Hill Robert’s Response To Our Open Letter (King)
(Editor’s Note: This article is a review of the response Hill Roberts gave to the Open Letter. You may, for context, wish to read Roberts’ article first.)
It is comforting to note that brother Hill Roberts has finally “come out of the closet” to respond to our Open Letter. Up until now his silence has been deafening, and this is especially noteworthy since his writings and teachings are the major reason for the present controversy. However, it is sad that he has come out of hiding only momentarily. He informs us that it is true that he will not debate the issues regarding his views on Genesis 1– “sort of.” He says that he will debate the issue with those “demonstrating a spirit in accord with 1 Peter 3:15,” but “brothers who introduce themselves to me with the verbal equivalent of ‘Put ‘em up’ will be disappointed.” We will let the reader decide for himself as to the spirit of the Open Letter and that of those who composed it. With respect to attitude, though, it is clear that brother Roberts has his own problems to deal with.
Preachers have for years utilized visual aids in the presentation of their lessons. Technological advances over the last 20 years have given preachers many options in the presentation of their sermons. A few short years ago, preachers were limited to slate boards and chalk, or bedsheet charts. While these were effective, they were limited and time consuming to prepare. Some preachers have and still do use slide projectors. However, this technology can be expensive and time consuming as well. You have to take pictures of your charts, develop the film, frame the slides, and color the slides with a magnifying glass and special paints. The overhead projector is much easier to utilize, but a problem arises as to how to prepare the transparencies. Some use a pen, and hand letter their charts. (I have seen some real ugly charts designed with this method). Perhaps you remember the dreaded “ThermoFax” machine. Long after the rest of the world had rejected it as outmoded technology, preachers were dealing with the hard to use and hard to protect thermal film it utilized. The computer has helped greatly with design, and inkjet printers are a wonderful tool. But, anyone who has printed up full color transparencies on their inkjet is aware of how costly the ink and transparencies are. At present, technology has presented us with a new tool (or as the members where I preach call it, a new toy!). It is the LCD Data projector, used in conjunction with the computer to project charts in a similar way to the overhead projectors with which we are so familiar. Far and away it is the most versatile and effective means of complimenting your sermon presentation with visual aids. With new technology comes growing pains. Some preachers misuse the technology, others are incompetent in their use of it, and from time to time you have members who are resistant to anything new.