Truth Magazine

By Polly Phillips

When brother Mike Willis asked me to write an article as a tribute to my husband Elwood, my mind went back many years ago when I met H.E. Phillips (known as Elwood). We were in high school and I had a class in English with the same teacher that he had for a class in French and, as we passed by going to and from our classes, our eyes met and I thought this was the most handsome young man with black wavy hair and black eyes I had ever seen. That began a great romance and finally a marriage that has lasted for over 54 years. Elwood, I honor you as a faithful and loving husband and a good father to our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. You have been an example of a godly and righteous man and I thank God for you every day. You have been my life and I love you more every year.

We were blessed with four beautiful daughters. Our third little girl died at six weeks of age and, as David of old, we hope to be with her again in Heaven. We have three wonderful Christian daughters who have married fine Christian men and blessed us with eleven grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. We also have many sons and daughters whom we have adopted while they were here in college and many stayed in our home which made our lives richer.

Elwood has been blessed to baptize all his children and grandchildren into Christ but the youngest two and he hopes to live long enough to baptize them. He also performed the marriage ceremony for his children and grandchildren.

Elwood was born just outside Bowling Green, Kentucky to a mother and father who were Christians; he was the first son born followed by four other boys who were born into this family. Two of his brothers, Eugene and Leroy, have passed from this life and two, Kenneth and Bobby, are living in Clearwater. They are truly my brothers too. I miss Eugene and Leroy, but I am thankful to still have Kenneth and Bobby. My relationship with Elwood’s four brothers has truly been a beautiful relationship and I thank God for them and the many good times we have shared together. At the time Elwood was baptized at 12th Street in Bowling Green, his grandfather was an elder; later in Clearwater, Florida, his father was an elder; and at the present Elwood is an elder at Fletcher Avenue in Tampa.

His father was taken from this life in 1956. His loving mother known to all as “Mamaw” is still living in Clearwater, FL. She will be 91 years of age in September. She has been such a great influence on our lives and the lives of our children. When I obeyed the gospel, I was not allowed to go to my father’s home for three long years and Mamaw and Papaw became my own mother and father. I will always be grateful for their love and care for me. In this tribute they play a very important part. Mamaw taught me the lessons I learned from Proverbs 31:10-31 and I praise her as a virtuous woman whose children rise up and call her blessed. When our marriage started, I was not a Christian. My father as a Presbyterian minister with two doctorate’s degrees from Vanderbilt University and such a brilliant mind. He read his Bible every day, yet never obeyed the gospel. He and my mother were such good parents and taught me so many good lessons pertaining to morality, honesty and being a good citizen. I am so thankful to them for that. They left this life never having obeyed God’s word. Elwood and I were married almost six years when one Sunday morning in Nashville, Tennessee, I was baptized into Christ. That began an even more wonderful relationship because, at that time, we had two little girls. On this day Elwood told me he wanted to preach, so we began to make plans for him to return to college and full-time preaching. He had made talks and taught classes and was very active in the work of the Lord. He felt he could not be as effective with people of the world until he could convert his wife.

While I was learning the truth, Elwood was such a faithful, dedicated Christian who would not let even his wife keep him from attending every service and taking a very active part in the work of the Church. He was the best example I had. His inspiration had been Foy E. Wallace, along with other gospel preachers he heard as a young boy and a grandmother who taught her grandsons Bible stories and encouraged them to be good Christian boys. She hoped one of them would be a gospel preacher and she lived to hear Elwood preach many times. These influences in his life started the burning desire to preach God’s word. Sometimes when I would get so lonely and tired I would say, “Why don’t you do something else?” his reply would be, “I must do this to go to Heaven.”

Elwood and I have had many years in the service of the Lord with him preaching and me as the wife of the preacher. We have worked with some of the best people on earth, Christians. We have shared many times of joy and happiness and then there have been times when our hearts were broken because someone we loved turned back to the world and we were persecuted because we stood for the truth. Besides preaching, Elwood had a desire to write, and he published a book on Scriptural Elders and Deacons. It speaks for itself through the years. He has written several tracts and some of them have been used for Bible classes.

In 1959, as I lay in a hospital in Tallahassee, fighting for my life after being in a bad car accident, Elwood got out the first issue of Searching the Scriptures in a hotel room close to the hospital. He spent days with me, feeding me, giving me pep talks and both of us praying often that I would live and continue my work as a mother, wife and preacher’s wife. He spent the nights working on the paper and praying that his paper would reach many souls and teach where he could not go. My life was spared and we have worked together for the Lord. As you see, by this article I am not the writer in the family.

We have had so many special times in our lives and one is when we went to Italy and made plans to bring two young Italian men to Tampa to attend Florida College. We felt that there was a need for these young men to sit at the feet of such good Bible teachers, then return to their land and preach to their people. They are both faithful gospel preachers in Northern Italy. They stayed in our home and through this experience we were taught many lessons. We learned not to take things for granted that we have, what hospitality really means, what true zeal and enthusiasm really is, what true sacrifice is and what true love is. Every Christian should read the book of Phillipians often. We have learned in whatsoever state we are in, therewith to be content (Phil. 4:11).

To all of you who read this and have been a part of our lives, may I say, “Thanks be to God for you and your love for us in making our lives so rich with love and happiness.”

May God bless each of you to continue to serve God and strive to gain that great entrance into eternal life and may we all hear that “well done thou good and faithful servant, enter into the joys of the Lord.” I am closing my article with one note written to me by Elwood on my birthday in 1982, and one that was written to me on one of our anniversaries. As you read them you will see why I love this man so much and thank God every day that our lives crossed and we have been able to have a wonderful home and good children. I pray we can spend eternity together.

Dear Polly,

God has been very good to us through the years to permit us to live as “one flesh” to this 54th anniversary of our wedding. No man ever had a more virtuous woman for his wife than I have. No man ever had a more dependable help meet than I have. “Thou excelleth them all” for me.

Our three children and their husbands, our eleven grandchildren, and our ten great-grandchildren rise up and call you blessed, and I also praise you (Prov. 31:29).

My dear sweet wife, as we stand at the threshold of our 55th year as husband and wife, I anticipate the greatest and happiest year of my life with you. These 54 years have been so wonderful to me. We have laughed together and cried together. We have been on the top of the mountain together and in the valley together. We have shared the joys and sorrows of life together. Life would be impossible without you. Thank you for every moment of it!

I will hold your hand tightly as we walk together the last few years of our lives together. Then we shall spend eternity together at the throne of God.

I love you second only to God!

Elwood

(To Polly on her birthday, October 26, 1982)

To My Wonderful Wife:

In the early springtime.of life our eyes met and started the fires of love which within a year brought us to join hands and hearts in marriage vows, and God joined us together for the rest of our lives.

In the springtime of our lives all the joy, thrills, dreams, ambitions, and love were ours! What more could we ask for?

As the summer came on we were filled with the happiness of young parents, but we faced the hardships, plans, disappointments, anxieties and pain of young parents! We had the complete joy and happiness of sharing ownership of the greatest blessings on earth – our children. They brought us real fulfillment in our lives.

But in the autumn of life we shared an even greater responsibility: the caring for, training, and loving unpredictable teenagers with their schools, dating, finances, and finally marriages. There were many solemn hours which only we and God shared. The hot sunshine, the blistering winds, and the stormy seas, separated by the periods of refreshing calm, brought us through the adolescence and young adulthood of our beautiful loving children. They were worth it and a thousand times that much. It was not really bad – it was only the inexperience of two young, concerned, loving parents, who wanted the very best for their children. Because of you they got our best.

Now we walk hand in hand in the beginning of winter. Our steps are slower, the sound of the birds is softer, and the beauty of the sunset is not so brilliant. But we thank God for all the happy memories, and for the many wonderful things we now have.

As the shadows lengthen and we realize that our “three score and ten years” is not far ahead, our hands hold tighter, our loves grows stronger, our faith in God is greater, and we rejoice that we have been so blessed with so much so long!

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 17, pp. 521-522
September 7, 1989

By Ron Halbrook

“We are determined to teach the pure gospel as it is taught in the New Testament, nothing more and nothing less. . . . We have no policy but to be scriptural, fair, sincere, and faithful in our work” (Searching the Scriptures, Jan. 1960, p. 2). This aim expressed by H.E. Phillips and James P. Miller perfectly captures the spirit of the preaching done by brother Phillips in the 25 years I have known him. How did God prepare and raise up this servant? What avenues of proclamation have been utilized in his evangelistic work? What is his manner of presentation in gospel preaching?

Preparation

Harlin Elwood Phillips was born 31 October 1916 near Bowling Green, Kentucky. Elwood’s paternal grandfather was an elder at the Twelfth St. church of Christ in Bowling Green (1927-37), where the young man was baptized in November 1929 by A.B. Barret (1879-195 1). Young Elwood was especially close to his grandmother, Mrs. Charles (Ella Martin) Phillips (1873197 1). She often read the Bible to the five Phillips brothers. After Elwood heard Foy E. Wallace, Jr. (1896-1979) in a gospel meeting at Twelfth St., he wanted to be baptized and preach the gospel. He asked “Grandma” if he was old enough.

With a loving embrace she suggested that I read the book of Matthew and come and talk with her again. Each time I came back she wisely suggested that I carefully read the next book, until I had finished the book of Acts. . . . The, power of this influence still lives in me and my children and my grandchildren (“Ella Martin Phillips,” Searching the Scriptures, Dec. 1971, pp. 372-73; for more detailed account, cf. Earl Kimbrough, “A Grandmother’s Wisdom,” Ibid., Oct. 1981, pp. 524-25).

The Bible often mentions the role of godly parents and grandparents in raising up men and women of great faith. God said of Abraham, “For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord” (Gen. 18:19). In the face of his duty to God, Moses was not afraid to spurn the beck and call of the king’s court, but he learned to exercise such faith from his parents and was especially trained by his mother (Exod. 2:5-10; Heb. 11:23-24). Mothers and grandmothers can do no greater work than to teach children “the holy scriptures,” to exemplify godliness before them, and so to raise up Timothy’s to bless this sin-cursed world (1 Tim. 2:9-15; 2 Tim. 1:5; 3:14-15). We, too, can raise up men like Timothy and Elwood today if we bring up our children “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4). Elwood’s spiritual training is reflected in this observation, “From the earliest traces of memory he recalls being taught the Bible at home by his parents and being carried by them regularly to Bible school and worship” (Kimbrough., op. cit.).

In 1931 the Charlie Phillips family moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where Elwood attended high school. Four years later he married Pauline Younger, the daughter of a Presbyterian preacher. In spite of her family’s, opposition, she was converted to the truth (ca. 1940). Polly’s deep convictions and staunch support of the truth have been a mainstay to her beloved Elwood as they have labored together in the gospel through all of these years.

Brother Phillips did not learn to preach in college classes, although as an adult he would later attend the University of Tampa and the first semester of Florida Christian College (now Florida College) in 1946. His training to preach came through the local church and the help of experienced evangelists. His family first attended the Grace Avenue church of Christ in Nashville, and in 1934 went to the Lischey Avenue church, where he “began ‘making talks’ and teaching in 1938” (see biographical sketch in Melvin D. Curry, ed., The Doctrine of Last Things. Florida College Annual Lectures 1986, p. xvii). He preached his first full sermon away from home in Cottontown, Tennessee in January of 1942. If we are to have more Timothy’s and Elwood’s, local churches must provide vigorous and sound teaching to young people, provide opportunities and arrangements for young men to Work alongside experienced preachers, and provide occasions for younger men to develop their talents in public teaching.

The early influence of Foy E. Wallace, Jr. deepened through the years as brother Phillips saw and heard him proclaim the positive truths of the gospel while also challenging error in its strongholds and its citadels. Foy’s powerful lessons in the 1930s-40s on the dangers of premillennialism and institutionalism were never to be forgotten. Neither were the night classes taught at Grace Avenue in the 1930s by H. Leo Boles (1874-1946). By all account, Boles saturated his auditors with Scripture and a love for it. Batsell Baxter said, “His Bible classes were full of information, free of speculation, true to the book,” and N.B. Hardeman observed,

He was one of the best Bible teachers of all that have gone before…. He filled his audience with a love for the truth and with courage to defend it. He spoke with confidence and knowledge that carried convictions. Weak and ailing people were heartened by what he had to say (L.L. Boles and J.E. Choate, I’ll Stand on the Rock: A Biography of H. Leo Boles, pp. 209 and 227 respectively).

Brother Phillips read carefully Boles’ wide ranging articles in the Gospel Advocate.

F. B. Srygley (1859-1940) also made deep impressions for truth on young Elwood both by articles in the Advocate and by the spoken word. Two Sundays per month Srygley preached before the Lischey Avenue church in Nashville and Elwood was in the audience when the veteran warrior came to the pulpit with the help of two brethren and a cane and sat in a chair to preach his last sermon there. To read of the spirit of such men is to realize that they kindled the same fire in the hearts of others like H.E. Phillips. Boles remarked upon “The Passing of F.B. Srygley,”

No one has sacrificed more time from home and family for the cause of Christ than Brother Srygley. No one has endured more hardships, suffered more bitter persecution, and been slandered more than was he. Those who read his editorials can bear testimony that he waged a relentless warfare against every encroachment on the truth of God and against the enemies of the church of our Lord.

Brother Srygley never faltered, evaded, or compromised any truth or righteous principle. . . . He was as courageous in criticizing his friends as he was in defending the truth against enemies. His genial good nature helped him in offering criticism and corrections, and removed the sting of the critic (Gospel Advocate, 15 Feb. 1940, p. 148).

In like manner, brother Phillips has endured hardships, opposed every encroachment on the truth, and criticized his friends when necessary in a spirit of love (see, for instance, his review of Yater Tant’s abortive unity plan, in Searching the Scriptures, Dec. 1982-May 1983).

During his Nashville years, Elwood was influenced also by the conservative and dedicated teaching of H.M. Phillips 1887-1960; not related). With uncanny foresight H.M. Phillips warned in 1929 that “the church is liable to get top heavy with organizations” parallel in principle to the missionary society, including church hospitals, universities, health resorts, “orphan homes, old ladies’ homes, and clinics. . . . So far as I know, the church, as such, has no organization but the local congregation” (“Is This Scriptural?” Gospel Advocate, 13 June 1929, p. 577; reprinted in Gospel Guardian, 15 Sept. 1960, pp. 289, 301). Such warnings were not lost on Elwood, who heard H.M. at Lischey Avenue a number of times. As the 1930s-40s wore on, brother Phillips and other good brethren recognized a creeping softness among certain churches and preachers.

The preparation of H.E. Phillips as a preacher is instructive to us 0. It shows a happy combination of individual efforts, home influences, church work and strong preaching. Whenever and wherever a local church concentrates on edifying all its members and on sounding out the word of the Lord, there is the potential for God raising up men willing to endure any trial and to make any sacrifice necessary to spread the gospel of Christ (Eph. 4:16; 1 Thess. 1:8). Gospel preachers should give special emphasis to the charge of 2 Timothy 2:2, “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”

Proclamation

Brother Phillips has used every avenue and opportunity he could find to spread the gospel. He had a very responsible job with a sheet metal company in Nashville and moved to Tampa, Florida in 1940 with this job. While supporting himself, he helped with the preaching at the Sulphur Springs and Belmont Heights churches in Tampa. About 1942/43 the church at Dover near Tampa asked him to labor with them on a full time basis; he agreed, and gave up his secular job. After preaching for churches in Lake City (1944) and Clearwater (1945), brother Phillips was invited to work with the East University Avenue church in Gainesville in 1953. Finally returning to Tampa in 1960, his efforts have been concentrated there with the Forest Hills (1960-75) and Fletcher Avenue (since late July 1975; briefly called Northwest) churches. His heavy duties for many years, his advancing age, and his health problems have taken their toll. Though H.E. continues to serve as an elder, brother Everett Hardin carries most of the load of preaching at Fletcher Avenue. Two outstanding features of his work with local churches have been a constant emphasis on the need for sound teaching and the constant expression of personal love, especially by extending to people the hospitality of his home.

While working hard to build up the local church where he lives and labors, he has also been untiring in his efforts to reach souls with the gospel far and wide. In addition to his use of Searching the Scriptures, gospel meetings have been conducted through much of his life at the rate of 7-12 per year and including some 20 states. Before the full onslaught of liberalism, many such meetings were held in Nashville in the 1940s, where he once preached before an audience of 1,000 people at a closing service. These travels have carried him as far away as Italy, Switzerland, England and Germany.

The pen as well as the pulpit has been utilized by brother Phillips in spreading the gospel. His articles appeared in the old Gospel Broadcast, the Apostolic Times, and occasionally in the Gospel Advocate. James P. Miller (1915-78) and H.E. Phillips saw the dangers of liberalism rapidly developing and jointly put out the Southeastern News Letter (called Florida News Letter the first few months) beginning in March 1958 in an effort “to keep brethren talking and discussing their differences. . . . We were too late with this effort, and besides we learned that it was not the right way to deal with false teachers” (H.E.P., “Editorial,” Searching the Scriptures, May 1973, pp. 259-62, see p. 260).

Therefore, in January 1960 they launched Searching the Scriptures with a determination “to teach the pure gospel as it is taught in the New Testament,” to allow brethren to freely discuss “controversial matters,” and in all things “to be scriptural, fair, sincere, and faithful” (joint “Editorial . . . A New Paper Is Born,” Ibid., Jan. 1960, p. 2). After two years H.E. took full editorial responsibility to allow brother Miller “to intensify his labors in other fields,” although Miller continued promoting the paper and was listed as a co-editor through December 1969 (H.E.P., “Editorial,” op. cit.). When brother Phillips passed, the editorship to the capable hands of Connie W. Adams in May 1973, the circulation exceeded 6,500 per month. Only eternity can measure the great good accomplished through this medium, which remains a bastion for truth until this day.

Brother Phillips has used other avenues of proclamation. He has done some radio preaching and edited church bulletins. Phillips Publications was established in 1947 and has published 17 books, booklets, and tracts which he authored. His Church Officers and Organization was later expanded and published as Scriptural Elders and Deacons (1959), which was reprinted by Cogdill Foundation Publications in 1974 and has sold out again. His 1952 booklet “Must I Attend Every Service of the Church?” was reprinted in the Guardian of Truth (19 Nov.-17 Dec. 1987, pp. 686-87; 707-709; 741-42). For many years Phillips Publications offered tape recordings of many sermons and debates, and brother Phillips hired a professional reader (Richard Lupino) to provide a set of New Testament tapes.

The efforts put forth by brother Phillips in spreading the gospel seem endless. He worked 18-20 hours a day, seven days per week, until heart attacks in January 1967 and August 1971 forced him to “slow down and take it easier” (H.E.P., “Editorial,” op. cit.). Even his slower pace would outrun many of us. His continued health problems are a tribute to his sacrifical labors in the gospel. He will be embarrassed by our recounting some of these things, but our purpose is not to draw him larger than life or to suggest that he is a perfect man. He would detest such implications and idolatry. Our pupose is to express love and gratitude to him for his faithful labors in the gospel, and also to stir up greater zeal, unselfishness, and dedication on the part of all who read these lines! The Bible underscores many of its greatest lessons by the record of the example of godly men and women. Such servants of the living God can still be found today, if we have eyes to see.

Presentation

The style and manner of presentation of H.E. Phillips in the pulpit is impressive, but not from the standpoints of eloquence or egotism. His preaching is above all scriptural in focus and content. It is Book, chapter, and verse preaching. Bible passages are read and quoted. Bible texts are dissected and discussed. Appropriate illustrations are used, but the Bible itself dominates his presentation. The meaning of God’s Word is sought in its context and then applied to modem situations, questions, dangers, trials, and challenges. As a college student I first heard brother Phillips point out that the “banqueting” of 1 Peter 4:3 is equivalent to modem social drinking. Further research has confirmed the accuracy of what he taught on that issue at Forest Hills 25 years ago in such clear and simple language.

Brother Phillips occasionally refers to some commentator or reference book, but he always makes his final appeal to Scripture because he believes he can cite no higher authority than God himself. Human learning has never enamored him. He exemplifies as fully as any man I know what the Holy Spirit commanded, “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God” (1 Pet. 4:11). He truly believes the Word is sufficient to meet, every true spiritual need, of the human race (2 Tim. 3:16-17). This does not mean that he considers himself incapable of erring on a given point, but it means that he considers the Bible as the final standard of measurement on any and every point under discussion. Not only does he measure the teaching of other men by this standard, but also fie is willing for other men to measure his teaching by this standard (1 Cor. 4:6; 1 Jn. 4:6).

The preaching of H. E. Phillips is utterly sincere. To hear him preach is to be aware that his very soul is appealing to the soul of each listener. Pride, pretense, and personal promotion are utterly absent in his presentation. The man is lost in the message he brings. “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake” (2 Cor. 4:5). He is engrossed too much in the search for hungry souls and in the reality of man’s eternal destiny to be a clock-watcher or a card-puncher determined to “get out on time.”

Preaching at the North Meadows church in Murfreesboro, Tennessee in the mid-1970s in a gospel meeting, brother Phillips discussed Romans 12 and the importance of each and every Christian being alert, active, and alive as members of the body of Christ. His sincerity and concentration on the lesson at hand made it seem as if the Apostle Paul himself were there delivering the message of inspiration to the audience. His preaching aims not at obtaining praise but at the progress of truth in the hearts and lives of us all.

Brother Phillips is militant in his preaching, and makes no apologyfor it. He is “set for the defence of the gospel,” and God has given him the spirit “of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” He is therefore not “ashamed of the testimony of our Lord” nor afraid of “the afflictions” we may suffer at the hands of unlearned, unsound, and unreasonable men (Phil. 1:17; 2 Tim. 1:7-8; 2 Pet. 3:17; 2 Thess. 3:1-2). He has nothing but disdain and disgust for the sweet, soft, syrupy spirit of compromise. Not only does he disagree with every departure from the truth of God, but also he detests every departure. “Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way” (Psa. 119:128). 1 can not count the times I have heard him warn both in public preaching and in private conversation about the dangers of the philosophy which says, “Accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative.” The warning of Christ is echoed by the preaching of H.E. Phillips, that “ravening wolves” come under the pretense of broad smiles and in “sheep’s clothing” (Matt. 7:15).

Brother Phillips strives to speak and preach the truth in love (Eph. 4. 15). His constant appeal is to the truth of Scripture and the love of God. His love for. saints and sinners is evident in his presentation but there is not the least indication of toleration for sin, not even for his best friends. I count myself rich to have such a friend as brother Phillips who would not hestitate to talk and plead with me if he thought I was turning toward sin or error.

I will always remember his sermon at the Knollwood church in Xenia, Ohio on Sunday morning, 16 September 1979, emphasizing the need to be thankful. The whole tenor of this sermon reflected his own deep love for God and man, and his deep desire to express that love. He impressed me more deeply with the need to express gratitude and love toward those who bless and help us in life. In fact, this article is a small expression of love and gratitude to God for the blessings he has brought into my life through his servant H.E. Phillips, and to brother Phillips for his willingness to be so used of God. I mean to include sister Phillips in that same expression.

Time and space fail me to tell more of the preparation, proclamation, and presentation of H.E. Phillips, the preacher. Many are the lessons to be learned as we reflect upon his life. May God help us all to be more tireless, determined, and unselfish in spirit as we labor to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world. May God help us all to show more hospitality and consideration to younger preachers and to all brethren who need our encouragement. May God help us all to strive to be scriptural, sincere, militant, and loving as we preach the gospel of Christ, and to be “scriptural, fair, sincere, and faithful” in all our work and conduct in this life. In so doing, we honor not H.E. Phillips, but rather the God who made us all and who seeks to save us all!

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 17, pp. 525-527, 536
September 7, 1989

By Edward O. Bragwell, Sr.

When man begins to leave the foundation of faith and adds to what God has revealed, there is no stopping place short of complete apostasy” (“The Spirit of Christmas,” Searching the Scriptures, Jan. 1964).

These words, from the pen of H.E. Phillips, aptly express his attitude toward God’s complete and authoritative revelation to mankind – the Bible. To brother Phillips, settling religious questions is quite simple. If it is revealed in the Book, then one must believe, teach and practice it in religion. If it is not revealed, then leave it alone. This is the kind of commitment that the beloved H.E. Phillips, whom I have known for over a quarter of a century, has demonstrated in his preaching, writings and personal life. I am glad times that brother Willis and the Guardian of Truth decided to devote the issue to giving due honor to such a man. I am thankful that they asked me to comment on his commitment to the Book.

I first met brother Phillips about the time he and brother James P. Miller were starting Searching the Scriptures. I was a young man needing all the help I could get (and still do) in understanding and applying scriptural principles to the “issues” that were dividing churches and getting preachers fired over the country. Brother Phillips’ clear and pointed writings increased my appreciation for the need to have book, chapter and verse for all we do in religion. During the next several years, after our initial meeting, I only knew him through his writings and hearing him once or twice during a gospel meeting at a nearby congregation. However, I have had the privilege to be more closely associated with him in recent years, having the opportunity to work with him in gospel meetings where we each work regularly – staying in each other’s home during these efforts. These weeks together have resulted in many long hours of talking about the Bible. All of this has given me opportunity to know first-hand brother Phillips’ commitment to the bible. If he is not totally committed to it, then he has to be the greatest con man alive today.

Brother Phillips’ commitment to the Bible began in early life, having been taught by godly parents – a fact that he mentions so very often. With this early respect for God’s word etched so deeply into his conscience, it would be only a matter of time until he could dedicate his life to preaching and defending the word. Sometime after he and his beloved Polly married, he quit a very good secular job (one that paid him several times what he would get from preaching) so that he could “Give (himself) continually to prayer and the ministry of the word.” Having “put his hand to the plow” he never looked back.

Those close to him know that he works beyond the normal limits of most of us, staying up all hours of the night, working on some project related to the Book. It might be working on some sermon that needs preaching, or some article that needs writing, or some issue that needs studying, or some problem with which someone has asked his help. In each case, before he preaches that sermon, or writes that article, or takes his stand on that issue, or gives his advice on that problem; he wants to be sure that he knows what the Bible teaches about is. He will spend whatever time it takes to satisfy his mind that he is on solid scriptural grounds. If that means working on it almost around the clock until he is completely satisfied that he is taking the scriptural approach, then so be it.

I think that the first time that I became aware of his long working hours was while my wife and I were staying in his home. We had discussed some matters until I had about fallen asleep, so I excused myself and went to bed shortly after midnight. I thought brother Phillips had also gone to bed. About three or so in the morning, I heard him say, “Polly, Polly, would you open the door?” Then he repeated it a little louder with a little more emphasis. I got up to see what was going on. The thought even crossed my mind that I might have to help settle a domestic matter. However, I learned that brother Phillips had decided that he wanted to study some of the things we had discussed, so he had gone back to his study to do it. Polly had accidentally (she says) locked him out of the bedroom. I learned from his family and, later observed on my own, that such late study hours was almost business as usual for him. He firmly believes one should not preach what he does not know assuredly and he cannot know that which he has not personally spent long hours studying.

Brother Phillips’ commitment to Bible authority is demonstrated in all of his work as a gospel preacher. His sermons are not little talks better fitted for after dinner talks at a civic club than they are for the pulpit. He teaches the Book, often reading and quoting directly from its ages, impressing upon the hearts of men and women that what the Bible says to be respected as the authority of heaven. One goes away with the sense that the has heard something that this worth carrying home for further mediation and study – something based on the authority of the Scriptures. He often introduces a gospel meeting by saying, “I am not here to entertain you, but to preach the word of God.” If one wants entertainment he should be somewhere else. His purpose is to teach the Bible and impress upon hearts the seriousness of explicitly obeying the teaching. Sometimes one goes away feeling good about himself, but sometimes not so good, as he is made to come face to face with the reality of his spiritual condition. Brother Phillips firmly believes that one must come to an understanding of great scriptural principles before he can practice them; so, much of his preaching is devoted to down to earth teaching that enlightens the mind. This is in marked contrast to much of the promotional and emotional hype heard in so much of today’s “motivational” preaching.

His writings in periodicals, tracts, and books show devotion to God and his Book. Those who have read his writings in Searching the Scriptures, Guardian of Truth, and other papers over the years know about this. It does not matter what the title of the article may be, there is the same fundamental theme throughout “What saith the Scriptures?” The subject may be baptism, the church, marriage, divorce, the eldership, church cooperation or whatever – it is still, “What does the Bible say?”

When the issue over institutions arose, it was “What does the Bible say? ” It was no accident that his paper was named Searching the Scriptures. He was not interested in putting his finger to the wind to see what would be popular with brethren. He was interested in putting his nose to the Book to see what would please the Lord. Even those who might disagree with some of his applications surely would have to agree that his aim was to do just what the Bible teaches.

In recent years, his writings and teaching on “the marriage question,” grace-unity, etc. further demonstrates his devotion to teaching just what he believes the Bible teaches – even if it puts him at odds with friends and brethren whom he dearly loves.

His life has been an “example of the believer” as long as this writer has known him. His moral character and spiritual strength reflect his long hours spent with the Book. In recent months, he has often expressed concern for his decreasing physical strength – wondering how much longer he can be useful in preaching the gospel. He may not have the strength of his youth, but the moral, spiritual strength, and wisdom that he has gained in his years with the Book will continue to make him a priceless asset to the Cause. He did some of his best preaching, at least that I have heard, in his most recent gospel meeting with us. Brethren over the country would certainly benefit from using him in such meetings. His writings continue to be excellent. His telephone still stays busy talking with brethren, both locally and over the country, about spiritual matters. All of this continues to help spread the truth. But, the strength of his godly example of one totally committed to giving book, chapter and verse for all that is done in religion will likely affect us all the most for some time to come. Oh, yes, one more word about his declining physical strength. It has made him slow down to about the pace many of us had been going all along – if you don’t believe it, try keeping up with him for about a month.

Thanks, brother Phillips, for being there when so many of us needed you. Stay close to the phone because we will probably be calling you again soon. There are still issues among brethren that need scriptural answers. We will likely need your help in sorting things out again and again. Oh, we know, you say you don’t have all the answers. But, we are confident that you will continue to point to the Book where the answers are. We need that.

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 17, pp. 530-531
September 7, 1989

By H.E. Phillips

Brother Willis asked me to write something on the subject: Where We Are and Where We Are Going as it respects the church. I told him I would do the best I could. I am sure some will not view the present condition of the church and its future as I do, but the facts are before us to make our conclusions in the light of Scripture. I am not a prophet, nor the son of a prophet. But I believe the signs of the times indicate the direction the church of this generation will go if the trend continues.

I am not a pessimist by nature. Neither am I a blind optimist who sees no negatives. There is the middle ground of reality. We live in a real world where there is good and evil, right and wrong, life and death.

Where We Are Now

From about 1945 serious doctrinal issues arose that resulted in a division among churches of Christ which still exists today. This division came because some would not respect the authority of Christ in the areas of evangelism, benevolence and congregational organization. Such a division does not occur without lingering consequences beyond the pain of division. The bitter fruits of this division are left with us today in the form of influences that hinder the gospel of Christ.

I mention three major problems that are besetting churches of Christ:

A. Worldliness. Worldliness is that state of the heart that is ruled by Satan through the lusts of the flesh. It is the carnal heart that is reflected in the words and deeds of the one afflicted. There is so much worldliness in the church today that it is very difficult to get the members to think on spiritual things. Worldliness begins with the love of the world. One who loves the world cannot love God (1 Jn. 2:15). One who would be a friend of the world is the enemy of God (Jas. 4:4).

Immorality in sex is a terribly infectious sin. We are suffering from the immoral attitude and practice of the sex revolution of the 60’s and 70’s. The divorce and remarriage syndrome has seized the lives of many in the church, including some preachers, elders and deacons. The symptoms of this moral sickness is far reaching and is growing rapidly. Men who once stood strong for the truth are now trying to find excuses for ignoring New Testament teaching on divorce and remarriage. When such a practice becomes popular, efforts are made to justify it by perversion of the Scriptures.

Worldly dress is a strong evidence of a carnal mind. Near nudity in our present society has been accepted everywhere in public places. In the movies and on television explicit nudity and sex scenes are pumped into our living rooms, and many members of the church watch it and enjoy what they see. They make no provisions to protect their children from this moral filth. Dress styles reflect the moral corruption of this generation, and much of it is among members of the church. They ape the entertainment world and the depraved of earth. The “come-as-you-are” concept is popular in many churches over the country.

Alcohol and drugs are tolerated by some in the church. Social drinking of alcohol is justified and accepted by many in the church.

Language is a barometer of the heart (Matt. 12:34-37). The language that some professed Christians use is shameful even to the world. Lying, evil speaking, profanity, vulgarity, gossip and slander are commonplace. This is evidence of worldliness in the church.

B. Iniquity. “Iniquity” means “violation of law, iniquity, . . . without law, lawless, transgressor, wicked. ” Jesus spoke of those who had no regard for divine authority in Matthew 7:23. This attitude toward authority is still causing havoc among churches today.

Compromise is one trait of iniquity. An increasing number today shun debating their cause or contending for the faith once delivered (Jude 3). They only debate when they are defending their personal honor and when they debate that it is wrong to debate. Compromise is used to attain some kind of unity. The compromise with the denominational world, as well as with false brethren, does not attain anything akin to Bible unity.

Apathy is like a pall over society today, especially the home and the church. The gross indifference of members of the church is so discouraging that most congregations are doing little or nothing to grow numerically and spiritually. It is discouraging to those who are trying to do the will of God. This sin is the main reason there is little or no learning in Bible classes. It explains why so many of our young people are quitting the church.

Greed is at the root of crime and sins of the human race (1 Tim. 6: 10). Avarice isalways the outgrowth of iniquity. In fact, anarchy exists because man is covetous. The law of the Lord teaches man to be benevolent and obedient to the truth. When man loses respect for the authority of Christ, he becomes self-serving and greedy. Church members are very greedy in this age.

C. Unbelief. Unbelief is the lack of trust and conviction in God’s word. It produces very serious consequences (Heb. 3:12).

Ignorance. The appalling ignorance of the average member of the church certifies the unbelief in Christ and his word. This unbelief is the result of not studying the word of God, and very few seem to want to study any where.

Perversion of worship. Worship in spirit and truth is authorized in the New Testament (Jn. 4:24). The singing has become more entertaining than for worship. The preaching has been toned down to a fifteen minute, flattering oration that excites the people to applaud it. Prayer has become a ritual for both men and women in the public gathering, more for show than the ears of God. Worship is being changed to accommodate the pleasure of the sensual minded members, and that for the increase of membership.

Change organization. For many years there has been a gradual change from the scriptural organization of the local church to a substitute form of government and unqualified men are appointed to unknown posts of authority doing duties never authorized in the New Testament.

Social Gospel. The emphasis upon the social needs and benefits to human life upon this earth, and the pleasure and good will of mankind has become the prime goals of the church in many localities. The benevolent needs of the world are used to build membership of the church. It will not save one soul.

Where We Are Going

Where is all this leading us? What will the church be in another fifty years? History records a surprising change from 1940 to the present time of the movement away from the truth. Attitudes have changed, regard for Scripture has diminished, and love for the truth has waxed cold.

Where are we going? The trend indicates a continuation of the same problem with a faster departure from the truth. It will likely get more radical as denominationalism has done. I think I see upon the horizon of the future, based upon the present trend, and in addition to what we have observed, three major departures:

A. Develop a New Creed. When men and women struggle to work together while holding different beliefs concerning God, the Bible, the church, worship, conditions of salvation, heaven and hell, they must have some creed to hold them together. The Bible will not do it for them. The use of some modern versions to establish the doctrines they want to adopt is being done. Some of these versions are,as bad as the creeds of denominationalism. Some denominations have made their own translations to form their creed.

B. Restructure the Organization of the Church. Already the stage is set for this movement. The elders and deacons are rejected as unnecessary in this day. The qualifications are rewritten or completely rejected. The Feminist Movement and other like organizations will bring pressure to have women appointed to the eldership. Women will also be preaching as the departure goes on. Some of the denominations now have women preachers.

I think the future will have a modification of the present perverted organization of the local church. We will see a more democratic form of government. The signals are already being given. If it keeps going from the truth we will have the “committees” composed of women and men whose duty it will be to advise and guide the elders. Some of these committees will be composed of women, senior citizens, singles, teenagers, and young parents all representing those groups in the -church. They will become a part of the ruling element of the local church. Majority rule will decide the course of the church, and God’s plan, as described in Philippians 1:1,2, will be abandoned.

There will probably be a council of churches from various “sects” of churches of Christ that will form the catalyst for a central rule for unity and fellowship. Some efforts have been made in this direction for some time.

Someone will say: “That is ridiculous; churches of Christ will never go that far.” Do not be naive; some “churches of Christ” have come that far in my lifetime.

C. Pervert the Mission of the Church. As churches move away from the truth, they will follow the lead of denominationalism toward the social gospel and away from its mission to support the gospel. In addition to what is already being done, various endeavors will be created and supported by the church, and some will join the denominational operations that cover the field. Space does not permit the listing of possible operations by these churches. If you think this is impossible, stop and look at what liberal churches of Christ are doing now. In time they will go further from the truth.

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 17, pp. 528-529
September 7, 1989