A WORTHY CELEBRATION

BY CHARLES WOODRUFF

KJV 400 YEARS AND COUNTING

I started gathering material for this subject on December 21, 2010, the first day of winter for the 2010-2011 season. Also, there was an eclipse of the moon that night, the first time in over 400 years that the winter solstice and the lunar eclipse happened on the same day. That got me to thinking. Another major event began almost 400 years ago. It may be one that many take for granted, and some totally ignore, but I think it is an event surely worth our remembrance and meditation. The Bible we know as the King James Version was translated in 1611 A.D.. No doubt many had predicted it would be long gone by now, and many hoped that it would. Of course, many in this world wish that all Bibles, in every language, and every version would be destroyed. But, the Bible (and not just the King James Version) is the “anvil that has broken many hammers.”(1) As far as this sturdy old survivor that is often called The Authorized Version of 1611 is concerned, it was not the first English translation, but it has become the most durable, and is still a bestseller.

But the first hand-written English Bible manuscripts were produced in the 1380's AD by John Wycliffe, an Oxford professor, scholar, and theologian. Wycliffe, (also spelled “Wycliff” & “Wyclif”), was well-known throughout Europe for his opposition to the teaching of the organized Church, which he believed to be contrary to the Bible. With the help of his followers, called the Lollards, and his assistant, Purvey, and many other faithful scribes, Wycliffe produced dozens of English language manuscript copies of the scriptures. They were translated out of the Latin Vulgate, which was the only source text available to Wycliffe. The Pope was so infuriated by his teachings and his translation of the Bible into English, that 44 years after Wycliffe had died, he ordered the bones to be dug-up, crushed, and scattered in the river! (2)

Later, William Tyndale translated the New Testament using the Greek manuscripts from the 1516 Greek text of Erasmus, which Tyndale obtained from Martin Luther in Germany. He then completed the NT in Cologne, and Worms, Germany, and copies were smuggled into England. Later he was found out by Sir Thomas More, the Catholic leader in England, who opposed any translation in English. The bishops and priests of the Roman Catholic church used only the Latin Vulgate Bible, and this kept the common people unable to read it for themselves. (3)

The best selling English Bible is now said to be the New International Version. But there are far more King James Bibles in existence, and it still sells very well. The NIV is only about thirty years old, and they are already revising it! The KJV is 400 years old, and the last official update, or revision was in 1769, some 242 years ago. The one we use now is basically that one. Likely, if you owned an original KJV, you could not easily read it. So many words have had a spelling updating, as well as the script, which originally was in old Gothic style. This was a fancy style originated in Germany. It was replaced in just a few years by our more familiar Roman type.

Some of you, as many in our time, will say “I have trouble understanding that old English with the ‘thees and thous’ and ‘whithersoevers’. There are a lot of other words that we don’t use today in it as well. I’ll admit that. But as for me, I have read it for 60 years. I got my first Bible in Sunday School when I was eight years old. I still have that worn Bible. I now have at least a dozen more KJVs. For my main reading and preaching Bible, I don’t expect to change from the KJV at this late date. I use various study aids, including some other English translations, such as Amplified Bible, New King James Version and English Standard Version for research and comparison. I may quote rarely from Amplified, or another if I think it adds to understanding of what I am writing. I like many of the study notes in The Reformation Study Bible which Dr. R.C. Sproul spearheaded. (The version I have is NKJV). Also there are some good resources in the ESV Study Bible. Since I won a copy that retails for $250 in a contest at Logos, I opened it and like to use it in that way. But for me, difficult words or not, the KJV is my Bible! There are many tools available to study the KJV Bible which aid in understanding.

Two important things: First I am not a follower of Peter Ruckman, or any of those who hold the view that you can use the KJV to correct the Greek and Hebrew. The KJV is a translation! Obviously, I am not the only one who thinks it is an outstanding one, since it has lasted as a bestseller for 400 years. Second I am not telling you that you must use the KJV. I recommend it, but if you a person a lot younger than me, you just may feel you can’t handle it. I would suggest that you try it first before rejecting it outright. You’ll learn the odd words faster than you think you will. If you do get a modern Bible, please don’t get a paraphrase. You need as literal a translation as possible. You might try a parallel Bible of KJV and Amplified. This could aid your understanding a lot. Also, download the free program, E-Sword on your computer. You get the KJV right up front with a Strong’s Concordance. You can add other versions to compare. That’s my suggestion to you. But regardless of your preference for your translation, please read the Bible. And I am sure you can see how valuable a contribution the KJV has made to the church, our history, and our culture. Celebrate it with me! I plan to say much more this year on the King James Version. Remember this, the Bible does not contain the word of God. The Bible is the word of God! See the final article on these pages for what the Bible itself contains. Possibly it will pleasantly surprise you. May God bless you. Cw.

400th ANNIVERSARY OF THE KING JAMES BIBLE

The King James Version of the Bible, celebrating its 400th anniversary in May, 2011, is the most influential book in the history of the English language—and the most frequently quoted. It is the source of some of our most common phrases, with its wording and imagery used in everyday speech and writing to such a degree that we often don't realize we're quoting the King James Version Bible!

The translation and publication of the KJV, first published on May 5, 1611, was the watershed event of the reign of King James I of England, in an era which was also a golden age of English literature. The KJV translators were contemporaries of some of the greatest English prose stylists and poets of all time.

Called "the noblest monument of English prose" and "the most beautiful piece of writing in all the literature of the world," the KJV's precise translation and poetic phrasing won wide acceptance, quickly eclipsing previous English-language versions to become "the people's Bible." It has inspired virtually every great English-language writer since the seventeenth century. Its impact can be seen in the writings of John Milton, Herman Melville, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and in the Gettysburg Address. (4)

A QUOTE FROM THE BRITISH TIMES

"Forget modern British novelists and TV tie-ins, the Bible is the best-selling book every year. If sales of the Bible were included in best-seller lists, it would be a rare week when anything else would achieve a look in. It is wonderful, weird ... that in this godless age... this one book should go on selling, every month."

"When we get asked these questions about bestselling books, we always have to remind our patrons that their question is basically unanswerable. No one really knows which books have sold the most copies in history, because we simply don't have records that cover all of history! As such, any answer that we find is essentially just a "best guess" that is based upon estimates made by historians and other experts."

"Probably the most often cited estimates come from a book titled The Top 10 of Everything by Russell Ash. The following listing come from The Top 10 of Everything, 1997 (DK Pub., 1996, pp 112-113.)"

The Top 10 Bestselling Books of All Time (according to IPL):

1. The Bible

"No one really knows how many copies of the Bible have been printed, sold, or distributed. The Bible Society's attempt to calculate the number printed between 1816 and 1975 produced the figure of 2,458,000,000. A more recent survey, for the years up to 1992, put it closer to 6,000,000,000 in more than 2,000 languages and dialects. Whatever the precise figure, the Bible is by far the bestselling book of all time." (5)

WHAT THE BIBLE CONTAINS (ORIGINAL AUTHOR UNKNOWN)

"The Bible contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the Christian's charter. Here Paradise is restored, Heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good the design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be opened at the judgment, and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents." (6)

NOTES

(1) It is said that those words regarding the anvil and many hammers, were first uttered by Theodore Beza to the king of Navarre regarding the Huguenots who were murdered in Vassy, France in 1562, in the following words: “It is the peculiarity of the Church of God to endure blows, not to give them; but yet you will be pleased to remember, that it is an anvil on which many a hammer has been broken.” [1853 G. De felice Hist. Protestants of France I. II. v. 156 (tr. Beza to King of Navarre, 1562)] (But over the centuries, it has been quoted as talking about the durability of God’s written word.)

(2) English Bible History; www.greatsite.com

(3) The place where he translated the New Testament, is thought to have been Wittenberg, under the aid of Martin Luther. The printing of this English New Testament in quarto was begun at Cologne in the summer of 1525, and completed at Worms, and that there was likewise printed an octavo edition, both before the end of that year. William Tyndale’s Biblical translations appeared in the following order: New Testament, 1525-26; Pentateuch, 1530; Jonah, 1531.

His literary activity during that interval was extraordinary. When he left England, his knowledge of Hebrew, if he had any, was of the most rudimentary nature; and yet he mastered that difficult tongue so as to produce from the original an admirable translation of the entire Pentateuch, the Books of Joshua, Judges, Ruth, First and Second Samuel, First and Second Kings, First Chronicles, contained in Matthew's Bible of 1537, and of the Book of Jonah, so excellent, indeed, that his work is not only the basis of those portions of the Authorized King James Version of 1611, but constitutes nine-tenths of that translation, and very largely that of the English Revised Version of 1885

http://www.greatsite.com/timeline-english-bible-history/william-tyndale.html

(4 ) email from The KJV Store; December 31, 2010

(5) From British Times , London; 1996.

6) Found online at Facebook; The Bible--God’s Holy Word; Bret Lee, editor.

Published by Charles Woodruff- email: oursong2000@yahoo.com

NOTES FROM MY BIBLE-CHARLES WOODRUFF

I was recently looking at some flyleaf notes in one of my older Bibles; a Cambridge Wide Margin KJV which I purchased in 1970. I thought I would share them with you. I am not sure where they were gleaned from. Some are my originals, but most borrowed. Thanks! (It has been 41 years, so I have made slight revisions and corrections, but it is essentially the same).

A good rule of interpreting this book is: take it literally wherever possible. If symbolic, figurative or typical language is used, then look for the literal truth it intends to convey.

Remember, All scripture is given by inspiration of God (See 2 Timothy 3:16). 42 different men were moved on by the Holy Ghost to write these lines over a period of 1600 years or more
(2 Peter 1:20, 21). It is a harmonious and continuous narrative.

Jesus did not come all the way from heaven to die just for what we are doing (sins). He came primarily to die for what we are (sinners). See Romans 5:8.

In spiritual matters, God will have nothing to do with anything He did not originate, or sustain, or that does not bring glory to Jesus Christ.

My promise: “For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11). Is it also yours?

The old nonexistent “Bible Verse” that is quoted “God helps those who help themselves” is untrue. Many help themselves to things that are sinful, and God does not help them. However with scripture to back us we can say “God helps those who humble themselves”
(See 2 Chronicles 7:14).

Even the wrath of man is yoked to the chariot wheel of God’s decrees---Edward Dennett. (See Exodus 9:16 and Romans 9:16,17).

Every sermon we hear, and every time we read God’s word, we should ask Him to give us a message; or at least a word, or a thought. Something of personal benefit to carry with us in life.

Lord, Let Richard Baxter’s words be mine; “I preached as never sure to preach again, a dying man to dying men”

QUESTIONING GOD

BY CHARLES WOODRUFF

This short article I wrote is a result of hearing so many times "You can't question God". Certainly that is true regarding a demanding interrogation of God, but there is a sense that that statement is untrue. Perhaps you never thought about it. Maybe after you read the article, you will see that there is a sense that we may question God.

I have so often heard it said “It is wrong to question God; you can’t question Him.” If this is so, there are prophets and preachers who questioned God. Were they sinning by doing so? The answer should be clear; it is not wrong to ask questions of God. As far as I can see, the Bible does not prohibit that. What is wrong is to question His sovereignty; His providence; His truthfulness; His purpose: His faithfulness. You see, we all have things we would like to ask God. Perhaps we have asked Him at times. These are questions. They are not a sin if done with reverence toward His person, and humbleness in His presence.

He is Almighty God, and as Abraham said “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Genesis 18:25b). It is interesting that Abraham made this statement as a question to God, and it was in a series of questions to God about the pending destruction of Sodom. In this series of questions we see the humility of Abraham in asking “And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes” (Genesis 8:27b). Of course, the prime motivation for Abraham’s questions was his concern for his nephew Lot.

It is granted that sometimes under conditions of extreme anxiety, or fear, even a child of God has questioned God in a way that is not exhibiting faith. An example is David in Psalm13:1,2 “How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?

How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?” The Psalm starts out with David questioning God. His questions almost seem to be in despair. Almost accusative in regarding that God has forsaken him. I believe there have been times that most of us have felt that way. He sounds almost frustrated. Instead of a psalm of praise, it seems to start as a psalm of blame.

Charles Spurgeon has some good thoughts on this psalm in the Treasury of David. ‘“How long?’ - This question is repeated no less than four times. It betokens very intense desire for deliverance, and great anguish of heart. And what if there be some impatience mingled therewith; is not this the more true a portrait of our own experience? It is not easy to prevent desire from degenerating into impatience. O for grace that, while we wait on God, we may be kept from indulging a murmuring spirit! ‘How long?’ Does not the oft-repeated cry become a very howling? And what if grief should find no other means of utterance? Even then, God is not far from the voice of our roaring; for he does not regard the music of our prayers, but his own Spirit's work in them in exciting desire and inflaming the affections. ‘How long?’ Ah! how long do our days appear when our soul is cast down within us!”

I offer one more thought. David did not stay in that vein. In verses 3-6 he says “Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved. But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.” So we can see that though he started with concerned questions, his spirit rallied as God worked in him a reminder of who is in charge. I can do no better than to quote Mr. Spurgeon again here on verse three. “But now prayer lifteth up her voice, like the watchman who proclaims the daybreak. Now will the tide turn, and the weeper shall dry his eyes. The mercy-seat is the life of hope and the death of despair. The gloomy thought of God's having forsaken him is still upon the Psalmist's soul, and he therefore cries, “Consider and hear me.” He remembers at once the root of his woe, and cries aloud that it may be removed. The final absence of God is Tophet's fire, and his temporary absence brings his people into the very suburbs of hell. God is here entreated to see and hear, that so he may be doubly moved to pity. What should we do if we had no God to turn to in the hour of wretchedness?

Note the cry of faith, “O Lord my God!” Is it not a very glorious fact that our interest in our God is not destroyed by all our trials and sorrows? We may lose our gourds, but not our God. The title-deed of heaven is not written in the sand, but in eternal brass.”

GOOD QUOTES TO THINK OVER

“A truly humble man is sensible of his natural distance from God; of his dependence on Him; of the insufficiency of his own power and wisdom; and that it is by God's power that he is upheld and provided for, and that he needs God's wisdom to lead and guide him, and His might to enable him to do what he ought to do for Him.”--Jonathan Edwards

"Who would not prefer to have his affairs in the hands of a God of infinite power, wisdom, holiness and love, rather than to have them left to fate, or chance, or irrevocable natural law, or to short-sighted and perverted self? Those who reject God's sovereignty should consider what alternatives they have left."--Loraine Boettner

“If we come to Scripture with our minds made up, expecting to hear from it only an echo of our own thoughts and never the thunderclap of God's, then indeed He will not speak to us and we shall only be confirmed in our own prejudices. We must allow the Word of God to confront us, to disturb our security, to undermine our complacency and to overthrow our patterns of thought and behaviour.”--John R.W.Stott

“I am not what I ought to be.

I am not what I want to be.

I am not what I hope to be.

But still, I am not what I used to be.

And by the grace of God I am what I am." --John Newton

Editor’s note: I have seen this statement of Newton expressed with some variation from place to place. I am not surprised, because likely he said it more than once; perhaps with different emphasis. As far as I can discover, this is an accurate quote. Oh, may it be a motto of ours! (cw

THE INCARNATION

BY CHARLES WOODRUFF

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

This season of the year, much is said about the birth of Christ. There are manger scenes on lawns of homes, churches, parks, etc... Some good Christmas hymns, and carols are played on the radio, and in the shopping malls, among the more jolly and frivolous music, and largely meaningless songs that are also played. Some of those hymns have a wonderful message. I am speaking of Joy to the World, written by Isaac Watts in 1719; Away in a Manger, called Martin Luther‘s Cradle Hymn, but likely written by James R. Murray 1887; Silent Night by Franz Gruber and Joseph Mohr 1816-1820; and Hark the Herald Angels Sing by Charles Wesley, 1739, with music by Felix Mendelssohn, 1840. These, and some others, at least touch on the reason for Christ’s birth. So much that we see and hear during the Christmas season is void of any real mention of Jesus Christ. Instead, there is stuff about Santa Claus, presents, decorations, Christmas parties with drinking (and God knows what else!) People are scrambling to buy gifts (often people are charging things on credit cards that they cannot afford).

There is a lot about Christmas activity for the true Christian not to like. Much that we cannot partake of, in good conscience. Remember, the Puritans did not celebrate Christmas, as well as many other Christians of the past, and the situation was not as extreme as it is now. Be that as it may, I am not writing this to condemn Christmas. It likely would do no good; it is here to stay. But if we are going to observe any of it, we should know what it purports to represent. I hope to stir your conscience to put Christ first.

Several things: First We know Christ was born, in Bethlehem, in a manger; that shepherds were told by the angels, and came to see Him. Second We know that wise men of the East sought him, went to Herod to inquire, which set Herod off on a quest to kill this King whom he feared may take his throne. Third We know that his parents were from Nazareth; that He was born of a virgin, so though Mary was His mother, Joseph was not His real father. Fourth His real father was Almighty God. Most of us have, at least, heard these things about Jesus (whether we believe them or not).

Here is something you may not have heard. Christ did not begin life at Bethlehem. He did not begin to be the Son of God at Bethlehem. He is the Eternal Son, having always been so. Neither was the Holy Spirit a created being; He is God, and has always been so. Three Gods, you say? No! it is beyond our human understanding, but this God we serve has always been one God in three persons, or as The Philadelphia Confession of Faith of 1742 declares:

CHAPTER TWO; OF GOD AND THE HOLY TRINITY

3. In this divine and infinite Being there are three subsistences, the Father, the Word or Son, and Holy Spirit, of one substance, power, and eternity, each having the whole divine essence, yet the essence undivided: the Father is of none, neither begotten nor proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father; the Holy Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Son; all infinite, without beginning, therefore but one God, who is not to be divided in nature and being, but distinguished by several peculiar relative properties and personal relations; which doctrine of the Trinity is the foundation of all our communion with God, and comfortable dependence on him. (1 John 5:7; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; Exod. 3:14; John 14:11; I Cor. 8:6; John 1:14,18; John 15:26; Gal. 4:6)

(This is identical with the Second London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689. The Westminster Confession (Presbyterian) of 1647 is almost identical on this portion except it says persons).

Checking the words persons and subsistences, I favor subsistences as being more correct. Remember though, we are speaking of the mystery of godliness, and what mere creature can fully grasp these truths? “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” (1 Timothy 3:16)

In the Incarnation, as traditionally defined, the divine nature of the Son was joined, but not mixed, with human nature in one divine Person, Jesus Christ, who was both "truly God and truly man". The Incarnation is commemorated and celebrated each year at Christmas. That is what it is really supposed to be about. It’s not about Santa Claus; presents, parties, revelry and holiday. It is supposed to be about the incarnation of the Son of God. As John Gill (1697-1771), stated:

"The incarnation of Christ is a most extraordinary and amazing affair; it is wonderful indeed, that the eternal Son of God should become man; that he should be born of a pure virgin, without any concern of man in it; that this should be brought about by the power of the Holy Ghost, in a way unseen, imperceptible and unknown, signified by his overshadowing; and all this in order to effect the most wonderful work that ever was done in the world, the redemption and salvation of men: it is a most mysterious thing, incomprehensible by men, and not to be accounted for upon the principles of natural reason; and is only to be believed and embraced upon the credit of divine revelation, to which it solely belongs." From John Gill; Incarnation of Christ ; Body of Doctrinal Divinity, Book 5 Chapter 1.

Philippians 2:7a tells us “But (Christ) made himself of no reputation” (Greek κενόω ἑαυτοῦ =emptied Himself). He emptied Himself of rights and privileges He had as King of Glory to come here and die for our sins. Hymn writer Charles Wesley in his great song And Can It Be That I Should Gain? says that Christ emptied Himself “of all but Love”. Can that be? I told you already that what He did cannot be fathomed by finite, human minds. Oh, What a saviour!

We observe that Matthew and Luke tell us more about His birth, and where He was born. John gets right down to who He is; Incarnate Deity! Oh come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord! Do you know Him? Do you worship Him? Every knee will bow, every tongue will confess Him to be Lord. Have you done that yet? Bow down before Him, love and adore Him! He is Lord and Christ!

ASK FOR THE OLD PATHS-revised

 BY CHARLES WOODRUFF

"Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said. We will not walk therein" (Jeremiah 6:16).

Anyone who has ever gone hiking will immediately relate to the teaching found in Jeremiah 6:16. An old path, a trail which has been well worn by other hikers before, is a good way. It beats having to blaze an entirely new trail through the thick woods and underbrush. There is no rest in this new trail blazing, but constant work. But many have proven the old paths and arrived to rest safely. Spiritually speaking, God has said in Jeremiah that these Old Paths would bring rest for your souls and yet He says there are those that say, "We will not walk therein" (v. 16).

Today the Old Paths are not in vogue. Modern theologians, rightly called Modernists, higher critics, and unfaithful Bible revisers, are departing from the Old Paths and blazing new trails where God did not direct, and they are asking Christians to follow their leadership. They have nothing to offer. Instead of an inspired, inerrant, infallible Word of God they offer a mutilated, untrustworthy, so-called higher criticism that dares to judge God's Word instead of submitting to its authority. 

Here I am not talking about honest translators, or expositors; for we need sound, godly scholars to translate and interpret scripture. Even the King James Version translators said this in their introduction to the 1611 Authorized Version. I am speaking of those translators who do not approach God’s word in reverence. Many of these are simply unbelievers, in it perhaps to simply destroy God’s word. This goes for the neo-modernist and emergent church teachers also. Include seeker sensitive preachers in that very bad lot also. They have done their damage!

They present Christ as a mere man, not the God-man; not the virgin-born Redeemer who came to save His people from their sins, but not in their sins. If they preach atonement at all, they do not preach a definite one. They show us a Christ who went to the cross puzzled over whether He had done right, or even if anyone would believe He was the Saviour. They show us men with a spark of goodness that needs to be kindled instead of a totally depraved being that in our father Adam fell completely and helplessly into sin. This spark is called freewill, and is given much more standing than God’s free and sovereign grace. 

Man’s will is free alright, but only free to act as his nature dictates. Man needs a new nature! Only God can give it to him! The sinful, unregenerate nature cannot will to please God, or go to God until, and unless, God gives spiritual life through free grace. But free grace is an Old Path.

These cutters of new paths show us a “new” morality which is really a dressed up old immorality. This humanism promoted as “true Christianity” goes to various extremes. Some have expected the true, Bible believing, churches to receive as members unrepentant homosexuals. The Bible refers to them as Sodomites! (Deut. 23:17). Sodomy has affected the ministry so much that some so-called pastors are justifying their own involvement in that sordid lifestyle, and justifying it before their congregation, as one “pastor” did recently here in the Atlanta area. The most shocking thing is that his church has accepted him, and wants him to continue as “pastor!” His wife is divorcing him, though she calls him a wonderful man. But, she is getting out, so maybe she exhibits more sense that most of his church members!

Abortion is called by these modernists “freedom of choice.” But, the babies have no choice! The Bible calls it murder! (Exodus 1:16 ; Matthew 2:16). They call living together without marriage a relationship; the Bible calls it fornication! See 1 Corinthians 5:1; 7:2. Just as you can call a garbage man a sanitary engineer, and a coal miner an energy cultivator, you still can't cover up the fact that both have dirty jobs!

The fact is, according to the Bible, these new pathfinders don't really have a gospel to preach, or anywhere to lead people, but to hell. Don’t forget this! When it is all over and we each give account to God, and all of us will (see Rom. 14:12), those who would not submit to God's Word will be cast into the lake of fire (the hellfire that they don't believe in either!)

Modern tools of evangelism such as radio, television, and the internet, are good, if used in a God-glorifying manner, but not to promote humanism, socialism, liberalism, neo-modernism, entertainment substituting for the gospel, and just plain sin! There is ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM, and it is these Old Paths in which we seek to walk and lead others.

Ask For the Old Paths was written in the late 1970’s by Charles Woodruff, revised and re-published in 2006, and extensively revised by the author in 2010 for this issue of Word of Truth.

POT POURRI EVANGELISM

BY JAMES A. STEWART


We must be more afraid of flattery from the camp of the enemy than persecution. Read the pages of Church history. Persecution never did the Church of God any harm, but compromise with the world has always robbed it of the power of its purity. ... Potpourri Evangelism consists of two features: mixed evangelistic campaigns and mixed Christianity. By mixed evangelistic campaigns I mean the alliance of Modernistic and Evangelical churches together in an evangelistic effort.

When religion gets up a revival, it must have from five to twenty churches of heterogeneous creeds and sectarian bodies to go into a great union effort; it must have a mammoth choir with great musical instruments, and many preachers and multiplied committees, and each committee headed by some banker, judge, mayor, or millionaire’s wife. It signs cards as a substitute for the broken-hearted cry of scriptural repentance. It must count its converts by the hundreds in a few days’ meeting. It must apologize for natural depravity.

Human religion’s enterprises have an atmosphere of earthliness about them. It despises the day of small things and scorns little humble people and lonely ways. It is eager to jump to the height of prosperity. Its music has no pathos in it, its laughter lacks divine cheerfulness, its worship lacks supernatural love, its prayers bring down no huge answers, it works no miracles, calls forth no criticism from the world, and has no light of eternity in its eyes. It is a poor, sickly thing, born of the union of the heart of the world with the head of Christian theology--a mongrel, bastard thing with a backslidden church for its mother and the world for its father. Oh, my dear brother and sister, never forget that this unnatural monster will be destroyed at the coming-again of our Blessed Lord Jesus Christ.

(Excerpted from Evangelism, James A. Stewart, Asheville, NC: Revival Literature, pp. 25-28).