This Issue...
Christianity And Islam #6
VIOLENCE
Adam Good
Having failed to persuade with reason, the prophet of
Islam (Muhammad) turned to the sword. Islam cannot
peacefully coexist with other religions. It must
become religiously and politically dominant.
It is often argued that Islam is a religion of peace and that
jihad is not properly understood as struggle (holy war) against
infidels, but as a personal effort to submit more perfectly to
Allah. President Bush spoke to the Islamic Center of Washington D.C
on September 21, 2001. “The face of terror is not the true
faith of Islam...Islam is peace.” Addressing the Islamic
Society of Baltimore on February 3, 2016, President Obama stated
“For more than a thousand years, people have been drawn to
Islam’s message of peace.” He characterized the bulk of
Muslims as “peace-loving,” before acknowledging there is
“a small fraction of Muslims” who “propagate a
perverted interpretation of Islam.” Islamic terrorists dispute
these presidential statements. On March 5, 2009, Muslims being held
at Guantanamo Bay issued a statement thanking Allah for
“choosing us to perform the act of jihad for his cause.”
They argued that “killing you and fighting you, destroying you
and terrorizing you...are all considered to be great legitimate
duty in our religion. These actions are our offerings to
Allah.” Moreover, they considered it their “greatest
religious duty to fight you over your infidelity.” The Times
Square car bomb terrorist, Faisal Shahzad, said during his 2010
trial “This is but one life, if I am given a thousand lives, I
will sacrifice them all for the sake of Allah, fighting this
cause...making the word of Allah supreme over any religion or
system.” He held “jihad, holy fighting in Allah’s
course” to be of the “utmost importance in Islam...by
jihad, Islam is established...jihad is an obligation and duty in
Islam on every Muslim.” Which understanding of Islam is correct
and which is the perversion? Don’t be fooled!
Muhammad preached in his hometown of Mecca for about
thirteen years with little success. After the death of several of
his chief supporters and protectors, he and his band of 150
followers fled some two hundred miles north to Medina. Here, he
recited the first verses about jihad. Having failed to establish
his new faith through preaching, Muhammad adopted a different
strategy. The Sira, the biography of his life, is overwhelmingly
about jihad, documenting the prophet’s raids against merchant
caravans and his military campaigns. From these battles, the
fledgling Muslim community acquired wealth and slaves and attracted
new converts. After about ten years of constant jihad, Muhammad
brought Arabia under the control of Islam.
The Qur’an contains dozens of verses calling upon
Muslims to fight in Allah’s cause, that is, to wage jihad
against anyone who does not accept Islam. “O Prophet
(Muhammad)! Urge the believers to fight...” (Surah 8:65). Surah
2:190 urges Muslims to “fight in the Way of Allah [jihad] those
who fight you.” “Kill them wherever you find them,”
exhorts the next verse, “and turn them out from where they have
turned you out. Al-Fitnah [disbelief] is worse than killing.”
No turning the other cheek here! Muhammad used such teachings to
incite his followers to wage holy war against Mecca.
Having failed to persuade with reason, the prophet of Islam
turned to the sword. Muslims were to “fight them until there is
no more Fitnah (disbelief and worshipping of others along with
Allah) and (all and every kind of) worship is for Allah” (Surah
2:193). Although this surah’s historical context is the war
between Muhammad and Mecca, the general principle it expresses is
the great commission of Islam. Holy war must be waged until Islam
rules supreme —today Mecca, tomorrow the world. Allah “sent
His Messenger (Muhammad) with guidance and the religion of truth
[Islam] to make it victorious over all (other) religions”
(Surah 61:9-11). As Muhammad’s power grew, so did the extent of
his ambitions. He declared, “I will expel the Jews and
Christians from the Arabian Peninsula and will not leave any but
Muslim” (Muslim 1767).
Following the death of Muhammad, Islam exploded out of
Arabia. During the reigns of the first four caliphs (chief civil
and religious ruler, 632-661 AD), Islam prevailed across the Middle
East, from Egypt to Persia. The second caliph sent forces against
Persia. When the Muslim invaders were confronted by a Persian host,
they explained “Our Prophet, the Messenger of [Allah], has
ordered us to fight you till you worship Allah alone or give Jizya
(tax on non-Muslims); and our Prophet has informed us that [Allah]
says ‘Whoever amongst us is [martyred], shall go to
Paradise...and whoever amongst us remain alive, shall become your
master’” (Bukhari 3159-3160).
The Qur’an sanctions brutality and torture.
“To those who disbelieved, I will punish them with a severe
torment in this world” (Surah 3:56). Muslims are to “cast
terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve, because they joined
others in worship with Allah” (Surah 3:151). This targets
polytheists (belief in many gods), but in Islamic thought it is
also applicable to Christians who hold to the Trinity and proclaim
Jesus to be the Son of God. Surah 9:29-30 substantiates this point.
Jihad is to be waged against those “who believe not in Allah,
nor in the Last Day, nor forbid that which has been forbidden by
Allah and His Messenger and those who acknowledge not the religion
of truth (Islam) among the People of the Book (Jews and
Christians), until they pay the Jizyah [an exorbitant tax on
non-Muslims] with willing submission, and feel themselves
subdued.” Islam cannot peacefully coexist with other religions.
It must become religiously and politically dominant.
Jihad is framed as a physical struggle between the forces of
Allah and the forces of Satan (Surah 4:76). Islam dehumanizes the
enemy and instructs Muslims to be “harsh against them”
because “their abode is Hell” (Surah 9:73). Consequently,
Muslims are to have no friends or allies among the unbelievers and
are instructed to kill anyone who leaves Islam (Surah 4:89). The
Hadith affirms Muhammad’s order, “Whoever changed
his Islamic religion, then kill him” (Bukhari 6922).
Unbelievers must be fought without mercy “until there is no
more Fitnah (disbelief and worshipping others besides Allah) and
the religion will all be for Allah” (Surah 8:39). Muslims are
to “strike” infidels “over the necks” and
“smite over all their fingers and toes” (Surah 8:12).
Muhammad practiced what he preached. Ibn Ishaq, the earliest
biographer of Muhammad, described the prophet’s treatment of
the Banu Qurayza (a Jewish tribe living in Medina). After the
tribe’s “surrender” in 627 AD, Muhammad determined that
“the men should be killed, the property divided, and the women
and children taken as captives.” He “went out to the market
of Medina (which is still its market today) and dug trenches in it.
Then he sent for [the Jewish men, including adolescent boys] and
struck off their heads in those trenches as they were brought out
to him in batches...There were 600-700 in all, though some put the
figure as 800-900” (The Life of Muhammad, 464). ISIS and other
Muslims are obeying the Qur’an and emulating their
supreme example, Muhammad, when they torture and behead captives.
The Muslim who dies in jihad is assured the forgiveness of
sins and immediate entry into Paradise (Surah 61:12). After all,
“Allah loves those who fight in his cause” (Surah 61:4).
Muslims are encouraged to “sell the life of this world for the
Hereafter” by “fighting in the Cause of Allah [jihad]”
(Surah 4:74). Theirs is “a great reward.” Surah 9:111
teaches that those who die for Allah “rejoice in the
bargain” and have found “supreme success.” Martyrs do
“not feel the pain of being killed, except” as “a
pinch” (Nasa’I 3161). Those who “are killed in the Way
of Allah [jihad], He will never let their deeds be lost.”
Having become heroes, they will be admitted to Paradise where they
will dwell “under the shades of swords” (Surah 47:4-6;
Bukhari 2818). Such promises explain why Muslims agree to suicide
attacks. Fanaticism is as old as Islam. The Hadith records
that upon hearing Muhammad teach upon the rewards of martyrdom,
that a Muslim warrior charged the enemy, fighting to the death
(Muslim 1902). The prophet expressed how he would have “loved
to be martyred in Allah’s cause and then made alive, and then
martyred and then made alive, and then again martyred in His
cause” (Bukhrai 36; 2797).
While violence and war is inherent to the practice of Islam,
it is the antithesis (direct opposite) of Christianity. Muhammad
killed his enemies in the name of his god. Jesus the Christ gave
His life in order to save His enemies (Rom. 5:10). Allah’s
prophet tortured, maimed, and killed. God’s Son was tortured,
maimed and killed. Yet during His life, He healed the sick and
raised the dead. Jesus pronounced this proverb “all they who
take the sword shall perish with the sword” (Matt. 26:52).
Violence begets violence. The Savior pronounced a blessing on
“...the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children
of God” (Matt. 5:9). The command to “love your neighbor
as yourself” rules out beheading them (Matt. 22:39). The Lord
set a higher standard for His people when he said, “Ye have
heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and
hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them
that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them
which despitefully use you, and persecute you. That ye may be the
children of your Father which is in heaven...” (Matt.
5:43-45). Jesus did not even permit His followers to defend Him
(John 18:11). He informed Pilate “My kingdom is not of this
world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants
fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my
kingdom not from hence” (John 18:36). If God’s people
could not wage physical war to deliver His Son, for what cause may
they rightfully take up arms?
The cause of Christ prevailed without Christians exercising
force. Muhammad only prevailed because Muslims took up the sword.
Violence and war are not perversions of Islam. Islamic terrorists
are devout orthodox Muslims practicing what the Qur’an
and the Hadith teach. They are following the example of
their founder, the warlord Muhammad, and waging jihad until Islam
rules supreme. Jesus warned, “Beware of false prophets,
which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are
ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather
grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree
bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil
fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither [can] a
corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not
forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by
their fruits ye shall know them” (Matt. 7:15-20).
The fruit of Muhammad’s religion is violence,
oppression, terror and stagnation. It is a scourge on the world.
Only the religion of Christ offers hope for peace in this life and
guarantees peace in the life to come (cf. Matt. 11:28-30).
152 E Riverside Dr.
Timberville, VA 22853
Table of Contents
INSPIRATION & INERRANCY
ACCORDING TO ANDY WALKER
Garland M. Robinson
“The authors of Scripture were not concerned
about writing an inerrant document. They were simply
recording their experience of God and lo and behold,
people collected those writings, edited and arranged
them into an anthology, and looked to them as sacred
writings. ... If you can only believe in God if there
is an inerrant Bible, then you have more faith in
inerrancy than in God.” —Andy Walker
Blog, The Controversy Of Inerrancy
(3/30/2017) andy-walker.squarespace.com
There is no question about it. We can say with all confidence
that the Bible IS the all Inspired (God-breathed),
Inerrant (without error) Word of God. Otherwise, who is to
say which parts are inspired and which parts are not? However, a
growing number have had their faith shaken and have become doubtful
and unsure. Many are drinking from the cesspool of what’s
called “higher criticism” (the study of the literary
methods and sources discernible in a text, especially as applied to
biblical writings). Sadder still is that many are listening to the
siren call of these doubters and have become persuaded by their
smooth words and fair speeches.
Romans 16:17-18 tells us what to do with those who sow
discord, dissention and unbelief. “...Mark them which cause
divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have
learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord
Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair
speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” To
“mark” means to observe, direct one’s attention to, to
look at. In this text, the point is to call attention to them in
order to avoid them, not follow them, not fellowship them. To bid
them God speed makes one a partaker of their evil deeds (2 John 9-
11).
Such elites do not want us to refer to the Holy Scriptures.
They would tell us that it’s a dreadfully bad case of
“proof-texting” when we appeal to the Bible. And according
to them, since the Bible has errors, it’s not valid to point to
a verse(s) to prove anything because we may be using a passage that
is not inspired of God. Why do they not want people to turn to the
Bible, read it, understand it and follow it? Why do they hold with
such great disdain God’s inspired word? Any number of reasons
could be the case. Let me suggest two: 1) because the Scriptures
create faith instead of doubt (Rom. 10:17), 2) because the light of
God’s word exposes their evil deeds (John 3:19-20). However,
the Bible is still God’s holy, inspired, inerrant Word and will
always be regardless of their efforts to prove otherwise. Heaven
and earth will perish, but God’s word will last forever (Matt.
24:35). Without God’s word, no one can know the will of God.
Without it, no one can be right with God. The Bible tells us what
is right, how to get right and how to stay right as we give glory
and praise to God.
God also says, “And have no fellowship with the
unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them”
(Eph. 5:11). The word reprove means to expose, correct,
convict, admonish, rebuke. We shall not be counted faithful before
God unless we do what he says. Shall we then just sweep error under
the rug and pretend that it will go away? You know the answer. It
is a resounding NO. We are commanded to have NO fellowship with any
and all teachings and practices that are contrary to sound doctrine
(cf. Titus 2:1); and obviously, those who spread and support such
error.
Andy Walker (in the quote above) says, “The
writers of Scripture were not concerned about writing an inerrant
document.” The word inerrant means, “without error or fault
in all its teaching.” So, Andy would have us believe the
writers of Scripture weren’t concerned about writing without
error or flaw? Would you be so bold as to say the same? Is that the
way you would handle the precious word of God? God’s word is
the “power of God unto salvation” (Rom. 1:16). If you take
the Word away, you take away God’s power to save! If you take
the Word away, we don’t know how to worship and please God. If
you take the Word away, I have nothing to say and truth be known,
you don’t either. Consequently, we would be of all men most
miserable without the all-inspired Word!
Please allow me another example of “proof-texting”
(I love those words). When we quote Scripture, we’re quoting
the all-inspired, divine will of God. Therefore, God says,
“...no prophecy of the scripture is of any private
interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will
of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy
Ghost” (2 Peter 1:20-21; cf. Acts 3:18,21). No part of
Scripture ever came about by man’s own explanation, idea,
opinion, or thinking. The prophets were not “simply recording
their experience of God,” as Andy says. The writing of
Scripture did not come about by man’s own will. “Holy men
of God” spake as they were guided, directed, carried, borne
along by the Holy Spirit. When they wrote, they did so by the
direction, guidance and supervision of the Holy Spirit. Now, which
will you believe: 1) those who say the writers of the Bible were
“simply recording their experience of God” or 2) the
writers of Scripture who wrote under the inspiration (direction) of
the Holy Spirit? The “doubters” would tell us it’s more
complicated than option #2. And guess what, they’re here to
guide us through it. All we have to do is listen to them. God says,
don’t believe a word they say! (Rom. 16:18; Gal. 1:6-9)
Notice these passages and decide for yourself whether or not
the writers of the Scriptures were concerned about truth. David
said, “The spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word
[was] in my tongue” (2 Sam. 23:2). “For David
himself said by the Holy Ghost...” (Mark 12:36).
“...This scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the
Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas,
which was guide to them that took Jesus” (Acts 1:16).
David, “being a prophet...spake of the resurrection of
Christ” (Acts 2:30-31; cf. 2 Sam. 7:12-13; Psa. 132:11).
God “...spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have
been since the world began” (Luke 1:70). Jesus told the
apostles, “But when they deliver you up, take no thought how
or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour
what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of
your Father which speaketh in you” (Matt. 10:19-20).
“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to
speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them
utterance” (Acts 2:4).
Unless the Bible is inerrant (infallible), how do we know
everything David spoke concerning the Lord’s resurrection was
the truth? We know it is truth because he was writing under the
guidance of the Holy Spirit. More than 3,800 times in the Old
Testament alone, the Scriptures claim to be the word(s) of God.
The Bible is its own best interpreter. Who would be so
brazen to question God about what he said and meant? When New
Testament writers use and quote Old Testament Scriptures and tell
us ‘this is what they were talking about,’ that settles the
matter (cf. Acts 2:16). There is no more question about it. Can
mere men be so smart that they attempt to refute New Testament
prophets and say they misapplied Old Testament passages? That is
what the philosophy of “higher criticism” would have us
believe! Do you want to buy into that? Not me —please don’t
let it be you!
In another blog, Andy wrote about inspiration, saying:
“Passages like John 14:26 are often cited to show
that the Spirit would bring words of remembrance to
the apostles. However, the promise is ambiguous and
Jesus never specified whether that process also
worked for writing, preaching, or anyone in addition
to the apostles who were originally present to hear
the promise. Although God did supply the words to
some authors, it is a mistake to assume that this was
the process for every biblical author because the
evidence does not support it.” Andy Walker
Blog, How Is The Bible Inspired? 9/9/2013
Jesus said, “But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy
Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all
things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have
said unto you” (John 14:26).
In what world could you ever imagine that the Holy Spirit
would teach the apostles “all things” but that such divine
revelation may not have been available for them in their writing
and preaching? Obviously, the purpose of inspiration was to enable
them to communicate it to others. Am I missing something here? Paul
knew his words were God’s words. He said, “...I have the
Spirit of God” (1 Cor. 7:40). He wrote to the church at
Ephesus and declared, “...when ye read, ye may understand my
knowledge in the mystery of Christ, which in other ages was not
made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his
holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit” (Eph. 3:3-5).
What had been concealed in the past was now revealed. He certified
“...that the gospel which was preached of me is not after
man. For I neither receive it of man, neither was I taught it, but
by the revelation of Jesus Christ” (Gal. 1:11-12). He also
made this clear in 1 Corinthians 2:9-13 when he said, “we
have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is
of God: that we might know the things that are freely given to us
of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words man’s
wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth....” In
fact, he concluded in verse 16, “...we have the mind of
Christ.” He made clear to the church at Corinth (and the
whole world) that the things he wrote “are the commandments
of the Lord” (1 Cor. 14:37). Whenever he gave his counsel
or wisdom on a matter, it was inspired counsel and wisdom! It was
given by the permission and approval of the Holy Spirit because it
is truth.
Notice these passages (proof-texting, GREAT!) that describes
inspiration. Isaiah 51:16, “I have put my words in thy
mouth.” Jeremiah 1:6-9, “whatsoever I command thee
thou shalt speak. ... I have put my words in thy mouth.”
Jeremiah 50:1, “the LORD spake...by Jeremiah the
prophet.” First Thessalonians 2:13, “when ye
received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not
as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of
God.” Look at the emphasis God places on his word in Psalm
119. Of the 176 verses, the Word of God is mentioned 182 times.
Such distinction, reverence, respect and honor is paramount in the
words: law (25), testimony(ies) (23), commandment(s) (22), statutes
(22), precepts (21), judgment(s) (19), word(s) (42), way(s) (8). I
have never in my lifetime heard anyone say that the Old Testament
was of no value and useless. According to Romans 15:4, it was
written for our learning. Though it was nailed to the cross (Col.
2:14) so that we are no longer under it (Gal. 3:25), it is still of
great benefit and profit. The Old Testament sheds light on the New
Testament and the New Testament sheds light on the Old Testament.
With all the inspired evidence before them, digressives
still dare to make light of the plenary, verbal inspiration of the
Bible and anyone who believes it. In their view of the Bible, they
are able to diminish God’s commands as though they are not
really all that important anyway. If we listen to them, we
don’t know which Scriptures are inspired and which are not. I
bet they can tell us though! That makes us dependant on them and
they love it. Jesus had something to say about those who love
“...the praise of men more than the praise of God”
(John 12:43).
Read what Jesus said in Luke 10:16: “He that heareth
you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that
despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.” The Lord says
that when we despise (set aside, cast off, reject) those who spoke
and wrote by divine inspiration (those who gave us the Bible), we
are despising and rejecting Jesus himself. How then can any man say
the writers of the Bible “...were simply recording their
experience of God and lo and behold, people collected those
writings, edited and arranged them into an anthology, and looked to
them as sacred writings” (Andy Walker). Will you believe God or
men?
Inspiration applied to all writers of Scripture.
“All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and
[is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect,
throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
The word “inspiration” literally means “God
breathed.” The Scriptures are the product of the creative
breath of God, not the result of human genius or ability.
Therefore, we refer to the Bible as being the inerrant, plenary,
verbal, inspired word of God. “Inerrant” means the
scriptures are incapable of teaching error. “Plenary” means
that all parts of the Bible are inspired alike. “Verbal”
means that the actual “language” of the Scriptures was
directed within those who wrote by inspiration, i.e., the very
words written were approved by the Holy Spirit.
God’s Word is true and is for our benefit.
“Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one
of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever. ...My heart standeth
in awe of thy word” (Psalm 119:160-161). “For he
spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast”
(Psalm 33:9). “The words of the LORD are pure words: as
silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times”
(Psalm 12:60). “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it
giveth understanding unto the simple” (Psalm 119:130).
“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the
testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple”
(Psalm 19:7). “For the word of the LORD is right; and all
his works are done in truth” (Psalm 33:4).
Jesus gives his stamp of approval upon the entire Old Testa-
ment when he said “...These are the words which I spake unto
you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled,
which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in
the psalms, concerning me” (Luke 24:44).
Please don’t swallow the words of the doubters. It will
make you doubt as well. If we doubt, we can’t please God.
Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith [it is] impossible to
please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is,
and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek
him.”
Table of Contents
THE BIBLE AND ONLY THE BIBLE
HAS THE ANSWERS
Marvin L. Weir
People should avoid speculation about religious matters, but
most folks place more confidence in their feelings, thoughts, and
opinions than they do in the Word of God. The cost for doing such
is the loss of the soul. Jeremiah, God’s faithful mouth-piece
to Israel, said, “O LORD, I know that the way of man [is]
not in himself: [it is] not in man that walketh to direct his
steps” (Jer. 10:23). Nothing has changed under the New
Covenant that would allow man to successfully worship and serve God
without having access to divine guidance (the Holy Scriptures). It
was the Lord who warned, “He that rejecteth me, and
receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I
have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day”
(John 12:48).
An eternal principle is this: “Thy word [is] a lamp
unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psa. 119:105).
Barnes comments on this verse as follows:
[Thy word is a lamp unto my feet.] The Hebrew word
means a light, lamp, candle. The idea is, that the word of God is
like a torch or lamp to a man in a dark night. It shows him the
way; it prevents his stumbling over obstacles, or falling down
precipices, or wandering off into paths which would lead into
danger, or would turn him away altogether from the path to life.
[And a light unto my path.] The same idea
substantially is presented here. It is a light which shines on the
road that a man treads, so that he may see the path, and that he
may see any danger which may be in his path. The expression is very
beautiful, and is full of instruction. He who makes the word of God
his guide, and marks its teachings, is in the right way. He will
clearly see the path. He will be able to mark the road in which he
ought to go, and to avoid all those bypaths which would lead him
astray. He will see where those by-roads turn off from the main
path, often at a very small angle, and so that there seems to be no
divergence. He will see any obstruction which may lie in his path;
any declivity or precipice which may be near, and down which, in a
dark night, one might fall. Man needs such a guide, and the Bible
is such a guide.
Some people claim special revelation from God. They allege
that God has spoken directly to them or that they have received a
vision from God instructing them to worship or act in a certain
way. God says, however, that His Word is final, authoritative, and
complete. Why will people believe in the claims of men while
rejecting a “thus saith the Lord?” The Scriptures
affirm: “All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and
[is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect,
throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
“...It was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort
[you] that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once
delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3). “For I testify
unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book,
If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the
plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take
away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take
away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city,
and [from] the things which are written in this book” (Rev.
22:18-19).
Some people today claim they have experienced “out of
body” occurrences that has placed them in Heaven or in
God’s presence. Have people not considered the fact that those
who died and were raised from the dead during the age of miracles
never commented on what they saw or heard? In a book entitled
“Early Writings,” Ellen G. White in chapter two
describes her alleged visit to Heaven (www.ellenwhite.com). It
should be noted that her claim was published two years after the
Great Advent disappointment of 1844. She claimed she saw the ark of
God and a special halo encompassing the fourth commandment. It was
also revealed to her that the “Sabbath was not nailed to the
cross.” One must simply try and forget that the apostle Paul
and inspired writer of Ephesians declares, “For he is our
peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall
of partition [between us]; Having abolished in his flesh the
enmity, [even] the law of commandments [contained] in ordinances;
for to make in himself of twain one new man, [so] making peace; And
that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross,
having slain the enmity thereby” (Eph. 2:14-16). One may
choose to believe either the inspired words of an apostle or the
lies of Ellen G. White and the Seventh-Day Adventist church!
Any student of God’s Word will recall that the apostle
Paul was “...caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable
words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter” (2 Cor.
12:4). Is it not amazing that Paul could not reveal his experience
in the heavenly realm but Ellen G. White can reveal her so-called
experience to the world? But, then, it has already been established
that God’s Word is complete and final with no new revelation
forthcoming.
Lazarus, a beloved friend of the Lord, died and was raised
from the dead. There is, however, no report from Lazarus about what
he thought (his soul was alive) or saw during his death. People
always wonder if those who have passed from this life are aware of
what their friends and loved ones on earth are doing. The rich man
of Luke 16 was keenly aware of how his brothers were living before
he died, but it is not implied or stated that he knew what was
happening in their lives after his death. It is reasonable to
conclude that those who pass from this life do not know what is
taking place in the lives of those left behind.
God has revealed to us what He would have us to believe and
teach. This revelation is the inspired Scriptures, the Holy Bible,
or the Word of God. The writer of Hebrews is clear in stating,
“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in
time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days
spoken unto us by [his] Son...” (1:1-2). The Holy Spirit
came and brought to the apostle’s remembrance all that Christ
had taught them (John 14:26). The Holy Spirit guided them
“into all the truth” and declared unto them
“the things that are to come” (John 16:13). The
Bible and only the Bible has the answer to religious matters!
484 CR 44700
Blossom, TX 75416
Table of Contents
A PLEA FOR UNSWERVING
LOYALTY TO THE BIBLE
Robert R. Taylor, Jr.
Complete acceptance of the Bible as God’s Word is our plea
— in season and out of season (2 Tim. 4:2).
1) The Bible is inspired. This is not “natural
inspiration” such as we have in Milton, Browning, Longfellow or
Shakespeare. It is not “thought inspiration” where God
supplied the thought, allowing all Biblical penmen total freedom of
word choice. The bottom line of this is that we have inspired
thoughts clothed in fallible words or NO Word from God period! It
is not “partial inspiration.” Paul makes this matter
crystal clear in 2 Timothy 3:16 by affirming ALL Scripture is
inspired of God. It still is! It is “verbal” or “Word
inspiration” as affirmed by David in 2 Samuel 23:2 and by Paul
in 1 Corinthians 2:13. Verbal inspiration is our plea. Plenary
inspiration is our plea with NO compromise in either of these
fundamentals. Thousands of times, Biblical penman affirmed they
wrote by Holy Spirit inspiration. They delivered what they received
even as Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 11:23 and 15:3. They did not
alter or add. They did not subtract or substitute. Truth was 100%
safe in their holy hands and from their humble hearts. We cannot
walk the old paths unless such can be said of us.
2) The Bible is infallible. The statutes of the Lord
are right as per Psalm 19:8. Israel’s Sweet Singer affirmed,
“For the word of the Lord is right: and all his works are
done in truth” (Psa. 33:4). Precisely penned in Psalm
119:128 are these words of weight and wisdom, “Therefore I
esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I
hate every false way.” “The Bible is right” was a
fond and frequently stated affirmation of the late and lamented
Marshall Keeble. None of his peers believed it any stronger than
did the sainted Keeble.
3) The Bible is authoritative. Isaiah 8:20 so
attests; so does Jeremiah 22:29; so does Colossians 3:17. There is
a royal recognition of Scriptural authority in the words, “It
is written” uttered by Jesus to Satan in Matthew 4 and Luke 4.
I am fond of the statement, “The Bible says it; that settles
it; I believe it.” Creed books are not worth the paper on which
they are written. There is not an iota of authority in the
aggregate of all which have been written.
4) The Bible is all-sufficient. In John 16:13, Jesus
promised the apostles that the Holy Spirit would guide them
“into all truth.” Paul says that we are furnished com-
pletely to all good works (2 Tim. 3:16-17). The Scriptures fit us
and outfit us. They fit us in developing character and reputation;
they outfit us in doing the work of the Lord. This is the unique
way the late and lamented Guy N. Woods analyzed 2 Timothy 3:17. We
have been given all things pertaining to life and godliness as per
2 Peter 1:3. Creeds add, subtract, alter, modify, change and
substitute. For these cogent reasons, we reject them in totality,
period!
5) The Bible is powerful. The words of Jesus are
spirit and life (John 6:63). God’s glorious Gospel is His
declared power to save (Rom. 1:16-17). The Word of God is quick
(alive) and powerful as per Hebrews 4:12. Begetting power resides
in the Gospel (1 Cor. 4:15; James 1:18,21). The Gospel is God’s
dynamite, dynamo and dynamic power.
6) The Bible is profitable. Paul details how in 2
Timothy 3:16 — in doctrine, for reproof, for correction and for
instruction in righteousness.
7) The Bible is precious. It was in the days of aged
Eli and youthful Samuel (1 Sam. 3:1). Each testament, book,
chapter, verse, word and syllable should be deemed precious to
every lover and practitioner of the old paths. It was to Jeremiah;
it was not to his defiant peers who hated God, Mosaic law,
prophetic pronouncements and God’s saintly Seer — Jeremiah.
The Godhead is not precious to us unless Their Word is precious
likewise.
8) The Bible is indestructible. The Psalmist says
that “his truth endureth to all generations” (100:5).
Isaiah expressed it eloquently in these words of weight that
“the word of our God shall stand for ever” (Isa. 40:8). In
the very midst of the great Olivet Discourse, as He was concluding
predictions relative to Jerusalem’s destruction and before
declarations began concerning His second coming, Jesus stated,
“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not
pass away” (Matt. 24:35). In 1 Peter 1:23,25, Peter stamped
God’s Word as abiding or enduring for ever. Its enemies have
tried in every conceivable way to destroy it; they are gone; it
remains.
9) The Bible is inexhaustible. Humanly produced
books, as a general rule, lose their challenge after one or two
readings. We do not read them daily or for a lifetime. We do the
Bible. We never master the Bible. It is an ocean of divine truth
and each of us has come to its edges with a teaspoon seeking to dip
in a bit of it.
Jesse L. Sewell was a great preacher in Tennessee during the
nineteenth century. He once wrote, in essence, “I can read a
book written by a man once or twice. Then it loses its challenge
because I think he has taught me all he can. Not so with the Bible.
When the last verse is completed, I know I need to turn back and
begin reading and meditating upon it again.”
This is my sentiment precisely after reading the Old
Testament through about sixty times since the early 50s and the New
Testament nearly seven hundred times. Memorization of Scripture is
of the same order of priority. We retain Scripture when we go over
it again and again.
Seekers of the old paths subscribe to all the foregoing
relative to God’s Book.
PO Box 464
Ripley, TN 38063
Table of Contents
Postmodern Thinking #6
PRAGMATISM
Victor M. Eskew
In this series of articles, we’ve been examining the pillars
of postmodern thought. We have looked at four pillars thus far:
pluralism, relativism, tolerance, and secularism. In
this concluding article, we will analyze the last foundational
element of this thinking process that has invaded the United States
and the world. The last pillar is pragmatism.
Pragmatism is the idea that truth is to be tested by the
practical consequences of belief. If something works, that is, has
a positive outcome, then it is truth. If something does not work,
then it is not considered to be the truth. Notice, everything is
centered upon outcomes when one is pragmatic. The pragmatic
individual is not so much concerned with the process as he is about
the outcome of the process. If it works, it is right in their eyes.
In the 2012 Presidential campaign, a well-known Senator went
to the floor of the Senate and accused Mitt Romney of not having
paid his income taxes for the past ten years. The statement was
completely false. When the Senator was asked about his claim, his
reply was: “Romney didn’t win, did he?” The
Senator’s end was to keep Romney from being elected. Any means
whereby that could be accomplished was acceptable to the Senator.
His lies are an example of pragmatism. Sadly, in the political
arena both Republicans and Democrats have accepted pragmatism as
the means to keep their political positions and political power.
Pragmatism has invaded the precious church of our Lord.
Individuals have seen numerous problems facing the body of Christ:
declining numbers, loss of interest in worship, the loss of our
young people, the lack of involvement in the local congregation,
etc. To correct these problems, many leaders in the church have
embraced pragmatism. They will use whatever means necessary in
order to solve the problems of the local congregation.
Lack of attendance at the worship services is a huge
challenge for many churches. The “traditional” service is
said to be boring, irrelevant, and out-of-touch for many people,
especially our youth. Church leaders, therefore, have embraced many
pragmatic ideas to draw people to the worship services.
- Hold a contemporary service
- Use instrumental music in worship
- Advertise to the public to just “come as you
are”
- Have dramas and skits instead of sermons
- Have shorter sermons, 12 to 15 minutes
- Decorate the stage with expensive backdrops
- Invite speakers from all walks of life to speak
- Give-aways to those who attend
- Refusal to teach anything negative
- Use women, as well as men, in leadership roles
- Build large recreational facilities
- Serve coffee and donuts before and during the services
- Separate different age groups into age-appropriate worship
services
- Hold elaborate services on special days of the year
- Use of all kinds of modern technology: lights, video,
sound, music, special effects
The list of pragmatic ways to “build” the church
continues to grow. Most people will look at these new innovations,
see little harm in them, find that they work, and will praise them
and participate in them. Remember, in their minds, it is the end
that is important. The church becomes a mega-church. People are
excited. The youth program is vibrant and active. Everything that
is being done is working in their mind.
Dear readers, it is not always just about the “end.”
The process does matter. The “end” does not justify the
“means” (the process by which you arrive at the desired
result). In Genesis 4, two men appeared before God to worship Him.
One man’s worship was accepted. The other’s worship was
not. The man who was rejected was Cain. He brought a very pragmatic
gift to the Lord —the fruit of the ground. It was pragmatic
because Cain was a tiller of the ground. His fruit represented his
diligent effort. Giving the fruit to God represented a sacrifice on
his part. Most likely, the fruit was beautiful, nourishing, and the
best he had. His pragmatic approach, however, was rejected by God.
The Biblical text says: “But unto Cain and his offering he
had not respect” (Gen. 4:5). According to verse 7, he had
not done well. The writer of Hebrews gives us much insight into
this situation. He reveals that Abel’s worship was accepted
because it was done “by faith.” “By faith Abel
offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he
obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his
gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh” (Heb. 11:4).
Faith comes by hearing God’s Word (Rom. 10:17). Abel heard and
did what God authorized. Cain heard but did not do as God
authorized. Thus, he was rejected. His pragmatic approach did not
please God.
Pragmatism has caused members of the church to reject the
truth. It has caused them to violate the Word of God. Pragmatism
appeals to the fleshly man, not the spiritual man. Pragmatism has
turned worship into a period of entertainment. It has turned the
local congregation into nothing more than a social club. Oh yes,
the numbers are up. Interest and excitement are present. The
question, however, is: “Is God well-pleased with such
sacrifices?” In God’s eyes, the end does not justify the
means. God has revealed the “means” to bring about the
“results” He desires. It is found in the pages of His
divine Word, the Holy inspired, inerrant, Scriptures.
Our society is a long way from where it used to be. The
reason is because the public has embraced the many tenets of
postmodern thought. As long as we continue to let this type of
thinking dominate our society, we will continue to change. We will
continue to drift farther from God. Paul sets forth the cure in
Second Corinthians 10:4-6. “(For the weapons of our warfare
are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of
strongholds;) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that
exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into
captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; and having a
readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is
fulfilled.”
My friends, the cure is simple. God’s thinking must
replace postmodern thinking!!!
1025 Snug Harbor Court
Jacksonville, FL 32233
Table of Contents
Bound Volumes (with a complete index) for the years
of
1995-2002 can be ordered from:
Old Paths Publishing
2007 Francis Ferry Rd.
McMinnville, TN 37110
$5 postage paid
Home |
Bible Page |
Seek The Old Paths |
Leoni Church of
Christ |
WSOJ Radio
Lectureship
Books
|
