Truth Magazine

By Jimmy Tuten, Jr.

“My brethren, be not many masters; knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation” (Jas. 3:1). The lexicons tell us that the word (didaskalos) translated “master” should have been translated “teachers.” It is rendered “teachers” in the American Standard Version. The obvious meaning therefore is that Jewish Christians were attempting to teach what they did not clearly comprehend. Wise teachers were needed, not foolish ones (Jas. 3:13). God did not intend that we all be teachers. This is illustrated in the exercising of spiritual gifts at Corinth (1 Cor. 12:28-31). Teachers have always occupied an honourable position among Christians (Acts 13:1). Teachers are necessary. However, incompetent and unworthy teachers do much harm.1

Can one possibly give attention to James 3:1 without seeing the need of personal consideration of oneself as a teacher? Like all teachers, each teaches a little by what they say; but they teach more by what they do. The Bible class teacher teaches more by what they are. Deeds are most important. A fountain cannot rise higher than its source. Even so the teacher’s instruction cannot be better than the teacher himself. Teacher, consider thyself. Too many are like those described by Hambone, the comic strip character: “most folks doan git nowhar because dey doan start nowhar in de fust place.” Don’t let this be descriptive of you. Unless we start somewhere, we are not going to get anywhere. The teacher must be seriously concerned with himself: what he is, where he is going, his conduct, his attitude, and the need for improvement. Until these and other matters relating to teaching are clear, there will be no effective teaching.

Consider Your Goal

There is an interesting passage in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Alice meets a cat and asks, “would you tell me, please, which way I ought to walk from here?” To this the cat replied, “that depends a good deal on where you want to get to!” And so it is with Bible school teaching. Unless we are teaching with a definite goal, we are not likely to get anywhere.2 The goal of the Bible teacher is threefold:

(1) To seek out and find the truth on whatever subject demands his attention. The word of the Lord is truth and men can only be sanctified with it (Jno. 17:17). Only by obeying truth can souls be purified (1 Pet. 1:22). One should not wrest the Scriptures (2 Pet. 3:16), nor corrupt its contents (2 Cor. 2:17). Personal opinion should never be bound upon students. “If one advocates a different doctrine, and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of depraved mind . . .” (I Tim. 6:3-5, Nash).

(2) To fill ones personal spiritual needs. “Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding” (Prov. 23:23), is a fitting admonition for Bible class teachers. In this respect one should consider very carefully Romans 2:21, “thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself?” The teacher should not only know what he must teach, but be ready to apply it to himself as well. Those who thoroughly know their subject matter and have personally drunk from the well of knowledge will be fired with enthusiasm. These are they who will unconsciously inspire students with his own interest. “This earnest feeling of truths clearly conceived is the secret of the enthusiasm so much admired and praised in teacher and preacher. Common truths become transformed for such a teacher. History becomes a living panorama; geography swells out into great continental stretches of peopled nations; astronomy becomes the march of worlds and world-systems. How can the teacher’s manner fail to be earnest and inspiring when his subject-matter is so rich in radiant reality?” 3

(3) Aim to supply the spiritual needs to others. Those who have learned well and know thoroughly have paid the price of mental toil and effort so needed in teaching. But then comes the problem of communicating to the pupil that information. This cannot be done by merely assigning tasks and driving pupils to accomplish those tasks. Most often this develops in the mind of the pupil an attitude of dislike for what they have tried to learn. You cannot pass knowledge from one mind to another like some material substance. Ideas can only be communicated. Bible teachers must induce students to think. This requires study and effort on the part of the teacher. We cannot supply spiritual needs to others without it. This brings us to the next point.

Consider Your Preparation

“Study to show thyself approved unto God.” This should be of special interest to those who are children of God and are seeking to teach others. This involves more than mere reading over the lesson Saturday night, or filling in the blanks of a workbook. A teacher will need some special study because in order to be qualified, he must know and understand all ramifications of information pertaining to the lesson to be taught. The teacher is a salesman for Christ and must know his product well. Then, and only then, can he develop confidence in himself and his lesson. Study is the basis for making the teacher proud of his position.

There is absolutely no substitute for a knowledge of that which one would teach. The teacher should be a constant student of the Bible, seeking to deepen his understanding of the book which contains all the principles and ideals one needs to teach. With every preparation the teacher makes, there will be growth toward becoming a better teacher. Generally and simply stated, preparation should include the following:

(1) General preparation-This should include all the academic and professional training that can be secured by the teacher. Make this as complete as study and experience can make it. This should include the following: (a) A study of the Master Teacher. Study the instances in the New Testament where Jesus taught. Identify the different methods He used and try to employ them in your own teaching. Jesus is the model teacher; our model. He knew and used the best methods. By following His examples we will be stimulated to grow. (b) Attend teacher training classes-If the teacher really wants to improve himself he will avail himself of every opportunity to share his thinking with others. Special classes for training teachers, whether at home or elsewhere, will be used to stimulate greater effort. Any qualified person can teach these and there is no reason why they should not be conducted. They are especially helpful for teachers of young children because the class will help them to come into contact with adult minds. This will require extra time of course. They are conducted at times other than the regular classes. Special training classes require special effort, but they pay big dividends to the teacher who wants to improve. (c) Make use of the church library-Every church should have a library for the use of its members in general and for teachers in particular. The library should not only contain good books dealing with the Bible, commentaries, lexicons, etc., it should contain some works that would help the teacher understand methods of teaching at various levels. A must for any library is enough reference works to help the teacher prepare for any lesson he may have to teach. (d) Each teacher should evaluate himself-This calls for a critical analysis of each lesson taught. Also a willingness to critically analyze one’s own procedures. These efforts will go a long way in helping to bring about rapid improvement. Ask yourself such questions as: “did I have my objectives in mind when I taught?,” “were the activities during the class related to my goals for the class?,” and “what evidence do I have that my pupils learned something worth while?” Always look for ways to improve your approach and methods of teaching.

(2) Specific preparation-The following have been suggested as guidelines for specific preparation for each lesson: First, study and plan your study as a whole. Second, make a general observation and study of your class. Learn something about the students themselves, their needs, their abilities and interest. Thirdly, select material and methods of study which are adaptable to both the student and the lesson. Fourth, make special preparation for each lesson, remembering that you will be teaching things that will be remembered throughout eternity. Take plenty of time and think through each part of the lesson, making sure that you understand it yourself. With the use of commentaries, dictionaries, and source books read as widely as possible on the lesson material. Consult others for their help regarding specific problems. Fifth, make this preparation well in advance of your class. Do not wait until the last minute. Arrive early at the classroom and make last minute preparations. Always open your class with a prayer.

(To Be Continued)

1. A.T. Robertson, Word Studies of the New Testament (Nashville: 1933), Vol. 6, p. 39.

2. Ray Rozell, Talks on Sunday School Teaching (Grand Rapids: 1956), p. 51.

3. John Gregory, The Seven Laws of Teaching (Grand Rapids: 195), p. 17, 18.

Truth Magazine, XVIII:2, p. 5-6
November 8, 1973

By Cecil Willis

Conscientious Christians rejoice at the spiritual battles won, no matter where the battle is fought throughout the world. Brethren in this country have in so many different ways evidenced a deep and an abiding interest in the propagation of the gospel in foreign countries. At least one hundred gospel preachers in other lands now are being supported by faithful churches, or individuals. Yet these American brethren continue to be maligned as being “anti-missionary,” or by some other such misrepresenting label.

My own experience with brethren has evidenced them to be quite willing to give sacrificially when a specific need is brought to their attention. This generous disposition has been manifested repeatedly as dire circumstances have occasioned appeals to be made to brethren in this country. Coming to mind at this time particularly are the appeals that have been made in recent years in behalf of needy brethren in Nigeria, Mexico, the Philippines, or some unusual need in this country.

Yet many Christians feel that they have so little opportunity to participate in such urgent needs. Often the need has been met before they hear about it. Someone has said that responsibility consists of ability and opportunity. Sometimes the ability is present but the opportunity is not known. In other instances, the opportunity may exist, but the ability does not. But when both ability and opportunity exist, then responsibility is ours.

Let me tell you about a continuing need in which each Christian could have a part, if he would like to do so. Ever since brethren from this country have begun to travel to some of the poverty-stricken foreign lands, requests continually have been received from native Christians in these lands for some teaching aids. In several of these countries, but especially is this true in Nigeria and the Philippines, there are scores of reasonably well trained men who are teaching the gospel. But frequently they are in need of tracts, basic study books, or other printed teaching media.

The people in some of these foreign countries are much more receptive to printed teaching material than are people in this country. Individual brethren in this land frequently can afford one or two daily newspapers, several secular magazines, perhaps be members of a book-club or two, spend a few hours a day watching programs on their color television, but then convince themselves that they do not have time to read a religious journal, or that they cannot afford to take one or more of the periodicals. Churches in some places can keep a well-stocked tract rack in their meeting house, and very little use is made of these tracts or booklets. Let me hasten to add that this condition does not exist in every church here. Some churches are making very effective usage of printed teaching instruments.

But tracts and booklets are extraordinarily effective in some foreign countries. I remember one occasion, when Roy Cogdill and I were in the Philippines in 1970, when about 4,000 copies of Truth Magazine were swept up in about one hour. Various brethren went through the stacks of papers and got themselves a copy of every different issue of the paper available. These papers were unwrapped and made available in a preacher’s home.

Some of the brethren who have been to Nigeria for prolonged tours have told me of the readiness with which people in that land will receive religious printed matter. One brother told me that he always passed tracts across the top of his automobile to outstretched hands when he stopped in a city to distribute tracts. He said if one did not keep his automobile between himself and the press of the people, he was apt to get run over. How many of you preachers in this country have that problem when you are distributing tracts?

Literally hundreds of requests have come to me, and to other preachers who have visited some of these foreign lands, asking for an ample supply of tracts. As funds have been available for this purpose, tracts have been mailed to these brethren requesting them. No effort has been made to keep up with how many tracts have been sent. I do, however, specifically remember mailing 20 000 copies of one tract. Additional requests are frequently received for other tracts, or printed teaching materials. Many preachers in foreign lands do not have even the most basic study helps, such as a concordance or a Bible dictionary. Books to a preacher are like tools of his trade to a craftsman.

As funds have been available, tracts have been sent to those who specifically requested them. In the packages of those tracts sent have been some of the booklets which I have written. There must have been at least twenty people who have written to tell me that a tract which I have written was instrumental in teaching them the truth of the gospel. Others who have written tracts must have had similar experiences.

Requests literally by the hundreds come to us for tracts, booklets, basic study helps, and in some instances, subscriptions to religious periodicals. We wish it were possible to answer every request and to send those teaching items requested. Occasionally some individual will offer to pay for some tracts. When the person so requests, invoices are sent directly to him to verify the shipment of the tracts, and to indicate what was sent where, and to whom. Even when requests for the invoices are not made, invoices are yet made and filed away to indicate what tracts have been sent.

Sometimes appeals for tracts and books appear to be so urgent that we send them whether anyone has provided the money with which to do so or not. Several hundred dollars worth of materials have been sent for which no one has supplied replacement funds. I believe I could enlarge upon that statement, and truthfully say that several thousands of dollars worth of teaching materials have been sent from our bookstore, for which no one has sent money to cover the costs of the items sent. The foreign subscriptions’ which we send, for which we are not paid, cost about $1000.00 per year.

If you would like to have a part in such a work, you can paya for the shipment of tracts or other printed material as requests for them come in. The Cogdill Foundation is a tax exempt organization, and contributions sent to the Cogdill Foundation are tax deductible on your federal income tax form, just as are contributions to private educational institutions. If you wish to make contributions to be used: to send free tracts or other printed materials to brethren in foreign lands who cannot afford to pay for them themselves, we will be glad to ship them to those requesting them. Or if you wish to have tracts sent to specific individuals, we will be glad to handle and ship the tracts you purchase.

We began this article by stating that some individuals would like to be involved in certain teaching efforts, but the opportunity does not present itself. The intention to lay the need before you for tracts and other teaching printed materials has long been in my mind. It is my opinion that in some of those countries where the gospel most readily is being received, enough competent native preachers are on the field to attend to the work that needs to be done. In most instances, native preachers can do the work more effectively than could an American. But in some of these poverty stricken countries, we do need to provide preachers and teachers with the sinews of battle. And tracts are among the most effective instruments. In the sending of tracts is one place where you can be involved in teaching people who are hundreds, or even thousands, of miles away from you. If you would 1ike, to pay for the sending of some of these requested printed teaching instruments. let us hear from you.

Truth Magazine, XVIII:2, p. 3-4
November 8, 1973

By B. G. Hope

The above heading is the title of an article by Edward H. Weiss, Chairman, Edward H. Weiss and Company, Chicago, Ill. The article appeared in Advertising Age, July 17, 1972. I want to quote some excerpts from the writing and then make some observations.

“We have lost most of our traditional loyalties. . . . Everywhere we turn we are confronted with this breakdown-not merely in the market place, but in the family, the college, the church, the very seats of government.”

The author attributed this condition to the rapid change that has taken place and asked: “How can you be loyal to something that keeps changing all the time? … How can you feel you belong to something that keeps changing every year or so? . . . Loyalty pales and dies under such hectic conditions. Business has a tendency to say: ‘Let’s hire two young men to replace the 60 year old man we are firing…. Labor has a tendency to say,’ Let’s goof off for the afternoon-who cares if we are doing a sloppy job?’ . . . Everything seems temporary, tentative, short-viewed, expedient. What is there left to feel loyal to or about? . . . Hardly any manufacturer can rely upon a stable group of customers to stay with him year after year…. When this bond of loyalty is broken, the whole industrial enterprise is shaken to its roots. Products are defective and no one seems to care too much or too soon. Services are perfunctory or worse and no one seems to care too much. Companies dissolve. . . Old valued employees lose their jobs over night … And no one seems to care.” Mr. Weiss said: “What all have failed to grasp I think is that loyalty is a two way st;eet. It must be rooted in mutual trust or it is nothing…. If the workman is to be worthy of his hire, then the employee must play fair – with him, with his products, with his customers. No one must expect more loyalty than he is willing to give.”

Christianity and Loyalty

Loyalty is a virtue of Christianity. The “golden rule” demands it. The Christian who is an employer must treat his employee as he would wish to be treated. The employee who is a Christian must treat his employer in the same manner.

Family ties demand loyalty of a Christian. There is the husband-wife relationship, the parent-child relationship and then the child-child relationship. If one member of the family suffers all suffer.

Citizenship demands the loyalty of a Christian. There is only one exception to this demand – a conflict between government demands and that of the Lord. True citizens deplored the behavior of some athletes at the Olympics when they were disrespectful toward the flag. As long as schools stand for principles upon which they were founded a Christian must be loyal. Our educational system has the responsibility of standing for principles to which, Christians can be loyal.

Church membership demands loyalty. Older people need to be loyal to the young. That loyalty demands proper teaching and wholesome opportunities. The younger need to feel loyal to the older – those who have made a congregation what it is. Sometimes there is a movement to discard old elders who may be cautious but to whom the very existence is indebted. There should be some way to be loyal to old soldiers of the cross and yet considerate of the younger. Both are needed in the church – neither ought to be ignored. Additions could be made to an eldership without disrespecting the old bishops. Loyalty should be shown as an expression of appreciation.

Friendship in Christianity demands loyalty. “A friend sticketh closer than a brother.” Such an one deserves loyalty. He who has been the recipient of the deeds of a friend will never forget him. He will be loyal to that friend. Sometimes a friend is discarded when he is no longer needed.

The church has the responsibility of promoting Christianity. Christianity is made up of principles taught in the Bible. To expect loyalty, the leaders of a congregation must stand for these principles – must give the members something to be loyal to. Loyalty is essential. Most church members are looking for divine guidance and all the innovations will have a tendency for members to feel that there is no absolute truth – thus that attitude will develop a willingness to change the church to suit the times. As long as we heard the teaching, “Speak as the oracles of God,” we had something to which to be loyal.

Truth Magazine, XVIII:2, p. 2
November 8, 1973

By O.C. Birdwell

You name it and probably it is sponsored by some church. The Apline Hills church of Christ in Mobile, Alabama published a “Monthly Report” from two men (Marvin F. Bryant and Robert Shank) whom they apparently sponsor as ministers to the ministers. They spend their time talking to denominational preachers about coming over to “us.” They arrange church sponsored luncheons, feed, preachers, and try to get them to preach for the “Church of Christ.”

This type action denominationalizes the church, making it appear to be only a part, although maybe a better part, of the overall body of Christ. Our religious friends have, through the years, affirmed that we are a denomination as are they. Now these liberal brethren, as well as some who may claim not to be so liberal, seem to admit it. That you understand why I say this, I present the following quotations from Robert Shank in a recent “Monthly Report” printed and circulated by the Mobile church.

“One of the important events of May for me was the privilege I had of lecturing at Southern Baptist Seminary, Louisville, on the question of apostasy. I spoke an hour before a large class of graduate students. One of the students asked about the significance of baptism and I had opportunity to share some things with them about the place and meaning of baptism in Christian experience.”

Baptism in Christian experience? He sounds like a Baptist to me! This statement by Shank reminds me of a story I heard about some Jesuit priests who, during the early days of our country, went to convert the Indians. They told about Jesus but had no converts. They then presented the Christ as a great Indian chief with many scalps by his wigwam. Multitudes of Indians flocked to the banner. This prompted an observant bystander to remark, “It seems that rather than the Jesuits converting the Indians to Christianity, the Indians have converted the Jesuits to paganism!” Likewise, from the language Shank uses about baptism, I conclude the Baptists had no problem accepting what he said on the subject.

But consider what he further says about the Baptist Seminary. “I believe the school is committed to an objective approach to the scriptures and sincerely concerned for the authority of the Bible and for a biblically oriented theology. Let us not assume that only in churches of Christ are men found who are committed to the authority of the Bible in matters of faith, for there are many such men in various denominations.”

Lest the reader make a mistake and think the above is my statement, I remind you again that it is from Robert Shank, preacher sponsored by the Alpine Hills church of Christ in Mobile. He says the Seminary is for “a biblically oriented theology” and many “are committed to the authority of the Bible in matters of faith.” Friend, if this is true there is nothing wrong with the Southern Baptist Seminary! Is what the Bible says on the establishment of the church, the name we are to wear, baptism unto remission of sins, the Lord’s Supper, worship to God, and church organization and work not related to matters of faith? Truth on these and many other Bible subjects is not taught by denominationalists, including the Baptist Seminary. Yet, Brother Shank says they are committed to the authority of the Bible in matters of faith. He believes, therefore, that baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and other things mentioned are not matters of faith.

Brother Shank goes on to say, “Let us thank God for all such men, and let us humbly seek the good of all, seeking always to grow in our own understanding of the faith once delivered to the saints and to encourage other men to do the same.” Grow in our understanding and encourage others to grow in their understanding. Is this what he says? I believe it is. And denominationalists have been saying this for years. The Bible says, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18). “By that same rule let us walk” (Phil. 3:16), and when we thus walk we will “speak the same thing” (1 Cor. 1:10).

I caution brethren to be on guard against any man, whether he be preacher, editor, or something else, who will be silent on any New Testament truth in order to court the favor of evangelical or liberal seminarians. They usually have something to promote other than the simple gospel and man’s acceptance of it. Such men, whether they be so called liberals or conservatives, are not worthy of support.

Truth Magazine, XVIII:1, p. 13
November 1, 1973