Truth Magazine

By Larry Ray Hafley

The title of our essay from the pen of the peerless apostle Paul is especially pertinent to any consideration of Matthew 15:1-20.

Matthew 15:1-20

In this text, Jesus calls the tradition of the Jews “your tradition” and the “commandments of men.” These traditions were sacred, hallowed rites that claimed Divine authorship and had been for ages and generations most minutely and meticulously observed. Jesus, the Truth, goes to the core of these religious rituals. He shows that the traditions of the fathers had their origin or source in men, their result in making worship vain and the word void, and their end in condemnation. “Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted up.”

The Lord was approached and reproached for the behavior of his disciples. “Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.” Jesus fully dealt with this charge. First, he charges their tradition with transgression. Secondly, he says it is “Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.”

“It Is A Gift”

“For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.” Two things inhere here. ( 1) God requires honor, blessing, or care of children for their parents. This is positive duty. (2) God specifies a condemnation of those who fail to perform their responsibility to their parents, and should one even curse father or mother, “let him die the death.” However, the Jewish tradition said that if one consecrated his savings to the temple or to some other service of God, he was released from the responsibility of succoring or honoring his parents. “It was further ruled that if a son, from any motive whatever pronounced any aid to his parents to be corban (that is to say, a gift -Mk. 7:11), he was thenceforward precluded from affording them help” (Pulpit Commentary). So, their tradition offset or made void the word of God.

All traditions of men have this same fatal flaw. It matters not how highly a practice is venerated or how piously it has been perpetuated, if it is not in the revealed word of the Lord it makes worship vain and the word void. “Infant baptism” is an example. It appears to be an innocent tradition. What harm can there be, though it be not taught in the Scripture, of sprinkling an infant? Volumes have been written on this theme, but briefly, this “innocent” tradition contradicts the nature of the New Covenant. The New Testament includes those who know the Lord, who have the Lords laws in their hearts. It encompasses those who will not have to be taught to “Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest” (Jer. 31:31-34; Heb. 8:8-11). Baby baptism excludes and precludes other scriptural acts which are to precede immersion; namely, faith, repentance, and confession (Mk. 10: 16; Acts 2:38; Rom. 10:9, 10). This is a second serious indictment and conviction. So. infant sprinkling is not innocent, but guilty. It is not harmless, but deadly (Matt. 15:8. 9, 1:3).

Mechanical instruments and other corruptions of the worship of the church after the New Testament order are other items that stand accused and accursed as human traditions that should be steadfastly exposed and opposed.

Perversions of the work and organization of local churches are likewise the result of human appendages being fused and joined to the New Testament structure. Charging the church with works not assigned to it are traditions of men. Supplying the church with additional activity naturally forges the necessity for supplementing it with further organizational arrangements, all of which are devised, designed and delivered by men.

But a tradition of men, whether it comes from within or without the faith, is a pollution of the Divine order. The Divine arrangement is perfect and any change is essentially a change for the worse. A human alteration is a Divine abomination.

The lesson of Matthew 15 and of all Scripture is that traditions of men render it impossible for one to please God. A tradition of men nullifies the word of God. Further, every tradition of God must be diligently observed and preserved. It remains for all who love the Lord and who want to go to heaven to reject the traditions of their fathers and to return to the traditions of the Father as revealed in the word of God.

TRUTH MAGAZINE XVII: 14, pp. 7-8
February 8, 1973

By Rolland W. Fritz

God is the source of all truth (Isaiah 46:9-10; John 17:17). Gods authority In the New Testament dispensation, and therefore in the time in which we are living, is revealed and exercised through Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1: 1-2; Matthew 28:18; Ephesians 1: 17-23; Matthew 17:5; John 12:48). We find this authority plainly set forth by the disciples who spoke and wrote the Bible under the influence of the Holy Spirit (John 16: 13; 14:20: 2 Timothy 3: 16-17).Therefore, the ones who are following the only safe course in religion today are the ones following the Bible. The others are following courses of men, which will lead to destruction and damnation (Matthew 15: 7-14).

TRUTH MAGAZINE XVII: 14, pp.5-6
February 8, 1973

By Ferrell Jenkins

For over four years the Cogdill Foundation has been engaged in a project to produce and publish a totally new series of Bible class literature for use by churches of Christ. This work has come out of the almost universally recognized need for new and improved material. The project has been far more demanding than any of us ever imagined it would be. We are now to the point that we believe it is safe to announce a date for the publication of the material. The realization of this goal is based on the Lords continued help.

Preparation of the Curriculum

About six months were spent in working out the curriculum for the new series of literature. This involved a careful study of what should be included in a Scriptural, well-balanced, educationally sound curriculum. It involved a close examination of other literature series published by our brethren. Also some literature produced by denominational publishers was studied for ideas pertaining to education levels and format. The advice of experienced people was sought at every step.

Our curriculum was planned to take the student through the Bible each three years. The only exception to this is in the Senior High level where more time is spent in New Testament studies. More emphasis is placed on the Old Testament in the earlier grades. For example, in the Primary level we have eight quarters of Old Testament study and four quarters of New Testament study. In the junior level we have seven quarters of Old Testament study and five quarters of New Testament study. In junior High the pupil will study the Old Testament for five quarters, but the New Testament will be studied for seven quarters.

Series Title is

TRUTH IN LIFE

It was only after months of work that the title for this series of literature was decided upon. We intended to prepare such a series of material as to cause the truth (Gods Word, the gospel) to be reproduced in the life of the student. The presentation of facts is necessary, but we are seeking to instill the Truth into & heart of the student in such a way as to cause him to apply and reproduce it in his life.

The new Truth in Life series is so arranged that it can be used with Walking With God, which is also published by the Cogdill Foundation. If churches will begin with Truth in Life on Sunday morning and Walking With God on Wednesday night and continue with the outlined curriculum, there will be no duplication of lessons.

 

The Editors and Writers

Roy E. Cogdill has served as the Editor in Chief for the new series. He has been assisted by Ferrell Jenkins and Cecil Willis as Associate Editors. Jenkins has been charged primarily with editing and illustrating; Willis has worked largely in production. More than 30 writers have been engaged in the production of this new material. Those chosen as writers combined the qualities of fidelity to the Word of God in teaching and life, practical experience, and lesson writing ability. In some cases we have assigned the same book to as many as five different writers before getting it completed. All of the writers were competent but they just did not get the job done. Due to the fact that some of the material is still being written we will not list here all of the writers.

TRUTH IN LIFE is Group-Graded

The new Truth in Life literature is group graded. This means that all students within a group will use the same material. The groups are Pre-School; Primary (Grades 1-3); Junior (grades 4-6); Junior High (Grades 7-9); Senior High (Grades 10-12). This arrangement makes the material suitable for both small and large congregations. Teachers manuals are available for each book in the Pre-School through Junior High levels.

Guidelines For The Series

Before any writers were chosen some guidelines were set down to govern the production of the material. It was our intention to produce a series of literature that is: (1) True to the Bible. The Bible is viewed as a special Divine revelation of the mind of God and verbally inspired. Prophecy and miracles are seen as demonstrations of Divine power. Jesus is presented as the only begotten Son of God. (2) Well-balanced. A proper balance of Bible material, including both Old and New Testaments, and all Bible doctrines, make up the curriculum. The series is also well rounded in its presentation of Bible facts and the application to the students lives. (3) Educationally Sound. Each lesson takes into account the proven laws of teaching and learning. Only those aids and methods which will best help the teacher to present the lesson in order that the student may best learn will be suggested.

Every lesson was to be prepared with the realization of the three aspects of effective learning: cognitive, affective and motoric. These principles of learning may be stated more simply in the form of questions: What do I want the pupil to know (the facts of the lesson)?, What do I want him to feel (the attitudes) ?, and What do I want him to do (the actions in life)?

Questions Answered

When will the TRUTH IN LIFE literature go on sale? The Lord willing, this material will go on sale September 1, 197 3. This means that the churches can use it when they make 1heir promotions and begin the fall quarter on October 7, 1973. We plan to have all books for the first year printed and in the warehouse by that time. This will assure churches that we can supply their needs for the year. A small church will use the first book in each group or department. Larger churches may be using the same book in two or three classes. For example, if a church has a separate class for grades 4. 5, kind 6 they will use the same book in each class. In October of 1974 ail of the grade four students will be promoted to grade five. Grade four, which will be made up entirely of new students, will use the same books again. Grades five and six will use the second year of material, which will be in print by that time. We intend to prepare a booklet showing how churches of varying sizes may use the new literature.

What will be the cost of the new literature? At this writing we have not determined the cost of either the student books or the teachers manuals. The price will be announced well in advance of the sale date. We are attempting to keep the cost low, but the size and quality of the booklets may call for a price slightly higher than the Walking With God series.

What about examination copies? Shortly, we hope to have some examination packets of the first quarters material available for distribution. Watch the magazine for an announcement.

Who will sell the TRUTH IN LIFE series? The material may be purchased through the Truth Magazine Bookstore or through the dealer from which you presently buy your Bible class supplies.

Have you prepared any adult material Some work has been done on college age and adult level books, but the main thrust has been given to the pre-school through high school levels. Since no adults previously have used this material we are suggesting that adults classes use the Senior High material for the first year. After one year it may prove impractical for adult classes to continue this practice because of the promotion of high school classes into the higher levels. It is conceivable that in some circumstances adult classes could use ail three years of the high school material. The Cogdill Foundation publishes a number of study booklets suitable for adult classes.

Will you keep brethren informed of the progress on the series? By all means, Watch Truth Magazine for all-important announcements; concerning the new literature.

TRUTH MAGAZINE XVII: 14, pp.5-6
February 8, 1973

By Cecil Willis

When one edits a paper like Truth Magazine, there is never a dull moment. If nothing else occurred, ones mail would he sufficient to keep the air tinged with excitement. Often an expression used most innocently is taken out of context, and blown all out of proportion. Some months ago, I was preaching on the urgency of evangelism. In connection with my remarks about the dire need for personal evangelism, I made the observation that in many churches most of those who are baptized are our own children, and that we are reaching all too few complete “outsiders.” A liberal member who was present distorted what I said, and observed: “I never thought I would hear Brother Willis advocating infant baptism.” You see how an expression can be misinterpreted.

A few months ago in an article in this journal, I commented about how Brother Reuel Lemmons, Editor of the Firm Foundation, blows both hot and cold on some issues. One of Lemmons friends praised him for having the unique ability to be “equally strong on both sides of a question.” You must admit that that is quite a peculiar and rare trait. Another fellow liberal brother says that Lemmons is “tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine. One time he teaches the truth relative to orphan homes and another time he teaches exactly the opposite and condemns the orphan homes.” (W. L. Totty, Garfield Heights Informer, April 23, 1972.) Perhaps it should here be said that this statement by Brother Totty appeared in the Informer before Garfield Heights church fired Brother Totty, and later disfellowshiped him.

In connection with my efforts to show how Lemmons shifts from one position to another on an issue, I compared him to a chameleon, a small creature that has the strange capability to change his line to conform to several different colored backgrounds. An elderly Ohio brother then wrote me quite indignantly, chastising me for calling a brother a “lizard.” At the time, I could remember no occasion upon which I had called a brother a “lizard.” So I retorted: “You reprimanded me for calling somebody lizard in one of my editorials. Now if I have ever done that, I have forgotten it and would appreciate it if you would tell me which editorial you are talking about.” The aged brother then replied that I had called Lemnons a “chameleon,” and said, “In my book, thats a lizard.”

Figurative Usage

Apparently our Ohio brother never thought about the usage of language figuratively. Of course I did not mean that Lemnons was literally a chameleon. Instead, I meant that his actions are chameleon-like. When Jesus said that Herod was a “fox” (Lk. 13:31, 32), He did not mean Herod was a small animal with a large bushy tail. He was using “fox” metaphorical, just as I used “chameleon” metaphorically when I applied it to Brother Lemmons.

Metaphorical usage is quite correct literary form, whether our Ohio brother is aware of this fact or not. A few nights ago I was reading Jim Bishops The Day Kennedy Was Shot. In describing the personality of Jack Ruby who killed Lee Harvey Oswaid, Bishop said: “he had a chameleon character which could switch colors, from hilarity to resentment, from generosity to fisticuffs, from charitable impulses to tears, without changing emotional gears.” (p. 647) My reference to Brother Lemmons as a chameleon likewise was also intended only to indicate his changeableness, of which changeableness he seems to be unaware. However, I think nearly everybody else in the brotherhood is aware of his vacillation on nearly every important issue.

That sweet-spirited “apostle of love” from St. Louis (Carl Ketcherside) even got so worked up over one of Lemmons editorials on the prohibitory nature of Gods silence that he let, his sugar-coated mask slip a little. Even Brother Ketcherside, who keeps telling us and telling us and telling us how much he loves all the brethren, compared Brother Lemmons to a chameleon.

Ketcherside said of Lemmons: “Brother, Lemmons regards himself as the golden mean between two extremes. Almost all editors feel this way about themselves, but he advertises himself as walking in the middle of the road. This is intended to conjure up an image of a faithful stalwart marching squarely down the white line in the center of the pavement while everyone else is slogging through the weeds and underbrush on the right hand or on the left. This is hardly a picture of reality. Our brother remains in the middle of the road by dashing frantically from one ditch to the other. Occasionally he slips and sticks one foot into the, swamp up to his knee. His distracted supporters hardly know from week to week which flag to wave.

Ketcherside then continued: “I mention this so that if my reply seems outdated by the time it appears, I urge you not to throw the paper away. Save it, and when the merry-go-round makes its circuit, it will be appropriate again. Brother Lemmons is not wholly to blame for this. He is caught in an editorial vise. He edits a paper for a many-hued party, which he acknowledges is quite inconsistent, so he is forced to develop chameleon-like traits, if he is to please all of what he refers to as the heirs of the Restoration movement. (Mission Messenger, September, 1972)

Now if it appears that Brother Ketcherside has hit Brother Lemmons too hard, that only evidences that you have not carefully read Lemmons writings the last several years. If the great “apostle of love” could refer to Lemmons as “chameleon-like,” surely the brethren should not hit me too hard for using the same figure of speech when referring to Brother Lemmons. I used that figure of speech only because it is a most appropriate one and because it so perfectly fits Lemmons and his editorials. Indeed, one does not know from one week to the next which bandwagon flag he is going to be waving. That these are not over-statements of the case, I propose to show in articles to follow. Please stand-by.

TRUTH MAGAZINE XVII: 14, pp. 3-4
February 8, 1973