Truth Magazine

By Jack Gibbert

There are times when I begin to wonder if the “conservative” movement is not beginning to drift. I recognize this “drifting” as inevitable (1 Cor. 11:19), but I become a bit sick to my stomach when I think that such is happening so close on the heels of the last great digression. Have brethren, especially those who were involved up to their eyeballs in the battle, not learned anything from their experiences? Brother Cogdill has sounded the warning in a recent article (Truth Magazine September 11, 1975) about the language of Ashdod creeping among us. I have noticed it appearing again and again, in articles written by “knowledgeable” brethren, and even in sermons and “off the record” discussions. I am not pushing any panic-button over some babe in Christ who doesn’t know better than to talk about “joining the church” and “Christian” nations, schools and institutions. I am referring to “old hands” in the grandest profession of all, i.e., practicing Christianity.

In December of this past year, one conservative church published in it’s bulletin a story billed, “Madeline M. O’Hair Is At It Again!” On the back of this bulletin they announced that, “Atheist M. O’Hare Petitions F.C.C. To Ban All Religious Broadcasting.” The article stated that Mrs. O’Hare “has presented a petition to the Federal Communications Commission with 27,000 signed letters. Christian radio and television is being threatened by Petition No. RM 2493 . . . this petition is an effort to make religious programming on radio and television illegal in the United States. If this petition becomes law, people will no longer have the privilege of choosing whether or not to hear religious programs. The basic issue is not whether or not the people should be forced to listen to the Gospel but whether or not they have the option and privilege to do so. . . .” The article went on to ask that everyone send in a letter of protest to this petition.

As soon as I read this I had a “gut” reaction that said, “this is just like that phoney Pentecostal stunt about the computer finding some lost time in the past.” For those who don’t remember it, there was an article circulating a few years ago about a man named Hill (I remember the name because it was the same as the “Flim Flam man” in the movie “The Music Man”) who supposedly put the question to a computer at the space laboratories and it came up with the fact there was time missing, supposedly relating to the Bible accounts of the sun standing still. This was proven to be a hoax, perpetrated by a man “led by the Holy Spirit.”

Now, why this “gut” reaction? (1) Mrs. O’Hair, like her or not, is not stupid, and such a petition would be stupid. (2) The use of “Christian radio and television” is so loose that even the liberals would not use it, I assumed that it’s roots were in Pentecostalism as they use it all the time.

I immediately wrote a short note in our bulletin to the effect that I was sure this was another case of my brethren jumping on a Pentecostal bandwagon and that faithful brethren should keep clear of the unclean thing.

A few weeks later I received another bulletin with the same article in it, this one was copied from the first one and gave credit to the first bulletin for it. Now I was really upset. Apparently this thing will have gone all over the country by the time this article sees print, but I know of no other way to stop this kind of thing other than to expose my brethren’s blind duplicity to hysterical Pentecostal lies.

I called my congressman and asked if he could get me information on Petition RM No. 2493 and he informed me that he could and would mail it to me within the week. I now have that information from the F.C.C. in their publication “FCC 75-946, 36588.” It’s 13 pages long and I will not bother to reprint it. I will however quote a few facts and make a comment or two.

First off, this legal opinion and order was adopted, 1 Aug. 1975 and released, 13 Aug. 1975. In other words, the action on this petition had been taken over 4 months before my brethren jumped on the band-wagon. As usual, when we support Pentecostal causes, we are a day late and a dollar short, and for that I thank God. Now as to what we are informed in this F.C.C. release.

This petition dealt with the “standards applicable to the licensing and operation of educational stations or reserved FM or television channels.” It in no way dealt with the right to have religious programs on radio or TV.

Next we are informed, “The filing of the petition has generated a vast amount of letters to the Commission, likely in excess of 700,000 . . . the majority of these letters are not directed to a resolution of the issues raised by the petition, as most are based on an incorrect understanding of the nature of the relief petitioners seek. Many of them are form letters that are premised on the mistaken view that the petition was filed by Madalyn Murray O’Hair, when such was not the case. In addition, the vast majority of letters urge us to reject what they understand to be the proposal to ban the broadcast of all religious programs (including church services) from the air. However, no such proposal was advanced by the petitioners, nor was it raised by the commission.”

Section 3 of the release informs us that “Although the religious aspect of the petition has garnered virtually all of the attention . . . in fact, much of the petition involves separate questions not involving religiously affiliated licensees.”

Now I will not go any further than to say that as the release explains what was asked for in the petition, I find myself more “FER IT” then “AGAIN IT.” I have in front of me at this moment an article from the Virginia Beach Sun (Jan. 7, 1976) that tells of the vast $2.95 million site that has been acquired by the “CBN” (Christian Broadcasting Network) that will run somewhere around $20 million for the headquarters they are planning to build here in Virginia Beach. All of this, we are informed, will be “tax-exempt.” This network is what we would call “holy roller” in its theological outlook and that is the kind of religious programing you will hear on it brethren, you will not hear the gospel on it. Petition No. RM-2493 was opposed to the “one sidedness” of sectarian owned stations. Not to their owning such a station, but to their refusal to grant other views an airing. And that, good brethren, is what you wrote in opposing when you wrote in opposition to RM 2493. You were actually fighting for the right of “holy roller” stations to refuse to sell time to faithful churches of Christ to preach opposing views to Pentecostalism.

Know what? I can understand to some degree why the “rank and file” of the Lord’s church may have written letters of protest . . . after all, didn’t their preacher say they should, didn’t he call them to arms? But what I do not understand is how knowledgeable preachers can be so easily sucked into a Pentecostal scheme, based on a lie (and incidentally, those who printed this lie really owe Mrs. O’Hair an apology) and even be so blind as to print their lie as they wrote it, not ,even taking the time to re-write it is acceptable Bible terms . . . or is the term “Christian radio and television” something faithful preachers are now using?

Brethren, our Lord said, “If the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch” (Matt. 15:14). There are some blind leaders among us who need to open their eyes before they and their followers wind up in the ditch. Telling lies about an atheist is surely heading for the ditch (Rev. 21:8) and needs repenting of … and I believe an apology to Mrs. O’Hair, I hope those who misrepresented her will be humble enough to do it. I am sure those who started the lie and used her name and cause to further their own cause will apologize, but I hope that brethren who helped to further the lie will show Mrs. O’Hair and other atheists that while sectarians do not mind lying to further their cause, Christians do and refuse to take part in such low tactics.

Brethren to keep from eating this type of crow, let us stick with preaching the gospel. Let us keep out of politics, especially is this true with this being an election year, we simply have no business being unequally yoked with the world of politics or the problems of Pentecostalism’s “Christian radio and television.” Let us trust the Lord, preach the word, and leave the lying to worldly sectarianism where it belongs.

Truth Magazine, XX:14, p. 10-11
April 1, 1976

By Mike Willis

One term which is rather generally neglected with reference to Christians is the word “saint.” Probably, this is largely due to the Catholic doctrine about sainthood. The Catholic Church began the process of canonization of “saints” in the ninth century.

“In the Roman Church this (canonization, mw) is done by the pope only, who, after the examination, `declares the person in question to have led a perfect life, and that God hath worked miracles at his intercession, either during his life or after his death, and That, consequently, he Is worthy to be honored as a saint, which implies permission to exhibit his relics, to invoke him, and to celebrate mass and an office in his honor.’ . . . The worship of `canonized saints’ is enjoined by the Council of Trent” (McClintock and Strong, Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature, Vol. II, pp. 90-91).

No one can become a saint until at least fifty years after his death, according to Roman thought.

That Catholic usage is not the same as the New Testament usage of the word “saint” is obvious from Rom. 1:7. In that passage, Paul addressed the church at Rome as follows: “to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called saints.” Obviously, he was not writing to the local graveyard! Hagios, the Greek word from which “saint” is translated, is defined as follows: “In the plural, as used of believers, it designates all such and is not applied merely to persons of exceptional holiness, or to those who, having died, were characterized by exceptional acts of saintliness” (W. E. Vine, An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, Vol. III, p. 315). Thus, “saint” is another term to be considered in any series which considers the descriptive names of Christians. But, what is the significance of being called a saint?

To Be Set Apart

The primary thrust of the word saint is the idea of being set apart to God, as it were, exclusively His. Hagios is the same word which is translated “holy” in other passages. The main idea is drawn from the Jewish usage of the Hebrew word godesh. Some places were set apart as sacred by God’s presence (cf. Ex. 3:5, the place of the appearance of God to Moses). The Temple was a holy place set apart to the worship of God; it was not to be used for profane purposes (cf. Jesus’ cleansing of the Temple, Jn. 2:13-22). All of the furniture inside the Temple was set apart in a similar fashion. The priests who served in the Temple were “holy unto the Lord” (Lev. 21:6) because they were set apart to His worship. In a similar sense, the whole nation of Israel was holy, not in the sense of moral purity, but in the sense of being separated especially to God (Jer. 2:3; Ex. 19:5,6; Dent. 7:6).

When the word hagios is applied to Christians, the first implication from the word is that Christians are “set apart to the service of God.” They are not common people; they “are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession” (1 Pet. 2:9). Everyone who has been obedient to Jesus Christ is a saint, a person set apart to God. As Paul described the change in the life of the Corinthians, he intimated that they were sanctified and justified when they were “washed” (baptized). He said, “And such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God” (1 Cor. 6:11).

Thus, every individual who submits to baptism in obedience to the Lord enters a special relationship with God. He has been “sanctified in Christ Jesus” (1 Cor. 1:2). “But the thought lies very near, that what is set apart from the world and to God, should separate itself from the world’s defilements, and should share in God’s purity; and in this way hagios speedily acquires a moral significance” (R. C. Trench, Synonyms of the New Testament, pp. 331-332).

Ethical Connotation

The verb hagiazo and the noun hagiasmos are related to each other. The English conveys the same relationship with “to sanctify” and “sanctification.” Sanctification refers to the process by which one eradicates evil from his life and incorporates righteousness into it. Thus, a saint is not only one who is set apart to Christ, but also is one who is living a morally pure life (not a sinlessly perfect life). Thus, the Hebrew writer said, “Pursue after peace with all men, and after the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord” (6:12). All of the passages which speak about the Christian’s separation from the world are relevant to this point. We cite only a few of them: 1 Jn. 2:15-17; Rom. 12:1-2; 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1; Tit. 2:11-14; 2 Tim. 2:22; Rom. 6:17-18. Thus, the second idea to be conveyed when Christians are called “saints” is that they are in the process of moving toward moral purity. This does not mean that they have already arrived at sinless perfection but that they are aiming for it. At this point, a couple of other passages become relevant.

The Process of Sanctification

Jesus said, “Sanctify them in the truth; Thy word is truth” (Jn. 17:17). In just what way is sanctification related to the word? Actually, the word of God is related to the process of being set apart and the process of moral purification. But, let us consider how this is done. A person is led to Christ through the teaching of the word of God (Jas. 1:21; 1 Pet. 1:22-23; Jn. 6:44-45). One learns of God’s will, believes it, and obeys it, causing him to become set apart to God.

The process of moral purification works in the same fashion. Consider what Paul said concerning the Scriptures in 2 Tim. 3:16,17. “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” Notice some of the usages of Scripture: (1) Reproof. The idea is that the person is convicted of the sinfulness of his conduct. (2) Correction. Correction is the restoration to an upright state. Thus, the Scriptures do not leave a person convicted of sin, they straighten him up. (3) Instruction in Righteousness. Having demonstrated that the wrong manner of life must be corrected, the Scriptures also point the way to the right kind of living. The Scriptures do not stop with the “Thou shalt not’s;” they add the “Thou shalt’s.” Thus, the sanctification process is related to the Scriptures in this way. Through them we learn of our misconduct, the way to correct our lives, and the right way of life. Thus, the sanctification of the believer “is not vicarious, i.e., it cannot be transferred or imputed, it is an individual possession, built up, little by little, as the result of obedience to the Word of God, and of following the example of Christ” (W. E. Vine, op. cit.). Paul said, “But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life” (Rom. 6:11).

Conclusion

Thus, the word saint is one of the most significant words applied to the Christian. It testifies to both the unique relationship sustained between him and God and his moral character. Needless to say, many who call themselves Christians are not reflecting the moral character of a saint. Such a person is self-deceived if he believes that he can walk in the ways of the world and sustain a right relationship to God. Since a Christian is sanctified and in the process of sanctification, he can be called a saint. Are you-a Christian?

Truth Magazine, XX:14, p. 9-1
April 1, 1976

By O.C. Birdwell

Most false teachers misuse and abuse Bible prophecy. They often leave the impression that they have some sort of gift from God which enables them to look more deeply into Bible prophecy and give a proper interpretation. Hence, many false religions are based upon a misunderstanding and misuse of prophecy. Some, who may not hold that the individual preacher has power to interpret prophecy, will affirm that church councils or a church hierarchy has that special power.

Peter’s Statement Abused

The apostle Peter said, “Knowing this first that no prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation (2 Peter 1:20, 21). This statement has been, by some, made to mean that no individual has the right to read and interpret scripture, but the right rests with the “Church,” which is to these people the Roman Hierarchy. So in their notes on the passage they say this means “no prophecy is the object of private interpretation.” But in this statement by Peter discussion is not being made of the interpretation of, but rather the giving of scripture. This is made crystal clear if one reads all the passage. He goes on to say, “For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit.” Peter’s point is that the men who recorded scripture did not write their interpretation of scripture, but they, rather, spoke and wrote being moved by the Holy Spirit. To take this passage and apply it to present day interpretation of scripture rather than to the initial revealing of prophecy is to abuse the passage.

False Interpretation

Many things have been affirmed as being taught in (he Bible that are not within its pages. Galileo was compelled by the Inquisition to renounce his opinions. From 1616 until 1829 his books were forbidden. The position of Pope Paul V was that the earth, and not the sun, moves, is “contrary to the sacred and divine Scriptures.”

Before the moon landing, some proclaimed that man cannot go to the moon because the Bible so teaches. Man went to the moon, yet, there is no reflection on the Bible because the position held is not in the Bible.

Another example of man’s false interpretation of prophecy happened during World War II. As most over forty can well remember, during this time there was rationing of automobile tires. A Texas preacher held that the tire rationing was a fulfillment of prophecy. He quoted Isaiah 3:18, in the King James Translation, where he read: “In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments about their feet, and their cauls, and their round tires like the moon. . . . This preacher, no doubt, made quite an impression on many. But he misused prophecy. Isaiah was talking about what was to happen to the people of Israel, and the “round tires” were the “crescents” worn by the women around the head or neck. Ezekiel said, “and your tires shall be upon your heads. . . .” (24:23).

It was reported that a few years back one editor of a religious journal published an article in which it was affirmed that prophecy showed that the world would end during that year. In the same issue, however, there was run by the editor a special five year subscription rate! This may reveal at least two things about that editor. He, as usually is the case, desperately needed subscribers, and he had very little faith in his writer’s prophecy interpretation ability.

The solution to this problem of false interpretation of prophecy is for all to allow inspired New Testament writers to interpret inspired prophecy. When they say “this is that which was spoken” we can rest assured that such is the truth.

Truth Magazine, XX:14, p. 7-8
April 1, 1976

By C.W. Scott

The Carnival of Death temptingly deceives the masses regarding worldliness. Satan and the men of the world set the standards by which individuals are to be entertained. This has caused the amusement problem to be one of the greatest of our time. “Less work and more leisure time,” is the clarion cry from all parts of the earth. It should be recognized that recreation is not generally evil but amusements of the present day have gone from bad to worse and have become so polluted and corrupted that every true disciple of Christ must watch and guard against the corrupt and filthy characterizations of men and women devoid of purity. The reason many affirm they do not see the harm and evil is because “the god of this world hath blinded their minds.”

Writing and thinking about amusements in the Carnival of Death, your attention is directed to three besetting evils. First, the game of cards! Spot cards are a game of chance rather than a game of skill. It is nothing but a form of gambling and Christians are as out of place with cards in their hands as a gospel preacher engaging in a dice game. Card playing is incompatible to the ways of Christ. One may talk of ungodly movies and obscene plays around the card table but it would not be the time to talk about God, Christ, prayer, righteousness and purity. Mothers have been shocked to learn about their sons and daughters playing cards for a jack pot of several dollars but think nothing of the cut glass bowl or other prizes won by them at the modern bridge and card social. Pray tell me the difference between the conduct of parents and their children. Christians need to think of their influence in such actions. “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father which is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). It is impossible for card playing, gambling with the use of cards to add to the spiritual statue of the player and neither will it add luster and glory to the majesty of God. Let none of you be deceived!

Let us secondly, take a serious look at the modern theater and the reruns of film with its worldly, carnal portrayals. Never before has there been such widespread publicity been given to the base, grossly immoral and wicked behaviour of men and women as is true in our day. Pornography is created and placed freely before the public by men and women devoid of shame. Galatians 5:19-21 presents to us the Holy Spirit’s warning through the apostle Paul regarding the lusts of the flesh: “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings and such like.” Surely, these are works that find their place in the Carnival of Death. The Christian is to flee all such carnal works and behavior. Paul added, “They that do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal. 1:21). The majority of pictures flashed upon the screens today paint vividly the above evils upon the minds of the viewers.

Immorality is being portrayed today for the amusement of people and the actors and actresses in real life live as wickedly. Language and scenes are both heard and observed by the family that would cause some mothers and fathers to almost faint were they to hear their own sons and daughters speak and act in like scenes before them. What Christian mother or father would take their children to see and observe the activities of the “red light district” or the habitat of the prostitutes? Would any caring parent take their sons or daughters on a tour of the brothels, lounges or the “honky tonks” with their nudity, drunkenness and profanity? Most parents would avoid such action with all their wickedness and yet many will pay others to reveal and expose all of these things to them on the screen! We need to remember that the apostle Paul wrote, “Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col. 3:2). Christians that are always following in the “footsteps of Jesus” will never be seen in a dirty theater or sitting in their own homes gazing upon the nudity, promiscuity, fornication, adultery, drunkeness, etc. accompanied by the vile and suggestive double-talk of the players.

The loose morals with all of the debauchery possible displayed in the films or movies of our time has most certainly greatly contributed to the breakdown of homes and home life and are a major factor in the ever increasing number of divorces. Is there any genuine Christian who feels comfortable in hearing and seeing the sordid scenes created for the amusement of the worldling? Would the professed pure-minded child of God feel at ease, comfortable in witnessing or revelling in such things at the second coming of the Lord? I am persuaded to the contrary! Such is to be identified as a part of the Carnival of Death.

The modern dance with all the suggestive and base movements of the participants is another most corrupting and destructive worldly pleasure. Everyone is able to discern that it is truly of the world and not of God. The scanty, immodest apparel worn to the dance is certainly not conducive to holy and pure thoughts. Why is the dance so popular? The modern dance is founded upon sex and the lust of the flesh which are both to be controlled and not encouraged. Think of the near-nudity, long and late hours, the impure air and all the other body destroying factors! Dancing is truly a Carnival of Death to health and spiritual purity. What a hot-bed for evil thoughts, desires and carnal acts! No wonder statistics reveal with each decade of time that seven-tenths of all of the fallen girls and women in the United States can be traced to the influence of the dance. Men and women do not generally seek one of their own sex. Destroy sex in the dance and dance is over! It is sex that makes the amusement popular!

The modern dance is indeed the Carnival of Death to health, modesty, morality, virtue, Christian power and influence. Know ye not that the Holy Spirit has declared, “They that are Christ’s have crucified (put to death) the flesh with the passions and lusts” (Gal. 5:24). It has been written:

“Wherever you go, never go where you fear

Lest the great God should ask you,

‘How comest thou here?’

Turn away from each pleasure

You would shrink from pursuing,

If God should look down and say,

‘What are you doing?’ “

Brethren and friends, let us all awaken to the possibility and task of removing all worldliness from our lives that the Savior may receive unto Himself at His coming “a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing” but a body of faithful believers holy and without blemish. This can never be done, as far as each of us is concerned, if we do not flee those things that compose the Carnival of Death to Spiritual Life. May God richly bless your life of purity.

Truth Magazine, XX:14, p. 6-7
April 1, 1976