Each year the Spring Church of Christ hosts an excellent lectureship, and this year’s (held in February) was no different. Both the book and the oral lectures contain outstanding material on a variety of subjects relating to morality.
The first chapter, “Christians Must Be Militant,” provides the tone for all that follows. Those who belong to Jesus cannot remain passive in the challenging areas presented here. The Bible gives us many passages that call for us to be militant. Four quotations by Alexander Campbell are cited to remind us that controversy has long been a part of Christianity—from Jesus on.
“The Nature of Truth” is fundamental in nature and a must-read section. Some of its interesting features include “The Cult of Unreason” and “Advice to Preachers” (42). Among the 21 works cited at the end of the chapter is one by James W. Sire, Why Should Anyone Believe Anything at All? This chapter answers exactly that question. In addition to those references mentioned, the writer also recommends 18 other works for further research.
Next is the essay on Postmodernism, which is a concept that brethren need to grasp in order to understand what is happening both in and out of the church. A defense of the rejection of logic is examined (52), as well as what this kind of thinking means in daily living. An honest advertisement for recruits to Postmodernism is provided on page 64.
“Atheism—True of False?” recounts recent atheistic endeavors, including a list of current best-selling books by atheistic authors (71). This material is truly thought-provoking, and it ranges from the use of a chart from brother Warren’s debate against an atheist (75) to a discussion of accidental versus planned creation to an examination of Darwin’s Black Box (96-97). The works cited total 44.
Logic is applied to the topic of “Atheist Ethics,” and three if-then statements are used to bring out the full meaning of the atheistic position. The first of these begins with, “If it is the case that all material things are only the accidental product of lifeless matter (dead rocks and dirt) over millions of years of organic evolution…” (117). The reader will profit from this study that exposes the doctrine of atheism for what it really is.
“Agnosticism: Can We Know Anything?” continues to examine this subject as it heads in a different direction. On page 134 is a picture of the advertisement being used on British buses; it reads:
THERE PROBABLY IS NO GOD.
NOW STOP WORRYING AND ENJOY YOUR LIFE.
Probably? That’s not exactly reassuring. One wonders what the probability is. “Enjoy your life”? How does one do that without knowing where it came from? And what about Jesus’ statement: “I have come that they might have life and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10)? The writer of this chapter defines agnosticism, lists a few prominent agnostics, and then discusses examples of agnosticism in the Lord’s church. All in all, there are 18 works cited.
The next chapter defines Humanism and Pluralism and explains how those philosophies are applied in society, along with explaining the harm that they continually promote. It is followed by “The Bible: Inspired by God or Man?” Just one of the interesting sections is “Jesus’ View of the Bible” (176-78).
One of the attacks that people frequently make concerning the Bible is the Flood as described in Genesis. They argue that the ark was not big enough to accommodate all of the animals that we have on the earth today; they also cite various logistic problems. These alleged “insurmountable” problems are examined fully; the material here is both valuable to know and to use with others. Fifteen sources are cited, from which much of this information was drawn. The section on the “Geological Implications of the Flood” (198-202) is well worth reading.
“The Age of the Earth” has always been another point of contention, and an actual geologist put together the material for the discussion, citing 14 sources and recommending eleven others. One of the quotes about Darwin involves an interesting admission—particularly since it was made as recently as 1987 (210). Both the creation and the evolutionary models are given a thorough examination (212ff).
Continuing with this theme is “Darwinian Evolution: Is Man Only an Improved Ape?” Several of the “missing links” are discussed, such as Piltdown Man, Java Man, Peking Man, Neanderthal Man, Cro-Magnon Man, and “Lucy.”
Always a necessity when studying Atheism and Evolution is an examination of the doctrine of Theistic Evolution. Among other features of this essay are “The Riddle of Ferdinand Magellan” (249-50), “Basic Evolutionary Assumptions Inherent in Theistic Evolution,” “So What of the First 11 Chapters of Genesis?” “The Day-Age Theory,” “The Gap Theory,” and “Ten Dangers of Theistic Evolution” (272-77). 25 works are cited, and 7 more are recommended.
Also worthy of a careful reading is “The Historical Jesus: Is Christ a Mythological Being?” This is a good solid study of the way the mythological view of Jesus developed. Christians are occasionally confronted with such views, and it is good to have excellent material such as this available to respond with. Then the historical evidence for Jesus is presented. 33 sources are referenced.
The next two chapters deal with “The Humanity of Christ” and “The Deity of Christ.” The first of these contains a wonderful illustration by G. C. Brewer of the significance of Jesus becoming a human being (322-23); the latter contains some of the names used of Jesus to prove His Deity. A separate chapter that also proves the Deity of Jesus is “The Miracles of Christ.” Add to the indisputable evidences already presented “The Resurrection of Christ.” Various false theories are examined, and their shortcomings are exposed. A chart of Jesus’ appearances after His resurrection appears on page 379.
The book next moves into another area—one that takes a look at the way the truth concerning God, Jesus, and the Word affects morality. The first of these involves a Biblical look at “Modesty,” which features descriptions of swimsuits that are calculated to entice, such as “Inspired by lingerie…” (390). And that one is from the Sears catalog! Most religious denominations do not emphasize modesty any more, and only a few brethren appropriately apply God’s principles of holiness. Church leaders would do well to consider this subject carefully.
An excellent study is presented on “Marriage,” including a relevant section on marriage and civil law (414-16). These ideas are followed by more material on “Marriage and Divorce,” which contains unsettling statistics on the subject from recent years (420). Before resuming with other moral issues, a chapter on “The Social Gospel” is appropriately inserted, since it is generally the cause of people ignoring what the Scriptures teach on those always-relevant topics. The emphasis of the gospel under discussion is physical, concerns mainly the present, emphasizes the community over individual spirituality, and relies more upon sociology than the Scriptures. It is important for Christians to understand the differences in emphasis between the two.
“Medical Doctors: Killers or Healers?” is the provocative title of the next chapter. “Hippocratic Oaths,” ancient and modern, are mentioned, along with a discussion of medical ethics as applied to in vitro fertilization, surrogacy, stem cell research, cloning, genetic counseling, and euthanasia. Ten sources are cited; brethren need all of the reliable, fundamental information we can get on these topics.
The next three chapters covered are all related: “Abortion,” “The Sexual Revolution,” and “Homosexuality.” The first of these refutes arguments made to justify abortion and provides a summary of the important details of Roe v. Wade. The second contains an emphasis on pornography and entertainment (is that redundant?). The third provides a thorough look at the Bible passages related to the subject. There follow some excellent quotes by Patrick Henry and other founding fathers (500-501) on the importance of following Christian principles. Fourteen points are listed from the Homosexual Agenda (506), and the reader can decide how successful they have been since they first devised them in 1987.
The next two chapters turn the focus of attention to ourselves with “Preacher Training Schools: Are They Living Up to the Reason They Were Begun?” and “Higher ‘Christian’ Education: What Should You Expect Your Child to be Taught?” The first of these provides a look at what the Scriptures say about the training of men to preach the gospel; then it looks at one school as an example. As part of the Supplemental Material, it includes a letter from Terry Hightower to one particular school, asking why they cannot answer three simple true–false questions concerning their beliefs (523-29). One wonders if there are any schools that are willing to answer simple questions about their beliefs any more. Surely, this has not always been the case. Can anyone imagine Paul, Timothy, or Titus being fearful of taking a stand on fundamental doctrine? Should not young men be taught to teach the whole counsel of God publicly and privately? Many have become quite silent in declaring their beliefs—in public, at least. Are we being true to our original purposes?
“Christian” schools are seldom any better. The 66 pages that treat this subject are well worth having and are carefully researched. It begins by looking at purpose statements of various “Christian” colleges when they were founded. Not many have remained true to those purposes. The second section declares what parents have a right to expect in the way of education for young people. Only three institutions still in operation are considered for analysis. There is a brief look at Pepperdine (555-58), followed by a lengthier consideration of Abilene Christian University (558-72), but the bulk of the material centers on Freed-Hardeman University (572-92). Many brethren may be unaware of the information contained herein, but we would all do well to be informed.
The book closes with a look at “Higher Secular Education,” which includes a letter to the editor in which the father of a second-grader was pleased that his daughter recognized that natural processes upon the earth did not take millions of years to form mountains (601-602). The final chapter consists of material that was presented to women on “The Feminist Movement.” It provides a history of what has occurred in America and also presents a Biblical view of the role of women with a look at several mentioned in the Scriptures.
This book contains material that is current and helpful for all brethren. The book costs $20, plus postage and handling, and may be ordered from Contending for the Faith, 25403 Lancewood, Spring, Texas, 77373, or from David Brown at (281) 350-5516 . A set of DVDs may be ordered for $40 from Jim Green, 2711 Spring Meade Blvd., Columbia, TN 38401.
CHRISTIANITY UNCLUTTERED
Donald R. Fox
My wife and I were looking for a tool the other day. We knew or we thought we knew exactly where it was. As we climbed over much clutter in our storage shed, we both came to the conclusion that we’ve got to get rid of this clutter. No, we never found what we were looking for! Maybe it’s lost in the mess of disorganized stuff, most of which needs to be thrown out.
As I thought about clutter in my shed, my mind started to dwell on how Christianity, through the centuries, had become cluttered with doctrines of men. What a challenge, to remove man-made clutter from churches that desire to follow the teaching of the New Testament of Jesus Christ. Question: Can today’s churches be uncluttered from creeds written by men? With this observation, some people will become very uncomfortable and maybe just plain mad. Why should the idea of removing creed-clutter from Christianity make folks uncomfortable? I guess it’s the idea that creeds would have to be removed; maybe that’s the problem. We will allow these questions to lie dormant and unanswered. The reader will be his/her own judge concerning the proposal of removing ecclesiastical clutter from Christianity.
SINCE MAN IS RESPONSIBLE
FOR ECCLESIASTICAL CLUTTER,
LET US CONSIDER THE BELOW POINTS.
The Bible gives the answer from whence came the clutter. Notice Paul’s address to the Ephesian elders:
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves, shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them (Acts 20:28-30).
The Bible teaches that man cannot add to the Word. The apostle Paul wondered why many had swerved from the Gospel.
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accused. (Gal. 1:6-8)
The Bible teaches that the Word is complete. No further additions are needed.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
Our Lord rebukes those that would add to His Word. Shall we heed?
Howbeit, in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For, laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men (Mark 7:7-8).
To tamper with the Word of God is a fearful thing. Why would anyone desire to add to or subtract from God’s Word? For a principle that runs throughout the Word of God, we direct you to Revelation 22:18-19. It is our desire to study and obey the Word of God uncluttered. Amen!
—From the March 15th
High Plains News (Cheyenne, Wyoming)