Abundant Life: May/June 2002
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Rethinking Old Issues
by Mark RobertsChange agents. Liberalism. Going beyond the New Testament. Making the church into a denomination. We hear talk about those topics all the time, don’t we? Going right along with them we read and hear of churches of Christ involved in every kind of flagrant apostasy. In many ways it is a troubling time. What is going to happen to churches of Christ all across the country?
Does Bible Authority Really Matter?
by Rusty MillerWhen they were very young, my niece and nephew used to play, and my nephew would always make my niece take the subordinate role. She would say, “Let’s play like we’re dogs,” and he would say, “I’ll be the big dog, and you be the puppy.” Or she would say, “Let’s play house,” and he would say, “I’ll be the Daddy, and you be the baby.” Finally, one day my niece said, “Let’s play church,” and my nephew said, “Okay, you can be the preacher.” Her eyes lit up. Finally, she was going to play the lead role, and she said, “Okay!” And then my nephew said, “And I’ll be God!”
Do these Differences Really Matter?
by Jason MooreWhat difference does it make whether churches cooperate or function independently in their work? Is a discussion over institutional versus non-institutional concepts of the church worthy of my time? What of eating in church buildings, or clapping in the assembly? What of traditional versus contemporary worship? What of kitchens, and orphans’ homes, and ball teams, and sponsoring church arrangements? Does any of this really matter? Do these questions warrant my study and reflection? Are they worthy of spirited and lively discussion with others? I aver that they are.
God's Appeal to Sinners
by Allen DvorakThey are all around me in my neighborhood, at the gas station, in the grocery store. They are lost people, rapidly headed for eternity yet seemingly oblivious to the fact that they are unprepared for the final great judgment. They need the gospel. What are we doing to reach these people?
Limited or Unlimited Benevolence?
by Tim Jennings“Open your hand wide,” was the posture Moses instructed Israel to have toward the poor (Deut. 15:7-11). But, what the Old Law had put on paper, Jesus put in flesh. He was the One who taught us about the good Samaritan, and fed the crowds when they were hungry. He was by far the most magnanimous, generous, most lavish giver the world had ever seen. He humbly confessed, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). Those two verbs, “serve” and “give,” tell you almost all you need to know about what made Jesus, Jesus.
Arguments for Unlimited Helping Answered
by Tony MauckCan a church use the pooled funds of its members, the contribution for the Lord’s work, to provide assistance for any person who has a material need? Many say “Yes, of course!” and offer what they deem to be powerful reasons authorizing the church treasury to be used for financial assistance to non-Christians. Let’s examine these arguments.
Voices from the Past
by Various_It seems that some of our liberal brethren place much emphasis on their place in the history of “the Restoration Movement.” While we do not believe that what men say is important, it is interesting to note that what is now considered “Mainstream Restoration Movement Theology,” was once commonly spoken against. We offer the following quotes (found in the pages of Robert Turner’s Plain Talk) as proof that the error we seek to expose in this issue is neither new nor was it always greatly accepted.
-Editor._
The Sponsoring Church Error
by Mark RobertsIt is extremely common today for one congregation, usually large, to “sponsor” or oversee a work or campaign. Some churches sponsor the mission work in a particular foreign country, while others sponsor a city-wide campaign. Participating churches send their monetary contributions to the sponsoring church which then takes care of the work itself. This is almost totally accepted among brethren without thought or question, but I would argue there are three powerful reasons why it should be seen as unscriptural. What is wrong with congregations participating in a sponsoring church arrangement?
The Preacher's Pen
by Mark RobertsWhatever happened to consistency? In a tract entitled Fallacies and Fruits of Liberalism Dave Miller writes “The construction of gymnasiums and ‘family life centers’ is the result of misguided efforts to address family problems and needs through entertainment and pleasure (the social gospel). They are mere human substitutes for what people really need to sustain us … if we will sit down, examine our hearts and be honest with ourselves, we will see that the desire for numbers and big buildings which cost millions of dollars are nothing more than appeals to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.”
Eating in the Building - What's the Big Deal?
by Bubba GarnerA couple came by the church building several months ago. They were members of an area congregation, a group that was planning to construct a new facility, and wanted to see the layout of our building. I gave them a quick tour. As they were about to leave, the lady said, “I noticed you don’t have a fellowship hall. I guess you just don’t have room for one.”