Watchman Magazine

The concept is so simple… man is a free moral agent.  He can and does make choices, every day of his life.  Some men choose to do good.  They support their families, pay their taxes and are productive citizens.  Others choose to do evil.  They are unfaithful to their spouse, they cheat their neighbor, they commit crimes.  Those who choose to do good could choose to do otherwise.  Conversely, the evildoer is one by choice as well.  They are responsible for the evil they do.

This can be demonstrated anecdotally.  We see it every day, even recognize it in our own lives.  If our consciences are tender, we strive always to do good.  However, from time to time we choose wrongly, and our conscience is pierced with guilt.  Those who choose to do evil again and again have their consciences hardened (seared), and feel guilt no longer.  Regardless, we always maintain the ability to choose.

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On January 12, 2010 the island nation of Haiti was devastated by a magnitude 7.0 earthquake. Of its nine million residents, it is estimated that 200,000 lost their lives, another 250,000 were injured, and two million became homeless. News of this tragedy was brought to our attention on a daily basis. Politicians and celebrities appealed to Americans to donate money to help the people of Haiti. All of the pain and suffering caused by this earthquake lead some to ask why God would allow such a thing to happen.

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Most people are familiar with the GPS, a global navigation satellite system developed by the Department of Defense which transmits precise signals allowing receivers to calculate and display accurate location, speed, and time information to the user. These global positioning systems work in most weather conditions, day or night, 24 hours a day, around the globe, and we can use them to help us get to our destinations. You simply put in your destination address, and it will tell you turn by turn directions for the roads you need to travel to get you there. Some models will even alert you to traffic and construction delays that you might encounter and will allow you to avoid them. Using the acronym GPS, let us consider a few comparisons between this man made GPS and God, and how we should use our spiritual GPS.

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I used to enjoy being complimented on being a "fine young preacher."  Brethren are so kind.  Unfortunately, they are also truthful, and I don’t hear that compliment any more.  In fact, haven’t for some time.  That is not, for course, because my preaching is no longer "fine," though I am acutely aware of my limitations.  Alas, no, the problem is that I am no longer young.

I began preaching almost on a weekly basis at the age of 16 for a small congregation in Monahans, TX.  Though I refuse to divulge my age, I have continued to preach for various congregations, without interruption for about 32 years.  (You do the math, it is too painful for me!)  Oh, alright, 48 years old in April.

The first bulletin I ever published as a local preacher, for the Third Street congregation in Tucumcari, NM, was produced on a mimeograph machine.  Two weeks later the elders graciously allowed me to go down to the local office supply to make copies (5 cents per) on the Xerox machine there.

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In Genesis 11:1-9 we read the familiar story of the tower of Babel.  At this time in the history of man he was singular.  After the flood man had a single language and seemed to inhabit one particular area, in and around Shinar.  In Shinar man had the grand idea of establishing for himself a name.  He proposed to do this by building a city and a tower to the heavens.  Clark puts this event about 100 years after the flood and already we can see the folly of man as he again thinks of his works and ideas and seeks to establish a name unto himself.

Throughout the years of the history of man, his folly has been evident.  He has built cities, established governments, overthrown the same, and all the while professed to be gaining knowledge.  His search for knowledge is insatiable and while knowledge is a good thing it is also the bane of man’s existence as he has established by himself truths which are not.  In Acts 26:24 Festus cried out to Paul, “Paul, you are beside yourself!  Much learning is driving you mad!”  Unfortunately it is the same today.  As man increases in knowledge the madness for his own knowledge is ever increasing and wasteful and leads him to foolish conclusions.

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In the previous article we answered the question of “why” regarding the A.D. 70 Doctrine. Why would anyone entertain such a doctrine, and why is the doctrine pushed to the division of churches?

A second question is commonly asked — the question of “How?” The A.D. 70 Doctrine seems to be, on its face, an absurd theory. How could any student of the Bible possibly entertain a doctrine that asserts the resurrection is past, and the end of the world has already occurred? It seems only necessary to clearly state the position to reject it. And yet, many have completely embraced the doctrine, and are convinced of its merit.

To answer the question of “How”, we refer by way of illustration to a recent scientific “discovery” making the rounds on the internet. It is referred to as “darksucker theory”, and entire discourses on the theory can be referenced by entering the term into any internet search engine. Here is a quote from one such document:

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Although the world may acknowledge the power of one’s words, many people in the world think very little about how they actually speak. It seems that there was a time when filthy language was only used by unsavory characters and dirty stories were reserved for private conversations held by “mature” adults. Today, profanity and filthy language can be heard by all kinds of people in all kinds of places. Even people who call themselves “Christians” can be heard using foul language and telling dirty jokes.

The Bible takes a very different approach to the way we use our words. Jesus warned us to take our speech very seriously.

“But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:36-37).

Jesus says that we will give an account for every idle or careless word that proceeds from our mouth. He goes on to say that such words will determine whether we will stand justified or condemned before Him. Indeed, death and life are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21).

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An Introduction to Realized Eschatology

There have been those who have held to the Realized Eschatology doctrine for many years.  There is an internet site, Preterist Archive (1), that contends Preterist Eschatology can be found in the earliest writings of the church fathers.  On their site they have a book titled A Paraphrase and Annotations Upon All the Books of the New Testament, written by H. Hammond, and published in 1653.  The claim is that Hammond espoused this doctrine in that book.

It is generally accepted that the modern advocation of the doctrine has its origin with C.H. Dodd (1884-1973).  Dodd was a Congregationalist minister for three years before becoming an academic.  He eventually reached his professional pinnacle as a Professor Emeritus of Divinity at Cambridge University.  In describing his views, Wikipedia states, “He is known for promoting ‘realized eschatology’, the belief that Jesus’ references to the Kingdom of God meant a present reality rather than a future apocalypse.” (2)  Herein lies a problem when discussing this issue.  The reader will note that the contributor to the Wikipedia article indicated that a belief that the Kingdom of God is presently established makes one an advocate of Dodd’s position.  This, of course, is too broad a brush.  Millennialists have a perception that colors references to Dodd and his ilk.

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When Americans sit in their different worship services, the chances are that one in five of the people there find “spiritual energy” in mountains or trees, one in four believe in astrology, one in four believe yoga is a “spiritual practice,” and one in six believe in the “evil eye,” that certain people can cast curses with a look.

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In spite of this article’s title – “A Very Lovely Song” – it has nothing to do with music whatsoever.

In fact, this is one way in which God made reference to his prophet, Ezekiel, but it was not quite the compliment it sounds like.

Consider Ezekiel chapter 33, verses 30-33:

“As for you, son of man, the children of your people are talking about you beside the walls and in the doors of the houses; and they speak to one another, everyone saying to his brother, “Please come and hear what the word is that comes from the LORD.’ So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain. Indeed you are to them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they do not do them. And when this comes to pass–surely it will come–then they will know that a prophet has been among them.”

Prophets like Ezekiel, you see, were not merely fortune tellers or providers of divine insight into the future; they were instructors of morality in light of God’s future plans (2 Peter 3:10-12). Because Ezekiel had proven himself a skillful prophet, the people greatly desired to come into his presence and hear what he had to say. They talked about Ezekiel like he was a celebrity preacher; he was the hottest topic in the land.

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Introduction

The word “teetotaler” means someone who abstains completely from alcoholic beverages.  The Bible calls on Christians to be teetotalers.

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Introduction

A doctrine exists which asserts that all Biblical prophecies regarding the end times were ultimately fulfilled with the destruction of Jerusalem by Rome in A.D. 70.  It is known by several names.  It is referred to most commonly by the awkward “A.D. 70 Doctrine”, technically by the term “Realized Eschatology”, recently by some of its adherents as “Transmillennialism®”, and less precisely by the more generic term “Preterism.”

Definitions

A.D. 70 Doctrine.  As indicated above, the generally accepted date of the siege and destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman general Titus is A.D. 70.  The doctrine this work examines asserts that all of the “end time” prophecies and references in the New Testament refer to that event.  It is contended that at that time, Jesus came for the second and final time.  At that time, taking the language of 2 Peter 3, (and wresting it, we might add), “both the earth and the works that are in it” were burned up; and the “new heavens and a new earth” were established.  Though it is not a phrase used by the adherents of the doctrine, it is descriptive and appropriate.

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Welcome back to Watchman Magazine!  With this editorial, we begin actively publishing material to Watchman Magazine after a hiatus of about five years.  In the last five years, the internet has changed greatly.  So, we will be doing things a bit differently this time around.

In the previous iteration of Watchman, we sought to maintain a regular monthly publication schedule.  There was no real reason for this other than it mimicked our paper based cousins, and it gave me as the editor a deadline for the preparation and publication of material.  It also wore me out!  As editor and publisher, it was my responsibility to both to correct and prepare manuscripts, and then to code them into HTML for publication on the web.  With some authors, this was fairly simple, but with others it was a real chore.  I must confess that the process became ever more daunting to me.  Though I am proud of all the material that has appeared on Watchman, I think it obvious that the first four years or so of the magazine were consistently of high quality, and that the efforts were a bit more inconsistent after that.  Without going into great detail, the magazine ceased publication as a result of editorial burnout on my part.

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From the Editor:

I have published a short book (48 pages) titled, A Refutation of the A.D. 70 Doctrine.   In January I plan on posting the material to Watchman Magazine (where you will be able to read it for free), but if you have an interest in the doctrine and would like a permanent copy, this book first presents what the Bible teaches about the end times, then introduces and refutes the A.D. 70 Doctrine.  The book costs $7.50, plus shipping.  You can order it by clicking here.

It is also my intention to publish the entire Watchman Magazine archives.  This will allow for an important permanent archive of the magazine in print form.  I am presently formatting the material, and it will be a lengthy process.  As each volume is finished, I will make available ordering information.  However, it is my intent (at least for as long as I am alive) to keep Watchman Magazine on the internet, with free access.

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The New Watchman Magazine is now completed!

We have completed a major overhaul of the site.  Sorry it took so long, but each and every article had to be copied and pasted into the new format.  This was done so that, in effect, it would never have to be done again.  New technology makes this iteration of Watchman Magazine much easier to use.  Now, searches are simple, and the archiving, by date, subject and author, is easily accessible from the front page.

What’s next?  In the near future, we intend to resume the publication of the magazine!  Look for the resumption of Watchman Magazine on or before January 2010.  Because of advances in technology, we intend to make some changes to the Magazine, and will be making some announcements regarding these things in the near future.

Until then, enjoy the archived material, and the new format of the magazine!

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(Evidently, our comments on the Pentecostal who died while handling a snake last Easter have struck a nerve.  Here is yet another response.)

Larry,

I am not interested in having a bible study with you.  I am a snake handling preacher and did not appreciate the way you talked about our religion.  Serpent handling is very much real.  I have handled serpents and never been bitten.  I sometimes go to the church that brother Wayne pastored at. Poorvalley, in Virginia, is the church he preached at.  Wayne Long was a very generous man and a true man of God.  Why do you consider our faith to be false?  Why do you insist on slandering and putting down someone’s religion?  You’ll be hearing from me again.   

Rev. Kamron Guin

(For further information, go to our web site, biblework.com.  There you may order video or audio tapes of, "Holy Spirit Baptism, Tongues, and Miracles," preached in 2001, and a copy of, "If They Have Received Holy Spirit Baptism," preached in 2002.) 

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What follows is an exchange with a Pentecostal Pastor who wrote regarding our recent article on a snake handling preacher who was bitten and died.  The bulk of the correspondence appears in my second response to Mr. Bradshaw.  It includes material from an article written more than thirty years ago which dealt with the same question. 

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In November of 2004, Bobby Holmes and I had a wonderful opportunity to travel to India, and preach the gospel.  We were in the country for the full month, and much was accomplished in the effort, due to the grace of our Lord and the power of His word.

Background

While Joshua Mahendranath was working in Kuwait, he determined to use his time away from his family to study for himself the truth of God’s word.  He signed up for many correspondence courses over the internet, and from them found that those courses he received from churches of Christ were different.  They were challenging and Bible based, and from them he learned the truth.

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The following joke appeared in the July 2004 edition of Reader’s Digest:

Reporter interviewing a 104-year-old woman: "What is the best thing about being 104?  She replied, "No peer pressure."

While this is humorous as an age joke, it’s not so funny when you’re a teenager facing the very real challenge of peer pressure.  This is especially true for Christian teens.  Children and adults are either oblivious to such pressure, or are confident and secure enough not to care.  Most teens, however, do care about what other people think.

When I was a teenager, lo these 20 years ago, we referred to this phenomenon as being part of the "in crowd."  I remember an article in my school newspaper about what was "in" and what was "out."  Nike shoes were in, Adidas was out.  Walkman radios were in, transistor radios were out.  Three-wheelers were in, motorbikes were out. Thinking back on that list, it was really about materialism and excluding kids whose parents didn’t have the money for whatever was "in" at the time.

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