Animal Rights

By Clarence R. Johnson

Over the past five decades we’ve heard a lot about rights  — human rights, civil rights, states rights, in alienable rights, the right to keep and bear arms, women’s rights, a woman’s “right” to an abortion — and now “animal rights.”

This is a complicated subject and maybe not as “black and white, cut and dried” as some imagine it to be. It involves, among other things, the use and abuse of natural resources.

And though the Bible has little or nothing to say about animals rights per se, it does have quite a bit to say about human wrongs. And it does say a number of things that have bearing on our subject.

God Created All “Natural Resources” 

God created all “natural resources,” including all forms of life: plant, animal, and human. (See Gen. 1:1, 11-12, 20-25.) Man is the crowning glory of the creation. He did not evolve from lower forms of life. His body was formed from the elements of the earth and his soul or spirit was specially created in the image of God himself (Gen. 2:7; 1:26-27).

Man, made in God’s image, possesses intellect, emotions, and will. Though man’s body is subject to deterioration and decay, his spirit survives death to live on in another realm (Eccl. 12:7; 3:18-21).

God’s Place in the Universe Is That of Sovereign Ownership
Though we hear of human rights, civil rights, states rights, and even animal rights, the rights that should concern us most are God’s rights. “For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the mountains, and the wild beasts of the field are Mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you; for the world is Mine, and all its fullness” (Ps. 50:10-12). “The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein. For He has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the waters” (Ps. 4:1-2).

Man’s Place in the Universe Is That Which Has Been Assigned Him by the Creator
Our relationship to God is that of stewardship and we must someday give account for our uses and abuses of the things put within our power. (See Luke 12:42-43, 48.) Man has been given the responsibility of subduing and exercising dominion over the animal creation (Gen. 1:26-27).

Verses That Might Be Used to Teach Animal Rights

Let’s take a look at some verses that might be used to teach animal rights. 

Deuteronomy 25:4: “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.” Note first that this statement is proverbial in its nature. Though it may legitimately have a literal application, it is in a context of discussing human rights (vv. 2-5). Paul’s application of this text in 1 Corinthians 9:9 shows that we are on the right track. Though I certainly would not deny that it would be wrong for a man to mistreat his ox, wrong for him to muzzle it so that it cannot eat as it works, the proverbial statement of Deuteronomy 25:4 was meant to have a higher, human, application (see 1 Cor. 9:7-14).

Exodus 23:19; 34:26; Deuteronomy 14:21: These passages forbade the Israelites from boiling a young goat in its mother’s milk. Older commentators saw no significance in these verses beyond that of showing pity, and avoiding cruelty. Though that may make sense of a sort, keep in mind that it did not keep the Israelites from cooking and eating a young goat — they just couldn’t boil it in its mother’s milk. (I understand that Jewish traditions regarding kosher foods does not allow meat to be cooked in milk, or even milk to be served along with meat, to avoid violating these verses.)

In 1930 archaeologists discovered the Ugarit literature, in which “it was learned that boiling a kid in its mother’s milk was a Canaanite [religious] practice used in connection with [pagan] fertility rites” (Wycliffe Commentary).

Again, a look at the context of this command bears out what we have already considered. All the passages that forbade boiling a young goat in its mother’s milk are in a context dealing with worship or sacrifice to Deity. The Israelites were not to mix Canaanitish religious practices with their worship to God. These verses are not really dealing with animal rights, but with human wrongs.

Proverbs 12:10: “A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.” Indeed, this verse, along with general principles suggested in other passages, indicates that it is wrong to practice animal cruelty. In fact, it has been generally observed that those who practice animal cruelty usually graduate to human cruelty. It should be noted, however, that raising and killing animals for food, clothing, and other legitimate purposes, using them as beasts of burden, etc., are not viewed in the Bible as acts of cruelty.

Animal Rights Extremists Protest the Legitimate Use of Animals

Readers Digest, June 1990, had an article detailing vandalism on the part of “animal rights” extremists. And make no mistake about it, when a person refers to killing animals for food or medical research as “murder,” that person is an extremist.

Perhaps the real culprit here is the atheistic doctrine of general evolution. General evolution theorizes that humans are basically no different from the rest of the so-called “animal kingdom” — that we have developed from ape-like ancestors, and someday will be developed out of existence, giving way to some higher form of life — that we as individuals have no greater destiny than the grave.

The Bible repeatedly emphasizes the distinction between human and other life forms and indicates that humans are of much greater value than animals. See Matthew 6:26; 8:31-32; 12:11-12. Jesus said, “And I say to you, ‘My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear; Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him! Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows’” (Luke 12:4-7).

The following uses of animals are in harmony with the revealed will of God, to whom all the animals belong:

  • Animals, both wild and domestic, can be killed and eaten. In fact, under the Old Testament system, eating of certain meats was required in Passover observances, etc. (Gen. 9:3; Exod. 12:1-11; 1 Tim. 4:1-4). 
  • Animals, both wild and domestic, may be killed to provide clothing and/or shelter for man. For Adam and Eve, “the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them” (Gen. 3:21). John the Baptist wore a leather belt (Mark 1:6). The tabernacle that Moses built, by God’s command, was completely covered with both ram’s skins and badger skins (Exod. 26:14).
  • Animals may be used as beasts of burden. One can ride them, pull chariots with them, pull plows, thresh grain, etc. Even Jesus rode a donkey (Matt. 21:7).
  • There is a Scriptural precedent for penning animals in a stall and fattening them for the precise purpose of slaughter as food. They killed the fatted calf (Luke 15:23).
  • Wild animals were slain for the protection of domestic animals and men (1 Sam. 17:34-37).
  • Dogs were used in guarding and or guiding sheep (Job 30:1).
  • Animals were kept as pets for companionship (2 Sam. 12:1-6; Matt. 15:27).
  • The principles involved in hunting, fishing, and trapping harmonizes with the Scriptures (see Lev. 17:13; Amos 3:5; Matt. 17:27; John 21:6).
  • Though I know of no specific example, it is in harmony with every Bible principle to use animals in research and development of medicines and safety devices. After all, man was told to “have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth” (Gen. 1:28).
  • Again, though there is no Bible example of such that I can think of, “game management” falls within the scope of subduing and exercising dominion over the animal creation. This is a difficult and complex problem. Use of a resource might be expedient in one area, circumstance, or time, and inexpedient in another. “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up   . . .” (Eccl. 3:1ff).

Conclusion

I am persuaded that it is wrong for us to wastefully abuse and destroy animal life — not so much because animals have rights, but because they belong to God, and we must honor Divine rights. I believe it is sinful for us to be cruel to any creature God has made but this does not preclude our using the things God has put under our dominion to serve and fulfill our needs and legitimate desires.

P.O. Box 463, Marietta, Pennsylvania
Truth Magazine Vol. XLIV: 4 p20 February 17, 2000

You’re Not An Apostle (1)

By Mike Willis

On more than one occasion, I have used apostolic example to authorize conduct that I was engaged in only to have the one who objected to the conduct to respond, “But, you’re not an apostle.” On one occasion, I was refuting false doctrine and referred to a religious group by name and a denominational friend objected. On another occasion, I referred to the unscriptural practices of a local church and a Christian used the same objection. Perhaps you have had someone object to conduct that is clearly identical with that of an apostle to which someone objected, saying, “You’re not an apostle.” 

One recently wrote an article in a bulletin mailed all over the United States and posted on the World Wide Web (I say this to indicate that its influence is not confined to the local church of which he is a member) condemning his brethren saying that they were “some new sort of apostle that a local church is supposed to support while he trots around the country taking care of everyone else’s business! Some may think that such activity is preaching but it does not meet the criteria the New Testament gives for a genuine evangelist.” Mailing a paper all over the United States in which preaching is done condemning activities of brethren outside the local church seems to violate the very rules of autonomy the author condemns others for violating. Is this author “taking care of everyone else’s business”? Is he some “new sort of apostle” that a local church should support while he sends out bulletins all over the country taking care of everyone else’s business? I have purposely withheld the name of the brother to focus our attention of the issue before us. We want to know just what kind of work the apostles were allowed to do that ordinary preachers cannot perform.

In this study, we intend to establish what the biblical role of an apostle was, what his qualifications were, and what role was exclusively given to the apostles.

The Word Apostle

The word “apostle” is used 83 times in 80 verses of Scripture in the New Testament. The word is translated from apostolos which is defined as “a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders” (Thayer 68). The word is derived from the verb apostello which has the entymological  meaning of “to send.” The noun is used especially of “persons sent with commission” and reflects the Hebrew usage of shaluach that is used to describe someone who is sent with a commission. There are several uses of the word “apostle” in the New Testament that reflects this etymological sense, rather than its technical sense, as mentioned below. Barnabas is designated an apostle (Acts 14:4), some think that Andronicus and Junia are described as apostles (Rom. 16:7; a better explanation is that they are known and honored by the Twelve), and the word apostolos is used to describe “messengers” of churches (2 Cor. 8:23; Phil. 2:25).

The term apostolos is used in a specific, technical definition to refer to “the twelve disciples whom Christ selected, out of the multitude of his adherents, to be his constant companions and the heralds to proclaim to men the kingdom of God” (Thayer 68).

The list of the apostles is given in four places: Matthew 10:1-4; Mark 3:16-19; Luke 6:12-16; Acts 1:13. From this comparison of the lists, we can identify the Twelve.
That Jesus chose Twelve is no accident. This corresponds to the Twelve Tribes of Israel and is so used in the book of Revelation (21:14).

The Qualifications of the Apostles

The qualifications of the Apostles demonstrates that this office was not a perpetual office to be filled in each succeeding generation of the church. Here are the qualifications given in Scripture:

1. The apostles were hand chosen by the Lord Jesus. Jesus spent the night in prayer before selecting the Twelve (Luke 6:12). The next morning he personally chose from among the thousands of his disciples, these Twelve who became known as his apostles. When Paul defended his apostleship, he specifically argued that he also was hand-picked by Christ saying, “Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)” (Gal. 1:1). He stated that he was “called to be an apostle” (Rom. 1:1; 1 Cor. 1:1; Eph. 1:1; Col. 1:1; 1 Tim. 1:1; 2:7; 2 Tim. 1:1). The record in Acts 1 of the selection of Matthias emphasizes God’s choice of Matthias through the lot.

2. The apostles companied with Jesus during his earthly ministry. When the Twelve were originally selected, they were selected from among Jesus’ disciples and forsook all to follow Jesus (see Matt. 4:19-20; Mark 2:14). When Judas was replaced, one of the qualifications given for those to be considered as an apostle was this: “Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection” (Acts 1:21-22).
3. The apostles were eyewitnesses of the resurrection. The second qualification given for an apostle was that he be a “witness with us of his resurrection” (Acts 1:22). 

The qualifications of the apostles makes evident that the office of the apostle was not a perpetual office in the church. The concept that the apostles had powers that were passed down from one generation to another via an unbroken chain of succession is shown to be false. There are no living apostles today, the concepts of Pentecostals, Catholics, Mormons, and any other religious group to the contrary notwithstanding.

The Function of the Twelve

What was the function of the Twelve? That they had a fundamental role in the early church is evident from several Scriptures. The church is “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets” (Eph. 2:20). In listing the various roles that men have in the church, Paul began with the apostles (1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:11). The New Jerusalem of Revelation is described as having twelve foundations on which are inscribed the names of the apostles (Rev. 21:14). What was their unique role and function:

1. They were eyewitnesses of the resurrection. Jesus spoke to the Apostles just before his ascension saying, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). No one could be considered as a replacement for Judas unless he had witnessed the resurrection (Acts 1:22). The Apostles gave witness to the resurrection (Acts 4:33). To be qualified to be an apostle, one had to be an eyewitness of the resurrection; one of the functions of the apostle was to give his eyewitness testimony.

2. They were the mouthpiece of the Lord to reveal his new will. In Jesus’ final evening with the Twelve, he expressed his intention to send to them the Holy Spirit who would reveal to them God’s divine will:

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you (John 14:26).

But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning (John 15:26-27).
I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come,  he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come (John 16:12-13).

In their role as spokesmen for God, they were placed beside the prophets of the Old Testament (2 Pet. 3:2, 15-16; Eph. 3:3-5). What was revealed through them became known as the “apostles’ doctrine” and was the revelation given for the church (Acts 2:42). What they revealed was the Lord’s commandments (1 Cor. 14:37). Jesus said, “He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me” (Luke 10:16). As agents of the Lord, his ambassadors (2 Cor. 5:20), what they spoke had all of the legislative, binding authority of the Lord himself. They were his ambassadors in the same sense as were the prophets of the Old Testament. One who resisted their inspired teaching resisted the teaching of the Lord.

This revelation was given “once for all” (Jude 3). The revelation given to mankind through the Apostles is not on-going. It is complete and final. There are no living Apostles revealing new revelation for this age, the claims of modern Roman Catholics and Mormons to the contrary notwithstanding.

3. They were men qualified to confirm their newly revealed message with miracles. Luke records that “many wonders and signs were done by the apostles” (Acts 2:43; 5:12). This is the “great power” alluded to with which the Apostles gave their witness to the resurrection of Jesus (Acts 4:33). These were the “signs of an apostle” that Paul spoke of (2 Cor. 12:12; cf. Rom. 15:18-19). The miracles that the Apostles performed were God’s verification that their message was true. Mark said, “And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following” (Mark 16:20; Heb. 2:3-4).

4. The Apostles were uniquely endowed with power to transfer miraculous gifts to other disciples through the laying on of their hands. Luke’s record of the conversion of the Samaritans proves this. The evangelist Philip left Jerusalem to go to Samaria where he performed miracles, confirming the message of his gospel. After several were converted, the Apostles sent Peter and John to check on the work at Samaria. The Scriptures record: 

Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money . . . (Acts 8:14-18).

Simon the sorcerer saw what many people never see: “that through laying on of the apostles’ hands, the Holy Ghost was given.” This is confirmed by other Scriptures. Paul longed to travel to Rome “that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established” (Rom. 1:11). Timothy’s gift was imparted to him by the laying on of Paul’s hands (2 Tim. 1:6); the Ephesians received gifts through the laying on of Paul’s hands (Acts 19:6).

The Apostles’ Role in the Church at Jerusalem

The role of the apostles in the local church at Jerusalem is not spelled out in explicit detail. That they had a prominent role is indicated by several things: (a) the benevolent funds were laid at the apostles’ feet (Acts 4:35, 37; 5:2; 6:6); (b) Barnabas’ bringing Saul to the apostles when he wished to identify with the Jerusalem church (Acts 9:27); (c) the leadership role the apostles had in the selection of the seven to serve tables (Acts 6:1-6); (d) the prominence of the apostles in the Jerusalem conference, even though elders were in place (Acts 15:2, 4, 6, 22, 23, 33; 16:4). Because of their role in revealing divine truth and their activity in the local church, they naturally had a leading role in the church at Jerusalem. As soon as elders were appointed, the role of oversight of the local congregation at Jerusalem would have shifted to them (Heb. 13:17; Acts 20:28).

Misunderstanding the Apostles’ Role

Through the centuries of church history, various religious groups have misunderstood the role of the Apostles in one way or another. The Roman Catholics have taught that Peter was the head of the apostles in asserting their claims about the papacy, but what is perhaps more important is their belief that some special spiritual powers were conveyed from one person to another through a chain of apostolic succession. The priest can administer baptism, the mass, and excommunication because of the power conveyed to him that ordinary men do not have.

Because of the misunderstandings that men have about the role of the Apostles, we need to continue this study to see some things that the Apostles did that were not unique to Apostles.

6567 Kings Ct., Avon, Indiana 46123 mikewillis1@compuserve.com
Truth Magazine Vol. XLIV: 5 p1 March 2, 2000

Religious Pluralism?

By Bruce James

I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes unto the Father but by me” (John14:6).

“Religious Pluralism” is the attitude of the day. Some might even call it the politically correct attitude toward religion. Basically, this kind of thinking is that all religions are equal; that every religion is as valid as any other and that every religion is a way to God.

Through the process of time and use, Religious Pluralism has become the “legitimate son” of what is called post-modernism, where there is no notion of absolute truth. To those thinking this way, truth is completely subjective, that is, left up to each individual. “You have your truth and I have my truth.” They may be in conflict or be opposites and even contradictory. That’s all right! They’re still both true because there is no single, absolute truth. It’s a way of inverting our values and the reason many have lost their spiritual equilibrium. “Woe to those who call evil good.”

Really now, how dumb do you have to be to believe that philosophy? If it’s hot, it’s not cold; if it’s up, it isn’t down; if it’s true, the opposite is false! If Jesus is “the Way” to God and you must go through him, then you can’t go to God through anyone else. If someone else is “Lord and Savior” then Jesus isn’t! If he is, nobody else is! Likewise, if an action, like adultery, is labeled “sin” by the Lord then it is sin to everyone, everywhere, all the time. You really don’t have to be a genius to figure all this out! When asked by Pilate, “What is truth?”, Jesus had already prayed the answer. “Sanctify them by Your truth; Your word is truth” (John17:17). “Let God be true, and every man a liar!”

P.O. Box 456, Carthage, Texas 75633
Truth Magazine Vol. XLIV: 4 p12 February 17, 2000

Editorial Left-overs

By Connie W. Adams

Tempus Fugit Right Smart

In the interest of multi-culturalism I thought I would mix a little Latin with Kentuckian. For those not versed in either language that simply means time flies, considerably. All through my adult life I have wondered if I would live to see the year 2000. Now, here it is January 3 of that year. I was just certain that I was all ready for it. (I believe the term is Y2K compliant.) And wouldn’t you know that the first letter I wrote today, I dated January 3, 1999. I don’t really want to live 1999 over. I couldn’t stand to go through all the hype about that magical moment when the stroke of midnight plunged us into the year 2000.

Have you ever heard anything like all the fearmongering we had about this? People were frightened into stocking up on extra supplies. Pilgrims to Israel were shown on television solemnly saying that “all the signs of Biblical prophesy are right” for the rapture of the church. One lady said we had storms, earthquakes, droughts, wars and rumors of wars and that these surely meant the end is near. She looked to be as old as I am and I wondered if she had been living in a cave somewhere for the last six or seven decades. In this century we have had two world wars plus numerous lesser conflicts. All of these events have been interspersed with passing generations. The references to Matthew 24 are anachronistic — the wrong dates are assigned events described. In preparation for his prophesy against Jerusalem Jesus said, “I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation” (Matt. 23:36). Concerning Jerusalem Jesus said, “Behold, your house is left unto you desolate” (23:38). Then in the time text of chapter 24 he said, “This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled” (24:34). In Matthew 24 our Lord gave definite signs for the coming judgment of God upon Jerusalem for rejecting the Lord. Those signs all came upon that generation and the prophecy was fulfilled in A.D. 70 when Jerusalem was seized and destroyed by the Roman army.

We have been warned of impending Armageddon. In the last part of the nineteenth century, Adam Clark, the great Methodist commentator paid his respects to the speculations that were rife in his day about Armageddon. In comments on Revelation 16:16 he said:

But what is the battle of Armageddon? How ridiculous have been the conjectures of men relative to this point! Within the last twenty years this battle has been fought at various places, according to our purblind seers and self-inspired prophets! At one time it was Austerlitz, at another  Moscow, at another Leipsic, and now Waterloo! And thus they have gone on confounding and being confounded.

Time flies all right, but false prophets yet abound, from Hal Lindsey to Billy Graham. The Jehovah’s Witnesses have braced the world for Armageddon numerous times, in their history. They go from door to door scaring people half to death with their solemn warnings that the signs of the times all point to the end. Well, the end of the world will come in God’s own appointed time. But Peter said, “The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night” (2 Pet. 3:10) and the Lord gave no signal as to when that momentous day would come. The lesson for all is preparation and watchfulness.

A Great Loss

The passing of Clinton D. Hamilton a few weeks ago has left a great void in the ranks of expositors of the word. I had the privilege of sitting in several of his Bible classes at Florida College when he first began to teach there. He was then only in his mid-twenties but already a learned and able instructor in the Scriptures. His writings in the early years of the Preceptor were major contributions to the literature of the brethren. I had the privilege of working with him in a gospel meeting in Lake City, Florida in 1950. Viewed by some as overly serious, he had a fun-loving side as well and was a master story teller. We both laughed many times over the episode when our fishing boat sank and we had to wade out.

Over the years he wrote articles in the Preceptor, Gospel Guardian and for sometime wrote the question and answer column in Truth Magazine. He also wrote some for With All Boldness. His crowning work was the writing of three commentaries in the Truth Commentaries series. His commentaries on 1 Peter, 2 Peter and Jude, and Romans are outstanding works which will benefit Bible students for generations to come. He will be missed. Our best wishes are extended to Margaret and the children.

Conversion

We have recently reprinted an old work which is indeed a classic: Conversion by B.F. Manire (the B.F. stands for Benjamin Franklin). This work was originally published in 1880. It is a collection of sermons preached numerous times by the author. The material is thorough and presented in a straightforward but interesting manner. The first time I saw this work was in the late 1960s when I worked with Cecil Willis at Brown Street in Akron, Ohio. He had found a copy of this out-of-print book and loaned it to me. I prepared some material for meeting sermons from it and have used some of that material many times. Once I was asked to preach a meeting on conversions at Hueytown, Alabama. Much of the material used in that meeting followed the arrangement of Manire’s book. I am so pleased to have it in print now and to have my own copy of it. I would take exception to a few positions he takes, but with those exceptions I would heartily recommend the book to all gospel preachers. Young men would be well advised to secure a copy and digest it. You can order a copy from Truth Bookstore (1-800-428-0121).

Humanist Manifesto 2000

Paul Kurtz, former editor of the Humanist and also of Humanist Manifesto II has now issued Humanist Manifesto 2000: A Call for a New Planetary Humanism. The work takes shots at religion which it describes as “magical thinking and myth-making.” It advocates international law with a global court with “sufficient power to enforce its rulings” with an international “police force” with such grand intentions to be financed by a system of international taxation. It calls for sex education for children, the absolute right to abortion, the abolition of capital punishment, the granting to homosexuals all rights presently enjoyed by heterosexuals, including the right of marriage, multi-cultural studies and other gems of human wisdom arrayed against the teaching of the Bible. Among their edicts you will find this: “Although parental moral guidance is vital, parents should not simply impose their own religious outlook or moral values on their children or indoctrinate them.” Folks, we had better wake up and get ready.

Box 69, Brooks, Kentucky 40109
Truth Magazine Vol. XLIV: 5 p3 March 2, 2000