1. Redesign the look and functionality of the site, taking advantage of new technology
2. Incorporation of all archived articles into the new Watchman
3. At some point in the future, resumption of publication.

Many have asked when Watchman will be published again. I have consistently stated my desire to publish the magazine in some format some time in the future. This intent remains. I do not know the exact form the magazine will take, or when the publication will again begin, but until we begin a publishing schedule again, the archived material will remain on site.

As you can see by looking at the Archived Issues drop down box in the right column of this page, most issues of the magazine have already been transferred into the new format. Click on the Issue date to read articles in that issue.

For now, the old Watchman site is still available for viewing. To read any or all of the archived articles on the old Watchman site, please click here.

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There is some great material here. You can click on the monthly archives to read all of the articles. Or, if you prefer to browse by subject, see the Categories list to your left.

If you desire to see the articles written by a particular author, click the author’s name in the list to the right.

As time goes on, we will be transferring the other issues as well. In the meantime, if you want to see Watchman in its past configuration, click here.

Thanks for reading Watchman Magazine!

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“dear sir maybe you should read Ps105:15. and Matthew 7:1-2 as a matter of fact read the chapter.

what this man is or is not is Gods buisness. Rather than tear down a bretheren perhaps you should pray for Pat Robertson’s recovery. I know I will be.”

It is good to have a response, even an anonymous one, for no Pentecostal faith healer attempted to answer the questions posed by the article, “Pat Robertson’s Surgery.” Like Baal’s silence in 1 Kings 18, their muteness loudly proclaims their spiritual impotence. As the article said, if our Pentecostal friends had the powers they claim the Holy Spirit gives them, Pat Robertson would not have had surgery. He would have been miraculously healed. (more…)

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While those questions are surely superior to the spiritual indifference that some Christians harbor, they can also become an unbearable burden. Our human imperfections — minor and major, regular and occasional — stare us in the face through God’s revelation and constantly remind us what kind of people we are (James 1:23-24). We are all flawed by our own particular sins and weaknesses and in need of grace, both from our fellow men and more importantly, from God. The questions, though, are not seeking grace; they are seeking human achievement and earned reward. Those questions will invariably lead to painful answers.

(more…)

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We have asserted that Bible Authority can be established from the written scriptures in three ways: Expressed Statement, Approved Example, and Necessary Inference. In this article we deal with the third means, Necessary Inference.

The concept is ridiculed by many as being a legalistic, and humanly devised means of establishing authority. We will show from scripture that this is not so. However, to begin, let’s note that we often learn things by inference.

In communication, people often imply things, without explicitly stating them. Body language, gestures, and inflection often reveal implications not revealed in the words themselves.

The same thing is true with the written word, and can be demonstrated time and again from the scriptures.

(more…)

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Feature editor’s note: This writer recently returned from an preaching effort in the Philippines.  Brother Osborne’s article is timely, showing as it does the significance of current issues among brethren in the U.S. to faithful brethren in other countries and to efforts  to take the gospel to the lost of the world. (Steve Wallace)

For several years, the South Livingston church of Christ has supported brother Domie Jacob in his work of preaching the gospel in the Philippines. We have been thankful for his faithfulness to the truth and have admired his diligent and effective work in service to the Master. Having just returned from a brief stay with brother Domie, I would like the members of this congregation to know a little more about the faith, diligence and effectiveness of this dear brother.

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A similar debate over preemptive action exists among brethren. One idea is that whatever goes on elsewhere is none of our concern. It matters not what is happening on the west coast or east coast, in Florida or Kentucky, or even across town. Just mind the local work and leave everything else alone. (Of course, in giving this advice they violate their own precept by telling others what to do). The other idea is that what happens elsewhere will eventually affect the local brethren in one way or another. Therefore, addressing it is the wise course of action. The former is wrong, the latter right.

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The assertion of this series of articles has been that the Lord’s teaching regarding marriage and divorce is straightforward, and easily understood.  Simply stated, it is:  One man, One woman, for a lifetime.

Further, it is asserted that the one exception to this rule regarding the lifetime nature of the marriage commitment is found when a spouse is guilty of the treachery of fornication.  In this case, Jesus declared the innocent’s right to remarry.  Note again the passage from Matthew 19, "And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery" (vs. 9).

The right to remarry is extended only to the innocent party, and only in the one case of fornication.  Otherwise, Paul indicated that the marriage bond is a lifetime commitment. (cf. Romans 7:2).

(more…)

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When error is taught religiously, history shows people to be divided into one of three groups.  First, there are those who advocate the error.  Second, there are those who combat the error.  And, finally, there are those who seek to minimize the differences, thus compromising with the error.  Issues in the past 150 years have shown this to be true with the battles over the instrument in worship, and with the institutional issues that troubled brethren in the middle of the last century.

The same circumstance can be seen in the division of brethren over what the Bible teaches concerning marriage and divorce.   There are the false teachers who advocate the error, the faithful brethren who combat the error, and a sizable number of brethren who seek to maintain fellowship with those who teach the error.  As is commonly the case, the compromisers have turned to the 14th chapter of Romans, abusing that text in an attempt to justify their compromise with the false teacher.

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