From time to time I will read through journals from years gone by to glean benefits of mature and experienced brethren. Often in the writings of yesteryear, one can find excellent examples of men fighting for truth during times of controversy. And, inasmuch as the arguments are the same with only the surface elements changing, one will find “jewels” that can be applied to current controversies. Note the following gem, spoken in 1966 by brother David Edwin Harrell, Jr.
- …I believe in a literal and narrow interpretation of the Bible as the Word of God. My aim is the exact restoration of the ancient order of things…the Bible should be, can be, and is literally understandable and …it should lead all men to the same conclusions. “Any man who believes that he can find literal truth in the Scriptures must also believe that those who do not find the same truth are wrong. What follows is that such people are sinful. The next logical conclusion is that they will go to hell. The most onerous charge leveled against those who are members of the Churches of Christ is that they are bigots. It is frequently assumed that they believe that all who do not accept the truths which they find in the Bible will be lost. All members of the Churches of Christ do not have such an attitude, but I do.” (Robert O. Fife, David Edwin Harrell, Jr., Ronald E. Osborn, Disciples and The Church Universal, pp. 34-35 [ as quoted in Truth Magazine, Nov. 21, 1974 p. 4–emp. mine, sfd]).
It is reassuring to know that just a few years before I was born, men such as brother Harrell were reaching and teaching such applications of truth. The reason it is reassuring is the fact that the Bible says, “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son” (2 Jn .1:9). “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world…We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error” (1 Jn. 4:1, 6). Through my own study and meditation upon the divine revelation, the conclusion has been reached by this writer that any who do not have a “literal and narrow interpretation of the Bible as the Word of God” are in error and in danger of everlasting punishment (cf. Gal. 1:8-9; 5:10; Matt. 7:13-14, 21-23). This is a conclusion shared by those of “like precious faith.” Let us notice some applications.
“It is frequently assumed that…all who do not accept the truths which they find in the Bible” concerning baptism “will be lost. All members of the Churches of Christ do not have such an attitude, but I do.”
“It is frequently assumed that…all who do not accept the truths which they find in the Bible” concerning the one true church “will be lost. All members of the Churches of Christ do not have such an attitude, but I do.”
“It is frequently assumed that…all who do not accept the truths which they find in the Bible” concerning music in worship “will be lost. All members of the Churches of Christ do not have such an attitude, but I do.”
“It is frequently assumed that…all who do not accept the truths which they find in the Bible” concerning marriage, divorce, and remarriage “will be lost. All members of the Churches of Christ do not have such an attitude, but I do.”
Truthfully, brethren, are the above paragraphs and conclusions dealing with baptism, the church, and music in worship valid, but the ones dealing with marriage, divorce, and remarriage invalid?
The 31 year old quote from brother Harrell is truly a “jewel” because it reflects sound doctrine as revealed by the Almighty God (Matt. 7:13-14, 21-23). We lament that more brethren today are not echoing the same truth instead of condemning it. May God help us to endeavor to fulfill such service to Him.
