This Issue...
A WORD OF WARNING ABOUT
A NEW BOOK
Raymond Elliott
THE JESUS PROPOSAL, a book by Rubel Shelly
and John O. York, was published in the spring of 2003, by
Leafwood Publishers in Siloam Springs, AR. Most brethren know that
Rubel Shelly is a preacher for the Woodmont Hills Church of Christ
in Nashville. John O. York is Associate Professor of Preaching
and New Testament at Lipscomb University in Nashville,
Tennessee. He also shares the pulpit responsibilities with Rubel at
Woodmont Hills. The material in this book has been adapted from
sermons they delivered at the Woodmont Hills Church (p.21). (Note:
Woodmont's website says they are the Family of God at
Woodmont Hills and only use the words Church of
Christ in small print at the bottom of the page.)
       
Though I do not commend this book, I do, on the
other hand, recommend that every faithful elder, deacon, preacher,
Christian University teacher and all Christians read this book very
carefully. It is my humble opinion that the contents of this book
are the most definitive treatise written during my forty-eight
years of preaching that declares just how far these brethren have
digressed from the simplicity of New Testament Christianity. The
errors taught are too numerous to list in this short review. You
will have to take the time to read it for yourself to completely
understand my statement. Basically, what is taught in this book is
the old error of Unity in Diversity of Doctrines clothed
in new wineskins.
       
I will endeavor to list some of the teachings found
in this volume. They are all false to the core!
       
1. That religious divisions caused during the past
200 years were due to culture rather than theological reasons.
(Preface)
       
2. That Jesus Christ should mean more than
denomination or theological tradition or method of interpreting the
Bible. (Preface)
       
3. The authors are calling for unity among
believers based solely upon an orthodox confession of Jesus
Christ as the Son of God. (p.20)
       
4. The Bible should not be interpreted by an
individual but rather in a group setting. Believing that one could
understand objective truths has been a major reason for the
divisions that exist in the church. (p.29)
       
5. The church has been wrong in requiring that
others have the same understanding regarding instrumental music and
baptism in order to be acceptable to God. (p.43)
       
6. Please observe this statement by the authors:
The local church for which the two of us preach is consciously
trying to continue to sink into union with the body of Christ at
large (p.47). The authors include the religious world in general
when referring in this statement to the body of Christ at
large. Sound familiar? Isn't this the sentiment expressed by
the Disciples of Christ?
       
7. Conversion is a process in which baptism is only
a part. It is meant by this that there is no one event at
which time a person can know that his past sins have been forgiven.
(p.48)
       
8. Denominations are not sinful per se. More
than that, they are surely inevitable and potentially
valuable. (p.63)
       
9. Diversity of doctrine is not a hindrance to
unity. But there is nothing inherently sinful about varieties
of understanding, taste, and practice that create
denominations. (p.64)
       
10. There was not a uniformity of organization in
the early church, nor the teachings on subjects like spiritual
gifts, understanding of Christ's return or baptismal doctrines.
(p.74)
       
11. That the Holy Spirit can work in various
denominations as He did in the various congregations in the first
century. (p.77)
       
12. A relationship with Christ should cause us to
overlook errors taught by different denominations. (p.83)
       
13. Shelly states, So long as repentance and
faith (notice his order) in Christ as Savior is proclaimed as
gospel, can we not grant that intelligent people of goodwill may
come to contrary conclusions about nuances of baptismal
theology? (p.87)
       
14. Shelly also affirms that there was no
uniformity of conversions in the book of acts and that we have
tried to force others to accept a biblical pattern of conversion
that is not found in the Bible. He states: I don't know what
to make of the lack of strict uniformity in these conversion events
in the New Testament -- except that God is not bound to a pattern
that has him doing things with uniformity, that God is more
concerned with relationship than with regularity. (pp.88,89)
       
15. York writes that we should lay aside
individual interpretations and should listen to the
voices of scholarship. (p.115)
       
16. Shelly declares that he knows good people who
are more righteous than him even though they did not have a
scriptural understanding on the teaching of scriptural baptism.
Therefore, God's grace should cover them. (p.126)
       
17. Shelly looks with horror at his understanding
of baptism when he was immersed as a young lad -- that salvation
was God's part and baptism was man's part. He
refers to such as baptismal regeneration and states,
How much more confused and wrong-headed could a baptismal
theology be? (p.130)
       
18. He thinks that when he gets to heaven, he might
ask God when he was saved. This is because he believes that no one
event occurred in his process of salvation wherein he could know
that his past sins had been forgiven. (p.130)
       
19. There is no command given that would restrict
observing the Lord's Supper only on the first day of the week.
(p.186)
Table of Contents
Guest Editorial...
CONTEND EARNESTLY FOR THE FAITH
Caleb C. Campbell
In the third verse of his inspired epistle, Jude
sounds out the cry for Christians to earnestly
contend for the faith. To contend is to strive,
debate or fight. It is literally, to wrestle [Guy N.
Woods, A Commentary on the New Testament Epistles of Peter, John,
and Jude]. Jude was exhorting his audience of disciples to stand up
and fight for the incomparable cause of Christ. They were to defend
and proclaim their convictions regarding the Gospel of Christ.
       
The idea of fighting for and defending the
faith is one that is unpopular in the feel-good
Christianity of our day. It is deemed as un-Christ-like, and
a mere sign of immaturity and maliciousness. Nevertheless, several
times in the New Testament, various writers exhort Christians to do
so. Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus, telling them to
put on the whole armor of God (Eph. 6:11). He told
Timothy to fight the good fight of faith (1
Tim. 6:12). He told Titus to rebuke false teachers
sharply, that they may be sound in the faith (Titus
1:13). Peter told his readers to be ready to give an
answer to every man that would inquire concerning
Christianity (1 Peter 3:15).
       
Further, there are several inspired examples in
days gone by of faithful prophets and preachers who contended for
the cause of Jehovah. In the Old Testament, one can find Elijah
challenging the damnable prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18). Other
prophets, such as Jeremiah, fought false teaching and pled with
God's people to be faithful and obedient to Him. The New Testament
tells of John the Baptizer fighting for the kingdom (Matt. 3:1-12).
Stephen, the first faithful martyr of Christianity, was one who
engaged in religious dispute (Acts 6:9). Even our Lord Jesus Christ
verbally fought for His own cause, as on several occasions He
warded off the attacks of the Pharisees, Sadducees, Herodians, and
others.
       
The fact is, if we as Christians are to show our
love for the Lord by obeying His will, we must contend for the
faith. It is just as much an inspired command as to sing songs
of praise (Eph. 5:19) and to partake of the Lord's supper (1 Cor.
11:23-26) in worshipping God. It is just as clearly stated as the
need to flee fornication (1 Cor. 6:18) and not
forsaking the assembling of ourselves together (Heb. 10:25).
       
The Christian, however, is not simply to fight for
the faith. He is to do so earnestly. The word
earnestly is defined by Webster as being serious and
intense, zealous and sincere, with determination. It comes
from the Greek word agonidzomai which includes the idea
of striving for a cause.
       
This should in no way surprise us, for all that the
Christian does is to be with his entire being. Our Lord despises
one who is a lukewarm follower and does not devote his entire self
to His cause (Rev. 3:16). Indeed, we as Christians are to be a
truly zealous people. The area of defending the Gospel demands a
special zeal, as we are not fighting for our own cause, or any kind
of carnal institution/teachings, but rather the cause of Christ.
       
Having stated the previous, it must also be stated
that while we contend earnestly, we are to do so with the
proper disposition, attitude and motive. While many in the church
today err greatly by not standing up and fighting false teaching,
there are others who have reacted with another extreme: that of
contending and fighting in an arrogant and uncaring way that does
nothing but inflame the personal ego. We are to answer others
with meekness and fear (1 Peter 3:15). We are never to
fail to speak the truth, but do so in love (Eph. 4:15). The
ultimate goal in contending is not to promote strife, but rather to
lead others to the truth of the saving Gospel of Christ.
       
Jude gives his readers a specific message to
contend for: the faith. Faith is indeed one of the great
themes of the New Testament, and for that matter, the entire Bible.
The vast majority of the Christian world recognizes the
importance of faith and its role in the salvation of man. Yet, the
faith spoken of here by Jude is not one's personal faith that leads
an individual to salvation (John 3:16; Rom. 5:1; Heb. 10:38). He is
speaking rather of THE faith, the summation of the Gospel. He was
not speaking of a vague, subjective thing that varied from person
to person, but was exhorting Christians to unite behind the
one faith of Ephesians 4:5, the summation of the Gospel
of Christ. It was the faith that priests had obeyed (Acts 6:7),
that Paul had preached (Gal. 1:23) and that had arrived to replace
the imperfect law of Moses (Gal. 3:23-25).
       
This faith had been once for all given
to the saints (ASV). The clear meaning in light of the original
Greek language is that the faith had been completely given in its
complete form. Brother Guy N. Woods again stated, The meaning
is that truth is delivered for all time; it is a permanent deposit,
it will never be superseded, amended, or modified.
       
The implications of the above are incredible in
light of the state of the religious world today. First, it is clear
that God has revealed His will to man. Those that believe and teach
that man cannot know the will of God are obviously in blatant
contradiction with Scripture (John 8:32). Second, the will of God
has been completely revealed. If truth has been once for all
delivered, then there is no new truth to be revealed! When
someone today claims to have a new revelation from God, he is
obviously mistaken and in danger of adding to the word which God
has given (Rev. 22:18,19). Third, it is clear that since God has
revealed His complete will for man, it is an objective standard
that must be followed. Jesus Himself claimed that we have truth,
and that it is the word of God (John 17:17).
       
The world has tried to make Christianity an
abstract religion based on the subjective feelings and intuitions
of individual human beings. Jude, however, reminds us that there is
an objective standard -- a pattern -- that we are to follow in the
realm of religion. This pattern is that which can save us (Rom.
1:16) and that which will one day judge us (John 12:48).
       
Are you contending for the faith?
               
844 18th St.
               
Calera, AL 35040
Table of Contents
GOD STILL SAYS, PREACH THE WORD
Roger D. Campbell
2 Timothy 4:2 -- How many times have we heard it
quoted and mentioned in public lessons? Its clear message reads,
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season;
reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
What word is it that God wants His servants to preach? It is
the message of the Holy Scriptures (2 Tim. 3:15), the inspired
message of God's word (2 Tim. 3:16).
       
Despite the Lord's charge to preach the
word, and despite the command to preach the gospel
(Mark 16:15), men are often not pleased with such an idea. Some who
are listeners do not desire to hear the pure word of God. And, some
that preach do not really desire to preach the word of God. Be that
as it may, God still says, Preach the word.
       
Man prefers to hear a more modern
message, but God still says, Preach the word.
       
Man longs to hear a message that makes him
feel good, but God still says, Preach the word.
       
Man thinks that just any religious message is
good enough to save the soul, but God still says, Preach
the word.
       
Man cries for a message that's more
entertaining, but God still says, Preach the word.
       
Man despises the word of God that rebukes his
sin, but God still says, Preach the word.
       
Man wants to hear jokes and funny stories,
but God still says, Preach the word.
       
Man thinks that drama would be more moving,
but God still says, Preach the word.
       
Man says that the Bible's message offends
people, but God still says, Preach the word.
       
Man thinks the Bible's message is dry and
boring, but God still says, Preach the word.
       
Man loves to hear stories about people's
so-called experiences, but God still says,
Preach the word.
       
Man says that if we would preach a message that was
more appealing to the masses, we would grow more, but
God still says, Preach the word.
       
Man says if we don't water down the message,
we will never attract people from the community, but God
still says, Preach the word.
       
God's way is always right. God says, Preach
the word. Since that is what the Lord wants, then that, my
brothers and sisters, is just what we must do! Preaching the word
is what the world needs in order to be saved. Preaching the word
is also what the church needs in order be strong spiritually and
prepared to meet the devices of the devil.
       
Yes, man may say a lot of things, but God still
says, Preach the word.
               
4865 Bates Pike SE
               
Cleveland, TN 373232
Table of Contents
ENEMIES OF THE CROSS
James W. Boyd
Brethren be followers together of me, and mark them
which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. For many walk, of whom
I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are
the enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose
God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind
earthly things (Phil. 3:17-19).
       
As astounding as it might sound to the faithful child of
God, there are those who choose to be enemies of the cross. History
tells us of events in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries called
the Crusades. They were certainly not Christian in the Biblical
sense of the word. They were a fanatical series of military
conflicts between Christian Europe and the Mohammedan
world for control of Palestine. In Europe, where Catholicism ruled
and placed such emphasis on relics, the Christians wanted
possession of what some considered to be the greatest relic of all,
the Holy Land, and sought to deliver it from those they
considered to be enemies of the cross.
       
The result was several military efforts, each with
declining success, to capture and control Palestine, liquidate all
enemies and infidels, whether Jewish or Mohammedan, all heretics
(which meant anybody who questioned papal domination and
authority).
NONE WERE FRIENDS
       
There is no question that Jews and Mohammedans are
enemies of the cross of Christ, but neither is there any doubt
that those who instigated and executed these Crusades were not
Christians as the Bible teaches. Such warfare is not the way that
Christianity is to advance.
       
Jesus said, My kingdom is not of this world
(John 18:36). Paul wrote, For the weapons of our
warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down
of strongholds... (2 Cor. 10:4). Ephesians 6:12 mentions
the Christian's warfare and it is not one for a literal, carnal
warfare, but a spiritual warfare.
       
The cross of Christ had enemies in the past and has had
them all along. The first enemies of which we read were Jews. With
fair means or foul, legal or illegal, they tried to silence the
message of Christianity. Even from within the church came the
digressions of Judaizing teachers who falsely preached that
Gentiles, in order to come to Christ, must accept the law of Moses.
They attempted to bind circumcision and other matters as part of
the faith of Christ (Acts 15:1; Gal. 5:1-4). They attributed
salvation to the works of the law rather than the system of grace,
faith, blood, obedience and the law of Christ that was purchased by
the blood of Christ. Paul said such were perverting the Gospel
(Gal. 1:7).
PAGANISM
       
Pagans and heathens and their idolatrous gods are enemies
of the cross of Christ. Any religion that teaches there is
more than one Deity (Godhead) is an enemy of the cross of Christ.
In Athens, Paul said, For as I passed by, and beheld your
devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, To The Unknown
God. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.
God that made the world and all things therein, seeing he is Lord
of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with
hands... (Acts 17:23,24). But they mocked the truth that
he preached (Acts 17:32).
       
It is a wonder that Christianity, the cross of Christ, has
survived through the ages seeing the intense hatred and enmity that
has been raised against it from every side from its infancy until
now.
ISMS
       
Enemies of the cross have arisen through the years of
ecclesiastical history. There are vicious, potent and diabolical
enemies now. Modernism, atheism, secular humanism are the
most deadly facing the truth today. These philosophies deny
everything the Christian cites as authority. They reject the Bible,
the Deity of Christ, life after death, the existence of God,
miracles, the virgin birth, the spirit of man, the resurrection of
Jesus, the efficacy of his blood, whatever.
       
Such enemies wage their warfare on many fronts, such as
pseudo-science in the educational institutions, textbooks,
television programs, political forums, even in seminaries and
churches that claim to respect Christ.
       
Denominationalism has long been an enemy of the
cross even though they claim to be a friend. Faithful brethren have
done battle against denominationalism, and though some are now
compromising God's truth to go along and get along with
denominations for the sake of peace, faithful brethren still combat
the denominational menace.
       
Denominationalism causes and feeds upon division,
confusion and chaos, creating waste, doubt with creeds and churches
of men rather than of God. The denominational world has done more
than Darwin, Marx or anyone else in paving the way for the advance
of atheism and humanism. It has sown the seeds into the hearts of
generation after generation that it does not matter what one
believes just so long as honesty and sincerity prevails. They have
adopted names, doctrines, theories, theologies, philosophies, etc.
that are contrary to what God has revealed in His Word, and the
result is that more and more people wonder if the Bible is from God
at all.
       
The clergymen of denominations have much for which to give
answer before God in judgment for promoting their religions which
are departures from the word of truth.
       
We have already referred to moralism and
humanism, but more needs to be said. Humanism contends that
man is the most and there is no need for God, or any god.
It denies there is absolute truth and standards. It is the preacher
of do your own thing religion and life. While it calls
for morality, it destroys any possibility for a standard
of morality. If there is no God, whose standard is to be followed?
       
It is somewhat ironical that the very position of
humanism, denying right and wrong and rejecting God, laughing at
the Bible, ridiculing life after death, has destroyed any basis,
reason, motive or purpose in being what they call good and moral.
If humanism is right, nothing matters whatever. Sin, hell, heaven,
righteousness are not realities and make no difference if there is
no way to determine which is which. We are not going anywhere
anyway according to this teaching.
FROM WITHIN
       
But not all enemies of the cross of Christ are outside the
church. One deadly enemy is the division and schism
that exists. While there is much religious division outside
the church, the church bleeds internally for the same reason. One
truth we need to understand is the following: those who cause
trouble in the church are those who (1) teach false doctrines and
practices, or (2) those who demand conformity to their opinions in
matters of opinion. Those who resist the invasion of false
doctrines and false teachers, and who insist on allowing what God
allows are not those who create havoc for the church. Error, not
truth, causes division among brethren.
       
Division often reaches the point of bitterness, lying,
back-stabbing, bad-mouthing, poisoned-penned brethren who will
likely as not be big-name brethren, editors, college presidents,
pulpit preachers even of big and prominent churches, attacking
anybody who dare raises questions about what they say and do. Some
of the most vicious diatribes that have been leveled against this
writer has come from just such men, men who were compromising truth
with error, diseased with go-along-ism, teaching and
practicing error, and who considered it an offense to even have
what they said and did questioned and investigated in light of
Scripture.
SELF-APPOINTED ELITE
       
We have in the church a scholastic elite who have
been schooled in liberalism and modernism who have been pouring
their errors into the church, even in schools where they teach as
much as any other one source. The compromising religious
politicians and liberal editors have aided and abetted them in
their goal of restructuring the church to be more acceptable to the
world. Their tactics include ridicule, intimidation, threats, lies
and character assassination in order to promote their heresies.
       
Matters of opinion have rent the church asunder, such as
the anti-orphan home and anti-cooperation hobbies. Matters of faith
are issues in the church because some inject false doctrines,
promoted through perverted versions, false teachers
fellow-shipped, digressive programs endorsed and advertised as if
truth really no longer mattered. Why are not such things enemies of
the cross?
       
This biting and devouring of one another is tearing the
church apart. But there is no way to stop it until error is
removed. The trouble today is that error has been so adopted in
many churches that little can be done. The warnings against
apostasy and the demand for authority for what is said, done and
taught are being ignored in favor of what Brother big or some
scholar has decreed.
       
Worldliness and hypocrisy in the church is one, possibly
the most potent, weapon against the cross in the devil's arsenal.
Strange how Christians provide the devil with one of his most
powerful weapons! What better way to cause people to scoff at
Christianity than to have the capacity to array a host of people
who claim to be Christians but who are practicing the very things
the Lord condemned and omitting what he commanded?
       
Some have refused to become Christians because of
hypocrisy in the church. Of course, such people will not be excused
from their duty to God. We cannot go to heaven on the sins of
somebody else. But what a sad and distorted display so many present
by the daily lives they lead while professing to be Christian!
WHAT TO DO
       
But what can be done? To bemoan bad situations is not enough.
Nothing will be done until another enemy, the enemy of lethargy,
indifference and inaction, is removed from the hearts
and lives of brethren. This let-the-other-fellow-do-it
attitude has put many to sleep and they are content on the
sidelines. Spectator religion is all they have. They just
watch, but not participate! That is the way it is with many. The
only time they get aroused is when somebody says they ought to act.
They never speak up, stand up, or can be counted for truth.
       
The enemies of truth are sapping the strength from the
church because members of the church are allowing them to do it. We
have branched out into the fun, food and frolic fellowship with
games, gyms, glamour and gimmicks and the sound, solid message of
salvation has been dimmed in the process. So much of the church
suffers because so many obviously take the lethargic and
contemptible attitude, So what?
       
The goal of any who oppose the cross is to ultimately
destroy it and its influence, whether intended or not. But in
contrast to the enemies of the cross, there are those who are like
Paul, But God forbid that I 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).
               
2720 S Chancery St.
               
McMinnville, TN 37110
Table of Contents
DENOMINATIONAL FILMS AND CHURCHES OF CHRIST
Winfred Clark, deceased
When we speak of denominational films, we mean those which
feature men like Swindoll or Dobson. Neither of these men are among
us. They are denominational preachers who are speakers on films
that focus on families and related topics. They are now receiving
acceptance among churches of Christ along a broad front. Local
advertising in some cities promote these without any reluctance.
       
Just what do churches of Christ have in common religiously
with Swindoll and Dobson? Jesus would place such in the category
with wolves and sheep (Matt. 7:15). A wolf and a sheep are not the
same. I do not think there is a whole lot these two classes have in
common. Draping the sheep's clothing of Focus On the
Family over Dobson does not make a sheep of the gentleman.
Allowing Swindoll to appear under the garment of practicality does
not change his nature. He is either a false teacher or he is not.
Though he speaks some truth, this does not make him only slightly
a teacher of error. For all his good, he is still a teacher of
error. Films do not change that.
       
These men are being brought into classes by way of their
films and in some cases, if not all, not one word of precaution is
seen in the advertising. Is this the route they will later take to
the pulpits? Shades of Joplin! Did not the instrument start
somewhere else before it reached the worship service? Reminds me of
the Arab's camel that took his master's tent little by little.
       
Would churches now using the films bring these men in
person to speak? Would they invite them for a series of lectures on
the same theme? Suppose they assured you they would say no more
than is on the films. Would they be invited? If not, why not? Can
somebody, anybody show the difference if he is only going to say
the same thing in person that he does on the film? Does not your
Bible speak of an unequal yoke (2 Cor 6:14)? It surely does, and
this is a case in point.
       
But one may say, You use commentaries written by
denominational preachers. Yes, it is the case that one may
from time to time consult such commentaries. Adam Clarke's
commentary is often studied but who among us would invite him to
speak in one of our assemblies?
       
You have read what Satan had to say in various places --
even in cases where he may quote the Bible (Matt. 4:6). Would that
justify placing him on film in places where he quoted the truth?
Would such justify bringing him into the classroom in person or on
film? If not, why not? When you find the answer to that you will be
able to see there is absolutely no justification in bringing false
teachers in to teach, films or otherwise.
       
But one says, We sing songs written by
non-members. Yes, that is the case but we are singing the
songs and are selective even in the use of those. But do we have
denominational people to come and direct the songs? There is an
obvious difference.
       
Some have attempted to justify the use of such by
reference to Paul's statement As certain of your own poets
have said (Acts 17:29). Would this be construed as Paul giving
endorsement to bringing one of their poets to teach a class for
Christians and non-Christians? Did Paul advertise him as an
authority on the nature of God? Did not he maintain his separation
by pointing out that they are your own poets. Paul didn't
act like they were one with him.
       
In an effort to draw a crowd, we need not adopt the policy
that the end justifies the means. If we are not very
careful, the floodgates are opened to any and all things that
attract other than the Gospel of our dear Lord.
       
In the ecumenical thrust of our day, some have been
carried far beyond points they ever thought they would reach. It is
time, high time, past time, for brethren to look at their conduct
and the consequences.
Table of Contents
RELIGIOUS OXYMORONS
George W. Lambroff
Webster defines an oxymoron as: acutely silly:
a figure of speech in which opposite or contradictory ideas or
terms are combined. It is important that Christians have a
proper understanding of the meaning of oxymoron, since on occasion
we find ourselves using an oxymoron, we must be prepared to admit
that we are guilty of uttering a statement that within itself
becomes self opposing. Many times, Christians offer cliche's that
incorporate the use of an oxymoron.
       
What are the oxymorons that are commonly used within the
church of Christ? A very common one that has been so widely used
is: unity through diversity. This is a perfect
example of an oxymoron because it demonstrates that the terms are
antipodal to each other. Words have meaning! Unity means
oneness. It is also defined as 1. the state of being one
or united; oneness, singleness. 2. something complete in itself. 3.
the quality of being one in spirit, sentiment, purpose, etc.:
harmony, agreement, uniformity. (Webster)
       
Now, let us compare this with diversity. Webster defines
it as: 1. quality, state, fact, or instance of being diverse;
difference. 2. variety. Now where does that statement make sense?
When brethren use this oxymoron statement, they are actually
stating that we should acquire unity or oneness through the
practice of being different and having variety! Does that make
sense? Absolutely not! Yet, a segment of the congregations of the
Body of Christ have embraced this in the name of oneness within
their own congregations and their relationship and acceptance of
the secular religious world!
       
Another oxymoron that is prevalent is can we
agree to disagree? Again, we must return to the meaning
of words. Agree is defined as: 1. to consent or accede. 2. to be in
harmony or accord. 3. to be of the same opinion; concur. As we look
to the word disagree, we find the word defined as: 1.to
fail to agree; be different; differ. 2. to differ in opinion, to
quarrel or dispute. 3. to be harmful or give distress. Now when we
hear this oxymoron, we are being asked to consent or accede as
Christians while at the same time agreeing to be different, harmful
and distressful!
       
Now, having understood what these types of religious
cliches and oxymorons really mean, we should never entertain such
statements! Why are they used? Only to simulate unity on
occasions of differing. They have been used in the church of Christ
in place of searching the Scriptures for answers. They serve as
protection against false doctrines that must be saved at
all costs, even at the cost of the truth!
       
Brethren, we cannot afford to be wrong when serving the
Lord. We cannot afford the luxury of cliches and slogans
to maintain ABSOLUTE ONENESS! Nothing is greater for the unity and
oneness of the Body of Christ than the prayer of our Lord and
Savior in John 17:20-23. The apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:10
pleaded for oneness! With our Lord's prayer for oneness and the
apostle Paul's pleading for oneness, how dare we state otherwise?
               
629 Ordway Ave.
                Bowling Green, OH 43402
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