A gracEmail subscriber writes, "I keep hearing from fellow ministers that we need to become a first-century or New Testament church. Does not the New Testament show the first-century churches to be just as fraught with problems as churches today?" * * * Throughout church history, various Christian groups have sought to "restore" New Testament Christianity. Insofar as that means proclaiming the original good news of God's mighty, saving deeds, giving Jesus the place of preeminence the New Testament accords him, relying on the same divine power and leading of the Holy Spirit that characterized … [Read more...]
Archives for 2012
THE CHURCH NAME
A gracEmaiI subscriber writes: "I am considering worshipping with a nearby Baptist congregation. However, I keep thinking about the Scriptures that refer to churches as Churches of Christ, Churches of God, Assemblies of God, etc. Where does that leave people who attend churches with other names such as Calvary Baptist Church?" * * * Ideally, we followers of Jesus would all be called simply "Christians," "believers" or "disciples of Christ." Unfortunately, we live in a world that is not ideal -- which, of course, applies also to each one of us. I am well aware of the arguments regarding a … [Read more...]
EMBARRASSED BY HER CHURCH
A gracEmail subscriber asks, "What advice can you give someone in a small, one-church town, who wishes to reach out to unchurched friends, but who is embarrassed by his or her own congregation? It's difficult to invite another person to visit a church you don't enjoy attending yourself." * * * Have you spoken with others in your own congregation about this problem -- including the leaders? Who knows, they might even share your distress and want to join in making your church a more inviting place! And if they are not, perhaps other brothers or sisters in your church share your feelings and … [Read more...]
DESIRABLE CHANGES
A prominent Bible teacher and preacher in the Churches of Christ writes: "You said, 'It is time for change in doctrines created by our deductions and not by the Word of God; . . . for change in the passing over, ignoring, and sometimes explaining away of biblical teachings, doctrines and experiences which others found before we did . . .' Would you give some examples of each?" * * * Doctrines created by our deductions would include the teaching that the Bible not only approves taking the Lord's Supper each Sunday but that it also requires taking it every Sunday and forbids doing so on any … [Read more...]
CHURCHES AND CHANGE (2)
A concerned writer warns, "If some among us don't believe that the church is essentially distinctive, but believe that we're just another denomination, then the call for change will be loud and clear. We should rather hear God say, 'Ask for the old paths, where is the good way; and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls' (Jer. 6:16)." [The same concern about change occurs in many other fellowships as well, to which the following remarks may be adapted.] * * * It is time for those who do not study the Bible to get busy doing it. It is time for those who have studied, but who have … [Read more...]
CHURCHES AND CHANGE (1)
A concerned writer warns, "If some among us don't believe that the church is essentially distinctive, but believe that we're just another denomination, then the call for change will be loud and clear. We should rather hear God say, 'Ask for the old paths, where is the good way; and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls' (Jer. 6:16)." [The same concern about change occurs in many other fellowships as well, to which the following remarks may be adapted.] * * * When he speaks of "the church," this brother refers to the non-instrumental fellowship of Churches of Christ, a subgroup … [Read more...]
ADULTERY NOT THE END
A gracEmail subscriber writes that he has been unfaithful to his wife. He has just confessed to her, his spiritual leaders and the other people involved. In her pain, his wife has left the house and he fears for her safety. "I am seeing the importance of developing a personal relationship with Jesus first," he says. "God allowed me to drop to the bottom so that I can see that I must truly give everything over to Him." He asks for my prayers and advice. * * * My brother, I pray that God who has given you conviction and repentance will now also make you know and feel his forgiveness, which … [Read more...]
CELEBRATING SARA FAYE
Today, July 27, 2006 is a special day in this Fudge family. It is the birthday anniversary of one for whom we all are daily grateful and whom we frankly cannot imagine life without. I am speaking of my bride of 39 years, Sara Faye. We grew up just 80 miles apart -- she in Middle Tennessee (Franklin) and I in North Alabama (Athens). We met at Florida College (Tampa) in 1964 and married three years later upon our graduations from college (she from Peabody College, Nashville; I from Abilene Christian University, Texas). I was initially attracted by her beauty, intelligence, character and alto … [Read more...]
PUNISHING DESCENDANTS
Exodus 20:5 states that God "visits the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation." How, asks a gracEmail subscriber in the Philippines, does that conform to the idea that each individual has a personal relationship with God? * * * This troubling statement concerning national judgments, which appears also in Exodus 34:7; Numbers 14:18 and Deuteronomy 5:9, reflects the ancient Near Eastern concept of family solidarity which viewed as one unit not only parents and children but also grandparents and grandchildren. By stating this phrase in question, God … [Read more...]
GRANDMA WAS SAD
Sara Faye's mother is 85 years old [in 1997]. Since 1939, she has lived in her little rock house in Middle Tennessee. She doesn't go out much, but she still takes care of her house and yard -- sweeping off the steps, picking up little sticks that blow on the porch, and even raking some leaves. She has now survived her husband and most of her friends, although her only sister, slightly younger, lives just 15 miles away. The truth is, she is very lonely much of the time, there in her little rock house which has been "home" for 58 years. My wife is an only child and we love having Grandma … [Read more...]
