Volume 31 – 1990 (PDF) - Searching The Scriptures

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way. We could see whether there was a proper balance
between Old and New Testaments. Did we offer help on
evidences? Was there a proper balance between textual
study of the books of the Bible and topical studies to deal
with practical issues confronting Christians? It was an
eye-opening experience. Are Christians being equipped
to take the message of the word of God and apply it to the
problems of everyday life.
(6) What is the evangelistic thrust of these classes?
Are students near or over the age of accountability being
taught what to do to be saved and motivated to act? What
of visitors in classes who are not saved? Do we not bear
some responsibility to them? Often, teachers, students
or both, are insensitive to the needs of these and it is easy
for lack of thoughtfulness to close their minds forever.
Do we have classes which ignite the fires of evangelism
in our young men and women? Are they being made
aware of efforts to save the lost around the world and of
what they can do to be a part of such worthwhile activity?
Do our classes stimulate Christians to take the knowledge
out of the classroom and into the mainstream of
life? Do they move Christians to "teach faithful men who
shall be able to teach others also" (2 Tim. 2: 2)?
(7) Are there regularly scheduled teachers meetings
where elders can monitor what is taking place, and
where teachers can help each other sharpen their skills?
Discussion with teachers in such settings can help elders
greatly to spot areas of need, stay on top of situations
before they get out of hand, and help them to evaluate
the attitudes of teachers toward the scriptures and
toward godly living. It is also a good setting in which to
develop new teachers.
This writer could be mistaken, and I hope that I am,
but it appears to me that, as a whole, we are not as
knowledgeable about the word of God as we ought to be.
We are not the people of the book we once were. I know
the usual excuses but they are no more acceptable now
than they have ever been. It is still required that we
"search the scriptures daily" (Acts 17: 11) and that we
"study" (give diligence) to show ourselves "approved
unto God, workmen that need not to be ashamed, rightly
diving the word of truth" (2 Tim. 2: 15). Both pulpit and
classroom must combine in instilling a knowledge of the
word of God into the hearts of those who hear us. Eternal
issues are at stake.
In the process, let it not be forgotten that God requires
"faithful" people to teach others. James said teachers
shall receive "the heavier judgment" (James 3: 1). Morally
weak, half-baked Christians have no business in the
pulpit or the classroom in a teaching role. They need to
be genuinely converted first. Shortswearers, mixed
bathers, social drinkers, cigarette puffers, profane and
vulgar talkers and other worldlings are mighty poor
examples of what believers ought to be. Their students
cannot be expected to rise to any higher level than the
example of their teachers. Did I hear even a faint,
distant, "Amen" somewhere?
Introduction
The purpose of this series of articles is to review and
summarize some of the issues (not all of them) which
have plagued the church, past and present. Such issues
as institutionalism, the sponsoring church and church
provision of recreation and entertainment are responsible
for the division which has occurred within the
ranks of God's people. Some of us, who have been on "the
firing line" for about five decades in the struggle to keep
the church free from these and other innovations, can
make some obvious observations. An attitude is responsible
for these and every other troublesome issue that
has ever invaded the Lord's church. It is the same
attitude that was responsible for the introduction of the
Missionary Society and instrumental music in worship
over a century ago. This attitude is the failure to regard
and submit to divine authority. Every act of disobedience
recorded in God's volume of inspiration, from the
time of Adam and Eve in the beautiful bowers of Eden,
is the consequence of this attitude. All must come to the
recognition that God means what He says and says what
He means. This includes respecting the silence of the
Scriptures. Those, for instance, who use instrumental
music in worship attempt to justify their practice on the
ground that God did not say not to use it. By not
respecting the silence of the Scriptures they thus defy
divine authority. The New Testament simply does not
authorize the use of instrumental music in worship. This
should be reason enough to not employ it in our worship.
Jesus Christ has ALL authority (Matt. 28: 18), and we
are to abide in His teaching (2 Jno. 9). Only what He, His
apostles and other inspired writers have authorized, are
we permitted to do. This applies to the church as well as
individuals. Authority has not been given to the church,
but to Christ; therefore, the church is not permitted to
act in any matter without the authority of its head, who
is Christ (Col. 1: 187). When men do not submit to the
authority of Christ, they will invariably turn to human
reasoning; which in turn is substituted for the authority
of Christ. The chief priests and elders questioned the
authority of Jesus (Matt. 21: 23). When they could not
answer His questions, "... they reasoned with themselves"
(vs. 25). Basically, what constitutes authority is
THE ISSUE in all controversies within the church.
There are issues as we know them, but AUTHORITY is
the underlying issue.
Modern innovations in the church are not "new under