Newsletter Vol.2, #11—March 12, 2006

 

Matthew 8 7And he said to him, "I will come and heal him."  8But the centurion replied, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.”

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

  


 

The “Right Reverend” V. Gene Robinson is back in the news this week. As you may recall, Vicky Gene is the fellow whose homosexuality is so chronic that his insistence on practicing it, and his vocation as a cleric, nearly split the Episcopal church back in 2003 and is about to separate that church from its standing in the World Anglican Communion. Apparently, the not-so-good bishop has checked himself into alcohol rehab, on the advice of his "partner”, stating in a letter to his diocese that he is "dealing with...a disease over which my particular body simply has no control.”

Robinson's assistant, the Rev. Tim Rich, acknowledged the bishop had been an alcoholic for years, but "We did not see it in any way impact his ministry in the diocese."

Predictably, it took all of a New York minute for the satirists to respond. One such punster, Scott Ott, writes on behalf of the American Drunkards Association (ADA), "Bishop Robinson has reinforced the stereotype that being a drunk is some kind of medical condition that needs a cure. Alcoholism isn't a disease, it's who we are. We want to be accepted for who we are. The bishop has done irreparable harm to drunken clerics everywhere, not to mention the damage done to millions of lay-drunkards. The ADA lobbies lawmakers to gain equal rights for alcoholics—a large and growing group of Americans who face discrimination daily, especially from the department of motor vehicles. Imagine not being allowed to drive just because of who you are."

Ott interpreted Robinson's letter to say, "My life sends a refreshing message to our parishioners of redemption without repentance. It's a real improvement on old-fashioned Biblical principles."

 


 

Take special note of that last paragraph! “Redemption Without Repentance?” “A Real Improvement on Old-Fashioned Biblical Principles?”

I suppose if one is unwilling to repent of sin, homosexuality, alcoholism or anything else, one might convince oneself that it is indeed an improvement! ­–Larry A. Bunch

 

  

Bible Study to CS. Lewis

J. F. Dancer, Jr.

Some years ago some of our brethren decided that just studying the Bible in the classes on Sunday and Wednesday did not have enough appeal to draw crowds so they began to use the Andy Griffith television programs rather than the Bible, It seemed to work for a while.

In a 12-12-05 report in The Chris­tian Chronicle (a newspaper published by brethren in Oklahoma) an article reported on a new effort to draw crowds, This time brethren are using a film based upon a book by C.S. Lewis entitled The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Mr. Lewis is a British author who has written several books on religion and fiction. He has some good thoughts but was not inspired by God to write. This one was a best seller in 1950.

How can churches claim to be “the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Tim.3:15) and not teach the truth in what used to be termed “Bible Classes?” Have we become so interested in drawing crowds that we will do anything to do it? And, have we lost our faith in the gospel being the power of God to save (Rom.1:16) and the means by which God calls people to himself (2 Thess.2:14)? What are elders feeding the flock of God? Or, is it possible that God has already removed the candlestick (Rev.2:5) from these churches and they no longer be­long to Him even though they still wear the name of His Son?

Certainly all of us should be interested in having larger crowds at all of our services (Bible classes included). But, what is the purpose of the gathering? Do we gather people to teach them the word of God? Or, do we call them together in order to entertain them?

Much of the preaching in some pulpits has become “stand up comedy” and “feel good about yourself’ rather than ex­amine yourself whether you be in the faith (2 Cor. 13:5). Some of the most popular preachers are entertainers and you see that as they display their efforts to keep the audi­ence in laughter. Is this that for which Jesus gave His life upon the cross?

Preachers and teachers need to speak as the oracles of God (1 Pet.4:11) and to preach (teach) the word (2 Tim.4:2). Elders must see to the feeding of the flock of God but they must see that they are fed with the milk and meat of the word if they are to please God at the time when they are called to give account (Heb.l3:17).

 

 

“The Rank and File Want It So …”

J.F. Dancer, Jr.

Some years ago in a discussion, at one of the colleges operated by brethren on giving women more responsibilities in the public services of the church an appeal to do so was made on the basis that “the rank and file of the members want it.”

In more recent years several changes have taken place. A woman was appointed to teach a mixed class of men and women at a gathering in Nashville. Women were called upon to lead in public prayer in a mixed audience at a church in Pasadena, California The Cahaba Valley Church in Birmingham has appointed female deacons and a female as “assistant minister” and plans to soon have female elders. In the Memphis area the Cordova Community Church has a female listed as “children’s minister” on their web site. I could give other examples. All this is taking place, not because new scripture authority has been found, but because “the rank and file of the members want it”

Does this make it right before God? no! Is it right because some elders and preachers want it? no! What makes a thing right is to see what the Bible teaches and follow it. King Saul learned a long time ago that because people want something that doesn’t make it right before God (1 Sam.15:15). He listened to the voice of the peo­ple but learned God wanted obedience.

Jeremiah spoke of such as this in Jer.5:31 when he said, “the prophets proph­esy falsely, and the priest bear rule by their own means; and my people love to have it so…” I don’t know which came first - the desire of the people or the false teaching. They go together. When people will not hold to sound teaching they will find teach­ers who will teach what they want to hear (2 Tim.4:3). If folks don’t want to believe the truth, God will send them a strong delusion and they will believe a lie (2 Thess. 2:9-12) and be damned!

The scriptures limit the work of the female saint in a mixed assembly (see 1 Cor.11:3; 14:34-35; 1 Tim.2:8-12) There is no shame or disgrace in this. This is simply the way God planned it. I may not like it and I may not understand it but if I want to please God I have to accept it.

Pressures from society and worldly minded saints have caused many elders and preachers to forsake God and to go the way the majority (or, the most vocal) of the members want. If we are to please God we cannot make restrictions that God has not made nor can we loose where God has re­stricted Even if the “rank and file of the members want it so” this does not change what is written in the inspired scriptures. We must continue to study to know what is there. We must have courage to follow it. And we have to have faith that God really does know what He desires and what is best for humanity.  Standing Firm, bulletin, Beaver Dam ky edited by J.F.Dancer, Jr.