Truth Magazine

By Harry E. Osborne

In the last couple of weeks, I have received several notices of “Christian concerts” in the area. Of course, this kind of thing is very common in a denominational world caught up in the “social gospel” methods of getting attention and members. However, the notices of these concerts are, in my estimation, especially worthy of some comment. Some thought needs to be given to the statements made and ideas left by some of these things.

One of these notices came in with a full color brochure picturing six guys, I think, called “Mylon and Broken Heart.” All of them had hair past their shoulders (cf. 1 Cor. 11:14). The concert is advertised as an “action packed event” with an “explosive light show” and “58,000 watts of state of the art digital sound reinforcement by Peavey.” That ought to be enough for anyone to hear them even should a nuclear war break out during the concert. They must be a rock group – nobody else can stand that much noise.

All of this is necessary, I am sure, to reach their stated goal. They say, “This is more than a concert – it’s a ministry opportunity!” In the brochure, one member of the group is quoted as saying, “Our desire is to share the Lord with you and your friends.” He signs it, “Love, Mylon.” They say those coming to the concert will “hear the Gospel.” By the way, if you would like to “hear the Gospel,” these fellows will “share” it with you for $9.50, $10.50, or $11.50 depending on how close you want to be while you “hear the Gospel.”

As I read this flyer, several questions came to my mind:

(1) Does the Gospel of the crucified Christ need the hype of exploding lights to make it “action packed” enough for this society? If exploding lights are necessary to attract someone, their interest will be in exploding lights, not the Gospel. They will leave with the lights. Jesus said the same thing in principle to those seeking physical food rather than his message during his ministry (Jn. 6:26-45). If the fact that Jesus died on the cross so that they could be free from the penalty of sin and have a hope of heaven does not interest them, how are exploding lights going to make them change their minds?

(2) Just how do these guys plan to “share” the Gospel with their audience? Jesus instructed his apostles to preach the Gospel to every creature (Mk. 16:15). That task was achieved when the apostles revealed the message in words chosen by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 2:10-13). Paul says he was appointed “a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher” of that Gospel (2 Tim. 1:8-11). What is the point? The Gospel is a message which must be communicated in words. You don’t convey the message of that Gospel by strumming a C-chord, bashing the drums, and strutting across the stage. It is that message in words that can bring men to be purified and born again (1 Pet. 1:22-25).

(3) Can you imagine Jesus charging admission? The commercialism of selling seats so that people can “hear the Gospel” is totally foreign to the examples of Jesus and his apostles recorded in the Bible. It smacks of the commercial practices of the Catholic church in medieval times as they sold indulgences. How serious can the sinner take one who offers salvation only after receipt of admission amount? The world has seen “business world religion” in charlatans like Jim and Tammy Bakker, Jimmy Swaggart, Oral Roberts, and others who will save you for a buck. How seriously are they taken by the undeluded?

Another announcement bears the picture of a “Christian hard-rock” group called Stryper. Maybe I should say it bares the picture of this group because that is what one of the four is from the waist up (except for his suspenders). They look like Alice Cooper, KISS, or the hairy monster from your most horrible nightmare. Charles Darwin may be right about these guys. Their announcement makes no promise of teaching one the Gospel, but they do promise to charge $16.75 for each ticket. I doubt seriously if anyone will hear these fellows talking about the Bible teaching on modest apparel.

A third notice came from the First Baptist Church here in Alvin. Their building and Family Life Center, a kind of church playground for all ages, sets just around the corner from our building. They have invited all in the area to a “Christian concert” featuring a saxophonist. His list of concerts is given and I am impressed. This fellow has perform, ed before the Ambassador of Poland, the President of Liberia, and the King and Queen of the Zoolu tribe. The New York Times is quoted as saying this saxophonist’s New York concert was “almost exhaustingly cathartic.” In fact, this notice says he is acclaimed by critics as the “World’s Greatest Gospel Saxophonist.”

Now this is where I have a bit of trouble with terms. What exactly is a “Gospel Saxophonist”? If the Gospel is Christ’s message revealed in words chosen by the Spirit (as we have previously shown), how can anyone teach the Gospel by means of a saxophone? Don’t get me wrong, I love the sound of a saxophone. It is a beautiful instrument and the one who can play it well has my highest regard. But how do those notes cause one to hear the verbal message of Jesus necessary to produce faith (Rom. 10:17)? I must confess total ignorance as to how a saxophone can do this.

The notice also says that this saxophonist has performed C don virtually every major Christian television broadcast in America” where he “played for Jesus.” Included in that list was one show, The Church of God in Christ Telecast, that teaches there is only one person in the Godhead. In other words, this program denies the Jesus our “Gospel Saxophonist” is supposed to play for. I certainly hope his saxophone spoke clearly there. He also played on “Trinity Broadcasting” which maintains that there are three persons in the Godhead. I wonder what differences there were in the two performances.

The claim is repeatedly made that this saxophonist “plays for Jesus.” He is said to have had asthma so bad he could hardly breathe as a young man. He says that he asked Jesus to heal him of his asthma. When did this happen? As he was walking home after playing his saxophone at a Kansas City night spot. He then relates the answer to his prayer as follows: “A few days later I was upstairs in our home sitting alone and thinking extemporaneously. (One wonders how you could think non-extemporaneously – H.O.) I remember blowing a song on my horn for Jesus and then taking one deep breath, and everything was gone! Gone! Gone out of my lungs! Jesus had touched me and now I blow for Him!”

Just think, this can start a whole series for our Baptist friends. They can get a “Gospel Cook” who can “fry for Jesus.” Following that can be the “Gospel Glider” who will “fly for Jesus.” Then there can be the “Gospel Barber” who can “clip for Jesus.” Wouldn’t that be sheerly divine? They might even conclude the series with the woman in the Unitarian church who calls herself the “Gospel Stripper” and have a “strip for Jesus.” Lest anyone take me seriously, let me hasten to add that I do not recommend such.

The letter sent with this notice concludes by asking local churches to cancel Sunday evening worship services so that all can listen to this saxophonist. Is listening to a saxophone concert more important than worshiping God? Again, I love the saxophone, but should I love it more than worshiping, adoring and learning about my God? God forbid! A social gospel which depends upon entertainment to reach people is not what Jesus or his apostles taught. We must look to the Bible to find what Jesus would have us teach and practice. We need not depend on entertainment, hype, or gimmicks – just the power of his message of truth (Rom. 1:16). Let us never take the first step in the path of social gospelism which leads to such a mess!

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 21, p. 660
November 2, 1989

By Mike Willis

The Scriptures authorize and command that the local church provide support for a man who gives his life to the peaching of the gospel. In 1 Corinthians 9, Paul wrote about his liberties in Christ and spoke concerning the support of gospel preachers.

Have we not power to eat and drink? Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? Who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof.? Or who feedeth a fock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? Say I these things as a man? Or saith not the law the same also? For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? And they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar. Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel (1 Cor. 9:4-14).

This Scripture and others authorize gospel preachers being supported while they preach the gospel.

Thanks For Those Who Have Gone Before

Having read of the sacrifices of preachers in previous generations, I have concluded that my generation of preachers owes a debt of thanks to those brethren who have gone before us who have worked to educate brethren on the need for supporting gospel preachers. The living standard of most preachers has been enhanced by brethren who have tried to live by the “Golden Rule” in supporting preachers: “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets” (Matt. 7:12). 1 am thankful for these brethren who have this attitude and for those preachers who, despite criticisms such as “You are just preaching for money,” preached what God said about supporting preachers that my generation of preachers could be so wen supported. I express my appreciation to each of you.

Different Problems For Today

Paul stated that “the fashion of this world passeth away” (1 Cor. 7:31), as he spoke of the constant flux and change which occurs in human affairs. Because what is true with the world is also true regarding preachers’ support, there are some changes occurring about which some brethren may not know as they relate to preachers’ support. I write them, not to complain (for I have no basis for complaint), but to inform those who are in positions to make decisions which affect preachers’ support. Here are some things you need to know:

1. Health insurance is out of control. The costs for medical care have exceeded inflation for several years. The result is that insurance costs are spiraling. In order to inform brethren of what is happening, I am disclosing my personal expenses for health care cost. I purchase my insurance through the Pension Fund of the Christian Church (200 Barrister Bldg., 155 E. Market St., Indianapolis, IN 46204). This is the group coverage provided for preachers in the Christian Church. The organization has been kind enough to allow preachers from the churches of Christ to participate in their group program.

The rate increases for 1990 were recently mailed to me and are as follows:

	Current Monthly Rates	1990 Monthly Rates
Family (1 or more dependents)	$335	$400
Single employee	135	161
Participant over 65	58	69
Couple, both over 65	116	138
Member over 65, dependent under	258	308
Member under 65, dependent over	193	230

The coverage is through Travelers Insurance and is pretty good (not to be compared with the coverage provided by large companies such as General Motors). It does not include dental or eye benefits.

A church which gives a preacher a $25 per week increase in salary has barely kept up with the increase in his insurance costs. If any of our readers thinks that these rates are out of line with the industry, I am sure that the directors of the Pension Fund of the Christian Church, whose only business is administering insurance coverage to their membership, would be delighted to receive what information he has to find less expensive prices for the same coverage.

I would like to recommend that churches consider providing health insurance coverage as a part of the salary provided a gospel preacher. By so doing, the health insurance is treated as a fringe benefit for tax purposes and the preacher is given some protection from the inflationary spiral of health costs. Then when raises are given, an actual increase in spendable income can be seen.

2. Social security costs. Being treated as self-employed, the preacher pays the full costs of social security coverage. Social security taxes for the self-employed for 1988 were 12.3 percent. On an income of $600 per week, $3800 + is paid in for social security taxes. If a church owns the house is which the preacher lives, the house is considered in his income; hence, the social security tax is paid on fair rental value of the house in which the preacher lives. Of course, income taxes must also be paid from the income which the preacher receives. On the illustrated income of $600 per week, $166.11 must be deducted to cover social security and insurance, leaving $433.89 from which to pay income taxes and to live.

I would like to recommend that churches at least pick up the employer’s half of the social security taxes. By so doing, the preacher is brought to the same level as employees in other occupations.

3. Housing costs. The cost for providing a house also has gone up. When the preacher moves, there are several things which happen to his housing costs. A few years ago, I moved during a time when interest rates were excessively high; my interest rate on my house changed from 8 percent to 13.5 percent. Obviously, the same amount of money bought a lot less house. Too, there are real estate fees involved in selling property. In our area, real estate agents charge 7 percent commission. Every time a preacher must move, he pays out 7 percent of the selling price of the house, eating up a portion of the equity he has accumulated in his real estate.

No one should need to be told that houses have increased in value in recent years (although the inflation rate for housing has slowed in recent years). Some brethren who have lived in the same location for 20-25 years may not be aware of what housing costs are. They built their 3-bedroom brick home in the 1960s for $20-30,000 and their payments were around $200 per month. To buy that same house today would more nearly approach $75,000. In our area, a $75,000 home is not above average. The mortgage payment on a $75,000 loan (at 10 percent for 20 years) is $723.77. On top of this must be added taxes and insurance, easily bringing the house payment over $800 per month. Utility costs must be added to this figure. Most of our readers know this from experience, but some who have been settled in one location for an extended period of time may not be aware of what housing costs run.

4. Automobile expenses. Providing transportation also has increased in recent years. The car which could be purchased for $3500 in 1973 now costs $17,000+. The gas which was $35 per gallon is now nearly $1.00 a gallon. Inasmuch as many preachers use their cars extensively in visitation among members, traveling to and from meetings, etc., a car allowance is recognized as a legitimate deduction on income taxes. Brethren need to remember that preachers have to buy cars at the same places they buy them and their car payments are just as great.

5. Other expenses. The normal expenses in a home also are incurred in a preacher’s home. Kids need clothes and shoes; grocery bills, spending money, and school expenses are incurred. Then when the teenagers graduate from high school there are college expenses. Next the costs of providing a wedding comes. Preachers face all of the same expenses as everyone else and have the same desires as other families.

Conclusion

When calculating a fair salary for a preacher, brethren should not manifest a spirit which tries to pay a man the least possible salary which will keep him. Such attitudes generate resentment in the hearts of the preacher, causing some men to quit preaching. Rather, brethren should try to be informed of a preacher’s needs. The statement in James 5 applies to churches, as it does other employers.

Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. Behold, the hire of the laborers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth (5:14).

Woe be to the brethren who withhold a fair salary from its preacher while the church accumulates a large account and the brethren live prosperously!

I recognize that the same problems mentioned above which are faced by preachers also are faced by the rest of the American population and a number of brethren are suffering, not receiving salaries which keep up with the increased expenses. My heart aches for them, just as it does for the preachers. Nevertheless, where churches have the ability to meet the preacher’s need, they should do so.

Knowing that good brethren will rectify poor situations when they become aware of them, this article was written to inform brethren of matters which their own local preacher may be too embarrassed or reluctant to mention. Why not initiate a discussion of this subject in your next business meeting?

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 22, pp. 674, 694-695
November 16, 1989

By Luke Flynn

Once again, I have before me, a paper that is full of malice and venom toward the Lord’s church and those that would stand in defense of it. This paper does not come to me through the mail however. It comes through a second party, for the writer and editor of this paper will not send his “bag” of half-truths, misconceptions and delusions to anyone except those “in the pews.” This paper is called The Examiner which is a bit of a misnomer, for the only thing it “examines” is the obvious disrespect of the church and disregard of the Scriptures that the editor-in-chief, as well as his followers, hold dear. My dismay, however, is not with the same old rhetoric spouted forth from The Examiner. Any Bible student can easily see through the facade of “truth and freedom” advocated in this paper. However, I did want to take some time to talk about those who support and endorse this false teaching.

With the publishing of each Examiner, there is a page entitled, “Readers Respond. ” I must admit that I am more disappointed in some of my brethren than I am in the teaching in this false doctrine. With every issue comes statements like, “Love the paper . . . I cannot express the pleasure I receive . . . I am a teacher and am doing my part in sharing much of your material. . .,” “The Examiner . . . was very (emp. Holt) good. . .,” “Keep the good news going. . .,” (same person sent $50.00 to support the paper), “Thanks again for your fine work and your example of courage. . .,” “Best to you. . . ” and so on! It does not come as a shock to me that there will always be brethren who will not follow the “old paths” (Jer. 6:16), but will seek to “heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables” (2 Tim. 4:3-4). What does shock me is the alarming number of brethren who are either partially or wholeheartedly supporting (verbally and financially) this false teaching. It is a mark upon the church that shows forth just how far some have gotten away from the knowledge of the truth. Some have become spiritual derelicts and have left their first love.

There are not only individuals, but whole households and entire congregations that have been over turned by the evil and deceit of this false teaching. Brethren, have we gotten so far away from the Bible that we have forgotten the principles of God? Have we gotten away from the knowledge that the support of false teachers or even “partially” false teachers is a sin? Let’s take a look at the Scriptures. 2 John 9 – “Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not Go& he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son. If any one cometh unto you and bringeth not this teaching, receive him not into your house, and give him no greeting: for he that giveth him greeting partaketh in his evil works. ” What is this saying? God is telling us that we who would support those who. teach error or even “partial” error are just as guilty as the one doing the teaching. Paul said, “Lay hands hastily on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sing- keep thyself pure” (1 Tim. 5:22). The Bible tells us to support a false teacher (verbally, financially, or otherwise) is to be as guilty as the one doing the false teaching. We are not even to give greeting to such a one. Those that teach error are cursed (Gal. 1:8-9) and will have the wrath of God upon them (Eph. 5:6-10).

All of my brethren who are reading this article and supporting the Examiner should be ashamed of themselves, repent, ask God’s forgiveness and get back to the work of our Lord. “Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith” (Heb. 12:1-2). Brethren think on these things.

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 22, p. 676
November 16, 1989

By Leon Mauldin

The time has come when we need to know what the Bible teaches.

For too long the church has been plagued with elders who do not know what the Bible teaches. Men have been appointed who were friendly and “mixed well” with folks (sometimes unfortunately somewhat like politicians). Or, have there not been occasions when, because it was observed that one was successful in his business, it was therefore assumed that he would make a good elder? Obviously the question has not always been, “Does this man whom we are considering for the work of an elder know what the Bible teaches?” (Tit. 1:9) Just think what would happen if elders in every church had a real working knowledge of God’s Word. They would be able to apply God’s Word to every situation in life as they went about shepherding God’s people. Isn’t that God’s plan? The time has come when we need elders who know what the Bible teaches!

The time has come when we need preachers who know what the Bible teaches. While topical preaching can be very edifying, there are too many preachers who are unable to take each book of the Bible, and know what its thrust is (theme and purpose, etc.), its major divisions, and give its contents. We need to see the continuity of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. We need to be at home in every part of God’s Word. It is easy for preachers to wind up with huge gaps in their Bible knowledge. Disciplined study will cure that.

The time has come when we need Bible class teachers who know what the Bible teaches. If the Bible class teacher does not understand the theme of the Bible, the unfolding of God’s plan of redemption, and how God’s Word all “fits together”; if he or she does not understand the context of the lesson text, and how that text fits in with the rest of the Bible, how can the teacher communicate these truths to the students? One cannot teach what he himself does not know.

The time has come when parents need to know what the Bible teaches. This has always been God’s plan (Deut. 6:5-7). God has wasted no space in his Word. There is no part of it that we do not need. There is no portion which your children do not need to know, that it might also govern their lives. But how often have we let our children down (and thus let the Lord down) because we as parents have not concerned ourselves enough with the business of knowing what the Bible teaches!

The time has come when we all need to know what the Bible teaches. It is an attainable objective for you to begin with a book of the Bible you are currently studying, and within a matter of weeks be able to tell what the book is about, its major divisions, and give the content of each chapter (from memory, without consulting notes). You can do that with every book of the Bible, by taking one at a time. It has been a joy to me personally to see brethren of varying ages and occupations, undertake this kind of study. We rejoice to see brethren grow in confidence as they surprise themselves at what they can learn and retain.

Knowledge is never an end in itself. But it is essential. For too long folks have tried “short-cuts” that leave out this vital element. But it is knowing with a view to doing that must be stressed. Only when knowledge is translated into action in our hearts and lives is God pleased. Our objective therefore in knowing what the Bible teaches is that we might be better Christians, and better equipped to serve God. Knowing what the Bible teaches will have the effect of making us better husbands and fathers, and better wives and mothers. It will make us better Bible class teachers, better personal workers, and better preachers. When folks think in terms of qualifying men to serve as elders, immediately the course of action is for the preacher to present lessons on the qualifications of 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. This is important, and more teaching on these texts needs to be done. But developing elders is an ongoing work. When a young man can take a book of the Bible, tell you its contents backward and forward (with an equally intense determination to apply it), is he not on the right track in preparing himself to serve as an elder?

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 21, p. 659
November 2, 1989