Truth Magazine

By Lewis Willis

Several years ago, some of our brethren decided they wanted to have fellowship with other religious organizations, like the Christian Church, the Baptists, etc. Naturally, they needed to establish some basis for this desire, and out of their effort grew the “Grace-Fellowship Movement.” Basically they argued that man was saved by grace – not by doing the things set forth in the Scripture. Their position is something like that of the premillennialists – each one believes something a little different than the others, so it is hard to pinpoint a particular position held in common among them. Anyway, if grace saves, regardless of whether we have done what the Scripture says, they concluded we should have fellowship with those kind of folks. But, there was a problem. If this premise applied to the Christian Church, which was not following the authority of the Scriptures, why would it not apply to others as well? So, over a number of years, they finally concluded we should have a fellowship with those kind of folks. But, there was a problem. If this premise applied to the Christian Church, which was not following the authority of the Scriptures, why would it not apply to others as well?

So, over a number of years, they finally concluded that not only were people in the Christian Church justified while doing things not authorized in the Scripture, they are now saying that the same is true of Jews, Catholics, Unitarians, Buddhists and even those who seek salvation like the pagans who have never even heard of Jesus Christ. I have before me a copy of The Reformer (Vol. 4, No. 6), edited by Buff Scott, Jr. On page 11 he said, “Anyone — now hear me correctly — anyone who seeks glory, honor, and immortality and who sincerely responds to any divine truth to which he may be exposed, will be given eternal life – yea, even those pagans in the most remote sections of the earth who seek God and find him only through the revelation of creation. . . . Those persons in the most remote corners of the earth although not exposed to scripture and have never heard the name Jesus Christ (my emp., LW) will be given eternal life provided they seek glory, honor, and immortality through the revelation of creation. ” He affirms the same thing in Vol. 5, Nos. I and 2. He bases his argument on Romans 1:20: “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen.” Also, eternal life is imparted to those who seek for glory, honor, and immortality (Rom. 2:7).

As far as I can tell, he concludes from these two passages that a pagan who looks at God’s creation – the moon or stars or rivers – and longs to be like them – must be seeking glory, honor, and immortality. Therefore, he has eternal life, even though he has no knowledge of the “written revelation” – the New Testament – and, even if he does not know the name of Jesus. Scott wrote, “If Paul is not teaching this principle in Romans, Chapter I in referring to the pagans, I am at a total loss as to what he is teaching” (my emp., LW). I have been reading the writings of Buff Scott for several years and this is one of the few things he has said with which I am in total argument – he is at a total loss in knowing what the Scriptures teach!

Now keep in mind, he believes a pagan is saved, even though he is ignorant about Jesus and the New Testament. But Jesus said – and there is a monumental difference between what Jesus says and what Buff Scott says – that “No man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (Jn. 14:6). He further said that people could not come to him except the Father draws them and except they have heard and learned of the Father (Jn. 6:44-45). 1 believe God ordained that the Gospel be preached, heard and learned so that we might come to Christ for eternal life. Scott says you can get that eternal life without going to this much trouble. Jesus said, “Without me ye can do nothing” (Jn. 15:5). Scott says without Jesus you can have eternal life – just want to be like a star and you’ve got it! There are many other passages that could be introduced here. If we do not believe in Jesus, we will die in our sins (Jn. 8:24). If we do not repent of our sins, we are going to perish (Lk. 13:3). Those who do not confess Jew will not be confessed before God (Matt. 10:32-33). Only those who believe and are baptized will be saved (Mk. 16:16). If we do not obey the gospel, God will meet out his vengeance to us (2 Thess. 1:8). Buff Scott, and others like him, have simply rejected these passages of Scripture.

Folks, it is a shame how some brethren will accept any absurd position in order to embrace something they like or want to believe. No idea is too far-fetched for them. Jesus and the New Testament will be trodden under foot without any apparent sense of shame or regret if they get in the way. Ali we can do is remind them of what God’s Word says. If it does not save them, then, possibly it will keep us from falling with them. Study this issue well. We are far from hearing and seeing the end of it. Scott’s paper, The Reformer, should be more accurately name The Deformer. What he is doing to Christ and the Church is an abomination.

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 20, p. 617
October 19, 1989

By Keith Sharp

In early December, 1988, Thomas L. West, institutional preacher whom I had debated in 1987, contacted me by telephone about a meeting between institutional and non-institutional brethren similar to the one held in Nashville in 1988.

I was skeptical all along of brother West’s ability to put together a slate of speakers of enough influence to make the meeting worthwhile. My skepticism has been justified.

Thus, the proposed meeting in Florence, Alabama between non-institutional brethren and those of the more conservative persuasion among institutional brethren is now dead.

Earlier this year, claiming he had just about completed a slate of speakers and that he could gain the use of the Florence Boulevard Church of Christ building in Florence, Alabama for the meeting, brother West indicated he had decided to become a “missionary” to Grenada (the island, not Mississippi) and was turning over preparations for the meeting to brother Johnny Polk.

Although I repeatedly contacted brother Polk, he never responded to my contacts. I set a deadline of August I for him to respond in some positive way. Of course, that date has long passed, and I have heard nothing.

A number of good men who oppose the human innovations into the work and organization of the church advocated by institutional brethren had agreed to give of their valuable time and work at their own expense. To you I apologize for the inconvenience you have encountered and thank you for your generous willingness to help.

Since brethren Steve Wolfgang and Roy H. Lanier, Jr. are working on a similar meeting for Dallas in the summer of 1990, there will yet be some promising opportunities to discuss our scriptural differences with brethren who are closer to us in attitudes toward the Scriptures than were the majority of institutional brethren in Nashville in 1988. 1 hope and pray that good comes of the efforts in Dallas.

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 20, p. 614
October 19, 1989

By Irvin Himmel

Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth (Prov. 19:2).

Knowledge is understanding or perception; it is illumination of thought; it is comprehension and insight; it is acquaintance with information; it is the opposite of ignorance.

The Knowledge Needed

Many people are quite knowledgeable about many things. Some are well informed about science, math, history, economics, and politics, but they are terribly ignorant of the Bible.

1. Knowledge of God is needed. That knowledge can be gained through the application of the mind to the revelation of truth made in the Scriptures. We need to understand his will and apply it to ourselves. In the day of judgment vengeance will be taken on them that “know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thess. 1:8).

2. Knowledge of ourselves is needed. We should know why we exist, what is expected of us, and how to conduct ourselves in human relationships. God’s word discloses facts about the nature of man, the duties that we have to him and to each other, and our destiny. No one truly can understand himself without information from God who designed and created us.

3. Knowledge of salvation is needed. God’s word points out our lost condition and shows the way of salvation through Christ. “They shall be all taught of God” (Jn. 6:45) is the divine plan. “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (Jn. 8:32).

Why It Is Not Good To Be Without Knowledge

1. Mental powers are wasted. God gave us intellectual faculties for receiving and storing knowledge. The eyes are for seeing, not for absorbing darkness. It is a tragedy that some who have good minds never apply themselves to learning the way of righteousness. They scheme and plan wickedness, or methods for making money, or how to advance in popularity; they are worldly wise but grossly ignorant of spiritual truths. Their mental powers are wasted on things that have no eternal value.

2. Misery floods the soul. Knowledge feeds the soul; ignorance starves it. Knowledge is health to the soul; ignorance is disease. Knowledge frees; ignorance enslaves. How dreadful the course of a life that is ravaged by sin! What misery has come to human hearts because the knowledge of God has been neglected! Read Romans 1: 18-32 and be impressed with how deeply depraved men become when they turn their backs on God and become vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart is darkened.

3. Influence is destroyed. Knowledge is needed in order that we might teach others, whether by word or by example. Knowledge is power; ignorance is impotence. Without knowledge our influence for good is destroyed. When the blind attempt to lead the blind, both fall into the ditch (Matt. 15:14).

4. Zeal is misdirected. The Jews in Paul’s time had “a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge… being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness,” they failed to submit to God’s plan for making men righteous (Rom. 10:1-3). Zeal is worthless unless it is properly directed through knowledge. Many people who are zealous in religion are working against the teaching of God’s word.

5. The soul is lost. Those who walk in the path of darkness are doomed to be cast into “outer darkness.” “It is a calamity to be ignorant of things which fit a man to make the best of the present life, but it is a far greater calamity to be without the knowledge which fits a man for a blessed life beyond death” (W. Harris). Hosea correctly analyzed the situation in his day and exclaimed, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hos. 4:6).

Haste Makes Waste

The latter part of our text says, “and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth. ” This should be pondered in close connection with what has been said about knowledge.

Ignorance throws caution to the wind. It gets one nowhere, fast. In haste it misses the mark. The result is rashness. Snap decisions are usually costly. A carpenter knows that it is better to take time to measure carefully than to make wrong cuts with the saw.

Christians are taught to walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise (Eph. 5:15). One who walks in knowledge and wisdom does not plunge headlong into something without thoughtfully contemplating the outcome. He ponders and prays, basing his actions on what the word of God says, and with caution he proceeds.

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 20, pp. 627-628
October 19, 1989

By Ronny Milliner

The week of August 14-18 was a busy one, but it was spiritually encouraging. Brother John Welch of Indianapolis met Mr. Jack Langford of Fort Worth, Texas in a religious debate in the Richmond-Petersburg, Virginia area. At 10:00 in the morning these two men discussed whether Peter and Paul preached the same gospel. At 6:00 in the evening the question concerning the impossibility of apostasy was considered. This portion was broadcast live over a radio station in Indianapolis by way of a phone line. Finally at 7:30 p.m. the debate focused on baptism. Brother Welch defended the truth on water baptism against Mr. Langford’s view that we are saved by a spiritual baptism.

It will not be our purpose in this article to review the arguments of the speakers. We will leave that to one more qualified. Instead we would like to point out some side observations we noticed during the week of the debate.

The Aim of the Debate

Why have such a discussion? One reason was to defend the truth. Such a duty has been imposed upon all Christians. We have been exhorted “to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). We should be like Paul and be “appointed for the defense of the gospel” (Phil. 1: 17). Stephen debated with those of the Synagogue of the Freedmen “and they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke” (Acts 6:9-10).

A related reason to debate is to rebuke error. Some say, “Yes, preach the gospel, but don’t condemn others.” But the Bible is clear regarding our responsibility to rebuke error. For example, Ephesians 5:11 says, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.” It is not enough to not be a part of denominational error, we must also expose it for what it is. Those who teach false doctrine need to be noted and avoided (Rom. 16:17-18).

Of course the ultimate end of all of these efforts is to save a lost soul. There is nothing more precious than a soul (Matt. 16:26). As we look about and see many caught up in religious error, let us be busy “pulling them out of the fire” (Jude 23).

The Atmosphere at the Debate

The followers of Mr. Langford hosted the first two nights of the debate in the West End Community Center in Richmond. I have attended several debates, but I don’t recall such fine hospitality being extended as was done by these individuals. One member invited us all over to his house for lunch after one of the morning sessions. On Tuesday night after the debate was over they provided donuts with coffee or milk for all who wanted some. These folks certainly did not “forget to entertain strangers” (Heb. 13:2), and their example certainly is noteworthy.

Not only was there an atmosphere of hospitality, there was also an air of zeal among Mr. Langford’s followers. After each session we would be swamped with them coming up to us to discuss the subjects further. We would usually spend one to two hours a night talking about the Bible with these well-studied people. Unfortunately this zeal was like that had by the Jews. Paul spoke of their “zeal for God, but not according to knowledge” in Romans 10:2.

The Attendance at the Debate

Another expression of their zeal was in their attendance at each session of the debate. Many of these individuals had taken off from work to be at the debate. Most of the debates which I have attended saw a gradual decline among those present as the week went on. But this decline was not true of the Langford-Welch Debate. The attendance was consistent during the whole discussion.

Of course we were pleased also to have several brethren visiting with us who had come from some distance. The Bill Whitaker family and the Duane Washburn family had come from Indianapolis to attend the debate. Brother and sister Robert Welch, brother and sister Harry Lewis, Rick Hubbard, and the Wayne Greeson family all had come to assist John in the debate. We also had brother and sister James Walker of Louisville, Kentucky to join us for the last two nights of the debate. The sacrifice of time and expense on the part of these Christians is certainly commendable. But such is how it should be among those who “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” (Matt. 6:33).

The Adversary at the Debate

While we could see many good traits in Mr. Langford’s followers, they were still under the influence of a false teacher. To watch Mr. Langford during the debate was to be reminded of the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:15. He warned, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” While Mr. Langford promised liberty, he was really bringing people into bondage (2 Pet. 2:19).

The great tragedy of the week was to see the blind being led by the blind and realizing “both will fall into a ditch” (Matt. 15:14). In discussing the Bible with some it became apparent that “they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved” (2 Thess. 2:10-12).

The Association During the Debate

One good thing which came as a result of the debate was the encouragement of being in the company of God’s people. Opportunities abounded for us to just sit around and talk about the Bible with good Christians.

The Bible encourages as to this end. “Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing” (1 Thess. 5:11). “Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another” (Rom. 14:19). This type of association is what is truly meant by the word fellowship.

The Apathy During the Debate

While there were many good things about this debate, the apathy manifested by most of the Christians of central Virginia was shameful. There were more out-of-town visitors at this discussion than there were visitors from local congregations in the area. Of 8 congregations within an hour’s drive of the debate only about 5 percent of the members in these congregations attended the debate. Elders and preachers did not attend the debate like they should have. Brother Harry Lewis commented that there should have been a Christian there for every one of Mr. Langford’s people present.

Yet this type of apathy is not just characteristic of central Virginia. Many other debates and gospel meetings throughout the country are not attended and supported by Christians like they should be. Such indifference can be discouraging to a preacher who is trying to defend the truth. Can you imagine how Paul felt in his defense before Nero? He said in 2 Timothy 4:16, “At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them.”

Paul exhorted in Galatians 4:18, “But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always, and not only when I am present with you.” Christ died for us that we might be a “people zealous for good works” (Tit. 2:13-14). Christians should “be ready for every good work” (Tit. 3:1).

The Aftermath of the Debate

Not only did we have many of Mr. Langford’s followers attend the debate, we also had individuals present from the Pentecostal Church, the Christian Church, and the liberal church. Thus we have several contacts to be following up on in the coming weeks. Who knows what opportunities for further study might come from this discussion. We must do our very best to sow the seed and water it. Surely God will give the increase (1 Cor. 3:6). “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58).

Let us thank God for the good that has been done, and continue to seek his blessings in our future efforts for his glorification.

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 20, pp. 626-627
October 19, 1989