my heart felt as if it would burst. Before we left Texas, I paused alone and prayed that Momma would not have to suffer pain or be in a vegetative state. As we drove 12 hours to be with her and Daddy, I felt as if my world was coming apart. It was unbelievable that the lady we had vacationed with two weeks earlier, and who had been so full of life and fun, could now be at death’s door. Not knowing whether she would be alive or not, we arrived to hear that she was alive, but unresponsive. I went in to see her and tried to get her to respond. I tickled her foot, and squeezed her hand and told her I was there with her. She showed some response, but it was obvious that the stroke had taken a tremendous toll. Even through all of this she was able to respond with tears. Her heart rate raced when she heard that all of her children were there, even her oldest son. I spoke to her and told her how much I loved her as did, my sister Paige, brother Keith, and brother Art. The in-laws Jim and Carla also had time to speak with her. My three sons spoke to Mamaw and told her they loved her and later came and told her good-bye. When her pressure suddenly dropped, the family was quickly summoned and told by the doctor that her time was short. So we all gathered around her and held hands, and as a family, waited on our momma. Her family was together, as she had raised us to be, and we were facing things head-on, as she had trained us to do. Finally, Daddy leaned over and kissed her and told her she could stop fighting if she wanted to go wait on the other side for us. Within a few minutes, she had done just that. She slipped peacefully and painlessly away to the only one she loved more than us. One of my sons, stated it like this, “Mamaw is helping Jesus get things ready for the family to come ever.” I do not know if that is the way it happens, son, but I like the thought.

At the funeral, the song, “Send the Light,” was sung congregationally. Even the family sang, just as she would want us to do. The song was one she cherished, and will continue to be an anthem for our family, as we go out to preach the gospel, with a firmer resolve than ever. Her favorite song was the “New Song”; it was sung superbly by all. The funeral director stated that Momma’s funeral was uplifting to him. He didn’t even know her well, but she had the same effect on him as she had on others. She could lift you up, when you felt your lowest.

Momma’s death shows the urgency of being prepared every day. She walked with her Savior in a daily way. She was prayerful and penitent. She studied and read all of the time. She enjoyed life, especially family times. Oh, how she loved to see her kids and grandkids. We knew we were loved because she expressed it to us so well. Each of us carried our special pouch of cherished memories. These will keep us going. Her wit and sense of humor and beautiful smile will be cherished by us all. We will never eat a Christmas dinner without thinking of her. That is as it should be. As brother Andy DeKlerk said at the funeral, “Go to your garden of memories and visit with her a while.” We will certainly do that often.

But, she would want all of us to know, as she stated many times, when she was among us, “Your race is not over until it is finished.” We are not finished, and God being our helper, we will wear ourselves out, as she did, serving God and helping bring lost souls to Christ. Send the light and let is shine. In doing this we will honor God first, and Momma and others we love second.

Young ladies who may be reading this: Please, if you are a preacher’s wife, encourage him to preach and stand beside him in his efforts. You may not get a degree, and you may not go down in earthly history, as some great woman, but you will go down in the spiritual hall of fame, as a virtuous woman, just as Dorcas, and my momma, Wilma Adams.

It is my birthday. Thirty-eight years ago through much pain, and waiting, my sweet momma brought me into this world. For the first time she will not be there to wish me happy birthday. It hurts and I feel empty, but through it all, Momma has given me a gift. The assurance and hope that she is in the better land, and that we, her family, can also be there too, if we live and act as we were raised to do. Thank you Momma, and until we meet at his feet and sing the “New Song” together, we will continue to “send the light.”

You loving son,

Stanley, August 26, 1990

Guardian of Truth XXXIV: 20, pp. 622-623
October 18, 1990

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