Category: Editorials

I recently read an interesting short article on the use of the term “literally” that I want to share with you, then comment upon. Two…

When ethicists arbitrarily define who is a “person”, history has shown they do so arbitrarily, leading to many atrocities. Four are examined in the article: American Slavery, the Holocaust, Abortion and Infanticide.

Several times in the history of Watchman Magazine I have written articles explaining the present state of the effort, and desires for the future.  As…

In 1 John 4, the apostle instructed his readers to “test the spirits, whether they are of God.”  This testing was necessary because, “many false…

It takes a commitment of Biblical proportions to be pleasing to God. But those who make it secure for themselves a crown of righteousness, “which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to [us] on that Day” (2 Timothy 4:8).

1 Kings 18 records a conversation between the great prophet Elijah, and Obadiah, the steward over the house of King Ahab. Despite his close association with the evil king, scripture describes Obadiah as a man who “feared the Lord greatly” (18:3).

A number of lessons can be learned by becoming familiar with these two men, and examining the conversation they had on that eventful day.

We must know God’s will to prosper in this life, and in the one to come. How privileged we are to have access to the mind of God, revealed in His holy Scriptures!

First, God will hold you accountable if you live your life as an evildoer. Second, God will reward you if you choose to follow His will. The apostle Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica, seeking to comfort the disciples during a time of persecution. He noted that they would be protected by God, and those who persecuted them would be judged. Consider his words, “It is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 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, when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed” (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10). The choice is ours: To obey, or not to obey. God be praised that He has given us such a wonderful blessing.

Watchman Magazine resumes publication in a slightly altered format, with a new slate of writers, in January 2010!

While I can not say that the work in India is more important than any other, it surely has a special place in my heart. These are good and faithful Christians, and the potential for the salvation of many souls is very clear. As is always the case, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few” (cf. Matthew 9:37).

Because God is holy, his call for man to be holy is proper. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:1-2).

In the church, Christ must always come first. If we have truly counted the cost, we know this. Our lives should mirror this recognition. It should be evident in our own actions, and in our instructions to our children, as we seek to bring them up “training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).

As we begin our seventh year, we ask that you continue to read and profit from the materials available to you in Watchman. May God Bless you in your studies.

It is our policy that if an article in the magazine is responded to, the response and a rejoinder will be published in the magazine, completing the exchange. This policy has been followed consistently in the past, and we see no compelling reason to change.

It can rightly be said that every apostasy which has taken place since the establishment of the church had its genesis either in a misunderstanding of, or rejection of, the principles of divine authority.

If it is that you are constrained by conscience to continue to use these archaisms, fine. “Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves” (Romans 14:22). However, “Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand” (Romans 14:4). Therefore, “…Let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way” (Romans 14:13).

It is right to point out the inconsistencies in a man’s argument. It is right to name those who poison the minds of the brethren with their error, (as did Paul). It is right to contend publicly with public error and sin. It is not always pleasant, but it is right. In contrast, it is never right to impugn the motive of any man. It is not right to falsely accuse, and attribute positions which have not been argued. Anger is inappropriate, as is hatred, pride and arrogance.

It is valid to watch for, and root out error. It is valid to expose the false teacher, and establish truth in the hearts of men. Though in so doing we will feel the wrath of those who seek compromise rather than victory, we must continue to “Convince, rebuke, exhort.”

The premise of the series is simple, God must be the primary focus of the home! Our roles, duties and attitudes toward the home must be fashioned through the filter of the divine.

Evolutionists are quick to claim for themselves the realm of reason. They seek to contrast their “hard science” with the “superstitious” and “closed minded” believers of the Genesis account of creation. But, while the Bible believer holds to the existence of an invisible first cause whose work can be seen in the visible cosmos, the atheistic evolutionist is forced to believe in multiple universes for which there is no evidence of existence whatsoever. Further they must admit that not only is the evidence lacking, but it will never be possible to verify it in any way. In effect, it must be accepted by blind faith.