| JOHN WADDEY, EDITOR
Published by the Church of Christ, 12213 West Bell Road, Surprise, AZ 85374 Volume 2, Number 11
CURRENT ISSUE: July, 2003 |
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Table of Contents: 1. THE LAW OF CHRIST
Inspired writers refer to the New Testament as “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:2); “the perfect law, the law of liberty” (Jas. 1:23) and a “law of faith” (Rom. 3:27). This being the case, how say the change agents among us that we are not under a law of God? They love to say that we should not view the Bible as divine law. Are they so ignorant of the book they claim to teach? Do they not believe what the Scripture says of itself? Do they think they know more about God’s Book than the Holy Spirit who gave it? Could it be that in order to sell their agenda to a Bible-believing, Bible-oriented people, they must first convince them that the Scripture is not law, therefore it will be no great thing if its words are ignored?
If the Bible is not divine law, then no man is a sinner. For “where there is no law, neither is there transgression” (Rom. 4:15). If we have no divine law, how can some be called “lawless” in their conduct? (II Thess. 2:7; I Tim. 1:9). If the Scripture is not law, how could some men in the church be desirous of teaching “the law?” (I Tim. 1:7). If there is no law in Christ, we would have no knowledge of sin, or of right and wrong, “for through the law cometh the knowledge of sin” (Rom. 3:20). If the New Covenant is not God’s law, then no man need worry about being judged by it in the last day (John 12:48). If it is not law, then we can do anything we desire in the name of religion and not worry about having to give account unto God (II Cor. 5:10; Rev. 20:12). If the Scripture is not law, then James and Paul were mistaken in calling it that. If that is so, how can we have confidence in other things they said? That would mean the New Covenant is not reliable and free from error, would it not? If God had wanted to tell us that his written word is His law to guide and govern us in maters of faith, practice and worship, what do our champions of change feel He should have said, beyond what he has said, to make it clear?
It is true that we are not under the Law of Moses (Heb. 8:6-13; Rom. 7:4). It is true that we are saved by God’s grace rather than by law-keeping (Eph. 2:8-9). It is a fact that our response to God must be one of faith rather than an attempt to earn salvation by works of law (Rom. 3:21-22). But it is a flagrant error to teach men that God’s Word should not be viewed as His law. This lesson our change agents need to give heed to. JHW  |
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2. A MISSING INGREDIENT
As I assess the condition of our churches in this new millennium, I see a missing ingredient that has left us vulnerable to Satan’s wiles. We have lost the sense of brotherhood we once had. I am 65. I remember when all congregations in an area knew each other, supported each other’s efforts, cooperated in good works, and helped in planting new congregations. We rejoiced at the victories of others and mourned their losses. We had gospel papers that helped us keep in touch with each other. We thrilled to read of victories in distant fields and lifted up prayers when fellow-Christians were in need. Preachers we had never seen, we knew by name and by their articles. We felt free to call on them for advice and assistance. They were willing to give it. Back then people were not so much interested in where a man went to school, only if he were a faithful preacher of God’s Word. We honored men who were faithful proclaimers of the gospel and were proud to call them our brothers. Churches respected the membership of sister congregations and did not try to recruit them in order to increase their own number. We all loved the
Church of Christ and were proud to be members of it. There was not nearly so much doubt and suspicion about each other. We loved our fellow-Christians like family and called them brother and sister. Sadly, this spirit of brotherhood has been neglected and largely disappeared over the last 30 years. To regain our strength as a people, we must work to rebuild and restore that sense of brotherhood (I Pet.4:17). JHW
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3. PUT THE BIBLE BACK IN THE BIBLE SCHOOL
The church exists to preach the gospel to every creature (Mk. 16:15). By definition the Bible School is a learning environment where people study the Word of God. A visit to some of the liberal Protestant churches in your neighborhood would reveal that there can be a Bible School which does not teach God’s Book. But a closer look would also reveal that they are dying churches with dwindling attendance and an uncommitted membership. Lest we be proud, we should take a long hard look at our classes. More often than we wish to admit, a child can attend our Bible classes for years and still be virtually illiterate in Scripture knowledge. Some of our current problems are the result of a weak Bible School program. The reasons are many but some causes are: - Untrained teachers who know not how or what to teach;
- Unprepared teachers who fail in their duty to their pupils;
- Poor literature and teaching aids which have little Biblical content and/or poorly present God’s Truth;
- A Bible school program in disarray and confusion;
- Unmotivated students, who come to class unprepared and manifest no interest in learning;
- Uncaring parents who make no effort to help their kids learn at home or be prepared for their Bible Classes;
- Irregular attendance with frequent absentees and tardies.
This problem is usually reflected in ill-kept classrooms, literature not available on time, teachers not present when class assembles and no discipline in the classroom. Such a situation is a recipe for an educational disaster. As overseers of the church who bear responsibility for the souls of the flock, elders must see that such a scenario never occurs in their congregation (Heb. 13:17). If it has already happened, elders should post an “all hands on deck” alert and take all necessary action to rectify the situation. - Make an immediate inspection to determine the extent of your problem.
- Reshuffle your workers to see that competent people are put in charge of repairing the damage done.
- Examine and evaluate your literature, if it is from a denominational publisher, or weak in Bible content, retire it and find new materials that will truly teach students the Word of the Lord.
- Meet with your teachers. Let them know that you expect their best efforts if they are to teach.
- Attend the various classes and observe what is being taught and how effectively it is being done. Don’t hesitate to give specific suggestions to your teachers for improving their work.
- Speak to the students. Tell them the value of their class, urge them to be good students.
- Mount the pulpit and tell the flock how important Bible School is and their need to be actively involved in it.
- Have your preacher deliver meaningful lessons on the value of Bible Study, the privilege and duty of teaching, the need for faithful attendance at Bible Class.
- Plan a program and have a drive for increasing Bible School attendance and enrollment. Set some challenging goals.
- Pray for God’s help and guidance in safely leading your flock from here to eternity; that your charge will truly grow in grace and knowledge (II Pet 3:18).
- Insist that everyone involved in your Bible School program exalt God’s Word! Have each student bring his Bible, then study it, memorize it, learn its practical lessons and how to live them. Make it clear that Bible Class hour is not for play, or entertainment, not for babysitting, but for learning!
Change agents will find it hard to seduce a well taught congregation! Let this be the year when we put the Bible back into the Bible School! JHW |
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4. NOTES FROM THE EDITOR
Christianity: Then and Now is designed for members of churches of Christ. Its primary purpose is to address the questions raised by the promoters of change that have arisen among us. Through the generosity of interested Christians and congregations it is sent to the preachers and elders of all of our congregations in 28 states and hundreds more throughout the nation. If you are concerned about the changes you observe in our churches and feel this little journal is both true to God’s Word and helpful, we would welcome your fellowship. You may write us by regular mail or send e-mails to johnwaddey@aol.com.
To save on postage we send two copies to each address on our mailing list. Please pass the additional copy on to a fellow Christian. When you have read the paper, please don’t toss it away. Share it with someone else who can benefit from it. CTN On Line: All back issues of the paper can be found at www.christianity-then-and-now.com as well as scores of additional articles and book reviews. Check it out. A few bound copies of Vol. 1 remain. They are available for $6.50. J |
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5. WHEN THE WALLS COME DOWN
We all know the story of ancient Jericho, how the strong walls of that fortified city crumbled and fell before the children of Israel (Josh. 6:20-21). Those walls were brought down by God. Today we are witnessing other walls crumbling and falling, the result of the preaching, writing and teaching of certain brethren who fancy themselves sufficiently wise to change the faith, worship and practice of the Lord’s church.
I. The ancient wall between the Lord’s one true church and the hundreds of man-made denominational churches is crumbling and already down in many places. The Book of God makes it crystal clear that Christ has only one church (Eph. 4:4-5; 1:22). It also plainly condemns divisions and contending religious factions ( I Cor. 1:10-15; 3:1-4). For 200 years our brethren have preached and called men into the church founded by Christ and opposed denominationalism as contrary to God’s will. Today a new breed of preachers and professors blush not to say that we ourselves are but another denomination and that other denominations are equally acceptable to Christ. With all their vaunted learning, they are unable to see the distinction between the real and the counterfeit (Lev. 10:10).
II. The wall between truth and error is crumbling before the false teaching of relativism and subjectivism that is emanating from several of our universities. The fact is God’s Word is truth (John 17:17) We have that on the highest authority; Jesus! It is objective truth, neither relative nor subjective. It is a solid, reliable standard that exists separate and apart from man, churches, schools of thought and educational institutions. “The word of Jehovah is right” (Ps. 33:4). It is “perfect” (Ps. 19:7). It is “settled in heaven” (Ps. 119:89). It will “never pass away” (Matt. 24:35). It is God-given (II Pet. 1:20-21). It will judge us in the last day (John 12:48). If every last believer in Christ with all their schools, books and papers perished, the Word of God would still stand, true and dependable. If all the world of Christendom embraces skepticism and denigrates and denies the Word, it will still stand and judge them in the last day! For 200 years our brethren have believed and taught this fundamental truth. Today our “agents of change” are hammering away at this wall.
III. The wall between God-ordained worship and “will-worship” based on emotion and popular opinion is crumbling. The worship God expects of us must be “in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). It is sincere and heart felt and it is as he has ordered in his divine Revelation. His worship is simple and unadorned without pomp and pageantry. It needs no cathedral or vast throng to validate it. True worship, of necessity, is based is based squarely on the New Covenant of Christ (Matt. 28:20). We cannot look to Moses or David for our authority (Matt.17:4-8). We dare not look to uninspired teachers and theologians of the denominational world! The most notable changes proposed by our “change agents” are in the realm of public worship of the church. They want acceptance of instrumental music, choirs and solos. They want women allowed a leadership role. They want drama and skits. They want emotionalism and excitement. Paul calls such “will-worship” (Col. 2:23).
IV. The wall between Bible preaching and emotion-driven entertainment and story telling is crumbling. For 200 years our preachers operated under the mandate of Christ to “preach the gospel” (Mk. 16:15). They felt obliged to “speak as the oracle of God” (I Pet. 4:11), and to preach the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27). Faithful elders knew that it was through the “foolishness of the preaching” that God ordained to save men (I Cor. 1:21). Today, many young preachers, groomed and trained in “Christian” universities, much prefer “story-telling” and emotional hoopla to Bible preaching. The wall is already down in some quarters.
V. The wall between the Biblical plan of salvation and human ideas about how to be saved is breached. From the beginning of our back to the Bible movement, our brethren have understood and preached salvation as a free gift of God’s grace (Eph. 2:8-9) that required faith (Heb. 11:6) repentance and baptism (Acts 2:38) on the part of those wishing to received that salvation. Now a new kind of preacher moves among us telling the lost that salvation is by grace alone or by faith alone and thus denying the message of the author of eternal salvation (Heb. 5:8-9). Bro. Rubel Shelly says, “My salvation is on grace alone, Not by anything I’ve added to it.” “The one step of salvation is faith...” “It (baptism) is not the fifth step (in the plan of salvation).” (Quotes from Shelly’s recorded sermons, cited in Change Agents and Churches of Christ by William Woodson, p. 36).
VI. The wall between heaven ordained male leadership for the church and the human doctrine of female leadership is pierced. God’s position is clear: “as in all the churches of the saints, let the women keep silence in the church: for it is not permitted unto them to speak, but let them be in subjection (I Cor. 14:33-34). Although churches of men have long ignored heaven’s decree, our brethren have honored it; that is, until the “change movement” emerged among us. Now we have teachers and professors preferring the authority of the feminist leaders over Christ and agitating for women to serve in church leadership roles. The elders of the Church of Christ in West Islip, NY have proudly published the fact that Katie Hays serves their congregation “as a minister in the fullest sense of that calling...This includes preaching from the pulpit” (Christian Chronicle on line, September, 2002)! Having gone beyond the doctrine of Christ, they have not God (II John 9).
VII. The wall between a verbally inspired and inerrant Bible and a fallible, human document, uncertain in origin, unreliable in content and impotent in authority has been broken. For two centuries our brethren have observed this flagrant unbelief among our denomination neighbors. Many of those who abandoned the Old Paths last century for instruments of music and missionary societies eventually embraced this low view of Scripture. But our men stood strong, until recently. From the classrooms of our universities a trickle of unbelief in the inerrancy and authority of God’s Word has grown to dangerous proportions. In days past our preachers and teachers encountered this skepticism only when they enrolled in denominational seminaries or secular schools off higher learning. Now our sons come face to face with it in some of our schools.
It was an act of God, for the benefit of his people when Jericho’s walls came down. It is an act of Satan for the harm of the church when the walls mentioned above are breached. JHW |
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6. FOUNDED ON THE WORD, FOCUSED ON THE WORLD
The Church of Christ was founded on the Word...the living Word which came down from God, was born of Mary and crucified for our sins (John 1:1-3, 14). When Peter confessed that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God, Jesus blessed him and promised, “Upon this rock (the fact that I am the Son of the living God) I will build my church...” (Matt. 16:16-18). It is also founded
upon the written Word that Jesus gave us. God gave
Christ all authority in heaven and on earth. Those who become his disciples must be willing to observe all things whatsoever he commanded (Matt. 28:18-20). The only source of information about Christ’s will for us is his New Testament. So we are a Bible based church. We look to it as the divine pattern for our faith, worship and practice (II Tim. 1:13). We are careful not to go beyond the doctrine of Christ (II John 9-11). His word sets boundaries beyond which we cannot go. We honor the Word of God, we study it, teach it and practice it.
Christ has given his church a mission. He expects us to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15). Although we expend most of our energy in our local communities, teaching the lost and seeking to win them to the Master, our interest must ever be world-wide. As we grow, our outreach must reach further and further into the world of lost humanity. No neighborhood or nation is too remote, too primitive or too godless for us to ignore. God is the Creator of all humanity and he wants all to spend eternity with him in heaven. The church of Christ is his only soul-saving agency on this earth. Only when we understand the enormity of the responsibility he has bestowed upon us, will we get serious about preaching the gospel to every creature. May we never loose sight of our mission. JHW |
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”What I possess I would gladly retain.–Change amuses the mind,
yet scarcely profits”
(Goethe). ”The way to preserve the peace of the church is to preserve its purity”
(M. Henry). ”The devotion to the person of Christ that steers clear of the doctrines and precepts of Christ,
is but sentimental rhapsody”
(H. Johnson). |
