Category: Defense of Truth

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…

Studying the Bible is a great joy.  The truths that are found within the pages of God’s word have value that the world cannot measure…

In 2006 the small group wearing the moniker “Spring Church of Christ” in Spring, Texas hosted their annual “Contending For the Faith Lectureship.” In that year the topic under consideration was “Anti-ism—From God Or Man?” In conjunction with the lectureship series, a lecture book was printed to help further the spread of their intended message. What will follow is a series of articles reviewing portions of that lecture book.

The lesson we must learn today involves both the power of false gods and the influence that takes place between us and those around us, either for good or evil. We are commissioned for conversion rather than extermination, but the same dangers exist in that we may mingle with the lost in such a way that we receive more negative influence than we ever give positively.

“Christians Must Fight” by Foy Wallace, Jr. “The spirit of pacificism is taking the fight out of the church. But the conflict between truth and…

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).

No matter how sincere in heart a person may or may not be about what they are teaching as the truth, the affect will be the same in the poisoning of precious souls. Teaching something which is not the truth of the gospel will poison a soul, regardless of the sincerity of the one doing the false teaching.

Our physical senses are important to us. Take one away and you begin to realize the importance of that sense and the others gain value. If our physical senses are important how much more important is it to exhibit Christian senses to the world so that that image of Christ and His word is portrayed in our lives daily.

Our preaching must be clear, easily understood, and authoritative. So, out go the references to the latest research in psychology and any trendy information as proof or authority of what we teach. And out goes any references to Max Lucado and any others of his scattering breed, and out goes the self-inflated, the hireling, the self-promoting preachers from among us. Our preaching must be clear, easily understood, and authoritative. So, out go the references to the latest research in psychology and any trendy information as proof or authority of what we teach. And out goes any references to Max Lucado and any others of his scattering breed, and out goes the self-inflated, the hireling, the self-promoting preachers from among us.

Lest one think this whole exercise in speculation is wasted space, let me note that the above statements are merely modified forms of things being said today. Take away the reference to Asa’s opposition to ancient error and replace it with some brother’s opposition to modern error and you’ve got it. Substitute the ridicule or character assassination of some faithful teacher for that of Asa and the words are identical.

Many have said that division among God’s people has occurred more on what the Bible does not say rather than what it says. May we never be so guilty as to make such a mistake of making the Bible say what it does not. If any man speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. Otherwise, we do not need to hear it.

May I suggest that there are enough critics of the Bible in the world who cast doubts on the integrity of God’s word without brethren raising questions about the text? Preachers of the gospel are to make a “certain sound” (1 Cor. 14:7-8), not an “uncertain” one.

As long as we have “sound churches” with brethren in them “who don’t have a clue”, then we are going to lose ground to Satan on a daily basis! As long as we have preachers who, for whatever reason, are not joining the front line of battle against this encroaching enemy, then Satan’s forces will continue to surround and destroy one church after another because of their ignorance and complacency.

We are to seek and destroy error. Why? Because error condemns the souls of men to an eternal hell and is an affront to the Holy God of heaven. If we will be blessed, we will confront and expose evil. If we fail, God will curse us. Therefore, be determined to “destroy…break down…cut down…[and] burn” all that is contrary to the will of God.

Be of the same sentiment as the Bereans of old who “searched the scriptures daily to see whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11). Truth has nothing to fear from honest investigation. We remain open to brotherly discussion of these issues. May we hear from you?

It is wrong and dangerous to interpret the Bible in light of the popular scientific theory of the day. The Bible is inspired and infallible, men are not. Our understanding of nature should be influenced by scripture, not the other way around. Some may claim such is anti-science, unscientific, ignorant and superstitious. But, as Christians we must remember that we are primarily people of faith. “Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar…” (Romans 3:4).

Those who will not stand for anything will fall for everything; those who will not stand for the truth will fall for error. Will you take a stand?

Dear reader, we encourage you, also, to stand. Be unyielding to error. Have conviction about the word of God and what it teaches. Don’t give in to compromise and weak preaching. Stand!

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.

With John, Jesus and the apostles, communication was often a one-way street: they preached, but not everyone listened or agreed with what they had to say. I know this is also true today because we get an occasional message to “remove my name from your mailing list”, as a result of the teaching we do in our mail out bulletin at Forest Hills. Of course, we will do so. But what does it cost to read and study? The truth is needed today as much as it ever was and it is available to all who “hunger and thirst after righteousness” (Matthew 5:6).