Letters to the Editor - March/April 2009

People Cannot Make Up Rules as They Go
(posted 4-28-09)
I am writing in response to the interview with Joe Grana in the March 1 issue of CHRISTIAN STANDARD.

He states, “Baptism is an essential part of the conversion experience. It is a total package, but are there other circumstances? Yes . . .” I agree it is not our place or right to judge, but it seems to me God has already judged the unbelieving and unimmersed.

The plan of God to adopt us through Jesus Christ precedes creation (Ephesians 1:4-14). It was in place in the garden when God told the devil that “He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel” (Genesis 3:15). The plan was in place through all the Old Testament. What a description of the life of Jesus Isaiah writes!

John 14:6 says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” I do not expect Jesus to tell me half-truths. Truth is an attribute of God. Did Jesus tell us the truth in Mark 16:16, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Jesus told us the absolute truth here in this verse. Jesus told Nicodemus that a person must be born again (John 3:3). We read in Romans 6 that we come from the waters “to live a new life,” sins are washed away, and we receive the gift of his Spirit (Acts 2:38). Ananias told Saul (Paul), “Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away” (Acts 22:16).

As to Grana’s surprise if not seeing Mother Teresa in Heaven, my job has been to preach the truth—all of it to the best of my ability. Jesus said in Matthew 7:13, 14 that there is a broad road that leads to destruction and many enter through it but “small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:21 says, “Not everyone who says to me Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”

It seems that more and more people want to make up the rules as they go, but God did not give us advice, or different scenarios, nor did he tell us to pick and choose the way we want to do it. We are all saved by his grace when the blood is applied, sins are washed away, and we become his. I am not more legalistic than God, but I don’t want to be cruel to people and not teach them the truth.
—George Randolph
Moore Haven, Florida

Textual Study Requires Discipline, Effort
(posted 4-28-09)
As a retired English teacher and librarian and current minister, I especially appreciated the “Reflections” feature of April 5 by Derek Duncan ("Keep Reading!"). His essay does a wonderful job of recognizing and analyzing the dearth of our devotion to serious reading of difficult texts. Those of us in ministry need to heed his injunction to prepare ourselves “to effectively communicate and engage people.” I run into situations almost every day where words are the only answer or solace I can give, since I work mostly with the elderly.

Shakespeare and the romantic poets prepare us to engage the complexity of Scripture in a way that nothing else can. A.W. Tozer, a man of little academic preparation, decided to prepare himself to understand the King James Bible by mastering Shakespeare first. How wise! No wonder his books are so deep in their understanding of the nature of man and God.

I pray the Lord to guide my reading so that I have the resources, both mental and spiritual, to serve his sheep. He sends me to pastures in out-of-the-way places that prepare me so much for the unexpected situations where ministry can take you. Our message to the world must include the intense effort and discipline that textual study requires so that we, like Paul, can dispute the world and encourage the flock.
—Joe D. Smith
Scottsburg, Indiana

Keep the Message Simple
(posted 4-28-09)
Many articles relating to baptism—and surely more to come since this year marks the 200^th anniversary of the start of the Restoration Movement—have been published.

I have read all of them and I comprehend what is being said. I have been in the church for 75 years and heard my mother relate the movement from her parents, which gives me more than 100 years of hearing the gospel message.

However, I wonder how well a new Bible scholar might comprehend the seeming complexity of all these articles. When I first began hearing, the messages were addressed primarily to the unbeliever; but it appears to me the current explanation of salvation is too complex for him to really know what is being said.

The evangelist holding revivals during my early days in the church made the message simple and direct: Then they used the “five-finger” method—hearing, believing, confessing, repenting, and baptizing—thus receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit and becoming a member of the body of Christ.

It seems to me this message should be simpler than a lot of theology. Yes, the learned know what they are teaching, but the one who has not heard, is it too difficult for him to grasp?

As one person put it: “It is so simple that even a wayfaring fool would not err therein.” Let’s get back to the basics and to the point—the way Peter told it on the Day of Pentecost when the church was established. Christ spoke to the unlearned fishermen in simple terms they could understand.
—LaRue Williams
Loogootee, Indiana

Pragmatic Interpretations?
(posted 4-21-09)
I’ve always wondered what the advantage is in assuming that the correct position to take on a biblical doctrine is somewhere in between two arbitrary extremes. One can find many examples of this, but I am thinking specifically of Bob Wetzel’s Reflections article, “Congregational Membership and Worshiping Community—A Reflection on Church Polity” (April 19) where he reflects on the doctrine of church membership in the Restoration Movement.
 
I am not here supporting or opposing brother Wetzel’s final conclusions, but I am questioning the way he arrives at his conclusions. In his article, he sets up one extreme as the position of “open membership,” where anyone who believes in Jesus Christ is acceptable as a Christian. And, at the other extreme he sets the “legalists,” who believe that any person who has not been immersed (including the pious unimmersed) is “doomed to Hell.”

Without citing Scripture that either of these “extreme” positions is in error, brother Wetzel seems to assume that most people will recognize them as being in error simply because they recognize them as being “extreme.” And again, without citing Scripture, he assumes that a better interpretation of Scripture is the pragmatic one—choosing a position that is somewhere in the middle of the two extremes he has set up.
 
Much could be said about doing theology and hermeneutics by finding the middle ground, but of primary concern one needs to ask is how we, as sinful human beings, can assume that we can judge right and wrong apart from God’s Word? In other words, instead of concluding that a belief is in error because we—or the majority opinion—decide it is “extreme,” shouldn’t we just be content with letting God have his say on the matter?

Truth is not found by seeking the absence of extremism, but by seeking to accurately handle his word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). In establishing our own standards of what is right, we will eventually become like the sons of Israel where “everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6).
—Paul McDorman
Cincinnati, Ohio

What's in a Name?
(posted 4-21-09)
A speedy trip through the church names in the megachurch issue (April 19/26) shows:
• 20 have directional names
• 16 geographical
• 9 biblical/spiritual
• 3 numerical
• 1 animal
• 1 no clue (farm equipment manufacturer?)
• 4 are just plain silly
—Jim Montgomery
Via e-mail

'Puzzled and Frustrated'
(posted 4-21-09)
I am so grateful for the things God is doing through our larger congregations (see the megachurch issue, April 19/26) . . . but I am continuously puzzled and frustrated by the improper “title” of pastor for our preachers. If the Bible uses that term for elders, that’s how it should be applied.
—Jeff Strite
Via e-mail

'One Disappointment'
(posted 4-21-09)
Thank you for your many years of service to the Lord. I read all of CHRISTIAN STANDARD each week and at least give the The Lookout a good look. I teach the Sunday school class with the oldest members of our congregation when I am available (Loyal Partners Class). I am the forwarding agent for Ecuadorian Christian Mission, and as such do some traveling. Hope to see you at the National Missionary Convention in Peoria.

When I visit other churches, one disappointment is if they do not have the STANDARD or Lookout available. Many times, when I question this, they state the publications were cancelled over budget concerns. I have assured the board here at Adrian Christian Church that if they discontinue these subscriptions I will get them myself.

Several years ago I led a Wednesday night small group through Training for Service. I still consider it to be as good a Bible overview as there is, but I understand it has been discontinued. (Editor’s note: Training for Service is still available—CLICK HERE.) Anyway you are doing so much to encourage God’s kingdom here, so keep up the good work.
—Jerry Ferguson
Adrian, Missouri

Not a Surprise
(posted 4-21-09)
I don’t know Michael Lum, but his letter (below) did not surprise me. I would be surprised, however, if his letter surprised Ethan Magness (author of “This Is the Church’s Moment,” April 12). It seems Magness is right: “No one is surprised when the church petitions and complains.”
—Jeff Miller
Johnson City, Tennessee

We Must Speak Up
(posted 4-13-09)
Comments on Ethan Magness’s article (“This Is the Church’s Moment,” April 12) . . .

The author says, “No one is surprised when the church angrily denounces policies we do not support. No one is surprised when the church protests and marches. No one is surprised when the church petitions and complains.”

Personally, I would be surprised . . . when has his congregation or your congregation marched or protested ANYTHING (other than forwarding unwanted e-mails)? I would LOVE to see Christians EVERYWHERE stop sitting back as the silent majority while militant secular humanists change policies and undermine our nation, schools, marriage, and religious freedoms (which we “think” are safely guarded by our Constitution).

Scripture says, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” And now we are told to quietly hope for opportunities to serve and assume that this will sway the tide of those who do not even acknowledge God and are lobbying, voting, now leading the highest offices in our land.

Throughout history, evil has succeeded when good people simply did and said nothing. The time for Christians to vote, protest, speak up, and even run for office is NOW! It is time for Christians to be the most active members of our school boards and be present at city council meetings. It’s great to practice what we preach by serving, but serving alone will never be enough. Jesus served people and SPOKE BOLDLY to thousands! I do not believe any of the recent presidents have made much moral difference in our country, but at least the last one stood against abortion and homosexual marriage. President Obama has promised “change”—and now, we see how “change” is defined. How tragic for our nation that the first black president has almost no connections or agreements with the mind-set of Martin Luther King Jr. I have to wonder what Dr. King would say about our current leader’s recent decisions and lack of moral courage . . . and yet we hear fellow-Christians speak so proudly of their support for him.

Personally, I cannot and will not sit by quietly while millions of unborn babies are slaughtered, marriage is destroyed, and sexual perversion is normalized and subsidized by our taxes and taught in our schools. The United States is the greatest country in the world for now—but for how much longer? This is the church’s moment—now, church, show up to serve and SPEAK UP for what you believe in the name of Jesus.
—Michael Lum
Fort Collins, Colorado

'Direct and Without Apologies'
(posted 4-13-09)
Thank you for the recent articles on baptism (in the March 1 and 8 issues). I am so tired of the watered-down take on baptism. (Pardon the pun.)
 
I almost felt like I should be standing as I read these articles. They were so direct and without apologies about what I feel is a very important difference between Christian church/church of Christ and other churches. Too often we seem to want to sidestep around it.
 
I have looked at some other churches and thought they do a better job of teaching, and take a stronger stand on issues than we do, and if it were not for doctrinal issues such as baptism, I would be there in a heartbeat. But I cannot because I could not be where teaching is not correct or complete.
 
I went to your Web site and forwarded the links to the articles to the rest of our elders and ministers. We do get the hard copies of CHRISTIAN STANDARD, but I wanted to make sure they read the articles. I’m afraid that we are not always on the same page on this issue in our movement, and it hurts my heart to see it.
—Kurt Shaw
Via e-mail

'You Got Your Point Across!'
(posted 4-13-09)
(CHRISTIAN STANDARD apologizes for failing to upload this letter in a timely manner.)
While skimming through the last few CHRISTIAN STANDARD magazines, I noticed once again your article, “An Old Column Revisited” (December 28). I think this time you got your point across! But then again, those who do not want to listen to you, never will. It is quite a paradox that some of the most zealous students of the Bible are those who find it hardest to accept the truth that money, even when earned honestly, can be our downfall.

On January 2, our daily newspaper from Halifax (in Canada), The Chronicle Herald, reported “Top CEOs to earn as much by this morning as average Canadian will all year. $40,237 by 9:04.” The article goes on to say, “By the time that your computer has finished booting up on your first day back after the New Year’s holiday, the average CEO would have already banked what took the average Canadian worker an entire year’s worth of work to earn.” I’m sure the American statistics aren’t much different.

And it’s not just the CEOs we should be worrying about. How do Jesus’ words apply to the rest of us? I recently asked this question in a Bible class of young and middle-aged adults. We were looking at the “Parable of the Rich Fool” in Luke 12:13-21. An awkward silence fell over the room and soon the teacher moved on to discuss something else. No one wanted to discuss what changes we might have to make in our lives and in our spending habits.

On another topic, I just read in the January 11 CHRISTIAN STANDARD that four times this year you will be publishing an issue to serve two weeks (see "Something New--for All Our Readers" by Mark A. Taylor). May I suggest that you include the Index in one of those larger issues so that there will be lots of interesting stories to enjoy for everyone who does not use the Index. I found the December 28 issue disappointing because the Index took up over half of the printed pages. Another idea would be to put the Index on your Web site.

Finally, it’s exciting to hear that the ESCN (Energizing Smaller Churches Network) is coming to Prince Edward Island on August 1. We’re looking forward to hearing Mark Taylor and Ben Merold speak.
—Shirley Marshall
Barton, Nova Scotia, Canada

Working Together 'Binds Us Together'
(posted 3-27-09)
For congregations with fierce traditions of independence, the question raised by David Faust in “What is the Glue?” (March 29) is a good one. Might I suggest that the tie or the glue that binds us together is related to (1) the sense of ownership that comes from undertaking with others something worthwhile for the Lord, and (2) the fabric of human relationships that results.

The apostle Paul spoke of the “fellowship of sharing in his sufferings.” While this might primarily apply to our relationship with Christ, it also applies when we allow ourselves to “suffer” (however mildly) with others in the Lord’s work. When we break out of the confines of our local congregations to work with others, we not only lay down glue but we get a clearer vision of the kingdom of God.
—Harold Hayward
Sydney, Australia

Sad, but Hopeful
(posted 3-27-09)
The article by Karen Rees caught my attention (“The Greed Factor,” March 22). I am from the Philippines and I am also quite aware of the sad plight of our OFWs (“overseas Filipinos”). But I am also hopeful because I personally know what one church in Hong Kong has been doing to help them and it is more than you can imagine. They were trained to be missionaries. They left to seek for monetary needs and returned to seek souls for the Lord. Christ’s Church in Santiago was blessed to have one couple join our church when she decided to return to the Philippines. We soon found out how they major in rightly dividing the Word. They were trained to lead Bible studies and even lead seminars on Bible studies. Some of them were even instrumental in pioneering churches. We could not thank enough Fairview Park Christian Church in Hong Kong for pursuing the vision God has laid in their hearts. I can only agree to Rees’s and STANDARD’s remark that dark moments for one who loves the Lord is an opportune (and exciting) time.
—Joy Lozare
Via e-mail

Colleges Should Focus on Preparing Preachers
(posted 3-20-09)
I know that Christian colleges are needed for emphasizing Christian service of all kinds. I’ve also read several articles in CHRISTIAN STANDARD about how our churches are so short on preachers of the gospel.

I read with interest about all the colleges you listed that made their pitch (see “Christian College: High Value,” March 15). I noted only one that mentioned preparing “preachers of the gospel.”

Maybe more emphasis on the obedience of preaching the gospel could be of great benefit to the churches. “Who will go” for us? “By the foolishness of preaching” . . . etc.?
—Dan Brossman
Lander, Wyoming

Look to Bible for Policies
(posted 3-20-09)
I have been a weekly reader of yours for years and have just read your February 8 issue praising John Carver’s Policy Governance. As a former school board member, I know some policies are needed. However what is happening to 1 Corinthians 12:12-31?

Since man-made worldly policy governance has begun to be used, I’ve noticed that “the body” is of less and less importance. If it weren’t for our monies and our willing service, we could easily be done without. Where has the “family of God” gone? Does a hand and foot have any importance?

If we need a mission statement, shouldn’t we use Mark 12:29-31 and Matthew 28:18-20?
—Eva Lee Stude
Sublette, Kansas

Thanks for Addressing Baptism
(posted 3-20-09)
Thank you for the recent issues dealing with topic of baptism (March 1 and 8). I especially appreciated Brian Jones’s article, “What Happened When I Preached on Baptism?” (March 1) and Paul Williams’s column “For the Remission of Sins” (also March 1). I am often surprised when I learn about how far the brotherhood has strayed from the biblical understanding of baptism (e.g., brother Jones telling how he was told he was in the minority with regard to his belief that baptism was connected to salvation). I was pleased to see CHRISTIAN STANDARD tackle this topic in a forthright and biblical manner.
—Mike Kjergaard
Leo, Indiana

Anonymous . . . and Heretical
(posted 3-12-09)
(This letter is in response to “What the Monks Can Teach Us” by J.K. Jones, February 22.)

There was a reason The Cloud of Unknowing (circa a.d. 1400) was anonymous. It was heretical because it asserted divinity within human nature. Surprisingly, it has resurfaced as a foundational text of liberal mysticism, neo-panentheism, and the anti-intellectualism of the emergent church. As a long forgotten politician stated, and Jesus implied in Matthew 22:37, one’s mind is a terrible thing to lose. Beware of half-truths and false prophets. (See Matthew 24:4, 5, 10-12.)
—Dave Sonnesyn
Longmont, Colorado

'Amen to Our Two Brothers'
(posted 3-12-09)
I want to thank you for publishing the articles in the March 1 issue by Bruce E. Shields (“Remember Your Baptism”) and Brian Jones (“What Happened When I Preached on Baptism?”). I had almost lost hope we still had any preachers left with the backbone to preach the gospel and not shy away from what the Scripture says about baptism. The invitation has become a time to come forward for any reason and is offered in a way to avoid any specific mention of baptism.

I am 79 years old and have been a Christian since 1956. I have been an elder in two churches and taught adult Bible school classes in four churches. I have seen a lot of changes over the years, but when we lose sight of answering the question, “What must I do to be saved?” we have lost our reason for being. I might add this is not a new battle, but an ongoing one.

Once again let me say amen to our two brothers in Christ for their courage and thank God for it.
—Francis N. Cornett Sr.
Owensboro, Kentucky

Interview Was a Letdown
(posted 3-12-09)
It was a thrill to read the two opening articles in the March 1 issue of CHRISTIAN STANDARD with the encouraging stand on baptism. Then what a letdown to read the interview of one of our trainers of the next generation of ministers (see the “CHRISTIAN STANDARD Interview with Joe Grana” by Brad Dupray). I am reminded of the gradual slide of the early 20^th-century, preacher-training institutions that led to open membership running rampant leading to the great division of 1920. Overemphasis of baptism, hardly. Biblical stand, YES! I hope Hope University does not embrace Grana’s view of baptism as not essential to salvation, as seen by his chosen example in his heavenly expectation.
—Merv Moberly
Boswell, Indiana

It Starts with the Leaders
(posted 3-12-09)
I especially liked Jon Weatherly’s article on baptism (“What Baptism Requests,” March 8). They (the articles on baptism in the March 1 and 8 issues) have all been good. I did a brief study and unofficial survey of different churches, some of them new and some that perhaps could be called part of the “emerging church movement.” I went to different Web sites and looked up their beliefs and discovered that most did baptize and tried to return to the New Testament way of immersion. But many did not believe it was necessary or essential, it was the believer’s choice. They usually recommended it but also claimed it was “an outward sign of inward grace.” I e-mailed some of the pastors, preachers, evangelists and asked, “When do you believe the Holy Spirit is given?” Of course, I got a variation of answers but the majority seemed to believe the Holy Spirit was given when one first believed.

I was saddened by this because I am one who believes baptism is being buried with Christ when the forgiveness of sin is given and the Holy Spirit is given as well, as a seal and promise of eternal life.

Discussing this with others who believe as I do, some ministers, some Bible college students, some professors, and some lay people, I decided it was not the new or recent converts who it really made a difference to so much to as it was the leadership who taught them. I believe most new converts would accept baptism as a death, burial, and resurrection at which time the Spirit is given especially if this is what they were taught. Whatever the leadership believed (usually the lead pastor) and taught, the people accepted. So from that experience I decided they (the leaders) are the ones who need to be convinced of the “truth.” I also found this to be very difficult as most are stuck in what they believe and will argue their belief to the end.

However, we must continue to preach and teach Matthew 28:19, 20 compared to Acts 2, especially verse 38. We must not bring people to the foot of the cross and leave them there and simply say, “I got them here, now, Jesus, the rest is up to you.” Jesus has done his part and now we need to do ours, especially as leaders. As Weatherly said, “It is the Lord who saves” but he uses people to do the teaching and baptizing.
—Arlie Reed
Eldorado, Illinois

Advent a Time of Revival
(posted 3-12-09)
I certainly appreciated the article “The Difference That Advent Makes” by Robert Hull (November 30, 2008). I should have written this months ago, but I was waiting to see what your readers thought about Hull’s article. Since no one yet has responded, I must.
 
I believe the article correctly emphasizes the importance of celebrating Advent and how to do it effectively. Advent is not a popular notion among the churches of the Restoration Movement, probably because we practice the principle, “If the Catholics brush their teeth, that means we ought to knock our’s out.”

Christmas ought to be a time of revival and renewal, but for many of us it often disappoints. Why? Because we have failed to prepare for it. Advent is designed to correct that. If properly observed, Advent can “save” Christmas from the secular commercialism and tense at-the-last-minute expectations that often ruin its glory for us. Advent teaches us to seek the Lord slowly, patiently, over a four-week period and to open our lives to increased devotion to Jesus. It has worked in many churches around the world for the last 15 centuries. It can do the same for our churches today.
 
As the minister of the Delphi (Indiana) Christian Church for the past 10 years, I have enjoyed leading the congregation in celebrating Advent just as brother Hull has recommended. It has always been a time of revival, spiritual growth, penitence, and self-examination for us. Thank you for publishing an unpopular article that needs to be heard.
—Andrew Paris
Delphi, Indiana

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