Truth Magazine

By Barney Keith

History has a way of repeating itself, doesn’t it? In April 1865 Moses E. Lard, one of the “Pioneer” preachers, was disturbed as he saw various things happening among churches of Christ. Writing in Lard’s Quarterly (Vol. II, p. 257) he referred to certain developments as “ill-omened symptoms in our ranks.” Among other things he cited weak and effeminate preaching, the “pastor system” in many congregations, instrumental music, and other unauthorized practices as he deplored the changes that were coming over the brethren in many places. On page 262 Lard remarked: “He is a poor observer of men and things who does not see growing up among us a class of men no longer satisfied with the ancient gospel and the ancient order of things. These men must have changes; and silently they are preparing the minds of the brotherhood to receive changes. Be not deceived, brethren, the Devil is not sleeping. If you refuse to see the danger till ruin is upon you, then it will be too late.”

Lard was absolutely correct in his appraisal of his times. A new generation of seminary-trained, liberalminded, young preachers had come along. Dissatisfaction with the anicent gospel became more evident and digression spread rapidly as innovations were introduced into one congregation after another. The result was inevitable – the liberals continued their march and the Christian Church and Disciples of Christ denominations emerged. The brethren who were insistent upon following the Bible pattern opposed the innovations and strove for the purity of the church of the Lord. The majority of the brethren embraced the digressive move toward change as only a very small minority stood firm for the old paths. Those stalwart brethren of more than a hundred years ago were called various names as they took their stand – such as “anti’s.” That struggling minority, however, grew faster than any would have dared think. Simple churches of Christ began to appear across the country and, with the passing years, the digressives lost more and more of their identity. Today they acknowledge their denominational status proudly.

Sadly, that is exactly what has been happening all over again. Since World War II especially there has been growing up among us a class of men who are no longer satisfied with the ancient gospel. Many of the present day preachers have been trained in schools where outright modernism is found. Those who have been anxious to put the church “on the march,” or to create a “a better image” for the church of Christ, or to involve the churches in all sorts of projects are no part of the New Testament pattern – these men have slowly had their effect on the people of God. Human wisdom and modernistic theology are always inimical to faith in the New Testament as an all-sufficient pattern. Too many people in too many churches of Christ are being taught by too many men who do not respect the authority of the Scriptures. It is no surprise that we have “liberal” churches.

There are many indications of “change” in the churches of the Lord. such as “sponsoring elderships” or “sponsoring churches” to coordinate the work of two or more churches; building and maintaining other institutions to do the work of the church; church support of recreational camps; church parties, dinners, showers, etc. (in the church’s “fellowship hall” or “Family Life Center,” of course); “youth ministers” to handle all activities of the young people; other “ministers” galore; church choruses; church involvement in social welfare projects; facilities for the counsel and care of unwed mothers; the operation of daycare centers, kindergartens, secular education schools; all sorts of gimmicks to attract kids to the “bus ministry” fad; etc. Brethren, there is no end in sight. What happened in the late 1800s has happened in the mid and late 1900s. Wearing the designation “Church of Christ” by no means is proof that a congregation is respecting the authority of Christ.

There are still many, many congregations which have notfollowed the digressive pattern of the day. There are many faithful disciples who still believe that we must “speak as the oracles of God” (1 Pet. 4:11) and that we dare not “go beyond the doctrine of Christ” (2 John 9). A firm, Bible-based conviction is the only thing that will preserve a congregation from apostasy. It is faith in “what is written” that causes a church of Christ to avoid the many innovations. It will never be out of place for Christians to ask for Bible authority for the things churches may begin to undertake. And it will always be right to resist and oppose any changes which involve a surrender of the all-sufficiency of Divine revelation, God’s word.

What Moses Lard saw in 1865 is likely to be seen in any age. Let us take ample warning from the lessons of history. A Christian ought to have no fellowship with a congregation that digresses from the Bible pattern in organization, worship or work. Let none of us be deterred from standing firmly for the truth by the ridicule, sarcasm, name-calling, etc. from our brethren who are bent on following the course of liberalism. Fellowship with God isfar more important than fellowship with men.

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 5, p. 140
March 2, 1989

By Lowell Blasingame

Fellowship! It’s a good Bible word but like some others, it is often abused and mis-used. John said that we have fellowship with God by walking in the light (1 Jn. 1:7). Some folks don’t seem to be able to say the word without conjuring visions of fried chicken, coffee and donuts, etc. or without frolicking through church sponsored social activities.

The truth is that such no more fits the biblical use of the word fellowship than do sprinkling or pouring fit the biblical use of baptism. Neither do such activities conform to what former gospel preachers have taught us about the work of the church. The late B.C. Goodpasture, who edited the Gospel Advocate for years, in answering a question about the work of the church, said:

This question can be answered both negatively and positively. It is not the mission of the church to furnish amusement for the world, or even for its members. For the church to turn aside from its divine work to furnish amusement and recreation is to pervert its mission. If the church will discharge its duty in preaching the gospel, in edifying its members, and in helping the worthy poor, it will not have desire or the time to amuse or entertain (Gospel Advocate, p. 484, 1948).

Former gospel preachers taught us that it was the duty of the home, not the church, to provide recreational activities. I believe that, not just because preachers such as Hardeman, Goodpasture, Lyles, Boles, etc. taught it, but because it is what the Bible teaches (1 Cor. 11:22,34). Don’t be fooled into thinking that Paul is merely dealing with an abuse of the Lord’s supper. He’s pointing out that social activities belong to the home and ought to be kept there.

Some churches of Christ have adopted this denominational folly. Like Israel of old, they have sat down to eat and drink and arisen to play! They erect play houses called “fellowship halls” or “multi-purpose” buildings, employ a “Youth Minister” to cheerlead the folly and immediately following the worship, the pulpit is removed, the goal posts set in place, the chairs pushed back and the ball game or shuffleboard play begins I I’m not exaggerating. I have before me at this writing The Family Flyer of the Madison church of Christ, Madison, TN and among its activities are listed softball, volleyball, Ping Pong, Ladies Slimnastics, Bowling, a CPR class, jogging (included is a joggers’s prayer), Golf and among the events for the “Golden Agers” are a Halloween party, Christmas crafts and a Valentine party!

Now if you think that these are activities belonging to the work of the church of Christ bought with with his blood, you and I have been reading two different books.

I’m wondering just how much longer it will be before some enterprising Youth Minister sees the advantage of having a “multi-purpose” baptistry and persuades some church into building one large enough to double for a swimming pool! After all, if eating and playing together are fellowship, why would not swimming together, also, be fellowship? And, just think what a crowd we could draw if we could get granny, in her bikini, and the Youth Minister to have “fellowship” in the church sponsored, multi-purpose baptistry! For an encore, we might have “pot-luck” or a “spaghetti supper” for all in “Room I” of the church building.

John Townsdin, preacher for Whitehall church of Christ, tried to justify church sponsored recreation on the grounds that it is a “good work” and the church can “engage in any good work” (taken from a taped conversation with Ron Daly, Hepburn St. church of Christ). What brother Townsdin overlooked is that no unauthorized work can in the scriptural sense be a good work” for the church to perform (Matt. 7:22-23). What he needs first is the authority from the Lord for the church to provide recreation.

Fellowship or folly-ship, which is it, brethren? If we initiate a practice that is unscriptural, then mis-use a Bible word for its justification, are we any different from those who substitute sprinkling for immersion and call it baptism? Are we so foolish as to suppose that gospel preachers of the past who rejected church sponsored recreation did not believe in and have fellowship with other children of God?

Jeremiah called Judah a gadding bride for trimming her ways to be like nations about her (Jer. 2:32-27). Is the church of Christ of which you are a member becoming more like the denominations about us? If it has a “Youth Minister” will he have a “youth gospel” and preach to a “youth church”? Why not a special “ministry” for spinsters and bachelors. Such foolishness simply paves the way for further deviations from the Lord’s way.

There are still those who cry for the old paths (Jer. 6:16) and plead for brethren to walk in them. Are you one of them?

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 5, p. 141
March 2, 1989

By Ron Halbrook

Christ taught his disciples to share the Lord’s Supper on the first day of each week to remember his death for our sins (Matt. 26:26-29; Acts 20:7). He did not authorize a religious festival, ritual, or ceremony to commemorate his birth. “Christmas” as a religious holy day is the result of the doctrines and “commandments of men,” which Christ forbade (Matt. 15:8-9). Paul warned that those who “observe days, and months, and times, and years” are “in bondage” to human tradition and do not please the Lord (Gal. 4:8-11). True churches of Christ follow the Bible pattern of worship at all times of the year. They have no special service to celebrate the birthday of Jesus because no such ceremony is given in the Bible.

Not everything done during December and early January is religious. This season has evolved into a mixture of some religious practices and some secular practices. This season is centered upon a religious holy day for some people, but is only a secular holiday for true Christians. We can enjoy many activities which are social, civil, business, and family oriented without being involved in the false religious activities of the season. Jesus does not teach us to withdraw like a hermit from all cultural and social contact with our fellowman, but he does expect us to avoid participating in sin and false religion of every kind (Jn. 17:15; Eph. 5:11).

We can distinguish the secular holiday practices of this season from the religious holy day practices. There are so many harmless secular activities associated with this season today that even religious leaders talk about trying to “put Christ back into Christmas” and to direcover a Christ-cmtered Christmas” (Houston Chronicle, 10 Dec. 1988, p. 2E). These leaders promote displaying religious symbols and scenes, conducting religious “masses” and special services, burning religious candles, presenting religious plays, sending religious cards, singing religious songs, and performing other religious observances – all centered on celebrating the birthday of Jesus. Jesus said such human traditions are vain substitutes for obeying the true commandments of God (Mk. 7:6-9).

The secular holiday practices of this season are many and harmless: (1) special offers and sales at stores; (2) family gatherings; (3) the smells of special baking, desserts, spices, candles, etc.; (4) other diet delights such as fruits and nuts; (5) seasonal songs such as “Jingle Bells,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer,” “Frosty the Snowman,” etc.; (6) giving gifts for family fun; (7) special vacations, trips, time off work; (8) greeting cards and expressions of goodwill (“Happy holidays,” “Happy New Year,” etc.); (9) curtailment or closing of business activities; (10) household, business, and school decorations – snowflakes, peppermint, greenery, craft objects, bells, etc. (not manger scenes); (11) time for parties, visits, and gettogethers; (12) playing Santa Claus with children, without introducing the ancient tradition of so-called Saint Nicolas; (13) vacations from school, and from government and civic agencies; (14) holiday bonuses from employers; (15) taking pictures of children or family to give relatives and friends; and other customs and practices.

Some things done at this time of the year, whether on a secular or a religious basis, ought never to be done. Celebrations and parties will include revelry with dancing, gambling, lascivious songs, and the drinking of wine, beer, and liquor – the ungodly works of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21). People often makes debts they cannot pay in order to provide lavish parties or for extravagant trips, gifts, clothes, and decorations. “Provide things honest in the sight of all men” (Rom. 12:17).

The Jehovah’s Witnesses sect objects, “If we reject seasonal religious practices, we must reject all social activities too.” No, to sing “Jingle Bells” does not honor a Roman Catholic holy day. If it does, then we should send our children to school though no one else will be there, reject all time off from work or special bonuses, eat no nuts or fruit, and have no family gatherings lest someone might think we are recognizing the Pope’s holy days. The truth is that we must simply discern between good and evil – between false, unauthorized sinful religious observances, on the one hand,.and activities on the other hand which are social and seasonal, customary and traditional, harmless and innocent.

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 5, p. 137
March 2, 1989

By Don Martin

Beloved, I am convinced primarily as a result of a careful study of what the Bible teaches relative to trials and also from a secondary study of life that a basic design of man’s existence upon earth is that of trials, tests, and proving. The fact that God tries cannot be successfully refuted. “The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the Lord trieth the hearts,” wrote Solomon (Prov. 17:3). Please observe the psalmist’s declaration concerning the sovereign God who tries and proves his people:

He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard: which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved. For thou, O God, hast proved us; thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins. Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads, we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a weary place (Psa. 66:7-12).

God allows Satan to tempt man and afflict man with hardships and deprivations (see book of Job and 2 Cor. 12:7-10). God assures us, however, that with the “temptations,” there is an attendant way of escape (1 Cor. 10:13). Peter opportunely mentioned to those to whom he wrote regarding the “heaviness through manifold temptations” which they were experiencing (1 Pet. 1:6), “that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 1:7). Job’s trials were so prol’ita6le. Here Job explains: “But he knoweth the way that I take; when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10).

Trials determine the quality or lack of quality of our very fiber. Some say, “trials spiritually destroyed me!” Not so. The difficulties only manifest the material out of which we are made (1 Cor. 3:13-15). Hardships also purify and purge. As fire is to gold and silver (removing the dross), so are trials to the Christian (Prov. 17:3; Jas. 1:24). With this established, let us now consider some trying circumstances.

Worldliness

The Scriptures expressly forbid being like the world (1 Jn. 2:15). The Christian is to be transformed in body and mind; hence, unlike the world (Rom. 12:1,2). Notwithstanding all the numerous warnings against worldliness, not a few professing Christians are found engaging in conspicuous worldliness. Carnality such as drinking alcohol, using other con-. trolled substances, engaging in t he modern dance, gambling, immodest apparel, ad infinitum. James decidedly wrote, “the friendship of the world is enmity with God. Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God” (Jas. 4:4).

Inconspicuous forms of worldliness are more deceiving and ensnaring to the Christian. For example, the Christian becomes a slave to the almighty dollar. He finds himself working twelve to fourteen hours a day just to make more money. His house is too small, not enough cars, too little in retirement – so he works more and more, neglecting his soul, his family, and other spiritual requirements. Brethren, I have been with too many who were breathing their last breath in despair and regret. Their regret was in knowing that they had wasted their lives in worshiping the god of materialism.

Now to the point: how do you measure up in the test of worldliness? Are you succumbing to the tantalizing attractions of the world or are you resisting?

Church Problems

On occasion, there will be problems in every local church. It is not necessarily the presence of problems which should concern the dedicated Christian, but how he scripturally addresses and deals with these problems.

The church at Corinth was spiritually divided (1 Cor. 1: 11; 3:3). It is evident from the language of the first epistle that these problems at Corinth, at least for the most part, were being ignored. Some today are ignoring the existence of sin in local churches. The only time they expend any effort is when some Christian does challenge the sin – then they exert energy in opposing the brother who is opposing sin. Too many today are influenced by the unity-indiversity qoncept. To them unity is looking the other way and extreme tolerance in matters of sin. Brethren, too many preachers and elders are found in this group!

When church problems come, what do you do? I am not advocating chaos and pandemonium. However, thefaithful must become more active or cease to befaithful (Rev. 2:14-20). More and more churches are filling up with adultery, false doctrines, etc. while those who know better sit back and do nothing. I was talking with a preacher about a growing doctrinal problem where he preached. I asked him what his method was in dealing with the situation. His reply was, “Are you crazy, I am not in the mood to move, so I am not going to do anything.”

Brethren, how do church problems affect you? Do they have the design of making you manifest as approved of God (1 Cor. 11:19)?

Family Difficulties

I firmly believe God’s word contains perfect teaching which will, when followed, result in happy productive families (Eph. 5:22-6:4). When there are domestic problems, you can be assured God’s law is being violated by some within the family unit.

I have observed husbands and fathers who professed to be Christians who would not exert headship and discipline. As a result, problems were forthcoming. In some cases of domestic unpleasantness, the wife is the problem in that she will not submit to her husband’s headship.

Husbands, how do you address problems within your household? Wives, if your husband was to require of you that which is against God’s law, what would you do (Col. 3:18)?

Conclusion

Beloved, we could continue briefly drawing attention to circumstances such as giving, teaching others, etc. to raise the question of our conduct and actions in these situations. However, I believe we have sufficiently illustrated the nature of trials. David desired to be tried of God. Hear him: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psa. 139:23,24).

The next time you encounter a trying circumstance, whether it be worldliness, church problems, family difficulties or some of the many other situations, remember you are being tested and proved. In these circumstances, let us “commit the keeping of our souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator” (1 Pet. 4:19).

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 5, pp. 138-139
March 2, 1989