Seek The Old Paths

Vol. 14   No. 9                   September,   2003


This Issue...





 OAK HILLS AND MAX LUCADO DROPPED CHRIST LONG AGO

Marvin L. Weir

        Christ promises that He will not “fail” or “forsake” a child of God (Heb. 13:5), but a Christian can “fail” and “forsake” the Lord! Max Lucado and his apostate followers at the Oak Hills church in San Antonio, Texas, have just recently officially dropped the name “church of Christ.” Those faithful to the Lord and His church have known for years that Max Lucado is a false teacher and an enemy of Christ. Lisa Harrison Rivas, staff writer for the San Antonio Express-News writes in the Saturday, September 6, 2003 paper these words: “Max Lucado hopes renaming his church, opening new campuses and adding musical instruments to the worship service will help bring more people to Christ.”
        The staff writer is correct in calling the congregation “his” or Max's church because any group who spurns the Word of God certainly does not belong to Christ! One is reminded of the Lord saying, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 7:21).
        The report continues with the staff writer saying, “Oak Hills Church of Christ is now Oak Hills Church, and although the name has changed, Lucado said the church's core values will not.” Lucado is quoted as follows: “When it comes to strategy, when it comes to approach, we want to do whatever seems most effective at the time ... That's what these initiatives are: changes of strategy, not changes to doctrine or core values” (emph. MLW).
        Lucado abandoned most of the Lord's teaching or doctrine (cf. 2 John 9-11) long ago. His statement, however, of “these initiatives” not being “changes to doctrine” reveals his disdain for the Lord authorizing singing as an act of worship. Max has successfully convinced his loyal followers that instrumental music is an option or expedient and not a doctrinal matter. The Lord teaches otherwise (Matt. 26:30; 1 Cor. 14:15; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; Heb. 2;12; James 5:13), and Max's church was singing until the pied piper convinced them to change by adding the instrument. It is a tragedy that “about 4,000 worshippers each Sunday” are content to follow Max down the broad way that leads to destruction (Matt. 7:14). The Lord has commanded His followers to “sing” -- not “play” or “make music.”
        Vic King, minister of missions at Oak Hills, “said the staff doesn't expect a lot of members to leave over the changes.” Neither do I! Isn't it sad that it is so very difficult to convince brethren with the Word of God that they are in full-blown apostasy? King goes on to say, “It's the sign that we are changing...We are changing to a sign that more accurately reflects who we are.” This is only doubletalk from those who cannot bring themselves to be honest false teachers! At least Lucado tells the truth in saying that “some find the Church of Christ name to be an insurmountable barrier.” He continues saying, “A common comment from new members is this: ‘We would have come sooner, but we had to get over the name of the church'.”
        What a sordid mess and a stench in the Lord's nostrils! How it must grieve the Savior to have traitors boast of loving Him while changing the sign because some are embarrassed by the name church of Christ. Who died for the church? Was it Max? I think not (Acts 20:28)! Who is the head of the church? Is it Max? No, it is the Lord (Eph. 1:22-23)! Since Christ purchased His church of which He is head with His blood, why would it be an “insurmountable barrier” for folks to attend a congregation that wears His name? Mark it down, and mark it down well. Those who must “get over” a congregation wearing the Lord's name have never genuinely obeyed the Gospel and been converted to Christ.
        The staff writer continues, saying, “Most Churches of Christ feature only a cappella singing, a tradition King says is based on the absence of the use of instruments in the New Testament churches. But for the first time, Oak Hills will add instruments to a new Sunday evening service, which will be geared toward young adults and will begin early next year” (emph. MLW).
        A cappella singing is not some man-made tradition. It is a God-given command! It is true that Max and Oak Hills are adding to the worship -- something God has forbidden man to do (Rev. 22:18-19). Their motive is crystal clear -- the attraction of “young adults.” It is a pity that so many today are more interested in attraction than conversion.
        The article ends noting that Lucado is asking the “members to spend the next 40 days praying about these and other initiatives.” It would be much better if all of Lucado's followers could spend the next three days in the belly of a great fish so they might be convinced to repent and come to their spiritual senses (Jonah 1:17-2:10).
        Our prayer is for more members of the body who truly love the Lord and have no desire to drop Him from His church!
                5810 Liberty Grove Rd.
                Rowlett, TX


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  Editorial...
DIFFERENT KINDS OF WORKS #3

        In Ephesians 2:9, the Bible plainly says that we are not saved by works. It also makes clear the “kind of works” that do not save -- it is works whereby one may boast or brag.
        Galatians 2:16 reveals another “kind of works” that do not save -- the works of “the law” -- the law of Moses.
        Titus 3:5 shows we are not saved by works of righteousness that we have done. These are works wherein one may think he has earned salvation by his good works.
        The Holy Spirit shows in Romans 4 that Abraham was not justified “by works” but then turns around in James 2:21 and says that Abraham was justified “by works.” It is obvious that either these Scriptures contradict each other or there is a difference in the “kind” of works under consideration. The “kind” of works that justified Abraham, also justified Rahab (James 2:21-25). Therefore, all who are justified before God today are justified by the same kind of works performed by both Abraham and Rahab.
        What “kind” of works were performed by Abraham and Rahab? It was not: 1) works of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21), 2) works of the devil (1 John 3:8), 3) works of moral goodness (Titus 3:5), 4) works of the law of Moses (Rom. 3:20) or 5) works of righteousness introduced by man (Rom. 10:1-3). They were justified, made righteous, acquitted, by faithfully obeying the works God commanded them to perform. They rendered (executed, performed) “works of faith” (1 Thess. 1:3; 2 Thess. 1:11). These were works coupled or yoked with faith. James clearly demonstrates that faith without works is dead, vain, useless (James 2:22,24,26).
        Abraham was not counted righteous the moment he believed God. He was counted righteous “WHEN he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar” (James 2:21). His act of obedience was the point in time when Abraham's faith was counted unto him for righteousness. “And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God” (James 2:23). The same example of obedience is shown of Rahab. She was justified before God “...WHEN she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way” (James 2:25). It is only at the point of obedience that faith becomes complete, not before. Hebrews 11 confirms the same. The great heros of the Bible were only justified WHEN they OBEYED God. Notice these action verbs: Abel offered (v.4), Enoch pleased God (v.5), Noah prepared an ark (v.7), Abraham obeyed, offered (v.8,17).
        Salvation does not originate with man. Man cannot earn salvation. Man cannot deserve salvation. But man must have faith that responds in obedience to God's will before God gives the gift of salvation. Even Jesus learned this vital lesson. “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” (Heb. 5:8-9). Jesus himself said, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 7:21). We must not only HEAR the word, we must DO what it says (Matt. 7:24-27).
        Salvation only comes as a result of OBEYING God's WORKS, His Will. “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness” (Rom. 6:16-18).
        All acts (works) connected with salvation are acts commanded by the Lord and man is just a servant in doing the master's will. Even when we have obeyed the Lord's commands by faith, we still cannot say we've earned or deserve salvation. Jesus said, “...when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do” (Luke 17:10). Regardless of what man does, he has no reason to boast of himself in salvation. Paul said, “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world” (Gal. 6:14).
        First Peter 1:22 says we have purified our souls in obeying the truth, yet it is not the act of obedience alone that saves. Obedience coupled with faith brings God's forgiveness.
        It is not man himself that saves even though Peter preached to those on Pentecost to save themselves (Acts 2:40). We save ourselves by faith and obedience to God's will (Rom. 6:17-18).
        It is God who saves, but man has the responsibility to act in harmony with the will of God. When man's faith causes him to work the works God has commanded, God's grace (favor, bounty) is extended through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.
        Salvation therefore, is neither by GRACE ONLY nor by WORKS ONLY. It is when men work the works of God by faith that operates in love (cf. Gal. 5:6). It is at this point we can then glory in the cross of Jesus for what God has done for us (Gal. 6:14). Anything short of this is a hollow mockery. Man's pride is dealt a fatal blow the moment he bows his will to God's in obeying the Gospel. It is from this moment he declares, as did the Savior in Matthew 26:39 “...not as I will, but as thou wilt.”
                3rd of 3 parts

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 SEVEN STEPS TO PERDITION
THE ESSENTIAL FOUNDATION OF DENOMINATIONALISM


Dan Goddard

Denominationalism is most assuredly heading for Perdition, for they are exactly opposed to the New Testament doctrine on every count.

        Below are found seven steps to perdition. Believe and practice these and you will lose your soul.
        1. Faith, plus nothing, minus nothing. The Sectarian Denominations have always rested upon the doctrine of “faith only.” That emphasizes the faith only doctrine and shows that the Denominations are in a drift away from the New Testament. By “faith only,” it was generally meant that faith was the main thing, and it did not render unnecessary other acts of yielding to the Divine Will; such as prayer, confession, repentance, etc. But by “faith, plus nothing, minus nothing,” all those aids are muted or set aside as unnecessary, for it means there is absolutely nothing but “faith” required of men.
        James 2:20,24 declares that “faith apart from works is dead.” That shows the above doctrine is false -- without life -- exactly as the body without the spirit is dead (v.26).
        2. Baptism is not essential to salvation. Years ago, it was common to hear preached, that while baptism is not necessary to salvation, it is “not sinful.” But today, Sectarians are bold to announce that all who are baptized in order to obtain the remission of sins, are lost. Probably no doctrine taught is more hated and blasphemed than is the doctrine that repentance and baptism are necessary to have the remission of sins, as per Acts 2:38. The Baptists are so rank in their hatred of this doctrine that if they can seize one who has been baptized “into the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,” they immediately re-immerse him, and rejoice over the accomplishment! It makes them happy to lead souls to act contrary to New Testament example. It does not bother their conscience at all to teach that it is sinful to teach that men are to be “baptized into Jesus Christ,” but it eases them to see persons immersed into the Baptist Church or some other Denomination! Anything, just so they are not baptized “into Christ.” That leaves them to live and die OUT OF CHRIST; and as “eternal life” is “IN Christ Jesus” (1 John 5:11), they are happy to see people die WITHOUT ETERNAL LIFE.
        Baptism is hated simply because it is God's expressed means of getting people INTO CHRIST where they can possess “eternal life” and “every spiritual blessing.” Denominationalism stands upon its success in keeping men OUT of Christ and getting them into some non-essential Denomination in lieu of that.
        3. Church membership not essential. Another cardinal and emphasized doctrine of the Denominations is the non-essentiality of church membership in the church over which Christ is HEAD and of which He is the SAVIOR. They “move heaven and earth” to keep men from coming under Christ as Head and Lord, or leaning upon Him as SAVIOR, by instructing men that church membership is not essential to salvation. But that leaves men to live and die WITHOUT CHRIST AS THEIR SPIRITUAL HEAD -- to live and die WITHOUT HIM AS THEIR SAVIOR -- but it is honorable and correct to live and die with a human head, such as Martin Luther or John Calvin or John the Baptist. That is true Sectarian teaching. Knowing that “Christ loved the church, and gave Himself for it” (Eph. 5:23), they delight to teach men it is “non-essential” to belong to anything that CHRIST LOVES. Seeing that the church was “purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28), they seem most happy when they can keep men OUT of it as an institution that is worthless, if not dangerous, to their salvation; not being able to reason, that, in keeping men out of the blood-purchased church, they keep them away from the blood by which the church was purchased.
        4. Salvation offered out of Christ. By placing salvation OUT OF CHRIST they teach men that they may be saved WITHOUT CHRIST. Yet, the Bible says we are “baptized INTO Christ” (Rom. 6:3: Gal. 3:27). Hence, if we are saved without baptism, then we are saved WITHOUT CHRIST. That doctrine removes Christ from the foundation of Denominationalism. Deny it, who can! And it is for that purpose that Satan originated the Denominations, for they are all A UNIT in that teaching; showing that they all have ONE AUTHOR, and that author the ENEMY of both God and man. Christ is contradicted by the doctrine, for He says: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16).
        But they reverse Christ's teaching, substituting instead this doctrine: “He that believeth and is NOT BAPTIZED shall be saved.” They ADD the word “NOT” to the Word of God, hence incur rejection by Him at the Judgment (See Rev. 22:18).
        5. One church is as Good as another. The common saying, originated by the Denominations that “one church is as good as another,” is to teach men that they are as well off OUT of the church as IN the church. This says that salvation is in every particle realized OUT of church membership, thus making the church a sort of plaything, a place where men can spend their money and receive nothing they could not have had without that membership. Satan invented that phrase to promote his many Denominations -- that each one would share in equal honors with all the rest. Thus he took care of his own body of churches. That was necessary, else he would indicate that one of his churches would be better than another; and that to avoid discrimination, he invented another phrase “the church doesn't save you.” That is intended to completely separate salvation from church membership and to offer salvation to men independent of Jesus Christ, who is “the Head of the church, which is His body” (Col. 1:18,24).
        6. Substitution of prayer for obedience. By substituting Prayer for Obedience in baptism, Satan makes every man's WORKS his own “Savior,” for Prayer is the WORK of the sinner exclusively. But baptism is anything but a WORK of the sinner. In baptism the sinner is passive, he merely yields in humbleness to the service of two others, God, who pardons him, and the preacher who immerses him at God's command. Hence Satan's design is to have the sinner save himself independent of God. This is the gist of Denominationalism -- the one object for which it labors.
        7. Charging divisions to the Holy Spirit. Denominationalism could not exist without claiming that the number of Sects, in their DIVISIONS and CONTRADICTIONS, are all guided in their quarreling by the Holy Spirit. Thus the “UNITY of the Spirit” is brought down and dragged through the muck of DIVISIONS -- made responsible for all the contradictions in the religious world. Thus Satan's contradictions are laid to the “operation of the Holy Spirit,” and this to make thinking men finally decide that the Bible is not worth studying and obeying.
        By teaching the above seven doctrines, Denominationalism is most assuredly heading for Perdition, for they are exactly opposed to the New Testament doctrine on every count.
                29511 Bock St.
                Garden City, MI 48135


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 NECESSARY INFERENCE AND OUR WORSHIP PRACTICES

Kenneth Perkins

        For the record, I was not raised in the church of Christ. I was not raised in the Greek Orthodox church, the Primitive Baptist church, or any other church that does not believe in the use of mechanical instruments in worship. In fact, I was raised in a denomination that has very much embraced the use of instruments in worship. Today, however, I do not believe that mechanical instruments of music should be used in worship. I believe that instruments are not a part of Christian worship for the same reason that roasted lamb is not part of the Lord's supper. The fact that God commanded the eating of roasted lamb with unleavened bread in the Old Testament in no way proves that it is acceptable for us to do such under the New Covenant when we partake of the Lord's supper. Likewise, the fact that God permitted instruments under the Old Covenant in no way proves that He approves of them under the present economy.
        Notice that nowhere in the New Testament does inspiration explicitly limit the elements of the Lord's supper. No one ever says, “thou shalt only eat unleavened bread and drink of the fruit of the vine when thou partakest of the Lord's supper.” Yet, I can think of no one who would be so presumptuous as to think of adding lamb to the Lord's Table on the basis that lamb was eaten with unleavened bread as part of the Passover. I can think of no Christian who would think of baptizing in the name of John the Baptist in addition to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (or Jesus Christ) simply because at one time a baptism of John existed. Yet, nowhere do we see an explicit prohibition of such anywhere in the Bible.
        Most everyone would consider the use of the bread and the fruit of the vine as excluding all other things from the Lord's supper. The same holds true of “in whose name” we are to baptize. These are examples of necessary inference. It is inferred that passages like Matthew 26:26-28, 1 Corinthians 10:16,17 and 11:26-29 limit the Lord's supper to unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine. Furthermore, one must infer from passages such as Matthew 28:19, Acts 2:38, and that 1 Corinthians 1:12,13 that one may not baptize in the name of John the Baptist in addition to or accompaniment to the name of Jesus Christ or the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
        Unfortunately, many in the religious world are unwilling to apply this same logic to the issue of music in worship, which, by the same reasoning, is limited to believers glorifying God with one mouth and singing to God's name (Rom. 15:6-9) -- the sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of the lips (Heb. 13:15). If we do not presume to add lamb to the Lord's supper as an “accompaniment,” why do so many feel so at ease adding instruments to worship? We know how serious such an addition can be from God's word itself. “And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took each of them his censer, and put fire therein, and laid incense thereon, and offered strange fire before Jehovah, which he had not commanded them. And there came forth fire from before Jehovah, and devoured them, and they died before Jehovah” (Lev. 10:1-2, ASV).
        Since we know what the consequences were when Nadab and Abihu made an offering that the LORD had not commanded, why is it that so many today are comfortable adding that which the LORD has not commanded to our sacrifices of praise?


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 THERE IS SOMETHING IN A NAME

Roelf L.Ruffner

        “Brethren, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).
        When and if the history of the current apostasy in the Lord's church is written, Sunday, August 31, 2003, will certainly be mentioned, if not in a footnote. It was on that day that the Oak Hills church of Christ of San Antonio, Texas, announced their intention to change their name to “Oak Hills Church” and to add the use of mechanical instruments of music to their services. In one fell swoop by dropping “of Christ” from their name they acknowledged a spiritual divorce which had taken place a long time ago -- they are no longer the “bride of Christ.”
        This announcement is important because of who made it -- Max Lucado. Lucado is an internationally known author and preacher for Oak Hills. He is also an apostate and a false teacher of great influence. For the several years he has written best-sellers while he departed further and further from the Truth. Yet I know of preachers for whom he is a role model and they quote more from his works than they do the Bible! The denominations love him. He has actively courted their favor and fellowships them. Some have even given him awards. He appears on television talk shows as a “minister of the Church of Christ” and quickly embarrasses faithful Christians by failing to defend the doctrine of Christ (2 John 9). For years sound congregations have “marked” him as a false teacher (Rom. 16:17). In that regard he will not be missed. I, personally, do not know of a false teacher who more closely resembles the warning of the Apostle Paul concerning their kind: “For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple” (Rom. 16:18).
        Names are important! In our world they denote allegiance. An American is not a Canadian. My wife would never think of being called “Mrs. John Doe.” One changes one's name if they remarry or something has happened and they are ashamed of their name. Max Lucado and his church make it clear they are ashamed of the name “church of Christ.” It is a stumbling block to them. God's truth often is, to the sinner (1 Peter 2:8).
        But while the Oak Hills Church merrily takes the way of apostasy, the “broad” way “that leadeth to destruction” (Matt. 7:13); we choose not to. The bride of Christ chooses the “strait” gate and the “narrow” or difficult way “which leadeth unto life” (Matt. 7:14). We are not ashamed of the name “church of Christ” and the Biblical doctrine it stands for. We will continue to have this name above our meeting places because we are “of Christ” and not “of the world” (cf. 2 Peter 2:20).
                3418 Meadowlark Lane
                Carlsbad, NM 88220


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 FALSE TEACHERS WILL NEITHER “PUT UP” NOR “SHUT UP”

Jerry C. Brewer

        Nowadays, false teachers refuse to defend their errors. In this postmodern world, they consider all religious points of view valid -- whether they agree with God's point of view or not. That's not only the case with denominational preachers, but with false teachers within the church as well. Those who are determined to change the church and drag it back into the Babel of denominationalism have a penchant for spouting their false doctrines then ignoring all challenges to defend them. That seems to be the case with Henry Petree who preaches in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma.
        In a newspaper article published in Muskogee, Oklahoma last June, Petree claimed that Joel's prophecy of the Holy Spirit was fulfilled in the upper room with the 120 disciples and that today we cannot understand the word of God without the help of the Holy Spirit. In the newspaper article, Petree quotes John 14:16 from the NIV. “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever.” Then, continuing to quote from the NIV, he says the following:

        “This Counselor was to be the Holy Spirit of God. After Jesus' death on the cross, there were 120 meeting in an upper room when something miraculous happened and old Joel's prophesy was fulfilled.

“'They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them' (Acts 2:3-4).

        “Later in Acts 2:38, 3,000 people were baptized and each of them received that same Spirit.

        “'Peter replied, repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'

        “Today, the role the Holy Spirit plays in our lives is that of a counselor and teacher. It enables us to understand that which would be impossible with human understanding and comforts us in times of trial and difficulties.” (Henry Petree, “The Holy Spirit Is With Us,” Muskogee Phoenix & Times-Democrat, Sat., June 1, 2002, p.6B).

        First, Petree has the descent of the Holy Spirit in the wrong place, at the wrong time, and upon the wrong persons. The Holy Spirit did not descend upon the 120 disciples. He descended up on the twelve apostles only (Acts 1:26-2:4). His descent did not take place in the upper room, but at the temple (Acts 2:1-47).
        Second, Petree claims what Calvinists have been claiming for centuries that we cannot understand the Bible without direct help from the Holy Spirit. That Petree stands with ancient Calvinists is demonstrated in the following description of Calvinist preachers in the early 19th century:

        “The Bible, to them, was a book of maxims and disconnected truisms, that afforded a text, to be interpreted, not by the study of the context or of the meaning of the words, the circumstances in which and characters to whom it was spoken, but by the direct illumination of the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven, while they were speaking...

        “They believed the Bible is a mystery so the unregenerate could not understand it. It had a spiritual meaning discernible only by spiritual men, distinct from the meaning it might convey to the unregenerate or natural man.” (David Lipscomb, “Life And Sermons of Jesse L. Sewell”, 4th Edition, Gospel Advocate Co., Nashville, 1954, pp. 26, 30).

        That's exactly the ground Henry Petree occupies in his assertion that, “It [the Holy Spirit] enables us to understand that which would be impossible with human understanding....” And it is that exact proposition that we sent to him on Sept. 21, 2002 and asked him to defend in the following email message:
        “Brother Petree:

        According to the Muskogee Phoenix & Times-Democrat for June 1, 2002, you say, 'Today, the role the Holy Spirit plays in our lives is that of a counselor and a teacher. It enables us to understand that which would be impossible with human understanding and comforts us in times of trial and difficulty.' (p.9B).

        “If you sincerely believe the above to be true, then I invite you to consider a public discussion of the following proposition:

        'It is impossible to understand the Scriptures without direct aid from the Holy Spirit'
        Affirm - Henry Petree
        Deny - Jerry C. Brewer
        Sincerely Yours,
        Jerry C. Brewer”

        Prior to Sept. 21, Preston Silcox, who preaches for the Eastside church in Muskogee, Okla. also made numerous attempts to contact Petree and discuss his article, but Petree would not discuss it nor defend his statements made in the newspaper. The following information comes from brother Silcox:

        “According to my records, I emailed him (Petree, JCB) on June 4, 2002 with a number of questions. I gave him a time frame in which to respond to me, expecting that he would ignore me otherwise. After that time passed, the men wrote a letter to the elders at Ft. Gibson (dated June 12), expressing the same concerns and attaching my initial letter and questions. On June 17, Petree finally responded with a very weak letter saying (among other things), 'I do not speak in tongues, heal the sick, or raise the dead. I don't teach it and don't believe it happens today.' He wrote a few other things, but not once did he address the questions or the real matter at hand. He apparently thought he did with the above quote, but I never asked him a single question that related to his response. He went on to show his disdain for my questioning him.

        On June 18, I responded to him, explaining that my intentions were upright, and that I cared for the truth, his soul, and the souls of those on whom he has an influence. I then proceeded to ask him again to clear the whole matter up by simply answering the questions I mailed him. Around June 19, I received the following and final response: 'Nehemiah 6:2-4.'

        Mr. Petree did respond to letters we mailed him, but not with anything of substance. He avoided the issues, never clarified himself, said I was in the wrong, and demonstrated that he never really wanted to talk about the ordeal to begin with.” (E-Mail message from Preston Silcox, Dec. 17, 2002)

        On Dec. 4, 2002, I sent another email message to Petree saying, “Brother Petree: On the outside chance that you didn't receive my email of September 21, 2002, I'm sending it again.” I then included the same message which was sent in September. Again, there was nothing but silence from the Fort Gibson church and Henry Petree.
        One of two things has to be true about a man who will not defend what he preaches and/or practices. 1) He is either dishonest in what he preaches and doesn't really believe it, or 2) he is a coward. There is not a faithful Gospel preacher upon the earth who will refuse to defend the Truth he preaches. If Petree is preaching the Truth, he ought to be man enough to defend it. But, like most false teachers in this postmodern world, he will neither put up nor shut up.
                308 South Oklahoma
                Elk City, OK 73644


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In the News...


ANYBODY'S DOG

        “The prevailing attitude at Oklahoma Christian seems to be that they will be “anybody's dog who'll hunt with 'em.”
        Members of the school's faculty and administration have carried a policy of “non-discrimination” to its highest (or is it “lowest”?) level. That is obvious from the material they publish monthly in their Christian Chronicle, and from some of the congregations fellowshipped by their faculty members. The Alameda “Church of Christ” in Norman, Oklahoma is one of the most far-out religious bodies in Oklahoma still claiming to be a church of Christ. This is the church where Dan Bouchelle -- now at Central in Amarillo, Texas -- preached for about seven years while holding membership in the Norman Ministerial Fellowship and speaking at “Holy Week” services with the Episcopal priest. Alameda is also the church which co-sponsored a “Kids' Praise Rally” with Norman's First Baptist and Northeast Baptist Churches on Saturday, March 9, 2002 (Norman Transcript, Thurs., Mar. 7, 2002). And, like “birds of a feather,” Oklahoma Christian is willing to join this flock of apostasy. The following comes from The Daily Oklahoman's Norman Section for July 13, 2002:

“ALAMEDA CHURCH OF CHRIST”

        “NORMAN -- The congregation will have a special vacation Bible school celebration Sunday, beginning with breakfast at 8:30 AM. Parents will have the opportunity then to follow their children to Bible exploration class and a special craft time.
        “Worship will begin around 10 AM, with the children singing the songs they learned at VBS. Later, Dr. Don Hebbard will speak about 'Secrets of Successful Families.' It will be the first of a two part series and will refer to Genesis 13:1-9.
        “In a 6 PM gathering Hebbard, who is director Of Oklahoma Christian University's Institute of Marriage and Family Counselling” will present part two of 'Secrets of Successful Families.'”
        The second paragraph tells it all. The celebration/worship which begins “around 10 AM” will consist, in part, of “children singing the songs they learned at VBS” and then Dr. Don Hebbard (and heavy on the *Dr.*) will speak.
        We have a lot of preachers in Oklahoma who would never speak on Sunday morning in a period of “worship” with a children's choir performing. But neither will a lot of those preachers lift their voices to utter a single syllable against the errors promulgated and fellowshipped by Oklahoma Christian, because their Alma Mater is dearer to them than the church for which our Blessed Lord suffered and died.
                Jerry Brewer
                www.gospelpreceptor.com


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