Johnny Ramsey wrote this piece which appeared in the December 1973 edition of the "Christian Courier", published by the East Main Street Church of Christ in Stockton, California. Like so many of the articles I've reprinted onto this forum, I'm struck how timeless the message is.
In an age when preachers are trying to be sensational, instead of spiritual; shocking instead of scriptural; cute rather than correct; clever instead of clear; different rather than doctrinal; and unusual in the place of unerring; we truly need to return to the basics of fundamental soundness in the gospel! A double portion of Joshua 1:7 and Second Timothy 2:15 would cause us to hold a straight course in the Truth, which alone can make us free from the paralysis of liberalism.
Any honest, careful student of church history knows we are living again the scenes of apostasy that shattered the restoration movement of the nineteenth century. Attitudes, and probably motives, are virtually parallel to the sad saga of digression that shattered the work of great servants of the Lord a century or more ago. The powerful emphasis of "What does the Bible say" is once again being replaced by "Is this acceptable to the people 'round about us?" One can detect an almost worshipful atmosphere at the shrine of higher education on the part of brethren today. And any student of history can tell you the end results of that arrangement! Even among those who must know better comes an appeal for cheap grace, and not the deeply based teaching on the commands of Christ. It would appear that some are wilfully ignorant (Second Peter 3:5) as they "wrest the Scriptures" and go about "seeking their own righteousness" (Romans 10:3; Second Peter 3:15-16). While they so often speak of liberty and freedom in Christ, they and their devotees become the abject slaves of error (Second Peter 2:17-22).
In the evangelistic epistles of Timothy and Titus, we are often exhorted to use healthy words. In First Corinthians 1:18-25 and Colossians 2:8-10, we are admonished to shun human philosophy, traditions of men and false pride, as we cling more closely to Christ and the pure gospel message. Liberalism is actually anything that diverts our full allegiance from the simple message of our Lord. We must ever go back to the original source (Luke 8:11; Romans 1:16; First Corinthians 2:1-5; John 8:31-32) and not to our own guidelines, projects or promotional schemes. We do not have to be true to Campbell, Lipscomb or McGarvey; but we must loyally follow Christ (First Corinthians 11:1).
Today the brotherhood is plagued by liberal writers, editors and papers who have abandoned sound doctrine because "they received not the love of the truth" (Second Thessalonians 2:10). We are reminded of Romans 3:18: "There is no fear of God before their eyes." Several of their articles even speak out in favor of evolution, denominationalism and situation ethics. This "anything goes" is really in fact "everything goes." But that's not what Romans 12:9 and First Thessalonians 5:21 tell us! We must make a distinction between truth and error (Hebrews 5:12-14).
What has caused this rash of loose thinking? Why have so many brethren become so soft on error? When did this "Jesus minus absolute authority" take hold on the minds of those who once gladly affirmed the verbal, plenary inspiration of the Bible (Matthew 28:18; Second Peter 1:21)? Have we raised a generation of young people on rallies, camps, retreats, shallow preaching and super-emotionalism and then wondered why they are not strong for the Lord and the power of His might (Ephesians 6:10-17)?
We even have brethren today who misuse Mark 9:38-40 (as sectarians have always done) to try to uphold religious error and the softness toward those in error. A careful reading of the passage lends no assistance to folk who wish to be rewarded by Christ, but who will not walk with Him over the rugged terrain of obedience (Hebrews 5:8-9). But the very fact that some members of the church cite this passage proves the point that liberalism is a growing problem in the church!
"Does it glorify God and His Word" should be our deepest concern as we view any teaching or emphasis in our midst today. Will it make the church stronger in the Lord? Will this take us back to New Testament teaching? Can we truly mature as children of God if we push this thrust or idea? These are proper questions as we live in the midst of weak, insipid, anti-scriptural ideas and notions.
we dare not allow ourselves to be spiritually blackmailed by those who have a project, program or plan of their own invention and who demand that we financially back them or be labeled "anti." Since each congregation is autonomous, we can choose to cooperate or not, and be just as Biblical either way. Especially must we carefully analyze each appeal for help to see if plain Bible teaching is being done, or if we would actually be contributing to liberalism. At any rate, we need to do away with all hierarchy and pressure tactics in the body of Christ (First Peter 5:1-4; Acts 20:28-32).
If we will speak only as the oracles of God (First Peter 4:11) and contend earnestly for the faith (Jude 3) and cease seeking the vain glory of men (First John 2:15-17; Galatians 4:16) the creeping paralysis of liberalism can be halted. We do not need to relax the laws of God (Matthew 5:19) but we do need to redouble our efforts to obey the commands and to present them clearly, without apology to the world. It would also be a blessing to the church if preachers everywhere would tell it as it is! We need more fearless teachers and fewer forked tongues! Preach the Word! Amen!
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