Evidences of Faith: The Walls of Jericho

Posted on March 1st, 1998 in Archaeology, Jericho, Evidences, Subject Index by Robson, Jim

On the cover of the December 18, 1995 issue of Time magazine is an artist’s rendition of Moses about to break the tablets of stone on which God had written the ten commandments. In bold letters is the question: Is the Bible Fact or Fiction? Under this eye-catching headline, we are informed that “Archaeologists in the Holy Land are shedding new light on what did - and didn’t - occur in the greatest stories ever told”. The article which underlies this cover has some interesting information, but also some inconsistencies and misleading statements. I am not in the business of criticizing journalists or their work, so I do not intend to pick out all of the various problems in the piece, nor indeed would there be space to do so in this paper. However, the assertions made regarding the fall of Jericho are particularly interesting, and also perhaps most damaging to anyone seeking the truth. We would do well, therefore, to examine these a little more closely.

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The Simple Gospel: A Literal and Narrow Interpretation

Posted on March 1st, 1998 in Hermeneutics, Subject Index by Deaton, Steven

From time to time I will read through journals from years gone by to glean benefits of mature and experienced brethren. Often in the writings of yesteryear, one can find excellent examples of men fighting for truth during times of controversy. And, inasmuch as the arguments are the same with only the surface elements changing, one will find “jewels” that can be applied to current controversies. Note the following gem, spoken in 1966 by brother David Edwin Harrell, Jr.

    …I believe in a literal and narrow interpretation of the Bible as the Word of God. My aim is the exact restoration of the ancient order of things…the Bible should be, can be, and is literally understandable and …it should lead all men to the same conclusions. “Any man who believes that he can find literal truth in the Scriptures must also believe that those who do not find the same truth are wrong. What follows is that such people are sinful. The next logical conclusion is that they will go to hell. The most onerous charge leveled against those who are members of the Churches of Christ is that they are bigots. It is frequently assumed that they believe that all who do not accept the truths which they find in the Bible will be lost. All members of the Churches of Christ do not have such an attitude, but I do.” (Robert O. Fife, David Edwin Harrell, Jr., Ronald E. Osborn, Disciples and The Church Universal, pp. 34-35 [ as quoted in Truth Magazine, Nov. 21, 1974 p. 4–emp. mine, sfd]).

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Voices from the Past: Truth Magazine and Controversy (Connie Adams)

Posted on March 1st, 1998 in Defense of Truth, Controversy, Truth, Preaching, Attitudes, Subject Index by Deaton, Steven

Connie W. Adams
Truth Magazine, November 1972

Some have complained that the “tone” of Truth Magazine is too militant and that some of the articles are too blunt for their taste. A few younger men have told me they thought some of the reviews were too “personal.” Some comments are in order. (1) I am sure every person connected with the paper agrees that there are times when all of us could better say what we write than we do. The same is true of sermons. After I have already preached, I can think of several ways I could have improved what was said and how long it took to say it. I do not always agree with how some writers express themselves though I might agree with the point being made. I am sure Brother Willis feels the same.

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White Unto Harvest: The Church in Udine, Italy

Posted on March 1st, 1998 in Anger, Fellowship, Foreign Evang., Subject Index by Wallace, Steve

This month we highlight a church in Italy.

(The following article is written by Valerio Marchi, Evangelist for the church in Udine.  Steve Wallace)

The Church in Udine, Italy

“Greet all of your leaders and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you” (Heb. 13:24).

My name is Valerio Marchi; I am 37 and work as an evangelist with the Church of Christ at Udine, in northeastern Italy, not far from the Austrian and Slovenian borders. About 100,000 people live in this city and 200,000 in the surrounding area. My wife’s name is Patrizia; we got married in 1986 and we have a daughter, born in 1995, whose name is Arianna Vera. I have been preaching since 1985, spending all these years at Udine; but, of course, also preaching from time to time in other places, according to the opportunities.

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Prosiguiendo a la meta: ¿Qué es ser un cristiano?

Posted on March 1st, 1998 in español, Subject Index by Salazar, Juan Antonio

Introducción

El ser cristiano se determina no por lo que el hombre diga, o sienta, sino por lo que nuestro Dios dice en su palabra. La palabra cristiano se encuentra solamente en tres versículos del Nuevo Testamento; estaremos estudiando estos versículos para determinar lo que es ser un cristiano. El propósito de esta lección es no sólo para tener el concepto correcto de lo que es ser cristiano, sino para que nos examinemos a nosotros mismos para ver si nosotros lo somos, para que hagamos los cambios necesarios y vengamos a ser en verdad unos cristianos.

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The Distaff: A Talebearer Revealeth Secrets

Posted on March 1st, 1998 in Gossip, Subject Index by Hogg, Jeanette

The World Book Encyclopedia Dictionary defines gossip as 1. idle talk, not always true, about other people and their affairs; 2. light familiar talk or writing; 3. a person who gossips a great deal. As a verb: to repeat what one knows, or the idle talk that one hears, about other people and their affairs.

 

How does God feel about gossip?
God has always forbidden gossip.

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Solid Food: The Gentiles and the Law of Conscience (Romans 2:12-16)

Posted on March 1st, 1998 in Conscience, Gentiles, Subject Index by Rader, Donnie

Romans 2:12-16 says:

    “For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things contained in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.”

Romans 1 had established that the Gentiles are in sin and need salvation. The point of chapter two is to show that the Jews likewise are in sin and need salvation just like the Gentiles. The point of the above verses (vv. 12-16) is an amplification of the point in v. 11 (God is no respecter of persons). So, his point is that God will condemn those who sin whether they be Jew or Gentile. Those who sin without the law (Gentiles), God will condemn. Those who sin in the law (Jews), God will condemn.

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Queries and Explications: Is the Weekly Sabbath Still Binding?

Posted on March 1st, 1998 in Sabbath, Covenants, Subject Index by Hafley, Larry Ray

QUESTION: “Is the weekly Sabbath still binding on us because of Hebrews 4:9? The ‘rest’ in this verse is ‘Sabbatismos’ in Greek which means ‘weekly Sabbath’ (Saturday). Is this true?”

REPLY: In his Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, W. E. Vine, speaking of “sabbatismos” says, “(H)ere the sabbath-keeping is the perpetual sabbath rest to be enjoyed uninterruptedly by believers in their fellowship with the Father and the Son, in contrast to the weekly Sabbath under the law” (970). Note, “sabbatismos,” Vine says, is “in contrast to the weekly Sabbath under the law.” Thayer, commenting on Hebrews 4:9, concurs (565).

Too, as a casual search will show, the usual word for the weekly (Saturday) sabbath is sabbata, or sabbaton, not sabbatismos. Further, Hebrews 4:9 refers to “a rest,” not “the Sabbath.”

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Associate Editorial: Is “How?” Really the Question?

Posted on March 1st, 1998 in Institutionalism, Authority, Associate Editorials, Subject Index by Fain, Larry

I live in Limestone, County, Alabama. To many of you, that means absolutely nothing. To others, it has some ring of significance as many have heard of this county and the county seat of Athens. There are over fifty “non-institutional” churches of Christ meeting in this county, which is the smallest county in the State of Alabama. To say the least, this is an unusual circumstance. Just before I moved to this county, I received sage advice from two gospel preachers I admire and respect: Harold Comer, who has a statistic on everything you may want to know and probably some you may not want to know; and Donald Townsley, a great man, firm in the word and valiant in its defense. Harold warned me to beware of the multiplicity of the churches and the predictable “church hopping” that occurs in this area. Donald had a more stern warning. He advised me to be aware of the fact that the institutional battle had never really been fought here. I accepted his words with respect, but questioned in my own mind if he really knew whereof he spoke. After 2.5 years in Limestone County, Donald Townsley proved to be much more wise than I ever gave him credit for being. Institutionalism was never dealt with here due to the fact that most all the preachers in this area 50 years ago stood on the truth, and the churches remained uninformed on the intricacies of the issues. I am sure that few are as concerned with Limestone County church history as I might be, but my point is that unless we deal with these issues, and understand them fully, we are doomed to repeat the failures of our friends who are now so entrenched in liberalism and are so totally unaware that they are.

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Associate Editorial: Attitudes Toward Gospel Preaching (”Let’s Keep This Among Us Boys”)

Posted on March 1st, 1998 in Preaching, Attitudes, Associate Editorials, Subject Index by Roberts, Tom

One of the wonderful things about the preaching of Jesus (in addition to its wisdom, grace, perfection and relevance) was that it was always open and aboveboard, public in nature, not hidden in back rooms and secret conclaves. Knowing that he had the “words of eternal life,” (John 6:68), Jesus proclaimed the gospel of the Kingdom openly to the multitudes: “…I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing” (Jn. 18:20). In his journeys, Jesus “went through the cities and villages, teaching…” (Lk. 18:22) in such a fashion that multitudes heard him (Mk. 2:13). From the beginning, Jesus intended that the message of grace be free, uninhibited, unbound and unfettered by human authority. No man or group of men have the right to limit the spread of the gospel; it has been certified by Jesus’ authority as the son of God and commissioned to the world (Mk. 16:15-16; Mt. 28:18-20; Lk. 24:44-49). It is an eternal message, to all men of every race. It cannot be fettered by creeds. Its authority cannot be diminished by synods and councils. Translation committees cannot alter the original inscriptions. Private interpretation, in which efforts to teach “another gospel” are waged, are condemned (Gal. 1:6-9). Private and secret groups which seek to subvert or change the definition of truth and who often invoke secrecy and personal privilege will be exposed. Cloaks of darkness cannot hide the light of the gospel.

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