Truth Magazine

By Robert C. Welch

“A treatise on Morals,” is the first definition of the word ethics, in my dictionary. Honesty, virtue and self-control are excellent moral principles. But they are no more excellent than the moral precept that we engage in profitable labor. That labor may be with the hands, on the assembly line or on the farm. It may be utilizing our mind for bringing about profit for ourselves and for the community. It may be the use of our voices in dealing with others as a way of productive life. It may be working under others, working for self, or in managing the work of others. The work must be good (Eph. 4:28) and must be honorable (Rom. 12:17). But since the beginning of man’s history God has made it a moral or ethical requirement that he work. Before his sin he, with his bride, was told that the garden was to be dressed (Gen. 2:15). After the sin he was told that by the sweat of his face would he eat bread as he toiled (Gen. 3:17-19). The book of Proverbs contains many maxims on the subject. Some of these will be taken as a basis of this study.

Proper Training

“Train up a child in the way he should go. And even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Prov. 22:6). This is not a treatise on whether or not it is impossible for a child to stray from his training in later years. But it is a maxim to be considered in the training of children. Children must be taught honesty or they should not be expected, by those responsible, to be honest. Children who are not taught that it is morally right and essential that they work, will not understand the reason why they should. And if they are not trained to work, it will be no surprise that they live in idleness.

Home Tasks

Children should be given tasks at home. “Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep; so shall thy poverty come as a robber, and they want as an armed man” (Prov. 6:10,11). They should be taught early that lying in bed half the morning is not an honorable way of life.

The hue and cry of youth is that there is nothing for them to do. They need to go home: wash the dishes, vacuum the floor, pick up the clothes, put in the washing, mow the lawn, clean up the garage, learn to cook and sew, held tend the younger children, rake the leaves; and dozens of things the parents are doing after hard work in the plant or office or school room. Getting into trouble on the street, parking lots, slot machine game places, and such like, can be avoided by being actively engaged in doing the chores which are available at home. Parents are failing, partially at least, in their obligations of training their children when they allow them to be idle gadabouts over town; instead of training them from early childhood that they are expected to work, and giving them household chores to occupy their time and energy.

Pleasure

Children and youth, surely, are not to be deprived of engagement in recreation and pleasures. But they must be made to understand that these are not the basics and goals in life. “He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man” (Prov. 21:17).

Give the youth the chance and he will always have something of pleasure to do rather than do the chores. Youth need to learn that the time for pleasure is after the chores have been completed. Unless the parents see that this is stressed, children will develop idle and prodigal habits.

These are times that try youth’s souls. There was a time when the boy or girl could come home from school and have their mother to help them direct their afternoon. That day is gone. They come home to an empty house; for the mother is at work. If their friends are not beckoning them to some activity elsewhere, they settle back to TV. The work ethic is a forgotten element in their lives. They go into adulthood, where work is a necessity, and they hate it. They shirk in their jobs, start late without cause, do shoddy work, and use every excuse that comes to mind for taking off. Paul’s admonition is meaningless to them: “Whatsoever ye do, work heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men” (Col. 3:23). How has this come about? They were not trained in the work ethic from their childhood. The husband comes home and lies around in idleness till bedtime, doing nothing about helping to keep the home in proper condition. He may, in fact, lie around at home or idle his way at the pool hall, expecting his wife to support him. If the wife is not working away from home she lies around all day without even getting dressed or cleaning up the place, watching soaps or gossiping on the phone. They have not learned the value of the work ethic: “Study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your hands, even as we charge you” (1 Thess. 3:11).

Study Habits

Have you ever seen the child who would become angry about something and begin to destroy everything around? Anything in his path meets the same fate, be it furniture, your private possessions, or his own things. But the person who does not produce is little, or no, better. “He also that is slack in his work is brother to him that is a destroyer” (Prov. 18:9).This principle will apply to study habits. When the father and mother hate their work, showing it by talk and action, they may expect their children to hate their studies. It is an obligation to study, and school is an obligation; and by example they come to hate it. They will do anything they can to skip school, even to the point of dropping out. When they come home, homework is forgotten by the time the books are thrown on the bed or floor. The boy who does not do his homework is brother to him who destroys his lesson. The girl who plays the music box or watches TV instead of getting her homework is sister to the one who tears up her paper.

He who has not developed good study habits will have difficulty settling down to study out his programs and problems with his business or financial matters. The girl who has not developed good study habits will find it hard to be confined to her secretarial duties.

Trained In Skills

History of the Jewish economy informs us that each boy was trained in some skilled trade. Though he may have gone into some other profession in life, or have been so financially secure that he had no particular job; yet he was trained and skilled so that should the need arise he would be able to sustain himself. He was being prepared for uncertain eventualities. This was true of the apostle Paul, so that when the need arose he engaged in tent making (Acts 18:3). He could have been so prepared by the application of a maxim of the wise man: “The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter; Therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing” (Prov. 20:4).

Young people have gone through high school and college with nothing in mind except to go through school. No occupation, profession or skill has been learned. To a great degree the time, money and effort were wasted. We have grown into a nation of workers with no pride in their work, with no sense of responsibility to work.

Earning Their Way

Young people need to be trained in the importance of earning their way. There is work which they can do, even though not old enough to have regular full-time work. Instead of sitting around,or playing around at nothing on Saturday, he can find a,neighbor’s yard to be mowed or driveway to be cleared of snow. Get him a paper route. A baby sitting job is better than sitting bleary-eyed before the TV with nothing worthwhile to see. The wise man observed:

I went by the rield of the sluggard; And by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And lo, it was all grown over with thorns, The face thereof was covered with nettles, And the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I beheld, and considered well; I saw, and received instruction: Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep; So shall thy poverty come as a robber, And thy want as an armed man (Prov. 24:30-34).

Work and Worship

Let neither the youth nor the parents forget that there is something which is of greater importance than work. The church and the gathering for worship and study of the Bible must not be forgotten or neglected as the youth is going about his part-time job. Nor is it to be neglected by the older in order to bring in more substance. We must understand that, I “There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against Jehovah” (Prov. 21:30). This will demand our regular attendance with the saints for worship and study. The man of understanding will not sell truth and wisdom from God’s will and way for the few extra dollar he gets for working when the church is meeting. “Buy the truth, and sell it not; Yea, wisdom and instruction, and understanding” (Prov. 23:23).

A trend is seen of parents encouraging their youngsters to get part-time jobs which bring conflict between work and church or Bible class meetings. When that youth is encouraged to miss Bible study on Wednesday, because his part-time job is in conflict, has that parent thought that it will be easy for the youth to think as an adult when full-time work comes that it will be all right to miss the first day of the week assembly? Yes, teach them to work, but also teach them the importance of their spiritual needs and duties.

The material things which work provides are not to take precedence over the spiritual. Jesus was speaking of such material provisions when he said, “But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33). We need to have proper order of our priorities. The Lord’s church and righteousness comes before these material things such as food, clothing, houses.

In the midst of our working for these material things we seem to forget another principle. God is to be honored with the fruit of our labor. This principle is beautifully and vividly portrayed in another Proverb: “Honor Jehovah with thy substance, And with the first fruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, And thy vats shall overflow with new wine” (Prov. 3:9,10). The youth is likely to think of an the things he wants to use the wages for in his part-time job, so that he forgets that it is now his duty to make contribution out of that with which he is prospered.

A rhetorical question will help us to put our priorities in their proper perspective and sequence: “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mk. 8:36) Learn the work ethic well, and put it into practice; but do not permit it to interfere with spiritual things.

Become a Worthy Woman

The majority of the proverbs were addressed especially to men. But the principles apply equally well to the women. The young lady needs to be trained to become the “worthy woman” of Proverbs 31:10-31. There are many other features of this worthiness mentioned in the chapter; but the work ethic stands out. “She worketh willingly with her hands” (v. 13). This Work is not out of poverty or necessity, but is done willingly. She is not forced by slavery to it. She rises early to the management and provision for her household (v. 15). She has not been out partying so late that she has to get up with helter-skelter rush to get to work. Her management is orderly. She is not a lady of leisure, with no business sense. She even deals in real estate to her profit (v. 16). She is not a waster of time and energy; she sees to it that her “merchandise is profitable” (v. 18). She sees that her family is cared for (v. 21). She provides for the rainy day, for the times when circumstances are not good: “She laugheth at the time to come” (v. 25). “She eateth not the bread of idleness” (v. 27).

The young lady who is taught the work ethic, and applies it in her life, is worthy of the acclaim: “Give her of the fruit of her hands; And let her works praise her in the gates” (v. 31).

One major feature in saving our children is teaching and training them in the work ethic. It is a major moral principle.

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 12, pp. 360-361
June 15, 1989

By Robert W. Goodman

Often old problems are given new names. Peer pressure is a term not in the common versions of the Bible. However the idea is. Peer comes from the Latin par which means “equal.” One’s peers are one’s equals, friends and associates.

This is a timely subject. According to a recent survey of 337 teenagers, 90 percent experienced peer pressure and 80 percent admitted giving in to peer pressure at least weekly, even if it meant doing something they knew was wrong.

Peer pressure is another way of referring to the problem of evil associates. Paul wrote, “Do not be deceived; ‘Evil company corrupts good habits… (1 Cor. 15:33). Such influence was likened to yeast or “leaven” in 1 Corinthians 5:7 – “. . Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?” (All quotations are from the New King James Version.)

The tempter knows that peer pressure is one of the most effective ways souls can be led to sin. Remember, Adam was led astray through Eve. Peer pressure led Abraham to tell a half-truth on two occasions (Gen. 17:11-20; 20:2-5). Sarah was Abraham’s half-sister, but what he said was told to deceive. Isaac spoke in a similar way and with less basis when he sought to deceive for fear of peer pressure (Gen. 26:7).

Peer pressure led Israel into idolatry and associated sins over and over. Because of such a great danger, God wanted his people to be separate in diet, dress, life and religion. Marriage with unbelieving inhabitants was wisely forbidden by God. Solomon, the wisest man in his time, disregarded this and married many foreign women. In his old age he succumbed to peer pressure (1 Kgs. 11:1-13). So peer pressure is not just a problem of the young.

Peer pressure was involved when Israel came to Samuel and said, “Make for us a king to judge us like all the nations” (1 Sam. 8:5). The prophets had to deal with this problem all during the existence of Israel and Judah.

One of the most sordid examples of peer pressure is told in 2 Samuel 13. David’s son Amnon felt such lust for his half-sister Tamar that he became sick. He knew it was improper for him to do anything to her. However, Amnon had a friend and relative named Jonadab. He was sinister and crafty. Jonadab suggested a hypocritical and diabolical plan by which Amnon could take advantage of his half-sister. Amnon followed the suggestion. The result was he was not happy, he disgraced and ruined the life of his half-sister, hatred was generated in the family, and finally Tamar’s brother Absalom murdered Amnon. David, as a loving father was deeply hurt. All of this because of peer pressure from an evil associate.

Peer pressure can make a wicked person even more wicked. When Ahab became king in Israel he continued “to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat.” In other words, they continued to have altars and golden calves at Dan and Bethel. Then he married princess Jezebel and was influenced to introduce Baal worship in Israel (1 Kgs. 16:30-33). Peer influence of Jezebel caused him to “provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger” more than all who had been king before him. The Herod to whom John the Baptist preached was a wicked man but he had respect for John, heard him gladly and did many things. He was influenced to have a righteous man murdered because of the influence of his wife, dancing stepdaughter and those who sat with him (Mk. 6:14-27).

We may feel we are so strong that we think peer pressure is no danger to us. Beware! Even one who had been with Jesus for three years, who had healed people, cast out evil spirits, and felt he was so strong nothing could ever turn him aside, succumbed to peer pressure and denied Jesus three times and with an oath and cursing. You can read of Peter’s fall in Matthew 26. We should learn to take heed lest we fall (1 Cor. 10:12).

How to Overcome Peer Pressure

Parents need to teach an individual accountability to the personal, powerful, all-seeing and all-knowing God and Father. We cannot be with our children everywhere and all the time. We must instill the idea that there is One who is always with them who sees and knows (Psa. 139:112). It is evident that Joseph had learned this lesson for when he, as a young, unattached man far from home and loved ones, was enticed by a sinful woman and replied, “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Gen. 39:9) Motorists watch their speed when they know the radar is turned on them. We need to realize that God’s radar is on us all the time.

Each person needs to develop a personal commitment to the loving Savior. Paul wrote, “For the love of Christ constrains us” (2 Cor. 5:14) and “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Gal. 2:20). When Peter denied the Lord, cursed and swore, the thing that overwhelmed him was not that he had rebelled against the Divine law. That which brought him to tears and penitence was a realization that he had hurt the heart of his Savior; he had trampled on his loving heart!

All must come to realize that sin is more than breaking certain abstract rules. It actually grieves the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30) who is with and in the child of God. A child will not deliberately choose a course that brings grief to parents that he really loves. The prodigal son was not thinking when he took all and went to live as he pleased in a far country. Later he thought about home, his loving father and how he had grieved him. Sin had no appeal when he thought of the grief he had caused.

Through Bible stories in early life, courage must be developed – a courage that will lead one to stand alone if need be. No finer examples can be found than those of Daniel and his friends (Dan. 3,6).

We must not only root and ground our young people in the fundamentals of faith, we must also see that teaching at home and in Bible classes is directed to the issues they face. They have a lot of peer pressure to smoke, drink, abuse drugs, lie, cheat, dance, fornicate, be immodest, proud and greedy. We live in perilous times. Young people must be led to see men are “lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its powers. And from such people turn away!” (2 Tim. 3:1-5)

Parents must be aware of the friends of their children. Help them to associate with those who will aid them to live better. Be willing to open your home to the friends of your children. In this way you will have some knowledge of your children’s friends and control over their activities.

Newspapers, magazine articles or TV programs can suggest specific things young people must be warned against. The wise man warned his son over and over of dangers which threatened him (Prov. 1:10,11,15; 2:12,16; 4:14,15; 5:8; 13:20; 20:19; 22:24,25; 23:6,20, etc.).

Children must learn actively to work for their own spiritual growth and development. Bible study, prayer, regular attendance in class, worship, and meetings are vital. They must learn to seek the kingdom first (Matt. 6:33).

Parents have far more influence over their children than they may realize. It is vital that a good example be set in all areas of life. The home must be a happy and harmonious haven filled with joy and love. Children must be loved, cared for and properly disciplined. Often peer pressure leads them astray for their home life is not according to God’s plan.

Peer pressure is great, but it can be overcome. Jesus did. The Apostles did. We have help. “I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one” (1 Jn. 2:14b).

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 12, pp. 368-369
June 15, 1989

By Earl R. Gibson

The basic reason we sow is that we might reap. As we plant our gardens each year, we look to the time when we can reap or gather the fruit of our labor. This is a wonderful blessing that God provides for us physically. More importantly though, God provides spiritually a law of sowing and reaping that we are blessed with when we follow him. James says, “Be patient therefore, brethren unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain” (Jas. 5:7). Spiritually, a man is to sow his seed in view of the harvest of the coming of the Lord.

Our purpose in this article is to emphasize that both parents and children have the responsibility of learning the law of sowing and reaping. To do so will bring happiness and meaningful living, the very thing that God so desires for all. The Lord said through the apostle Paul, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap” (Gal. 6:7). We are to learn from this that we will not be able to change this law of sowing and reaping for the simple fact that God cannot be mocked. What he has set cannot be changed. The word “mocked” is from the Greek word mukterizo and both Thayer and Robinson define it as, “To turn up the nose or sneer at.” This is the only place where the word is used in the Greek New Testament and is used in connection with the thought of man’s responsibility to God, which requires him to answer for his conduct in this life. God has commanded his creatures to follow the proper course, to do that which is spiritual and not that which is dictated by the flesh. He has told man that he will reap the kind of harvest that he has been sowing. Thus, Paul is warning his readers not to be deceived or misled into thinking they can ignore God and avoid the undesirable consequences of an unrighteous life. God will not suffer anyone to “get by” with such an attempt. Therefore, the apostle affirms that you reap what you sow, a truth clearly taught by nature.

The majority of young people today seem to think that they have the right to sow their wild oats. In addition to this, there are even some parents who are encouraging their children to do so by exhibiting an attitude that says, “All young people have to let loose sometime in their lives! ” Can you believe such reasoning in view of the danger that is lurking in the world? Parents, are you not aware of the principle, “For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Gal. 6:7)? Paul also wrote, “For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption” (Gal. 6:8). Many young people are quick to indulge in the pleasures of sin which last merely for a season (Heb. 11:25), without thinking of the coming time of reaping. Paul also told the Galatians, “But he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting” (Gal. 6:8). Those who do as the Word of God directs will reap everlasting life, the desired goal of every child of God.

Parents must instill in their children the consequences of their actions before God. To do so is to sow proper seed and reap a satisfied harvest in their children. What follows highlights some vital areas that parents and children must emphasize if they are to learn the lesson of sowing and reaping. Children are great imitators (Ezek. 16:44). They mimic what they see and hear. What if your children were to act like you! Would you be shocked? Suppose they were to talk like you, work like you, or have the same attitude about the church. Would you be pleased? Parents have the responsibility of bringing up their children “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4).

Children need to be loved. There are some parents, unfortunately, who bestow more love on their dogs and cats than they do their children. Paul, as he gave instructions to mothers, said, “Love your children” (Tit. 2:4). Sometimes parents, because of lack of desire or time, substitute monetary things for love. This produces a distorted concept of what love is and sets the child off center in understanding the law of sowing and reaping.

Children need responsibility. Parents must teach their children to accept responsibility while they are still young and at home. “It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth” (Lam. 3:27). Learning to work to receive a reward is vital in the home atmosphere that children might learn to prepare for the future in this life and most importantly, the life to come. God will reward us if we work in obedience to him. All children need to learn this lesson.

Children need proper communication. Parents and children must communicate to maintain a proper loving relationship. The main reason the “generation gap” has occurred is because of the lack of good family communication. Television has become a big factor in this communication breakdown. The TV has taken priority, leaving little time for basic family conversation. Instead of listening to one another, the family has substituted the TV. Parents need to control the time the TV is on and what is being watched. The family is indeed fragile and needs close attention at times. Let’s get our family priorities straight! If we don’t have good communication with our children, how are we going to teach them God’s law of sowing and reaping? God expects parents to teach their children his ways. “And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children and shall talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and, when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates” (Deut. 6:7-9). From the days of old until now, God has expected parents to teach their children his ways.

Children need togetherness. If parents desire to raise their children in the “nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4), togetherness must be sought after diligently. Many children suffer a severe lack of togetherness with their parents. Nearly as soon as they are born, they are turned over to a baby-sitter or day-care center, to see very little of their parents during those important early years. The daycare often has more to do with shaping personalities than the parents. It is no wonder parents question the cause of the unruly nature of their children. In this day and age there are so many activities for both parents and children. Both are being drawn away from each other because of a mistaken notion that fun and entertainment outside the home will bring lasting happiness. Children need to learn that family time is most precious and brings peace and enjoyment. This becomes a basic lesson of sowing and reaping. Let’s get our priorities straight. Our children’s lives depend on it!

Young people need to awaken to the warning that God is not mocked. Living a faithful life as a Christian requires diligent effort at all times under all circumstances. Living for Christ involves more than just worshiping on Sundays and Wednesdays. Just as God loves us 24 hours a day we should seek to, respond lovingly to him by obeying his commands 24 hours a day. To do so is to sow seed that will reap a harvest of a home in heaven.

Tragically today though, many young people are leaving the Lord’s church and not returning. These young people are Christians with parents who are Christians. Many of them, while in their teens and at home, begin to lose interest in spiritual worship and the work of the church. By the time they are ready to leave home, without being grounded in truth and devoted to Christ, little chance remains for them to be faithful. Many young people are remaining faithful until the time they make a commitment in marriage. Far too many of these are compromising their faith and following their non-Christian mates. They are all sowing the seeds of foolishness to reap a harvest of sorrow.

The obvious fact cannot be denied. We are loosing our children to the world. They are not growing up to be faithful Christians. We need to give special attention to this ever growing problem. Parents and members of the church, must encourage faithfulness by providing proper teaching, example setting, and wholesome activities. Young people need encouragement to attend Bible classes and worship assemblies, learning that such action will reap a reward in heaven. They need to be encouraged to grow spiritually, making Christ and his church first in their lives. Older Christians, including parents, need to help the young by maintaining the principle of sowing and reaping in their own lives. The examples that parents set go a long way in teaching young people faithfulness to the Lord. How young people turn out religiously,often is seen as a great commentary on the parents who reared them.

Young people also need to learn to be good examples to their parents. “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Tim. 4:12). Youth is the time to set the patterns of life. “Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partakers of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure” (1 Tim. 5:22). As Paul spoke to Timothy, a young man, so he speaks to us today. We can’t go out and smoke, dance, drink, use drugs, etc., and still remain pure. If we defile our bodies, the temple of God (1 Cor. 6:19), with the things of the world, we sow the seeds that will reap destruction. Let us always keep ourselves pure!

Six things are mentioned by Paul in Philippians 4:8 that will enable .is to sow seed of righteousness if we allow our minds to be filled with them. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there by an praise, think on these things.” If our minds are not filled with these positive, spiritual thoughts, it will be impossible to sow the seeds of righteous activity. This verse describes the mind of a Christian. Does it describe your mind?

It will benefit young people if they ask themselves the following question: “Would you go anywhere or do anything that you would be ashamed for your parents to know?” God has given us a sufficient guide in his revelation to identify right and wrong, enabling us to live lives that are happy and right. Paul lists for us adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, etc. as works of the flesh and love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance as fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:19-23). To what we sow our seed of life (flesh or Spirit) will determine what we reap in the end. The apostle John warns us as well in 1 John 2:15-17, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: But he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.”

The lesson of sowing and reaping becomes vital when we realize that the children of today will be the parents of tomorrow and the church of the future. If we can learn the simple lesson of nature (sowing corn seed to reap a harvest of corn), hopefully we will learn that what we fill our hearts with and proceed to do will determine what our future will be. “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of lie” (Prov. 4:23). Following Christ will bring lasting happiness and true harmony between parents and children. The Lord’s way is a grand way to live, a wonderful way to grow old, and a glorious way to die.

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 12, pp. 376-377
June 15, 1989

By Larry Ray Hafley

Under the title above, Bill Jackson recently wrote:

We had earlier written about a December 1988 “unity” meeting, wherein the rankest liberals were somehow selected to represent the rest of us, and did about as much damage as could be done over two days – with effects lasting perhaps for many, many years. A question or two has been asked about the fruitfulness of any such meetings. On that, let me state that prior to any more meetings there needs to be two questions asked of the “non-institutional” side: (1) “Is the church building/meeting house an expediency?” Surely they must say, “Yes.” Question (2): “Do you still make laws in the area of expediency, and bind them upon all brethren – laws, for example, having to do with forbidding eating of food/having a meal on church premises?” Surely they hold positions that would require a “Yes” answer.

Then, what would be the purpose of arranging meetings together, when it is clear that some are making laws for God, and binding them upon all brethren, and have continually done so to the damage of God’s kingdom worldwide? That really has been a barrier since this particular problem arose anew in the early 1950s – men not allowing liberties given by God, and men not allowing each congregation, under its elders, to handle its own affairs.

Bill Jackson is a preacher in Austin, Texas. He, as his first sentence indicates, is identified with the more conservative element of the churches that defend human societies and organizations to do the work God assigned to the churches. He accepts benevolent societies but rejects most missionary societies. He believes churches may build “fellowship halls” (dining rooms, cafeterias) but not “Family Life Centers” (gymnasiums, health clubs, spas).

His first sentence implies that Richard Rogers, Bill Swetmon, Calvin Warpula, the late Reuel Lemmons, Lewis G. Hale, Bill Long, Rubel Shelley, Jimmy Jividen, Mac Lynn and Randy Mayeux are “the rankest liberals,” which, I suppose, qualifies Bill as an unranked liberal. At any rate, I hope one of these “rankest liberals” will challenge brother Jackson for a debate or at least protest his appellation and characterization of them. Rank liberals are generally too nice to confront mainline, mainstream liberals, so Bill probably has nothing to worry about.

It would be interesting to hear Bill Jackson debate the gymnasium issue with either Calvin Warpula, F. Furman Kearley, or Lewis G. Hale (or all three). Reuel Lemmons is dead and cannot debate, and Guy N. Woods might as well be, for he will neither affirm nor deny the Family Life Center’s right to exist in a public debate. And Rubel Shelley would not be caught dead in such a debate. The reason such a debate would be interesting is because Bill espouses “fellowship halls” but divorces “gymnasiums.” I believe brethren Warpula and Hale, would make things a tad uncomfortable for Bill if he ever agreed to attack their gyms in debate.

The first two nights of a debate between Bill and one of “the rankest liberals” on the gym questions might be held in one of Bill’s fellowship halls while the last two nights could be set up in one of Nashville’s gymnasiums. This would certainly focus the issues between Bill and “the rankest liberals.” It would be like having a debate on church support of colleges on the campus of David Lipscomb College! Hey, now there is an idea whose time will never come!

Brother Jackson refers to the “December, 1988 ‘unity’ meeting.” Bill was not there, or he would not have called the Nashville meeting a ‘unity’ meeting.” Bill’s brethren (as has been documented in several reviews of the meeting which have appeared in this paper and in Searching the Scriptures) were hopelessly divided. See the reviews, or ask Roy Lanier, Jr., Stafford North or Johnny Ramsey. They will tell you.

Bill laments the idea that “the rankest liberals were somehow selected to represent the rest of us. ” Bill, “Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee?” (Jn. 18:34) Calvin Warpula, Richard Rogers, Lewis G. Hale, Bill Swetmon, Mac Lynn, Randy Mayeux, Stafford North, Johnny Ramsey and Roy Lanier, Jr. will resent such a charge. Ask those brethren if they were “selected to represent” you and your brethren. Bill, where did you obtain such an idea?

“Two Questions”

Before brother Jackson will give his blessing “to any more such meetings,” he says, “there needs to be two questions asked of the ‘non-institutional’ side: (1) ‘Is the church building/meeting house an expediency? (2) ‘Do you still make laws in the area of expediency, and bind them upon all brethren – laws, for example, having to do with forbidding eating of food/having a meal on church premises?

Let us answer Bill’s two questions with two questions (cf. Matt. 21:23f). (Remember, Bill Jackson believes “fellowship halls” are scriptural but gymnasiums are unscriptural.) Suppose, Bill, that you are to have a discussion with F. Furman Kearley, editor of the Gospel Advocate, one of “the rankest liberals,” on the gymnasium “craze,” as you have called it. Suppose brother Kearley, a defender of both “fellowship halls” and gymnasiums, says to you:

Prior to any more meetings with Bill Jackson, there needs to be two questions asked of the “non-gymnasium” side: (1) “Is the church building/meeting house an expediency?” Surely they must say, “Yes.” Question (2): “Do you still make laws in the area of expediency and bind them upon all brethren – laws, for example, having to do with forbidding playing of games/having fun on church premises?” Surely they hold positions that would require a “Yes” answer.

Then what would be the purpose of arranging a meeting together with Bill Jackson and his brethren, when it is clear that they are making laws for God, and binding them upon all brethren, and have continually done so to the damage of God’s kingdom worldwide? That really has been a barrier since this particular problem (opposition to gyms, Family Life Centers) arose anew in the early 1980s – men (like Bill Jackson) not allowing liberties given by God, and men not allowing liberties given by God, and men not allowing each congregation, under its elders, to handle its own affairs.

Brother Jackson, the material above is parallel to your article. How would you answer it? Would you believe that such a statement required an answer before “any more meetings” could be held? Should brother Kearley demand your reply before agreeing “to any more meetings” on the gymnasium question?

Bill, would you say that the authority for a church building is the authority for a gymnasium? Would you say that the authority for a church building is the authority for a “fellowship hall” (a.k.a. dining room, cafeteria)? Is the authority for a church building one thing, while authority for a gymnasium is another? Is the authority for a church building one thing, while authority for a “fellowship hall” is another? Or if the authority for the church building is the authority for the “fellowship hall,” how does authority for a church building justify a “fellowship hall” while denying a gymnasium? Somewhere along the line, there has to be a separation, a distinction made between a meeting house, an eating house and a play house.

As you stated, brother Bill, “damage” was done to your cause in Nashville, and I both rejoice and regret because of it. First, I rejoice because modernism, the fruit of liberalism and institutionalism, was exposed in all of its putridness. For the first time, many saw the results of the “we-do-many-things-for-which-there-is-no-authority” philosophy. The shame and nakedness of the “Where There Is No Pattern” doctrine was laid bare before all. Second, I regret because it existed, because it had to be done. There is no pleasure in refuting error. There is no joy in dealing with sin, apostasy and digression (Phil. 3:8; Psa. 119:53, 136, 158).

Surely, Bill, you can understand my regret. You get no joy in responding to the evolution in Abilene, the I denominational compromise of Herald of Truth, and the gyms in Nashville, do you?

Yes, your cause was damaged, but you and your brethren have sown the wind and you are reaping the whirlwind (Hos. 8:7). You have sown church sponsored recreation and you have reaped ball teams, ball fields and gymnasiums. You have sown “fellowship halls” and you have reaped the Madison church, where the late Ira North preached, near Nashville. You have sown Herald of Truth, wherein one church oversaw a portion of the funds and function of hundreds of churches, and you have reaped Crossroads and Boston. You have sown church sponsored skating parties and “retreats” (hauling the kids in “church vans and busses”) and you have reaped full fledged church camps, complete with cabins, fishing, horseback riding, archery, hiking trails, etc. You have sown church support of benevolent societies and you have reaped church support of colleges.

Now, Bill, I know you deny and decry your progeny, but the things above are not illegitimate (cf. Heb. 12:8) children. The family resemblance is too apparent for you to renounce parenthood. Perhaps you do not see the connection, the correlation that exists, but it is there whether you believe it or not.

The Jews of Jesus’ day built the tombs of the prophets, adorned the graves of the godly and said, “If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.” But Jesus said, “Ye are the children of them which killed the prophets” (Matt. 23:29-31). They did not, yea, would not see themselves as parallel to the earlier apostasies, but they were their offspring nonetheless (Acts 7:51,52).

Likewise, the liberals of the past century only wanted to sow their missionary society, but they reaped instrumental music, preachers called “Reverend,” acceptance (if , not outright observance) of Easter and Christmas, and, finally, the Christian Church denomination. Men like Moses Lard and J.W. McGarvey lived to see their descendants, and they did not like what they saw, but they were the fruits of their digression, of their acceptance of human societies to do the work God gave the churches to do. So, today.

Future Meetings?

Bill, of course, can do what he will concerning future meetings between brethren. That is his choice, his prerogative, as it is of everyone else. Frankly, I hope Bill and his brethren will study with us.

But, further, I propose that he take part in arranging meetings with “the rankest liberals.” Bill Jackson, Dub McClish, Garland Elkins, Tom Warren, Roy Deaver, Noel Meredith, Stafford North, Guy N. Woods, Alan Highers, Roy Lanier, Jr., Johnny Ramsey and others need to conduct (in my judgment) “Nashville type” meetings with Calvin Warpula, Lewis G. Hale, Bill Swetmon, Richard Rogers, Rubel Shelley, Randy Mayeux and others. They need to study the questions of Bible authority, how established, how applied, biblical hermeneutics, the work, worship and organization of the church, individual versus congregational action, church support of colleges and missionary societies, whether or not the New Testament is a pattern, church sponsored recreation and entertainment, the limits (if any) of sponsoring church oversight and control, and other relevant and related topics.

Bill and “the rankest liberals” are surely and sorely divided on these issues. Let them meet, study and reason together. What have they to lose? What have they to fear?

Meanwhile, we stand ready to study with both groups. Truth thrives with open minds and open Bibles. Error flinches and flees, “For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God” (Jn. 3:20,21).

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 11, pp. 336-338
June 1, 1989