Truth Magazine

By Brian V. Sullivan

Each field of endeavor has its own demands and challenges. Those of us who have engaged in “foreign” evangelism know the impact of culture, custom, and current political rule on the people we are trying to reach with the gospel. It is imperative that we remember our role in any field is to instill the principles of Christ and sow the seed (the word of God), clearly and plainly, so that it will bring forth fruit to the glory of God. Our role in foreign evangelism is not to make the people of another nation conform to the status quo of home, or to impose our idealistic, societal values upon them. In fact, most people in other nations would resent the fact that we might try to “Americanize” them, or “Canadianize” them. Faithful servants of God should seek only to get them to conform to the teaching of Christ as found in the word of God.

Canada is a difficult but not an impossible field for the gospel. Those who labor in this field know that one of the first essentials is patience, and those who support the workers in this field must also have a measure of patience in expectations. Works in this part of Canada are making advances but in many cases it is slow. A lot of the effort in Canada involves “unteaching” people (taking away the false ideas of denominationalism) in order to discover a suitable foundation upon which to establish truth. Catholicism continues to be the dominant religion, but most towns and cities have a variety of religious pursuits within them including Protestant, Pentecostal, Reformed, and Evangelical groups, along with a host of the more widely known cults. Multi-culturalism has brought with it a proliferation of Eastern religions including Hindu, Islam, and Buddhism. Humanism has permeated many minds and in turn it has created a “no God except self” concept that finds little time for absolute truth (through the teaching of the Bible). 

A goodly portion of the population claims some religious affiliation but may not actively pursue it on a week to week basis. Throughout the years, the truth has made advances in Ontario, but aging, death, and moves to other locations have impacted our numbers. The challenges are many, but the gospel is still the power of God unto salvation, Christ is still the needed Savior of all mankind, and souls are still being reached through the ongoing efforts of the faithful in this part of the world. 

Through correspondence with the brethren in various works in Ontario, we were able to determine that a variety of efforts are being put forth to reach and influence their communities. Here are some of the methods being utilized: (1) personal contact and invitation (family, friends, neighbors); (2) newspaper articles; (3) correspondence course ads and studies; (4) follow-up on visitors; (5) computer web sites; (6) computer e-mail distribution; (7) teaching bulletins by mail and e-mail; (8) door-to-door work; (9) fall fairs or exhibitions for distribution of tracts and correspondence courses; (10) mail drop distribution of information; (11) special meetings; (12) sign boards; (13) home studies; (14) taped sermon and Bible class message distribution; (15) debates; (16) mailing of tracts or leaflets; (17) announcing special sermon topics; (18) holding Bible studies at Senior citizen homes or institutions; to name a few. The general consensus is that personal contact is still the most effective method of evangelizing. It reminds us as well that our words and deeds must be harmonious. Christ must be seen in us (Gal. 2:20), for others to ask the reason for the hope within us. 

The Lord’s Work In Ontario Canada

When we were approached about writing this article, we immediately determined to contact those laboring in the field and to solicit some responses from them on their own work and activity. Almost everyone contacted responded, and if we were to record everything they wrote, we would need a whole issue devoted to the cause of Christ in Ontario alone. Out of that material, this writer has picked several statements from each that would give an idea of what is happening in that respective work. We have arranged the churches alphabetically. We will identify the town, followed by the average attendance on Sunday a.m. (indicated in numerals and brackets), identification of the preacher or workers there, and then a few statements regarding the work in each place. 

Bancroft: (20 members, many teens; located in Northeastern Ontario) — Larry W. Fuller (Canadian married to a Canadian) works in secular work, yet regularly preaches and teaches). “Although we don’t enjoy the blessing of a full time evangelist, growth has been consistent with about eleven (11) members added in the past three years.” 

The church here has helped encourage and develop several preachers over the years including: Chuck Bartlett, William Stewart, Larry Fuller. Several members who lived in Whitney and were part of the Bancroft church, are now involved in the new work there (see details under Whitney).
 
Garden City (45) (St. Catharines area, closest to Niagara Falls) — Roy Diestelkamp (American married to a Canadian). “Our number is made up of men, women, and children, from one to eighty-nine years of age. Nine men are active in our worship and work.” 

Glencoe (12) (South-western Ontario area) — Neal Bahro from Jordan, James Sullivan from Smithville: Canadians, single, both working in secular work and preaching on weekends here. “The church here has provided a situation where many young men have gained their first preaching experience over the years. It continues at the present to encourage younger men in their development by providing opportunity for preaching and teaching.” 

Hamilton (25) (Niagara Area) — Steve Rudd (Canadian married to a Canadian). “This church was started from scratch by Steve and Loreen Rudd and three others who came from Alberta. For the first two years, we met in our dining room. Then we put an addition on our house and met in the walk-out basement that sat thirty-five. After eight years, we rented a building on a main street. It has served us well for the last two years. It has been a tough slow work, but the people we do have are strong, committed, and participate in the summer evangelistic fairs.”
 
Jordan (85)(Niagara Area) — Joshua Reaves (American soon to marry a Canadian). The church here has remained dedicated to truth through the years. Several other churches in Ontario exist today as a result of the groundwork laid by the brethren from here or by peaceful swells who went out from Jordan (viz. Wellandport, Garden City in St. Catharines).

Many long-time members are now limited due to health or age, but the work continues onward. Younger ones are arising to take on more of the responsibility. Several men from here are fully capable of doing appointment preaching or teaching, and do it where and when needed. This church has supported Jack Maddocks so that he could take part in teaching efforts in India the past two years, as well as making efforts to reach others at home.
 
Kingston (4) (Limestone Church of Christ) (Eastern Ontario) — William Stewart (Canadian married to a Canadian). “Limestone is entering its second year of meeting and working together in the city of Kingston. We have had a number of contacts in the past year, some who have meet with us for short periods of time, and one who was baptized. Unfortunately, she shortly thereafter left the faith. We look forward to good things as the Lord blesses our labors in this corner of His vineyard.”

London (23) (South-western Ontario) — Brian V. Sullivan (Canadian married to a Canadian). “We are just now starting to make inroads into the community. Three precious souls have recently been added here by baptism, and another one by moving. The work is continuing to take on a university city appearance with several different countries represented in our number (Canada, Philippines, Bermuda, Barbados, Romania). We are averaging three visitors at each Sunday service, and two or three at each Tuesday study. Our men are taking a greater part in the services now.”
    
Peterborough (12) (Eastern Ontario) — Peter R. McPherson (Canadian married to a Canadian). “Work began about seven years ago when my daughter and husband moved here. This is the only church of Christ (of any kind) in the city. Our attendance over the years has ranged from a high of around 25 to what it is now. We have had a few move-ins and some to move away. We have restored three to the faith who lived in this city and have baptized eight. At the present we are meeting in the heart of the city at the Rubidge Retirement Residence. We have had our ups and our downs, but we must be optimistic for the future of the church here. Though we are presently small, it is a fairly strong nucleus and we continue to look and pray for new growth. Behind every face we meet, we see a soul for whom Jesus died.”

Smithville (30) (Niagara Region) — Chris Nicholson (Canadian married to American). “My wife and I have been with the congregation for eleven months. Since that time we have seen two additions by moving (traveling to worship with us), one by baptism. Two other visitors have expressed their desire to worship with us on a regular basis (one has previously been baptized and the other has agreed to further study).Besides these mentioned, a couple of those who attend on a regular basis have not yet obeyed the gospel, and our prayer is that they will soon decide to put on Christ in baptism.”  
South River (40) — James D. Nicholson (Canadian married to a Canadian). “This work began on April 1,  1979 by the grace of God, supporting twenty-five Sundridge members with their children. Several of this number were South River residents and they welcomed a new work in their community. The work has cycled through seasons of growth, maturity, slow down and recovery like all other churches. Several gospel preachers have been developed over these years, and one new work was spawned from this congregation. There is limited opportunity for work in this area, and young people are being drawn away to distant cities for further education and employment. Consequently, we lose a large percentage of our young people, but they remain faithful and become strong leaders in other congregations. There have been at least eighty baptisms resulting from the start of this work at South River.”

Timmins (30, over half are young people) (Northern Ontario) — Local men preach and teach. “In the last couple of years the men, who are doing the preaching, focused much of the efforts on worshiping God in spirit and truth. As a result the congregation has become more confident and joyful for their faith and have also come to realize that each one can make a difference in sharing their faith. For the past few months now we have been focusing our teaching on reaching out to save the lost. We’re all excited to see what this will bring us.”

Wellandport (56) (Niagara Region) — Michael Stephens (American married to a Canadian). “The church at Wellandport has a good mix from young families to elderly couples, all eager to serve the Lord. Over the last few years we have seen a gradual growth in our number. This year we have had three baptisms and are working on a few more. The best tool we have for evangelism has been active members. The last twelve baptisms we have had have been friends, family, and next door neighbors of our brethren.”

West Toronto (38) — Chuck Bartlett, Canadian married to an American; David Dann, American married to a Canadian. “The church began almost two and one-half years ago and continues to grow. Our joy is the CNE (Canadian National Exhibition) effort, with close to forty people still actively working on Home Bible study courses offered at our booth this year.”

Whitney (12 plus) — Larry W. Fuller (see personal details under Bancroft information above). “The Whitney congregation, is a relatively new work that began about two years ago. At the time we had a summer project, where we rented a town hall on Sunday afternoons, invited people, did a Bible study on Mark (16 weeks), and concluded with a short sermon. At the end of the summer, we were rewarded with a new sister in Christ, and have grown since then to a new local church with twelve members now. God has given substantial increase this summer with four baptisms. We are excited about the unity and desire evident in all the members, and as an evangelist it is my intention to teach these members to become strong spiritually, zealous and capable of teaching.”
 
The cause of Christ is alive and well among these churches in Ontario. Several other Canadian preachers are doing effective works in the United States and we rejoice in their further development and the work they are doing there. Some from Ontario have been involved in special teaching efforts in China, India, and Romania in the last five years. May we encourage each of those who is helping support those laboring in this field to continue to uphold their hands, and like the farmer that James spoke of, patiently wait for the early and latter rains. The seed is being sown, but only the Lord can provide the increase. We rejoice in his blessings of this past year and each one is looking onward and upward as he grants us a new year in which to serve him. 

Box 430, Fonthill, Ontario, Canada bvsprchr@computan.on.ca

By Larry Ray Hafley

Rush Limbaugh and Dr. Laura are two of the most widely known conservative talk show hosts in the country. They have millions of admirers. William Bennett, Robert Bork, Chuck Colson, and other well known political figures are famous for their religious and moral conservatism. Many religious leaders across the country, such as Donald Wildmon, advocate moral and spiritual values. With much of what these folks say, I am in agreement, for I believe they often express the truth on social and moral issues of our day. 

However, let me sound a note of caution. They are not our standard, our guide, our models of truth and righteousness. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Ps. 119:105). While we may obtain some good from the insights and comments of men, let us remember that our Savior is our perfect and complete example. We are to walk as he walked and to talk as he talked (1 Pet. 2:21, 22; 1 John 2:6). 

Dr. Laura is a Jew. William Bennett is a Catholic. Chuck Colson is a Billy Graham styled Baptist. Whose law do we follow? “There is one lawgiver who is able to save and to destroy,” the Lord Jesus Christ (Jas. 4:12). We are not under intellectual bondage to any human philosopher or moral advocate except him — “Him only shalt thou serve”! “Take heed,” therefore, “lest there be any one that maketh spoil of you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. . . . Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom” (Col. 2:8; 3:16). 

If Christians would be as passionate about the revolutionary revelation of the Redeemer as they are about the programs and pronouncements of men, perhaps they could again turn the world upside down (Acts 8:4; 17:6).     

By Steven F. Deaton

Fox News Channel’s Bill O’Reilly styles himself as an independent in political matters, which means he is supposed to look at issues in an objective manner. In truth, independents, like “moderates” or those who take a “neutral” stand, often contradict themselves from one issue to another. 

Mr. O’Reilly has written a book which shares the same title as his nightly news analysis program, The O’Reilly Factor. In it he espouses his view on a variety of subjects, from “the class factor” to “the gratitude factor.” Often, we agree with his opinions on and criticisms of people, policies, politics, and politicians. However, there are two chapters in which we disagree with him nearly from start to finish, “the religion factor” and “the sex factor.”

“The Religion Factor”

In chapter fourteen, “The Religion Factor,” Mr. O’Reilly writes, “And the fundamentalists really hate it when I say something like this: The most important thing I can say about religion is that it’s a good thing for all of us to have. It doesn’t matter what you believe — as long as you believe in something” (163, emphasis in original). Really? You would think that as a Catholic, Mr. O’Reilly would take a different stand than this. “The truth factor,” the Bible, says that it does matter what one believes. A young prophet in 1 Kings 13 believed something, a lie, and paid for it with his life. Saul believed he was doing God’s will when he spared king Agag and the best of the flock, but he was told his rebellion was as “witchcraft” and his stubbornness was like “idolatry” (1 Sam. 15). Saul was removed from being king because of his belief in something. Jesus said that there will be those on the day of judgment who believe they have done good according to his will, only to find out their belief in something was an erroneous and soul damning belief (Matt. 7:21-23). These men were not idolaters, infidels, or immoral, either. They believed in something, but not the right thing. Too, Cornelius was “devout . . . feared God with all his household . . . gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always” (Acts 10:1-2). Yet, Cornelius needed to hear words from Peter that would save him and his household (Acts 11:13-14). Did Cornelius believe in something? Then why did he need to be saved? Because he did not believe in the right thing!

On page 165 of The O’Reilly Factor, we find the following:

My guest, a Baptist pastor, insisted that Jews were bound for Hell if they didn’t swing on over to the Baptist side. (Catholics were not in such good shape, either.) I pointed out to him that I didn’t think Jesus had this attitude when he engaged with all kinds of people back there in Galilee.

This, along with other statements, shows how terribly ignorant O’Reilly is when it comes to Bible matters. Beyond question “the truth factor” reveals that Jesus condemned the Jews more than any other group, and their religious leaders most of all. He did not condemn them for not being Baptist, though, for no such thing existed in his time and is wholly without Bible authority. Rather, Jesus condemned the unbelieving Jews. He said, “Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins” (John 8:24). Through the apostle who recorded that last quote, Jesus said, “Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son” (1 John 2:22). We also learn from John that “all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone” (Rev. 21:8). Indeed, Jesus did insist that all unbelieving Jews are “bound for Hell” who do not swing over to his side.

Mr. O’Reilly also writes,

So I do not believe in an angry God who will punish human beings for having different spiritual beliefs from my fundamentalists Christian pen pals. Yes, I believe very strongly that evil will be punished. But God isn’t keeping a list and checking it twice. If you try to be kind, responsible, and honest, good things will likely happen to you — both on this earth and in the hereafter, whatever it is (166).
True, God will not punish people for having different views from the “fundamentalists Christian pen pals,” but he will certainly punish those who have different views from him. In fact, Jesus will come “in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power” (2 Thess. 1:8-9). This includes most “fundamentalists.”

“God isn’t keeping a list and checking it twice”? “And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books . . . And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire” (Rev. 20:12-15). “And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life” (Phil. 4:3). “The truth factor” reveals a list is being kept!

“The Sex Factor”

Now let’s turn our attention to the third chapter of his book, “The Sex Factor.” O’Reilly makes some obviously true statements, a few which some Christians are unwilling to admit. For instance, “Situation comedies, police dramas, daytime soaps, tabloid-TV ‘news,’ interview programs — they’re loaded with sexual content, from flesh shots to smirking suggestions” (32). He goes on to write:

What is the hit comedy Friends but a show about sex? The six attractive young leads are either having sex or talking about it whenever you happen to surf in . . . Sex is what they do. . . .

But the constant sex of TV and movies doesn’t get me all worked up about declining values and ready to mount a moral high horse. As advertisers know, they are giving us what we want.

True, true. Yet, there are a number of Christians who see nothing wrong with TV and movies filled with sexual content. They watch it. They let their children watch it. Then when “little Susie” gets pregnant, they wonder, “What went wrong?”

Even in the face of his observations about the condition of our society, O’Reilly sees nothing wrong with it. He writes, “There’s nothing wrong with men lusting all the time for beautiful women, as long as we are housebroken. Constant desire keeps men mentally occupied and out of trouble. We must have our sexual fantasies, ladies” (30). Jesus said, “But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matt. 5:28). Lust leads to more lust, sin, not less. “But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Tim. 3:13). “But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness” (2 Tim. 2:16). David’s lust for Bathsheba lead to adultery, lies, and murder (2 Sam. 11). Instead of insisting upon having his “fantasies,” David later said, “Have mercy upon me, O God . . . For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me” (Ps. 51:1-3).

On page 34, O’Reilly writes:

On the other hand, religious fanatics who demonize gays and other alternative groups aren’t covering themselves with glory, either. Yes, I know about the references to homosexuality as “an abomination” in Leviticus, but I also know what the Old Testament says about slavery. As long as a sexual issue is not intruding on your freedom or endangering your kids, leave it to God to sort it out. The Deity is a lot smarter than we are. That’s also in the Bible.

Yes, God is smarter than us, that is why he revealed his will to us. His wisdom is greater (cf. 1 Cor. 1:25). In his wisdom he said that neither “homosexuals, nor sodomites . . . will inherit the kingdom of God” — translation, they will go to Hell (1 Cor. 6:9-10). In man’s claim to be wise, he approves of homosexual and lesbian “lifestyles,” but in this God declares him to be a fool (Rom. 1:22, 24-27).

“The Drugs and Alcohol Factor”

When addressing drugs, O’Reilly calls for punishment and treatment of drug addicts in “The Drug and Alcohol Factor” chapter. But, when discussing sex, he says, “I’m not calling for abstinence here. That would be intrusive and ridiculous” (27). What is ridiculous is his call for abstinence from drugs (which is evidently not intrusive), but not from something equally as dangerous and life-damaging as pre-marital or extra-marital sex — “the truth factor” condemns both (Gal. 5:19-21; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; 7:1-2; Matt. 19:9). This is what we meant by “independents” contradicting themselves from issue to issue. Different standards are applied to issues that are essentially the same.

Conclusion

Finally, we must recognize that popular men, such as Bill O’Reilly (with the number one cable news analysis program and a New York Times best seller) are not the standard of truth, even though they say many good things. “The truth factor” is in the Bible, and the Bible alone. It is the infallible Word of God by which men are saved and will be judged (Rom. 1:16; John 12:48). Therefore, let us live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God!

378 White Dove, Lufkin, Texas 75901

By Connie W. Adams

Non-Judgmental

In our upside down world one of the greatest compliments is to be described as “non-judgmental.” The “judgmental” person is to be shunned and “judged” (by the “non-judgmental”)as biased, opinionated or worse. While Jesus condemned harsh, unreasoned judgment in the context of Matthew 7:lff, and pointed out that we usually receive the same kind of judgment which we administer, he also taught, “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24). Paul rebuked brethren at Corinth for going to law before unbelievers to settle their differences instead of before godly brethren “who shall be able to judge between his brethren” (1 Cor. 6:5). Paul himself said concerning the brother who had committed fornication that he “had judged already” concerning this and that such an one should be “delivered to Satan” and that “when ye are gathered together” (1 Cor. 5:3-5).

But in today’s world, we are not supposed to express our disapproval of people living together out of wedlock. That is judgmental. No onus is to be attached to fathering and bearing children outside of marriage. That is judgmental. The homosexual is not to be criticized. That is judgmental. The drunkard must be judged to be simply sick. Any other assessment would be judgmental. Not one word of criticism is to be uttered about a backsliding brother or sister. They are just going through a tough time and we must not be judgmental. In my judgment (there! I have exposed my real nature) this non-judgmental business is calculated to offer praise to those who have no convictions from those who have about the same amount of conviction — none.

Life Without a Telephone — Almost

Before we moved to our new patio home on December 7, 2000 we were assured by Bell South that we would have phone service from that date and were even assigned a new number. Imagine our surprise (shock is nearer to reality) when we were told the next morning (when I called from a pay phone at Kroger’s) that it would be several days before they could send an engineer out to assess the matter and that I would be notified by letter as to when we could expect service. Calling every day to complain and explain the perils of a preacher, not to mention an associate editor trying to function and do his work without a telephone, got me absolutely nowhere. In desperation we did obtain a cell phone, an action which I had long before determined I did not want. But get one we did. It is a poor excuse for a telephone. I have snickered at people who can’t walk through an airport, sit in a restaurant, or drive a car without a cell phone in their ear. Further imagine my chagrin  (I am beyond “shocked” anymore) to receive a letter from such a vast business empire as this phone company that they will be able to install our service by March 1!

All lines were laid underground in advance for gas, electricity, cable television, and telephone. The first three of these were in full use the day we arrived while the last is not yet operational.

Meanwhile, we have a computer without e-mail service and access to the web. It does not help to be told that Paul did not have e-mail. No, and he did not have messages hung up in cyberspace somewhere either. Why, I can’t even keep up with who is angry with me. I am deprived of all the choice articles and jokes forwarded to me by friends who don’t realize that I have already seen them five times!

But then the upside of all this is that there is some tranquility in the fact that the phone does not ring off the wall. I have spent no time before a computer screen since December 6 (the day before we moved). We do have a cell phone for emergencies and if push comes to shove we could send up smoke signals. The mail still runs. My trusty typewriter is working and life goes on. It has made me think of Peter’s ad­monition to “gird up the loins of your mind and be sober” (1 Pet. 1:13). I have also reflected upon Psalms 4:4 — “Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still.” Sometimes the inconveniences of life force us to do what we often fail to do — slow down. So, we’ll count our blessings (and they are legion) and be back in touch, brethren, one of these days. But I am still convinced that this is a poor way to operate a telephone company!

“And Weep with Them That Weep” 

While we complain about temporary inconveniences, some of our brethren in other parts of the world face problems some of us could not comprehend. For example, in the Philippines, while the work of the gospel goes on with gratifying results in many cases, life is so hard for some. There is much civil unrest. In the southern islands (especially Mindanao and Palawan) the Muslim rebellion goes on unabated forcing many, including some brethren, to abandon their homes or farms and flee with what is on their backs. They go to cities where they have no means of livelihood and where even friends or relatives are pressed to help care for them. The need for medicine and food and shelter is acute. The government offers some help but not enough. Some live in areas where there is daily bombing by government forces trying to break the back of the resistance. Also, there is the threat to peace from the NPA (New People’s Army), a communist guerilla force. Even on Luzon there has been disturbance in places. At present the nation is undergoing an impeachment trial for their president. Last January the wife of a gospel preacher died in southern Mindanao. Then in November her husband died leaving seven orphan children from age fourteen down to one and a half, six girls and a boy. They are from an area where many have evacuated because of the raging conflicts. Some help has been sent but more will be needed. Julie Notarte, a well-known and respected gospel preacher is helping to administer funds sent to help these children.

If you want to help or inquire about it, write to: Julie D.A. Notarte, P.O. Box 232, 8002 Digos City, Philippines. He has also been besieged by appeals from refugees for food and medicines. “But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the Love of God abide in him” (1 John 3:17)?

P.O. Box 91346, Louisville, Kentucky 40291