Baptists in the Bible Belt • Pre-Eminent Baptist Scholar A. T. Robertson
B R I N G I N G T H E T R U T H H O M E FrontLineSeptember/October 2002 ¥ $3.95 “Theological education can and should heighten a man’s zeal. Our burden is not just to teach theology but to set that theology on fire.”
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The experience of God’s power in the context of local church These courses are open to full-time pastors and preachers. Call ministry is the outstanding distinctive of Baptist College of BCMTS for enrollment information. Ministry and Theological Seminary. As each student experiences the reality of what he is studying through active involvement in Introduction to Theology (TH 601) the local church, his life and ministry are transformed. Each Dr. Tim Berrey program of study emphasizes God-dependence for Spirit-enabling Tuesday, November 19–Wednesday, November 27 to personally know Christ and to thoroughly know and obey all Soteriology (TH 614) that Scripture reveals. Dr. Fred Moritz Tuesday, December 3–Wednesday December 11 Master of Divinity degree Master of Arts degree History of Revival (HT 653) Master of Biblical Studies degree Dr. Rick Flanders Thursday, January 9–Friday, January 17 Spring Semester 2003, January 5–May 11 Fall Semester 2003, August 29–December 12 Trinitarianism (TH 612) Mr. Mike McGowan Call 262-251-7051, ext. 34, for a catalog describing the full details Tuesday, January 21–Wednesday, January 29 of these programs. Sanctification and Ecclesiology (TH 615) Dr. Dave Jaspers “After taking Introduction to Theology, I soon realized the extreme value of Thursday, February 6–Friday, February 14 not just knowing where I stand, but why and how to articulate that stand. I now have a love and thirst for God’s Word that I hand not previously “My high expectations were greatly exceeded by BCMTS’s fervent commitment known. Not only was my mind stretched, but my heart was deeply stirred, to the Word of God, and their spirit of excellence. I praise the Lord for the as I was awakened in my relationship to the living Word of God!” opportunity to train at Baptist College of Ministry and Theological Seminary.” Billy Ingram, Ambassador Baptist College graduate, 1997 John Flanders, Bob Jones University graduate, 2000 Assistant pastor of Mio Baptist Church in Mio, MI BAPTIST COLLEGE OF MINISTRY &THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY N69 W12703 Appleton Avenue • Menomonee Falls, WI 53051 (262) 251-7051, ext. 34 • e-mail: [email protected] A Ministry of Falls Baptist Church Falls Baptist Church believes that preachers and their theology can indeed be set on fire by God, and we are committed to the spiritual dynamics and the local church involvement that such a vision demands. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBERCon 2002 FRONTLINEt MAGAZINEentsVOLUME 12 • NUMBER 5 11 Pre-Eminent Baptist Scholar A. T. Robertson 6 Baptists in the Doug Kutilek Bible Belt Departments Robertson taught seminary David L. Cummins 4 Mail Bag classes for 46 years, instruct- The impact of the ing some 6,000 students in group known as the that period. Separate Baptists in 5 On the Front Line the Southern colonies. Charting the Course: The Fellowship Principle 15 Baptists in Rod Bell Myanmar James R. Hines 20 On the Home Front Despite many hardships, fundamental Baptists are car- 25 Wit & Wisdom rying on Judson’s work. 26 Ladies’ Circle Praying for Men After God’s 17 A Baptist Shadow Own Heart Servant Dianne Heeney Betty Henderson Spurgeon publicly stated that 27 The Evangelist’s more than 1,000 women had Corner become members of his Faith church through the ministry Phil Shuler of Lavinia Bartlett. 9 The First 30 At a Glance Russian Baptists Luke: Introducing God’s Rick Barry 21 A Biblical Call to Man to the World Just where did Layton Talbert Remember Russian Baptist Layton Talbert churches come from? Not only does God remem- 33 Newsworthy ber, but He expects—indeed, commands—us to remember 38 Behind the Lines certain things as well. Baptist By Conviction John C. Vaughn 2 Are Baptists Protestants? Gerald L. Priest The answer to that question is a simple yes and no.
Visit us on the Web at www.fbfi.org Mail Bag FrontLine The Journal of the Fundamental Baptist Fellowship International We want to hear from you! Publisher Dr. Rod Bell Let us know what you like or don’t like President about Frontline. Address your comments to Managing Editor, Frontline, Editor 500 West Lee Road, Taylors, SC 29687. Dr. John C. Vaughn hanks for the excellent You may also fax your comments to Executive Vice President (864) 322Ð0838 or send them by e-mail to [email protected]. Tpublication. It is a Managing Editor goad, a pillow, and a You may request that your letter not be published or that your Rev. Tim Locke friend in the ministry to name be withheld, but anonymous letters will not be accepted. Contributing Editors me every month. Dr. Mark Minnick Joseph P. Hansen Dr. Layton Talbert Atchison, KS Design Mr. Mike Moreau have discovered your “Ehud” article was a tremendous blessing to Executive Officers Iwebsite and thank God Rev. Bob Crawford hank you very much me. As I travel through- Secretary/Treasurer that such sites exist in Dr. Gordon A. Dickson Tfor the super issue of these times of apostasy. out America . . . my Research Secretary Frontline on Islam . . . I have read your reso- heart is heavy because of Board Members [March/April 2002]. I the polarization among Dr. Rick Arrowood lutions and have joined Dr. James Baker wish that President Bush preachers of the Gospel. Rev. Earl Barnett the fellowship. . . . I was Capt. Wayne A. Bley, USNR and his advisors each Have we come to the Dr. Charles Britt discouraged until I found Dr. Gerald B. Carlson had a copy and that they that Christians of biblical place where we are more Dr. Ed Caughill Dr. Walter Coles would read it. I loaned fidelity existed. I am concerned about “who” Dr. Robert Cunningham Dr. Johnny Daniels my copy to several peo- happy now. is right than about Dr. Marion Fast Dr. Collins Glenn ple. Thanks again. Laurent Cadeac “what” is right? In the Dr. Bill Hall Dr. S. Bruce Hamilton Dr. F. D. Henzler France flyleaf of my Bible are Dr. Mike Harding Dr. Gary Hirth [email protected] these words: “No attack; Dr. Sam Horn Dr. David Innes no defense.” God help us Dr. Bob Jones III lease renew my sub- received your magazine Dr. Gary Jones to practice those four Dr. Walter Kirk Pscription and send Itoday. This magazine words. It appears to me Dr. Tom Knauf Dr. Greg McLaughlin another to my father-in- always encourages me. that Ehud’s intent was a Dr. Mark Minnick Rev. Jeff Musgrave law. He has been Timothy Sui Lian Mang back-handed attack. Dr. Bennie Moran Mr. Mike Moreau impressed with the mag- Myanmar Dr. Ron Comfort Dr. Fred Moritz Dr. Ed Nelson azine. Poor Ehud and Lattimore, NC Dr. Les Ollila Dr. Matt Olson Hedu! [“Dr. Ehud’s E- am so grateful to Dr. David Pennington Dr. Chuck Phelps mail,” March/April Ireceive Frontline. We rontline is a blessing to Dr. Kevin Schaal Rev. Wilbur Schoneweis 2002] They will probably thank God for the FBFI. Four family. Keep up Dr. Randolph Shaylor Rev. Bradley Smith be charged by some as In our country the good work! Dr. Ken Stephens Dr. John Stevens being the levity in Fundamentalists are so Sharon A. Smith Dr. Bob Taylor Dr. Wayne Van Gelderen Jr. Fundamentalism. May few. We are in need of Rev. Bob Whitmore their tribe increase. encouragement and help. Dr. J. B. Williams Give a subscription to Dr. Michael Yarborough Pastor Daniel E. Lashley Pastor David Mang Frontline this Holiday Dr. George Youstra Imlay City, MI Yangon, Myanmar Season and receive the Advertising: For information contact Mike Moreau at (847) 352-4345 or FAX (847) 352-0317.All advertising recording Worship the in FrontLine is for the sole purpose of sharing valuable have thoroughly resource materials with our readers. Although we King by SMS Music carefully screen the materials, we are not giving a Ienjoyed being a sub- att Herbster’s letter FREE! 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4 FrontLine • September/October 2002 On the Front Line
A NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Charting the Course: The Fellowship Principle
f you don’t have the little either. I just know He did it. But, we When it is not, we will not. That’s our booklet called Charting the believe in the same result. A man can spirit. We want to be charitable with Course, you may order it from believe in mechanical dictation and our brethren who may not agree with the home office. It is a message still be a Fundamentalist. us on how God preserved the Bible, I delivered to the Executive A Fundamentalist believes in the but we can’t make them be charitable Board at our Winter Board preservation of Scripture. He can with us. Nevertheless, all true Meeting in February. These believe in a different method of preser- Fundamentalists believe that God has articles on charting the course vation and still be a Fundamentalist. preserved His Word. areI adapted from that message. I The Bible is dogmatic on the fact of Why would anyone come to a fel- wanted the board to hear it first, and preservation: “Heaven and earth shall lowship meeting? To fellowship. If now I want you to hear it. In the last pass away: but my words shall not you come to fight each other, stay at issue of FrontLine, I explained what pass away” (Mark 13:31). But the Bible home. If you want to fight, go to we mean when we call ourselves does not tell us how God has pre- Afghanistan. Fight your enemies, not Fundamental, Baptist, and served His Word; there’s not one sin- your friends. You can’t have fellow- Fellowship. gle verse that tells us how He did it. ship with your enemies. I knew a In this issue I want to go a little fur- You have every right to have convic- Marine who wrote my dear friend, ther to explain the “fellowship princi- tions on the matter but not to elevate Dr. James Singleton, and told him, ple” that distinguishes us from an your personal convictions to the level “Meet me out behind the barn, broth- association of churches or a denomi- of revelation. er, and we’ll see who’s the best man.” nation. The fellowship principle We believe in the preservation of Dr. Singleton wrote back and said, involves at least seven things: Scripture because it is a Bible doctrine. “I’m not your enemy, I’m your We have no right to dictate to others friend. If you can’t tell your friends It majors on the essentials. how God did it when He didn’t tell us. from your enemies any better than No one has that right. This Fellowship, that I would have hated to be in It is separate from the local as long as I am going to be in it, is not Vietnam with you.” In this church. going to become a battleground for the Fellowship we will strive to keep the It is broader than the local textual issue. We’ll not do it. When unity of the Spirit. church. you elevate your opinions and your Years ago, I learned in college, “In It is charitable with brethren on theories above or equal to the clear essentials—unity; in nonessentials— nonessentials. teachings of the Scriptures, that’s liberty; and in all things—charity.” It strives to keep the unity of heresy, and you know it. That’s dan- This is the key to the fellowship prin- the Spirit. gerous—you’re guilty of adding to the ciple and the Fundamental Baptist Scriptures. This Fellowship is meant to Fellowship. The Fundamentals are It unites around obedience to be a fellowship, not a platform for not for sale. The Baptist distinctives the essentials. unnecessary conflict. are not for sale. The Fellowship It is never compromised. If it is The fellowship principle is broader Principle is not for sale. We are not an ever compromised, there is no than my local church. I association of churches; fellowship, only contention take stands appropriate for we are a Fellowship of and strife. my personal life, my fami- individuals of like pre- ly, my local church, and cious faith. We are For example, there is no room for my Fellowship, but I need Fundamental Baptists doubt on the inspiration of the to know the difference. I who fellowship around Scriptures. However, there is room preach on issues in my the fundamentals of the for doubt on the method of inspira- local church that I don’t faith. We maintain this tion. I know some good men that have the liberty to require stand through leader- believe in the mechanical dictation in the Fellowship. When ship, which will be the theory of how God did it. I don’t the Word of God is dog- subject of this column in know how God did it. You don’t matic, we’ll be dogmatic. DR. ROD BELL the next issue.
FrontLine • September/October 2002 5 David L. Cummins
selves with common decency. The Rev. hile ministering in Enfield, Connecti- cut, I could not help remembering the Mr. Edwards, of Northhampton, impact of Jonathan Edwards’s sermon preached, and before the sermon was W ended, the assembly appeared deeply “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” I made my way to the very site and attempted to impressed and bowed down, with an envision what had transpired there on July 8, awful conviction of their sin and dan- 1741, as the message was delivered. The only ger. There was such a breathing of dis- eyewitness account of that occasion was pro- tress, and weeping, that the preacher vided by Eleazar Wheelock, founder of was obliged to speak to the people and Dartmouth College. He was interviewed by desire silence, that he might be heard.1 Benjamin Trumbull, who summarized the momentous meeting by saying: Surely the dullness in religion, which Jonathan Edwards so detested during his early A lecture had been appointed at ministry at Northampton, came to an end with Enfield. . . . When they went into the the Great Awakening. meeting-house, the appearance of the It should not surprise us to find modern-day assembly was thoughtless and vain. revisionist historians speaking disparagingly of The people hardly conducted them- the Great Awakening. For instance, in a recent
6 FrontLine • September/October 2002 book entitled Inventing the Great Awakening, Frank Lambert for, in so doing he has violated the legislative postulates that “the Great Awakening was invented—not enactment of 1758, which established religious by historians but by eighteenth-century evangelicals who worship in the colony ‘according to the rites and 2 were skillful and enthusiastic religious promoters.” ceremonies of the Church of England.’5 However, Mr. Lambert and his adherents have failed to examine the most notable and enduring impact of the Great Abraham, in his sketch of his father, published in the Awakening, which was to be found among a group known Analytical Repository, 1802, says that the arrested preacher as the Separate Baptists in the Southern colonies. was made to give security for his appearance in Augusta Little has been written about the subject, but this writer on the following Monday, to answer for this violation of is convinced that the phrase “the Bible Belt,” as it relates the law, adding: “Accordingly, he stood a trial, and after to the Southern states, is a misnomer. The famed “Bible his meekness and patience were sufficiently exercised, he Belt” was actually the “Separate Baptist Belt”! Much more was ordered to come, as a preacher, no more into Georgia. research is needed concerning this phenomenon, but a The reply of Daniel Marshall was similar to that of the good beginning of the unfolding of the matter was under- Apostles under similar circumstances, ‘Whether it be right taken by William L. Lumpkin. His excellent volume to obey God or man, judge ye.’ Consistently with this just Baptist Foundations in the South relates in outline form the and spirited replication, he pursued his luminous 6 story that awaits a full treatment. course.’” In a matter of time, Samuel Cartledge was bap- The gospel saturated North and South Carolina, Virginia, tized, became a deacon in the Kiokee Baptist Church that Georgia, Tennessee, and Kentucky as a result of the evan- Daniel Marshall formed, and was ordained to the gospel gelism and enthusiasm of the Separate Baptists. George ministry. His ministry was blessed of God, and he was Washington Paschal opined: “I make bold to say that these greatly used of the Lord in Georgia and South Carolina Separate Baptists have proved to be the most remarkable until his death at age 92. “It is interesting to note that this 3 body of Christians America has known.” Surely the Lord magistrate, Colonel Barnard, was also afterwards convert- 7 of Glory blessed the efforts of these indefatigable evangel- ed, and he became a zealous Christian.” ists with His presence and power. Morgan Edwards, early Others like John Leland, outstanding Baptist preacher Baptist researcher and historian, wrote of the Separate from Virginia who had much to do with the First Baptists in these words: “I believe a preternatural and Amendment to our National Constitution, testified: “I invisible hand works in the assemblies of the Separate- have seen ice cut more than a foot thick, and people bap- Baptists bearing down the human mind, as was the case in tized in the water, and yet I have never heard of any per- 4 8 the primitive churches. 1 Corinthians 14:25.” son taking cold, or any kind of sickness in so doing.” The story of Shubal Stearns and Daniel Marshall In volume two of Materials Towards a History of the deserves much fuller treatment than it has received. In Baptists, Morgan Edwards reports a host of interesting 1755 these two men, along with their wives and a dozen events among the Separatist Baptists. For instance, in 1778 others settled in Sandy Creek in central North Carolina, Elijah Baker was arrested for preaching the gospel and were all impacted by the Great Awakening. They were imprisoned in the Accomack County Jail in Virginia. As he known as Separate or New-Light Baptists. With vision for preached through the grates of his cell, he was heard by impacting the Southern colonies for Christ, the 16 mem- Squire Thomas Batston, who invited him to preach in bers of Sandy Creek Baptist Church chose Shubal Stearns Delaware. Of course the invitation could not be accepted. as their pastor, along with Daniel Marshall and Joseph In the desire to silence Baker, he was taken from jail and Breed as assistants. The congregation visualized reaping put on board a privateer with orders to the captain to an abundant spiritual harvest. And surely the Lord under- deposit him on any coast outside of America. Baker had a took! The membership of the Sandy Creek congregation captive congregation, and he began to preach to the crew. soon numbered 606. More importantly, that congregation The captain soon wearied of this procedure and trans- became the mother to 42 churches, and 125 ministers had ferred him to a second ship. When the winds blew con- sprung from the Sandy Creek church by 1772. trarily, Baker was considered the culprit, and he was Separatist Baptist Daniel Marshall, who was 65 years placed on a third ship. When the third captain wearied of old, introduced Baptist principles into Georgia on Baker’s preaching, he was deposited ashore. Discovering January 1, 1771. that he was now in Delaware, he sought out the residence of Squire Batston, and soon his preaching ministry began The scene is in a sylvan grove, and Daniel anew. He was joined by Philip Hughes of Virginia, and the Marshall is on his knees making the opening two men were used of God in planting 22 churches in prayer. While he beseeches the Throne of Grace, a Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. hand is laid on his shoulder, and he hears a voice In one instance, a mob led by one James Roberts was say: ‘You are my prisoner!’ Rising, the sedate, intent upon breaking up the work of the Dan River Baptist earnest-minded man of God, whose sober mien Church in Virginia. Roberts had obtained a warrant to and silvery locks indicate the sixty-five years arrest Pastor Dutton Lane and some of the principal which have passed since his birth, finds himself men of the church. As they were going to their task, confronted by an officer of the law. He is aston- night came on and a strong glare of light shone upon ished at being arrested, under such circum- them, temporarily blinding them. Their horses fell to stances, ‘for preaching in the Parish of St. Paul!’ the ground as well. As the light disappeared, they were
FrontLine • September/October 2002 7 surrounded with such thick darkness as rendered them of Heaven shall again visit America with reviving power. sightless. The animals and ruffians remained absolute- Let us repent of personal sins and ask that we might be ly quiet until the men began to recover sight. Not a such as He can use to “do it again” in our land. word was spoken, but Roberts and his men concurred that this was a warning to them, and the Baptists David L. Cummins is Deputation Director of Baptist World Mission in Decatur, Alabama. enjoyed a period of peace. Let the revisionist historians try to explain how the fire and fervor of the Whitefield revival lived on in the ______Separatist Baptists who preached for a verdict! No one 1 hearing their message could be neutral. The Great Benjamin Trumbull, A Complete History of Connecticut Awakening moved into the South under the leadership of (New London: H. D. Utley, 1898), 11:112. Shubal Stearns with great results. In Virginia alone 2 Frank Lambert, Inventing the “Great Awakening” Separate Baptist churches existed in 28 of the 60 counties (Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press, by the end of 1774. There was at least one Baptist church 1999). in every county in which Baptist preachers were impris- 3 George Washington Paschal, History of North Carolina oned in the Commonwealth. Baptists (Raleigh, North Carolina: Edwards and Lumpkin summarized the movement when he wrote: Broughton Co., 1955), p. 93. 4 Morgan Edwards, Materials Towards a History of the Although the general religious influence of the Baptists (Danielsville, Georgia: Heritage Papers), p. 93. Separate Baptists is worthy of considerable 5 ——, History of the Baptist Denomination in Georgia notice, of far great significance is their specific (Atlanta, Georgia: Jas. P. Harrison and Company, 1881), influence upon the Baptists of the South. It is not p. 13. too much to say that the Separate Baptists are his- 6 Ibid., p. 14. torically and hereditarily the chief component of 7 Ibid., p. 14. Baptist life in the South, both White and Negro.9 8 John Leland, The Writings of the Late Elder John Leland As we behold the spiritual life of our once great (New York: G. W. Wood, 1845), p. 116. Republic plummet into ruination, let us pray that the God 9 Lumpkin, pp. 147, 154
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8 FrontLine • September/October 2002 Rick Barry
Martin Kalveit
Nikita Voronin
Vasily Pavlov
he last decade has seen almost unprece- Baptists get there in the first place? dented opportunities for Christian min- To understand the origin of Russia’s Tistry in Russia. Today, Russian church- Baptists, we must go back in history and meet es—including Baptist churches—enjoy free- another religious group in Russia, the doms that they could scarcely dream of for Molokans. Despite the dominant role of the most of the 20th century as they endured the Russian Orthodox Church, the Molokans storms of communistic persecution. were descendants of Spiritual Peasants who But the question arises, just where did those withdrew from it (these were pacifists who Russian Baptist churches come from? After all, rejected military service and objected to a during the reign of Russia’s czars, the Russian number of Orthodox practices, including the Orthodox Church was the state church and had use of icons in worship). The Orthodox been since the year 988. In fact, even before the Church had designated specific days of the Communist Revolution, Russia’s czars had year as fast days, but because Molokan peas- decreed that the Russian people were intrinsi- ants ignored the fast and drank milk on those cally Russian Orthodox. Preaching any form of days, the Orthodox branded them Protestant faith was an offense against the czar “Molokans” (“Milk-drinkers,” from the and his church. So how did the Russian Russian word for milk, moloko).
FrontLine • September/October 2002 9 Molokan families formed their own communities, and of the Russian Orthodox clergy. When regional Orthodox lay preachers taught in services. In the 1860s, one leaders sent the governor a list of troublemakers whom Molokan teacher, a merchant named Nikita I. Voronin they recommended be shipped away for isolation, (1840–1905) gained a reputation in the city of Tiflis (mod- Voronin’s name topped the list. In 1887 Voronin, his fami- ern-day Tbilisi) for fervently seeking true, pure ly, and Pavlov were ordered to Orenburg, where they Christianity. He was also known for his lively disputes lived for four years under police surveillance. After with Molokan elders, whom he considered guilty of mis- returning home from this first term of exile, Voronin was interpreting the Scriptures’ teaching on baptism and other once again forcibly sent away, this time to Vologda for five key issues. years. Those years spent in exile taxed Voronin’s health, Into this scenario the Lord sent a German Baptist and in 1905 he passed into eternity during a congress of named Martin Kalveit (1833–1918). In the late 18th centu- Russian Baptists in Rostov-na-Don. ry, Russia’s rulers had offered German settlers free land if Meanwhile, Martin Kalveit had continued worshiping they would settle in sparsely populated areas along with and preaching in the Baptist church of Tiflis. Being of Russia’s European borders. The German immigrants were foreign nationality, however, was not enough to spare him promised freedom of religion and were exempt from mil- from the punishment of internal exile, and he was exiled itary service in Russia. However, these to Gerusy (now Gori, Armenia), where he German communities were supposed to lived under police supervision and was not keep any Protestant views to themselves . . . the Russian allowed to gather with other believers. and abstain from preaching among nation- Despite repression, Martin Kalveit lived al Russians. brethren have until 1918—long enough to rejoice over the When Voronin encountered Kalveit, he endured discrim- 50th anniversary of the Baptist church in learned that this German Baptist already Tiflis, plus the establishment of many simi- preached the same Scriptural interpreta- ination, fines, lar congregations of born-again Baptist tions that Voronin himself had been coming internal exiles, believers and even an organized Russian to after a long internal struggle and study Baptist Union. of God’s Word. Although from different prisons, labor Other factors also played significant nationalities, the two recognized each other roles in the growth of non-Orthodox as brothers in the same faith. camps, and even churches in Russia, including the influence Immediately Nikita Voronin expressed death . . . of German Mennonites and a movement in his desire to be Biblically baptized upon St. Petersburg that led to the formation of his profession of faith in Christ. So, on the the Evangelical Christian denomination night of August 27, 1867, Kalveit baptized Nikita (which eventually merged with the Baptists in 1944 after Voronin in the River Kura under the cover of darkness. decades of friendly ties). But, strictly speaking, today’s Voronin thus became the first known Russian to adopt Baptist believers in Russia trace their spiritual heritage the title “Baptist.” back to Nikita Voronin. Voronin was extremely vocal in sharing his faith, and in Right from the beginning, both under the czarist conversations and sermons he regularly shared about salva- regime and under the Communists, the Russian brethren tion by faith in Christ, to be followed by believers’ baptism. have endured discrimination, fines, internal exiles, pris- It is recorded that his home became a place “of constant fer- ons, labor camps, and even death for their faithfulness to vent discussions and prayers.” As a result of Voronin’s out- God’s Word. But as the Lord Jesus said in Matthew 16:18, going witness, rumors of his “new” teaching spread “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not pre- throughout the Russian population of that district, and peo- vail against it.” ple flocked to listen to him. God blessed Voronin’s zeal and Sources: preaching, and the merchant founded the first-ever Russian Baptist congregation, which was established in Tiflis. Kovalenko, Leonid. Oblako svidyetelei Xristovyx dlya naro- One of Voronin’s most notable converts was Vasily dov Rossii v vekakh. (The Cloud of Christ’s Witnesses for the Pavlov (1854–1924), who was just 16 years old when People of Russia in the XIX—XX Centuries) Sacramento, Voronin baptized him. Young Vasily became one of the Calif. 1996. original members of the Tiflis church, and even as a youth Savinsky, S. N. Istoriya Evangelskikh Xristian—Baptistov showed a gift for preaching and learning foreign lan- Ukrainy, Rossii, Byelorussii (1867–1917) (History of the guages. After going to Hamburg, Germany, to study the- Evangelical Christian-Baptists of Ukraine, Russia, and ology, Pavlov returned home, where he was ordained. Byelorussia [1867–1917]. St. Petersburg, Russia: Bibliya Preaching and discussing the Bible in many different dlya vsyekh (The Bible for Everybody Press). 1999. towns, Pavlov was used of God to bring countless souls to Christ. Through his ministry, new churches were estab- Vins, Georgi Petrovich. Tropoyu vernosti (The Path of lished, and from those arose yet other fervent preachers of Faithfulness). Elkhart, Ind.: Russian Gospel Ministries. the gospel. 1997. Years later, Nikita Voronin was involved in another “first.” In 1882, he published Voice of Faith, a collection of Rick Barry served as a staff member of Russian Gospel Ministries for fif- 207 hymns in the Russian language. teen years (1987-2002) and is now a freelance writer and editor living in However, Voronin’s activities did not escape the notice Indiana. 10 FrontLine • September/October 2002 Doug Kutilek
rchibald Thomas Robertson was one of istry, and at age 16, with $2.50 in his pocket and the pre-eminent Baptist scholars in a promise of support from the local Baptist AAmerican history. Archibald, or association, he left for Wake Forest College. Six “Archie” as his intimate acquaintances called years at that educational institution resulted in him, was born in Southern Virginia in 1863. He both A.B. and A.M. degrees and distinction for was the seventh of ten children. His father was his superior knowledge of French, Latin, and a physician, and the family owned an estate of Greek. This was followed by three years at some 1,500 acres. With the emancipation of their Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, slaves and the defeat of the Confederacy, the Kentucky, under the instruction of J. P. Boyce, Robertson family fell on hard times. They sold Basil Manly Jr., and the famed John A. Broadus. their property in Virginia when Archie was 12 He became Broadus’s assistant in the New and relocated near Statesville, North Carolina. Testament department, and then his son-in-law. Archie was converted in a special revival When Broadus died in 1895, he succeeded him meeting in March 1876 and began private stud- in the chair of New Testament Interpretation. In ies with a pastor in 1878. In 1879 he sensed a all, Robertson taught at Southern for 46 years, divine call upon his life into the gospel min- instructing some 6,000 students in that period.
FrontLine • September/October 2002 11 through the entire series. I have never definitely In his early years as a student and professor at Southern, Robertson conducted numerous evangelistic declared myself as a premillennialist, but I think meetings and pastored several churches, all while in con- if I had my life to live over again I would be stant demand for pulpit supply. Beginning in the 1910s, much more positive concerning this for I have he was a regular speaker at the summer Bible conferences never in all my ministry known a premillennial- at Northfield, Massachusetts, and Winona Lake, Indiana. ist who was a modernist.” I thought this was an Robertson’s first published book was his biography of interesting testimony. There is that about the pre- John A. Broadus. As a family member, Robertson had millennial position that necessitates a belief in immediate access to all of Broadus’s papers and corre- the full inspiration of this Book (pp. 128–29). spondence, and the book remains the standard biography of that greatest American Baptist of the 19th century. Robertson’s published books had several different ori- Robertson’s magnum opus was his A Grammar of the gins. Some books are the notes he prepared for use in Greek New Testament in the Light of Historical Research, first classroom instruction. Others were based on his summer published in 1914 and still in print (ultimately going Bible conference lectures. Still others were compilations of through four editions, the last almost 1,500 pages). This some of his articles published in various magazines and Herculean task occupied more than 25 years of his life and journals. His character studies are among my favorites. was his chief concern for 12 of those years. (He also pre- These include: pared a shorter grammar of New Testament Greek.) This Epochs in the Life of Jesus “Big Grammar” still remains a valuable tool in studying Epochs in the Life of Paul New Testament Greek. The prefaces to the various edi- Epochs in the Life of Peter tions of the grammatical work are valuable devotional Epochs in the Life of the Apostle John reading. For example, in the “Preface” Robertson wrote, Luke the Historian (outstanding in every way) “I make no complaint of the labour of the long years, for I John the Loyal (about John the Baptist—an absolutely have had my reward in a more intimate knowledge of the superb book) words of Jesus and of his reporters and interpreters” (p. Making Good in the Ministry (about John Mark) xiii). Robertson is reported to have worn out a dozen The Mother of Jesus Greek New Testaments in his lifetime. Types of Preachers in the New Testament In theology, Robertson was decidedly conservative, a Some Minor Characters in the New Testament thorough-going inerrantist. In eschatology, his published works seem to uniformly espouse amillennialism, but we Besides his commentary set on the whole New have an interesting account from H. A. Ironside relevant Testament, Word Pictures in the New Testament in 6 vol- to this subject. In his book The Lamp of Prophecy, Ironside umes, he wrote several commentaries or studies of indi- wrote: vidual New Testament books. Among Robertson’s articles compiled into books are: Paul the Interpreter of Christ; The Some few years ago it was my great privilege to Christ of the Logia; and (my favorite of all) The Minister and sit at the feet of Dr. A. T. Robertson as he gave a His Greek New Testament. One book of his sermons, Jesus as course of lectures on the Epistle to the Colossians a Soul Winner, was published posthumously. directly from his Greek Testament in Calvary Most of Robertson’s books, beyond the Big Grammar, Baptist Church in New York City. He was con- Word Pictures, and A Harmony of the Gospels, are not in ducting a ministerial conference, and it was my print, though about a dozen of his shorter, topical books privilege in that conference to give a series of were reprinted by Baker and Broadman as recently as the addresses from my English Bible (because I am 1970s, and so can occasionally be found in used book- not scholar enough to give them from a Greek stores, as can some of the original hardback editions. One Testament and most folk are not scholars enough may generally characterize Robertson’s literary produc- to follow me if I were) and I was rather gratified tions as having a full head and a warm heart, and dis- to see the great man sitting down before me playing his exacting thoroughness in research and metic- every day. I recognized Dr. Robertson as ulous attention to detail. undoubtedly the outstanding Greek scholar of The only book-length biography of Robertson ever America, if not of the world, and yet that dear, published, to my knowledge, was that written by Everett kindly man of God sat and listened to a poor Gill in the 1940s, A. T. Robertson: A Biography (Macmillan, insignificant person like myself, and he was just 1943). as gracious and just as attentive as anyone could My life and my ministry are abundantly enriched as I sit at the feet of A. T. Robertson through the pages of his possibly be. I went through the two letters to the published works. I thank God for his diligence in seeking Thessalonians, and at the close of the last to expound and explain the New Testament, and for his address, Dr. Robertson came to me and said, fervent attachment to Divine truth and his faithfulness to “Well, this is the first time that I have ever lis- the Christ of the Scripture. tened to anyone go carefully through those epis- tles from the premillennial standpoint, and I Doug Kutilek is a commuting missionary to Romania based in Wichita, must say that my judgment has gone with you Kansas.
12 FrontLine • September/October 2002 SOME QUOTATIONS FROM A. T. ROBERTSON taken from the biography by Everett Gill
“The greatest proof that the Bible is “Never get out of a text what was inspired is that it has stood so much bad never in it.” (p. 188) preaching.” (p. 178) “The most vehement opponent is the man “Tell the truth even if you are a Baptist who is afraid he is wrong.” (p. 188) preacher.” (p. 178) “It is astonishing how much (Quoting Broadus)—“If some sermons ignorance some people can accumulate had small-pox the text would never in a life time.” (p. 189) catch it.” (p. 180)
“Give a man an open Bible, an open mind, “I have never looked into the Greek New and a conscience in good working order, and Testament five minutes without finding he will have a hard time to keep from being a something I never saw before.” (p. 189) Baptist.” (p. 181)
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FrontLine • September/October 2002 13 Regular Baptist Press Building Lives by the Book for
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14 1.800.727.4440 • www.regularbaptistpress.orgFrontLine • September/October 2002 James R. Hines
urma. The name summons up images of balloons, or ski resorts. There are no great robed monks and gilded pagodas, palm museums or modern shopping malls. In the Btrees and dusty roads, all shrouded in capital of Yangon, the golden-domed the mystery of the East. It is a land of startling Shwedegon Pagoda towers over the city, its contrasts, where you can get a good meal for diamond-capped spire marking the most elab- 75 cents or an intricately hand-carved tea table orate Buddhist temple in the world. Those who for $18, but must make a down payment over will have the most interest in seeing this coun- $2,000 to lease a cell phone; a land where the try are fundamental Christians who want to temple domes are covered with gold leaf but see what the Lord is doing in this backward most people eat only two meals a day because land through the continuing influence of they can’t afford three; a place where the fields Adoniram Judson. are still plowed with an ox and wooden sticks, When Adoniram Judson went to Burma in but you can get your computer repaired in ten 1813, he set up his work in the capital, minutes. Rangoon, and directed his efforts toward reach- The average tourist doesn’t find much to ing the Bamar people (hence the name, attract him in this land with the current name of “Burma”), ardent Buddhists who controlled the Myanmar. There are no Disney Worlds, hot-air central plain of the country. There was never
FrontLine • September/October 2002 15 much response from these people. Later missionaries Pentecostals to descend on the country in droves. Since directed their attention to the tribal groups all around the most Christians in Myanmar have not been trained and fringes of the country who were animists—the Chin, do not have much discernment, they welcome any Kachin, Shan, Mon, Karen, and others. These people American Christians and assume that whatever they say responded readily to the gospel, and thousands were con- is right. One can already hear the influence of contempo- verted. The American Baptists were the leaders in these rary music in the churches of Yangon. If fundamental efforts. However, with liberalism saturating the American Christianity is going to remain strong in Myanmar, Baptist Convention in the first half of the 20th century, Fundamentalists must be there to help the churches. most of the later Christians in these groups were It appears that there are five separate associations of Christians in name only, having a form of godliness with- fundamental churches. They represent about 100 church- out the power of conversion. es totaling about 5,000 members. Still today a visitor in Ava can see There are Fundamentalist Bible the site where Judson was impris- schools and seminaries in Yangon, oned by King Bawdgidaw and one If Mandalay, Pyin Oo Lwin, and leaning tower still standing over the Mytkgina, several of them with 100 remains of his palace. Most don’t students or more. Many of the Bible know that this king’s palace was fundamental school students spend their vacations completely destroyed by an earth- traveling in groups from village to vil- quake, and the king became insane Christianity is lage, preaching the gospel. and died just a few years after incar- Baptist World Mission supports a cerating Judson. Visitors can also seminary in Yangon, led by Dr. stop and see the small Baptist church going to remain Neng Khan Thang, a native of built in his memory by Judson’s son Myanmar. U Tha Win, the pastor of Edward, on or near the other prison the Judson Baptist Church in where Judson was incarcerated in a strong in Mandalay, is a grandson of one of lion’s cage. The lion had died, and the first converts in Mandalay. the cage gave him a little privacy Myanmar, Around 700 people attended their from the other prisoners. The church annual Christian workers confer- is now thoroughly liberal, with a ence in 1999. Recently the funda- withering congregation. Fundamentalists mental pastors there have organized In the early 1960s Pentecostal a Fellowship of Fundamental evangelists went through some of must be there to Pastors so that pastors and Christian these areas, particularly the Chin workers can identify themselves as Hills, preaching the gospel of the Fundamentalists. They are in the new birth. Many nominal Christians help them. process of printing a handbook in heard the gospel for the first time Burmese and English which and were soundly converted. Great includes a doctrinal statement and revivals spread through the area. Being led by the Spirit positions on a number of issues that concern them. to study the Bible, many of these folk began to recognize This will assist them in maintaining a clear position the shallowness and false teachings of the Pentecostal and in encouraging other pastors to identify them- leaders and turned away from them to Biblical princi- selves as Fundamentalists. Three large conferences on ples. Then, due to a government upheaval in 1965, all Fundamentalism were scheduled for November 2000 foreign missionaries were compelled to leave the coun- in three different parts of the country. try. There have been no foreign missionaries in Myanmar It is a blessing and encouragement to the fundamental since that time, and the churches have been left to their churches of Myanmar that several fundamental pastors own devices. and teachers from the United States and Singapore have Within the last few years the government began grant- been visiting there to assist the schools and churches. ing visas to foreigners to visit for up to four weeks at a Perhaps you would like to join them. Or the Lord might time. Visitors are allowed to speak in churches freely, as burden you to pray that God would yet do a mighty work long as they do not insult the Buddhists or say anything in turning Judson’s Burma to God. against the government. Military intelligence officers are James R. Hines is the pastor of the Brentwood Baptist Church of Des often present in church meetings to monitor the activities Plaines, Illinois. For years he has had an interest in the work of Adoniram of foreign speakers. Copies of conference notes often Judson in Burma. During a trip to India in 1995, he met several Bible col- must be turned over to the authorities for review, but this lege students who encouraged him to visit Burma. He has made five trips to Myanmar in the past three years and has lectured in a number is usually only a formality. of the Fundamental Bible schools there. Recently, at their request, he Is it a good thing that Christians can now visit has assisted fundamental Christian leaders there in beginning the Myanmar with relative freedom? It is a mixed blessing. Fundamental Pastors Fellowship of Myanmar. He is also assisting with the production of needed Christian literature for churches in that coun- Fundamentalists can now go and preach to large crowds try. If you have an interest in being involved in helping believers there, and teach dedicated young people in the schools. But this you may contact him at 847-298-3399 or by e-mail at has also opened the door for New Evangelicals and [email protected].
16 FrontLine • March/April 2002 Betty Henderson
n the years that Queen Victoria reigned, the chapel, and her earnestness and faithfulness Charles Spurgeon was a giant for God. earned her the title of the “preaching, praying IHowever, even a godly giant could not teacher” who taught the “preaching, praying accomplish by himself all of the great works class.” Unknown to Lavinia, God was prepar- Spurgeon did for the glory of God. In the shad- ing her for a future teaching ministry that this ow of Mr. Spurgeon, countless men and women simple country girl could not have imagined. served the Lord at the great Metropolitan In the early 19th century, opportunities for Tabernacle. This is the story of just one of his poor young girls to be educated were almost “shadow servants.” Her name was Lavinia unheard of. Needing to help increase her fami- Bartlett. ly’s income, Lavinia became the teacher of yet Mrs. Bartlett began her life as Lavinia another group of students when she organized Hartnell in 1806, in the Hampshire area of a boarding school for young ladies. For sixteen England. Here, she began what would be a years she taught and trained countless girls life-long teaching ministry. Her first students who otherwise would not have been educated. were her siblings. She carefully passed on to She also taught them the skill of fancy needle- them the Bible knowledge she gained from work, and with God’s help, her students were attending a small nonconformist chapel. able to sell their crafts to well-known retailers Later she became a Sunday school teacher at in London.
FrontLine • September/October 2002 17 At the age of 30, she became Mrs. Bartlett and moved little woman had the strength and ability to teach so many to London with her new husband. Health-wise, Mrs. while unaided by a sound system! One can almost hear Bartlett did not do well in such a crowded, damp and her pleading voice as she regularly used her familiar chal- smoky city. She developed a serious heart ailment, which lenge to the women: “Keep near the Cross, my sisters!” led to her confinement for several years. She later suffered Lavinia’s great burden was to see needy women come more grief when her husband of seventeen years died to Jesus, be baptized, and join her beloved Metropolitan suddenly of cholera. Tabernacle. She continually visited and encouraged Lavinia had earlier been blessed by the birth of two women to live for God. Tabernacle deacons, and sons, Edward and George. As Spurgeon himself, frequently a widow, she especially con- requested that she visit sidered their spiritual training Inscription on her tomb: women who needed comfort, to be her most important encouragement, and guidance. teaching opportunity, and she In affectionate memory of Often her pastor would went about it with much LAVINIA BARTLETT, speak of her valuable ministry. prayer and great faithfulness. Who departed to her He publicly stated that over Meanwhile, in another area blissful home, one thousand women had of London, a very young become members of his church preacher—not much older August 2,1875 through the ministry of his than Lavinia’s sons—was In her 69th year. “shadow servant,” Mrs. causing not a little interest. The pastors, deacons, and Bartlett. “He regarded Mrs. Charles Spurgeon was called Elders of the church in the Bartlett as his right-hand sup- to pastor the New Park Street Metropolitan Tabernacle porter in Christian labor, and Chapel in 1854 at the age of 20. Unite with her class and the never thought of her without News of this boy preacher Students of the Pastor’s College the deepest gratitude to God from the country reached In erecting this memorial for raising up for him such a Lavinia’s sons, and they soon zealous co-worker.”2 joined the crushing crowds To her surpassing worth. When she died in 1875, her that gladly heard him preach. beloved pastor led the church Both Bartlett boys were saved She was indeed family in grieving the loss of and baptized through the “A mother in Israel.” their dear sister in Christ. He ministry of Pastor Spurgeon. preached her funeral before As for Lavinia, she wanted Often did she say: “Keep near the thousands at the Tabernacle, nothing to do with the “boy Cross, my sisters.” and then led throngs of wonder.” She insisted that mourners as her body was laid Spurgeon was leading a “sen- to rest on Dissenters Row, sational or kind of ranting “She being dead yet speaketh.” Nunhead Cemetery, South service got up for excite- Hebrews 11:4 London. ment.”1 Certainly he was a A special monument was passing fad, she thought, and erected by her grieving stu- for some time she resisted invitations from her sons to join dents. The inscription on the monument was written by them at the Chapel. When she could resist their invita- her pastor. On the marble stone he made sure to include tions no longer, she hesitatingly agreed to hear Spurgeon. Lavinia’s well-known admonition, “Keep near the Cross, Once she had heard him, she would not go anywhere else, my sisters!” and at the age of fifty she happily joined her sons as a While visiting London recently, my husband and I member of what would soon become the Metropolitan went in search of Lavinia Bartlett’s grave. The cemetery Tabernacle. office copied her burial record for us, and with map in It was not long before Mrs. Bartlett gladly became one hand we headed for an old and overgrown portion of the of an army of “shadow servants” at the Tabernacle. cemetery. We dug through many years of brush and bram- Deacon Thomas Olney (another “shadow servant”), ble as we searched for the monument of this great “shad- encouraged her to replace a teacher in a Sunday school ow servant.” And, thanks to my husband’s digilence, we class. She thought herself too lacking in education to teach found the monument so lovingly placed on her grave by city folks, and in addition her health often hindered her the people of London’s greatest church. A fallen tree has from attending church activities. Thankfully, Deacon now broken the large marble monument into three pieces, Olney continued to insist that she teach the class, which but the words engraved on the stone are otherwise would eventually come to be known throughout Britain untouched by over 125 years of London weather. We read as “Mrs. Bartlett’s Class.” every one of Spurgeon’s comforting words, and then we She taught the class for sixteen years, and God greatly thanked God for the memory of this faithful servant. used this humble “shadow servant.” As the years passed, For over eleven years my pastor has entrusted to me the class came to number nearly 800 women from all the teaching of the Ladies Bible Study at Colonial Hills walks of life. Humanly speaking, one wonders how a frail Baptist Church. I have often told our ladies about my
18 FrontLine • September/October 2002 “friend” Lavinia, and her fervent love, zeal, and burden for the souls of women. I have frequently challenged our 21st–century ladies’ class with the statement of this little English woman from the 19th century. Her charge to them echoes the need of hearts in every centu- ry. If we would be “shadow servants” in our churches, we must “keep near the cross, my sisters!”
1 Edward H. Bartlett. Mrs. Bartlett and Her Class at the Metropolitan Tabernacle. London, England; Passmore and Alabaster, 1877. 2 Ibid.
Other reading on Mrs. Bartlett: Faith Cook, Seeing the Invisible, Darlington, Co. Durham, England, Evangelical Press. 1998.
Charles H. Spurgeon Autobiography: Volume 2, Banner of Truth Trust, Carlisle, PA. 1976. Charles H. Spurgeon, The Sword and the Trowel, Volume 4, Pilgrim Publications, Pasadena, TX. 1978.
Betty Henderson is a freelance writer in Indianapolis, IN. She is a member of Colonial Hills Baptist Church.
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FrontLine • September/October 2002 19 On the Home Front
FBF NEWS AND EVENTS Tim Locke, Managing Editor
The Worthwhile rent information and subscription November 14–15 cards, promotional magazines, and Northern California Region Company other FBFI materials. Please contact Lucerne Christian Conference the home office for your orders. Center We are thankful for the many peo- P.O. Box 487 ple who subscribe to and support FrontLine Sundays Lucerne, CA 95458 FrontLine Magazine. Some purchase (707) 274-1164 the magazine subscription by credit Each year, begin- card and then receive a charge from ning in November, November 19 the “Worthwhile Company.” The we encourage our Northeast Regional Meeting Worthwhile Company is the service member pastors Dr. Chuck Phelps that FrontLine uses to process the to host FrontLine Trinity Baptist Church credit card orders and maintain the Sunday. The 80 Clinton Street FBFI web site. Each time a charge is home office will Concord, NH 03301 contested a $10 charge is levied send promotional (603) 225-3999 against the magazine. Please help us magazines and subscription forms curtail these fees by noticing the that include an offer for a free music November 19–20 name of our service provider. If you CD. If you would like to have a Southwest Regional Meeting have any questions please call the FrontLine Sunday at your church con- Pastor David L. Earnhart home office. tact the home office for further Fundamental Baptist Church details. 111 North Ash Street Change of Address Escondido, CA 92027 (760) 743-1600 Each issue we receive about twenty Upcoming FBFI change of address forms back from the Meetings January 27–28, 2003 Postal Service. If you move please con- North Central Regional Meeting October 28–29 tact the home office and supply us with Pastor Jim Efaw the new address. If you have access to Mid-America Regional Meeting Beth Eden Baptist Church the internet, go to www.FBFI.org and Pillsbury Baptist Bible College 2600 Wadsworth Blvd email us your change or write directly 315 South Grove Avenue Wheat Ridge, CO 80033 to [email protected]. Owatonna, MN 55060 (303) 238-7711 1-800-747-4557 April 14–16, 2003 Change of Date October 28–November 1 Southeast Regional Meeting Please notice the date for our Caribbean Regional Meeting Pastor Brent Armstrong national meeting in Concord, NH. Dr. Johnny Daniels Oakwood Baptist Church The previous dates had to be Calvary Baptist Tabernacle 304 Pearman Dairy Road changed due to another convention P.O. Box 3390 Anderson, SC 29625 in the area. If you have any further Carolina, PR 00984 (864) 255-6262 questions contact the home office. November 4–5 National Meeting Regional and State Southwest Regional Meeting June 17–19, 2003 Dr. Michael D. Sproul Trinity Baptist Church Representatives Tri-City Baptist Church 80 Clinton Street 2150 E. Southern Avenue Several of our men are leading the Concord, NH 03301 Tempe, AZ 85282 (603) 225-3999 way by hosting regional and state (480) 838-5430 meetings. We want you to have cur-
1820 FrontLine • September/October 2002 INSPIRATION FOR THE PASTOR’S STUDY
HOLD FAST THE FORM OF SOUND WORDS—2 TIMOTHY 1:13
First Partaker
“The husbandman ugust 24 this year marked the three-hundred- In addition to suffering fortieth anniversary of the infamous 1662 ejec- the desperate poverty, an that laboreth must Ation of nonconforming English and Scottish estimated 15% of these non- be first partaker ministers from their pulpits. Some 2,000 English and conformists were hustled off of the fruits” 300 Scottish ministers, nearly one-quarter of all to jail when they resorted to (2 Tim. 2:6) ordained pastors in those countries, were forcibly put preaching in private homes out of their pulpits, homes, and pastoral ministries for or what were termed “con- nothing more than being unable in good conscience to venticles”(unlawful assemblies). Among them were sign an act of Parliament entitled “The Act of Bartholomew and John Wesley, great grandfather Uniformity.” and grandfather of John and Charles on their father’s The Act of Uniformity required ministers to side, and Samuel Annesley, their mother’s father. declare their “unfeigned assent and consent” to the Isaac Watts, the future hymnist, noted in his diary at 1662 Prayer Book. But Biblically astute men objected age 9: My father persecuted and imprisoned for noncon- that it contained ceremonies either tainted by formity six months. After that forced to leave his family Romanism or patently unscriptural. In addition, they and live privately in London for two years. balked at the Act’s requirement that many of them be Joseph Alleine, author of the now classic Alarm to re-ordained. the Unconverted, was imprisoned in 1663 for noth- Living as we do, in a culture of welfare, Medicare, ing more than singing psalms and preaching to his food stamps and food banks, disability insurance, sever- family. John Flavel’s mother and father were impris- ance pay, retirement packages, and entitlement pro- oned in Newgate, the infamous London prison, grams, it’s utterly impossible for us to imagine the where both eventually died of the jail’s diseased appalling destitution into which many of these faithful atmosphere. men plunged when they were summarily ejected from Insofar as he was able to obtain them, a later non- the only livelihood most of them knew. Richard Baxter conformist named Edmund Calamy compiled and observed, published the subsequent experiences of these forgot- ten brethren in 1702. Further accounts were added by Many hundreds of them with their wives and chil- Samuel Palmer in 1775, and the result was published dren had neither house nor bread. . . . Though they in two volumes of over 500 finely printed pages each. were as frugal as possible they could hardly live; It’s truly spiritually invigorating reading, especially in some lived on little more than brown bread and our current climate of relentless pressure for political water. Many had but eight or ten pounds a year to correctness. So in respectful remembrance of these maintain a family, so that a piece of flesh had not who chose to suffer rather than to conform, and to come to the table of one of them in 6 weeks’ time. give heart to any who are alike constrained, here is a In many cases their income scarcely provided bread sampling of men whose faith was worthy to follow. and cheese. I’m giving portions of their stories verbatim from Palmer’s 1775 edition, The Nonconformist’s Memorial, with the addition of only occasional editorial notes Inside in brackets. I trust that the Lord will make an edify- Bring . . . the Books—Key books for the pastor’s study ...... 5 ing use of them now again, three centuries after Straight Cuts—An exegetical study ...... 6 Calamy first gave them to the public. Windows—Themed sermon illustrations ...... 7
FRONTLINE PASTOR’S INSERT • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2002 1 Combe Hay, Mr. Thomas Crees. Of St. Alban’s Hall, him, and the bullet went through his hat; but, as Providence Oxford, whence, in time of the war, he went to Cambridge. ordered it, did him no further hurt. After his ejectment, in 1662, he continued all his life a quiet, The soldiers pulled down the place in which he preached, patient, silent Nonconformist. He had 13 children, who all which obliged his people to build a larger to receive the hear- lived to be men and women. He had little to live upon, but ers. Soon after it was built, a number of troopers came in, Providence took care of him and his. He was of a melancholy when Mr. Janeway was preaching, and Mr. Kentish sat disposition, but an excellent Christian. He died in his 76th behind him in the pulpit; got upon a bench [the troopers, year. not Mr. Kentish], and cried out aloud, “Down with him! Down with him!” Dittesham, Mr. Edmund Tucker, of Trinity College, At that instant the bench broke, and they all fell down. In Cambridge. He suffered much for his Nonconformity. He the confusion this occasioned, Mr. Janeway came out of the was convicted for a conventicle [an unlawful assembly], pulpit, and some of the people having thrown a colored coat and fined 30 l. for praying with three gentlewomen who over him, and put a white hat on his head, he got out unob- came to visit his wife, and comfort her upon the death of her served. But they seized on Mr. Kentish, and carried him to only child, who was drowned at sea. In his case there was a the Marshalsea [an infamous prison], where he was kept remarkable instance of the partiality of the famous justice prisoner for some time. Beer or Bear, and the barbarity of the informers; who tore At another time Mr. Janeway preaching at a gardener’s down all the goods in Mr. Tucker’s house, seized not only his house, several troopers came to seize him there; but lying on bed and bedclothes, but the poor children’s wearing apparel, the ground, and his friends covering him with cabbage leaves, and the very victuals in the house, and left no corner or place he escaped again. unsearched for money. He had a wife and ten children, and He died March 16, 1674, and was succeeded by Mr. nothing to subsist upon; but God provided for him and for Rosewell. He was a man of eminent piety, an affectionate them. He was afflicted with the gout, stone, and diabetes; preacher, and very useful in his station. In his last sickness through which, and the failure of his intellects, he was taken his spirit was under a sort of cloud, on reflecting upon his off from preaching more than a year before his death, which aptness to hurry over private duties [that is, his private was somewhat suddenly, July 5, 1702, in the 75th year of Bible reading, prayer, and meditation]. However, Mr. N. his age. Vincent, in his funeral sermon, says, “It pleased God to dis- sipate the cloud, and help him to discern and look back upon the uprightness of his heart with satisfaction,” and that not long before he died, he said, “He could now as easily die as He was one of the few ministers who shut his eyes,” adding, “Here am I, longing to be silent in the had the zeal and courage to abide in dust, and enjoy Christ in glory.” the city amidst all the fury of the St. Mary, Fifth-Street, Mr. Thomas Brooks. He was a very affecting preacher, and useful to many. Though he used pestilence in 1665 [an outbreak of many homely phrases, and sometimes too familiar resem- what is believed to have been the blances, which to nice critics might appear ridiculous, he did more good to souls than many who deliver the most exact bubonic plague; in 1665 it killed composures. And let the wits of the age pass what censures one-fifth of London’s residents], and they please, “He that winneth souls is wise.” pursued his ministerial work in that Mr. Thomas Vincent, M. A. of Christ Church, needful, but dangerous season, with Oxford. Born at Hereford in May 1634. He had the whole New Testament and Psalms by heart. all diligence and intrepidity, both in He took this pains (as he often said), “not knowing but they public and private. who took from him his pulpit, might in time demand his Bible also.” He was one of the few ministers who had the zeal and courage to abide in the city amidst all the fury of the pesti- Mr. James Janeway, M. A. of Christ Church, Oxford. lence in 1665 [an outbreak of what is believed to have His father was a minister in Herefordshire. He lived private- been the bubonic plague; in 1665 it killed one-fifth of ly for some time, after leaving the university; and, when the London’s residents], and pursued his ministerial work in times would allow it, set up a meeting at Redriff near that needful, but dangerous season, with all diligence and London, where he had a very numerous auditory, and a intrepidity, both in public and private. great reformation was wrought amongst many of them. But He constantly preached every Lord’s Day through the this so enraged the high party, that several of them threatened whole visitation in some parish-church. His subjects were the to shoot Mr. Janeway, and accordingly it was attempted; for most moving and important; and his management of them as he was once walking upon Redriff wall, a fellow shot at most pathetic and searching. The awfulness of the judgment,
2 FRONTLINE PASTOR’S INSERT • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2002 then everywhere obvious, gave a peculiar edge to the preach- Watson), that is what I cannot give, for I do not sue to pen er and his auditors. It was a general inquiry through the pre- my prayers; it was not a studied thing, but uttered as God ceding week, where he was to preach: multitudes followed enabled me, from the abundance of my heart and affec- him wherever he went; and several were awakened by every tions.” Upon which the good Bishop went away, wondering sermon. He visited all that sent for him, without fear, and that any man could pray in that manner extempore [English did the best he could for them in their extremity; especially churchmen recited their prayers from the official prayer to save their souls from death. And it pleased God to take book]. particular care of him; for though the whole number reck- After his ejectment he continued the exercise of his min- oned to die of the plague in London this year was 68,596, istry in the city as Providence gave opportunity for many and 7 persons died of it in the family where he lived, he con- years; but his strength wearing away, he retired into Essex, tinued in perfect health all the while; and was afterwards and there died suddenly in his closet at prayer. useful, by his unwearied labors, to a numerous congrega- tion, till the year 1678, when he died at Hoxton. St. Hilary, Mr. Joseph Sherwood. Soon after his ejection he was cited to the spiritual court for not going to church. Mr. William Jenkyn, M. A. of St. John’s College, He appeared, and gave for a reason, that there was no Cambridge. On Sept. 2, 1684, being with Mr. Reynolds, preaching, and that he could not, with any satisfaction, Mr. John Flavel, and Mr. Keeling, spending the day in attend there only to hear the clerk read the prayers, but prayer with many of his friends, in a place where they promised to go the next Lord’s-day if there was a sermon. thought themselves out of danger; the soldiers broke in upon Finding upon enquiry that there was no minister then, them in the midst of the exercise. All the ministers made any more than before, he went not, and so was cited again, their escape, except Mr. Jenkyn. (Mr. Flavel was so near, and gave the same answer. The Lord’s-day following great that he heard the insolence of the officers and soldiers to Mr. multitudes came to church out of novelty to see Mr Jenkyn when they had taken him; and observes, in his diary, Sherwood; who, being informed by the churchwarden, who that Mr. Jenkyn might have escaped as well as himself, had was his friend, that there would be no sermon, went into the it not been for a piece of vanity in a lady, whose long train church, and seated himself in the clerk’s desk all the time of hindered his going down stairs, Mr. Jenkyn out of his too prayers, and then went up into the pulpit and prayed and great civility, having let her pass before him.) preached from those words, “I will avenge the quarrel of my Upon his refusing the Oxford-oath, they committed him covenant” [Leviticus 26:25]. to Newgate [a London prison across the street from St. Sepulchre, a church which still stands], rejecting his offer of 40 l. fine, which the law impowered them to take, though Soon after his ejection he was cited to it was urged that the air of Newgate would infallibly suffo- cate him. He petitioned the king [Charles II] for a release, the spiritual court for not going to which was backed by an assurance from his physicians, that church. He appeared, and gave for a his life was in danger for his close imprisonment. But no answer could be obtained but this, “Jenkyn shall be a pris- reason, that there was no preaching, oner as long as he lives.” and that he could not, with any sat- He died in Newgate, January 19, 1685, aged 72, having been a prisoner there four months. (A nobleman having isfaction, attend there only to hear heard of his happy release, said to the king, “May it please the clerk read the prayers, but prom- your majesty, Jenkyn has got his liberty.” Upon which he asked with eagerness, “Aye, who gave it him?” The noble- ised to go the next Lord’s-day if there man replied, “A greater than your majesty, the King of kings,” with which the king seemed greatly struck, and was a sermon. remained silent). Mr. Jenkyn was buried by his friends with great honor in Bunhill Fields. He was then carried to a petty session of justices, where one Mr. Robinson sat as chairman, who greatly reviled Mr. St. Stephen’s, Walbrook, Mr. Thomas Watson, M. A. Sherwood and called him a rebel, etc., which he bore of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, where he was noted patiently with this reply, “That as he was a minister of the for being a hard student. He was a man of considerable gospel, and at the church where there was so great an assem- learning, a popular but judicious preacher, (if one may judge bly, he could not but have compassion on the multitude and from his writings) and eminent in the gift of prayer. Of this give them a word of exhortation.” Mr. Robinson said, “But the following story is sufficient proof: did ever man preach from such a rebellious text?” “Sir,” Once on a lecture day, before the Bartholomew-act took (replied Mr. Sherwood) “I know man is a rebel against his place, the learned Bishop Richardson came to hear him, who Creator, but I never knew that the Creator could be a rebel was much pleased with his sermon, but especially with his against his creature.” Mr. Robinson cried out, “Write his prayer after it so that he followed him home to give him mittimus for Launceston jail.” And then turning to Mr. thanks, and earnestly desired to copy it. “Alas! (said Mr. Sherwood said, “I say, Sir, it was a rebellious text.” Mr.
FRONTLINE PASTOR’S INSERT • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2002 3 was an instrument, in the hand of God, for the conversion Sherwood looked him full in the face, and addressed him in of a soldier, who had been a very loose profligate man, and these words: “Sir, if you die the common death of all men, was concerned with others in a drunken riot, in which a poor God never spake by me.” man lost his life. Mr. Tong observes, when the man came to He was sent to prison, where he found favor with the die, he made such a declaration of the manner of God’s keeper and had liberty to walk about the castle and town. working upon his soul, and of the benefit he had received Mr. Robinson returned home; and a few days after, walk- from Mr. Hall’s instructions and prayers, as very much ing in the fields, a bull that had been very tame came up to affected all that heard him, and filled the whole city with a gate where he stood, and his maid before him, who had wonder. The good man thought his six months imprisonment been milking, and turning her aside with his horns, ran abundantly compensated by being an instrument of so much directly upon Mr. Robinson and tore out his bowels. good to a precious soul, that was in so much danger of per- This strange Providence brought to mind what had passed ishing forever. at the sessions. And in a little time, Mr. Sherwood getting leave to return home, he was sent for to Penzance, where Stoke (South). Mr. Henry Staples. Some time after his some justices met. When he came there, Mr. Godolphin ejectment he removed to Ireland, where he was a diligent, came out, and took him into another room, and said, “Sir, constant, and faithful preacher. His ordinary discourses I sent for you to know how you came to express yourself in were short sermons, and his holy life was the application such a manner, when we committed you; you know, Sir, of them. what has since befallen Mr. Robinson.” Mr. Sherwood, Once at an inn, which he often used in Ireland, a sturdy replied, “Sir, I was far from bearing any malice against Mr. butcher had his stall under the window of his room. Mr. Robinson and give no other answer than that “when we are Staples hearing him swear, opened the casement, and hav- called before rulers for his name’s sake,” whom we serve, “it ing given him a reproof, shut it again; but the butcher con- shall be given us in that very hour what we shall say.” To tinuing to multiply his oaths, Mr. Staples set the casement open, that he might the more readily continue his reproofs, which the man received with all imaginable contempt both in . . . during his imprisonment was an words and gestures. However, Mr. Staples persisted, and he instrument, in the hand of God, for did so to good purpose, for there not only was some present reformation, but the man was led into close reflection on his the conversion of a soldier, who had ways, and a change was produced. When Mr. Staples after- been a very loose profligate man, . . . wards came to the same place, the butcher used to treat him with all respect, often acknowledged his past folly, thanked when the man came to die, he made Mr. Staples for his reproof, and told another person, “This such a declaration of the manner of good man has saved my soul from hell.” Mr. Staples in his last visit to England, came to the house God’s working upon his soul, and of of his good friend, the worthy John Lee, esquire; of Plaistow where he spent his last Sabbath on earth. Next morning his the benefit he had received from Mr. horse, soon after he was mounted, raising himself up, cast Hall’s instructions and prayers, as his rider backward, fell upon him, and killed him, August 1, very much affected all that heard 1686. He was buried at Green. him, and filled the whole city with Kirk-Heaton, Mr. Christopher Richardson. After his ejectment, he retired to his own house at Lassell Hall. wonder. Besides preaching on Lord’s-days, he had a lecture in his house once a month, in which several of his brethren joined with him. He afterwards went to Liverpool, preaching one which Mr. Godolphin replied, “Well, Sir, for your sake, I day in Tuxtoth Park chapel, and the other day in the town. will never more have a hand in prosecuting Dissenters.” His preaching to the last was very neat and accurate, but And he was as good as his word. [This extraordinary story plain and popular. He had an healthful constitution, which is well attested.] continued till old age. He died in December, 1698, aged about 80. Mear. Mr. Ralph Hall. Mr. Hall was committed to the He was a man mighty in the scriptures, being able on a North-gate prison, upon the 5-mile-act [a further harsh sudden to analyze, expound, and draw useful observations ruling of Parliament prohibiting the ejected ministers from any chapter he read in any of the pious families into from coming within 5 miles of any town in which they which he came. When he lived in Yorkshire, his preaching had previously pastored]; and during his imprisonment was much followed. A neighbouring minister, whose parish- ioners used to go to hear him, complaining once to him that he drew away his flock, Mr. Richardson answered, “Feed Dr. Mark Minnick is pastor of Mount Calvary Baptist Church them better, and they will not stray.” in Greenville, South Carolina.
4 FRONTLINE PASTOR’S INSERT • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2002 Bring . . . the Books Jonathan Edwards: A New Biography (Iain Murray)
ears ago a seminary professor challenged me to make presented in the book. Murray “. . . when Ya habit of reading the biographies of great makes a compelling and refresh- thou comest, Christians. Perhaps no other single pursuit has yielded ingly unapologetic defense of bring with thee richer treasure or been of greater spiritual profit. Edwards’s role in the Awakening, However, I had repeatedly passed over one biography on as well as his theological argu- . . . the books” my shelf—the life of Jonathan Edwards. Perhaps it was mentation against the Arminian (2 Tim. 4:13) the severe picture of Edwards on the cover. Perhaps it and Antinomian opposition that was my resistance to the unhealthy overemphasis on the followed the Awakening. sovereignty of God so recently popularized in certain Unfortunately, the congregation that had seen such evangelical circles, and the constant appeal to Edwards’s powerful evidence of God’s hand upon their preacher writings as justification for this theological imbalance ultimately rejected the very man whom God had used to that discouraged me. However, I found quite a different stir them to spiritual things. Edwards was fired by the picture in Iain Murray’s fascinating Jonathan Edwards: A congregation he had faithfully served for 23 years. New Biography (Banner of Truth). During his final years at Northampton, Edwards became I was immediately captivated by Edwards’s life. I found fast friends with his future son-in-law, David Brainerd. myself writing extensive comments in the margins of the The result was one of Edwards’s greatest spiritual contri- book so that by the time I was finished, Murray had not butions to the modern missionary movement, his only set many of my misconceptions at ease, he had creat- famous Life and Diary of David Brainerd. ed in me genuine admiration and warm appreciation of After Northampton, Edwards served as a missionary the man as well as his theological contributions. After fin- pastor in the frontier village of Stockbridge. Here ishing the book, I agreed with Lloyd-Jones’s assessment: among the Indians he had come to evangelize, Edwards finally found the time to write, and many of his literary No man is more relevant to the present condition works were written during this period. Edwards later of Christianity than Jonathan Edwards. . . . He was reluctantly assumed the presidency of Princeton upon a mighty theologian and a great evangelist at the the unexpected death of its first president, Aaron Burr, same time. . . . He was pre-eminently the theolo- Sr. (also Edwards’s son-in-law). Due to a failed inocula- gian of revival. If you want to know anything about tion against small-pox, Edwards’s tenure was cut short true revival, Edwards is the man to when he contracted the disease and died shortly after on consult. Revivals have often started as the result of March 22, 1758, at age 54. Edwards’s influence contin- people reading volumes such as the two volumes of ues long after his death. Andrew Fuller, friend of Edwards’ Works. William Carey and father of the American missionary Born October 5, 1703 (an only son with ten sisters), movement, wrote the following: Edwards came from good ministerial stock. His father We have some who have been giving out, of late, and grandfather were both preachers. Converted at a that if some had preached more of Christ, and less young age, Edwards was part of the first student body at of Jonathan Edwards, they would have been more Yale. In 1727, he accepted a call to serve at useful. If those who talked thus preached Christ Northampton as associate minister to his famous grand- half as much as Jonathan Edwards did, and were father, Samuel Stoddard. Later that same year he mar- half as useful as he was, their usefulness would be ried Sarah Pierrepont, who became his life companion double what it is. for over 30 years. Edwards longed to see God move in revival during his What is needed today is not so much a renewed inter- own ministry. Contrary to the general conception of est in one aspect of Edwards’s theology but rather a bal- Edwards as a boring speaker who read his messages, anced approach to the fuller picture of his theological Murray presents strong evidence that Edwards was a pas- convictions. If men were as passionate and verbal for sionate preacher who touched often on themes designed Edwards’s intimacy with God, his uncompromising to stir slumbering men and shake them from their posi- stand for the application of holiness to specific practices tions of ease and comfort in preparation for the Spirit’s in life, and his consuming desire to see revival as some work in their midst. The secret to Edwards’s power in of these men seem to be for one aspect of Edwards’s the- the pulpit is found in the long hours spent each day in ology, perhaps once again God would be pleased to visit his study. He was not just striving to understand God’s all of us with a new season of spiritual revival. Word—he was hungry to know God intimately. Edwards’s role in the Great Awakening as well as the Dr. Sam Horn is Executive Vice President of Northland Baptist Bible College in controversies that subsequently developed are forthrightly Dunbar, Wisconsin.
FRONTLINE PASTOR’S INSERT • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2002 5 Straight Cuts
alatians 6:1–5 deals with the subject of restoring divine enablement of the Spirit “Rightly Ga sinning brother. When a brother is caught up of God, but it is his own load to dividing in a sinful situation, the Spirit-controlled believer is carry. A parent cannot live his the Word commanded to help mend or repair or restore his fel- child’s Christian life for him. of Truth” low Christian. As the Apostle Paul enlarges upon The godly parent will train his (2 Tim. 2:15) this subject, he makes two statements that seem to child and pray for his child and rival one another. In verse 2, the writer commands, model a Christlike example “Bear ye one another’s burdens”; in verse 5, he before his child, but he cannot do for the child what exhorts, “For every man shall bear his own burden.” God has called the child to do for himself. He must How does one relieve the tension in this passage? bear his own burden. “Let every man bear his own What is in our Lord’s heart concerning the believer’s burden.” business of burden-bearing? Practically speaking, am Second, in addition to the words, the context of I responsible to bear my brother’s burdens, or is he the passage also indicates our dual responsibility. A responsible to bear them himself? The answer is, careful look at the context immediately reveals that “Yes.” Believers are to bear one another’s burdens the Spirit of God is asking the believer to do some- and their own burdens. thing in regard to another believer, particularly First, the wording of the text supports this dual another believer in need. This struggling believer is responsibility of burden-bearing. Since every word of “overtaken in a fault.” He is in the clutches of the the Scripture is inspired by God, it is interesting to enemy and is in desperate need of help. The spiritu- note that the Holy Spirit breathed out two different al believer, the one who is Spirit-controlled, has a words when He spoke of our burdens. The word duty to fulfill: he must go to his fallen comrade and translated burdens in verse 2 is baros, and the word restore him back to Spirit-filled living. Note that it the Spirit of God employed in verse 5 is the word is in this context that the Apostle Paul exhorts, phortion. The emphasis of baros is on the heaviness of “Bear ye one another’s burdens.” In this case the bur- the matter, the weight of it. It denotes something den was the heavy weight of sin. In The Pilgrim’s extremely burdensome. Everyone has these kinds of Progress, John Bunyan spoke of the weight of sin that burdens from time to time. They are mountain bur- Christian felt as his burden. Christian earnestly dens that weigh the believer down—perhaps a death sought to be rid of his burden: “That which I seek for, in the family; a terminal illness; or the burden of a even to be rid of this heavy Burden; but get it off besetting sin in which the young believer finds him- myself, I cannot.” With what joy Christian came to self trapped, and real victory seems nearly hopeless. the Cross, where his burden fell from his back. The Every life has these heavy, “unbearable” weights from context of Galatians 6:1 is a believer overburdened time to time. How encouraging it is to the struggling, with sin. This struggling, burdened Christian is in burdened believer to have a fellow comrade come and need of someone who can help him with his burden. say he is praying for him during his battle. How nec- “Bear ye one another’s burdens.” essary it is that we help carry these kinds of burdens In verses 4 and 5, the context is of a more individ- for one another. “Bear ye one another’s burdens.” ual nature. Every man is exhorted to examine his The word phortion, translated burden in verse 5, own life to see that he is living as he should. The however, has a different connotation. It refers to a standard for his examination is the life of Christ, not load that is carried or borne and emphasizes the indi- how he thinks he looks as compared to other believ- vidual responsibility of the one doing the bearing. In ers. He has a responsibility to live his own life—to ancient literature, this word is employed for the sol- carry his own load. Therefore, “let every man bear dier’s pack. No soldier expects another soldier to his own burden.” carry his pack for him. That is something each man In summary, the tension of the passage is relieved must bear himself. Practically, this burden is the load when we consider the wording and the context. that every disciple of Christ carries alone. Our Lord Believers should help fellow believers bear their gives to all of His children certain obligations that burdens. Certainly God is the ultimate source of accompany their Christian life. Each believer must strength and help. Psalm 55:22 exhorts us to cast live his own life for Christ according to the call of our burdens upon the Lord. God uses fellow believ- God for him. He bears this burden through the ers to encourage one another in this way. Yet the burden of our own life and ministry we bear our- selves, all through the divine enablement of the Dr. Ron Allen pastors Bible Baptist Church in Matthews, North Carolina. Spirit of God.
6 FRONTLINE PASTOR’S INSERT • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2002 Windows Joy in the Life of the Believer
“To every preacher of rincipal Rainy, of whom a child once remarked that unto Christ, you come unto the righteousness as well Pshe believed he went to Heaven every night because love of Jehovah, and that is a fill- he was so happy every day, once used a fine metaphor ing love. The love of the creature as to Noah, wisdom about a Christian’s joy. “Joy,” he said, “is the flag which does not fill the heart; but God’s gives the command, ‘A is flown from the castle of the heart when the King is in love coming full upon the soul window shalt thou residence there.” gives fullness of joy (1 John 1:4). It make in the ark.’” is holy love, sovereign love. I have Sources of Joy been interrupted several times in Charles Spurgeon Men have pursued joy in every avenue imaginable. writing this little note. I will not Some have successfully found it while others have not. be long in writing you again. Do Perhaps it would be easier to describe where joy cannot decide the question of your eternity. One thing is need- be found: ful: have you closed with the great Mediator? Have you Not in Unbelief—Voltaire was an infidel of the most a saving knowledge of Jesus? Then only will death lose its pronounced type. He wrote: “I wish I had never been power, and the grave become the bed of peaceful rest.” born.” The gospel of Jesus Christ is also a source of great joy. In announcing the birth of the Lord Jesus, the angel Not in Pleasure—Lord Byron lived a life of pleasure said in Luke 2:10–11, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you if anyone did. He wrote: “The worm, the canker, and good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. grief are mine alone.” For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Not in Money—Jay Gould, the American million- Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” aire, had plenty of that. When dying, he said: “I sup- The Word of God is a source of great joy to those who pose I am the most miserable man on earth.” read and heed it. In Nehemiah 8:12, we are told that “the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to Not in Position and Fame—Lord Beaconsfield enjoyed send portions, and to make great mirth, because they more than his share of both. He wrote: “Youth is a mis- had understood the words that were declared unto take; manhood a struggle; old age a regret.” them.” Jeremiah the prophet wrote in the fifteenth Not in Military Glory—Alexander the Great con- chapter of his book, verse 16: “Thy words were found, quered the known world in his day. Having done so, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy he wept in his tent, before he said, “There are no and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy more worlds to conquer.” name, O LORD God of hosts.” Joy comes in the path of duty. William Barclay said: “WE Where then is real joy found? The answer is simple: ARE CHOSEN FOR JOY. However hard the Christian way, it in Christ alone. is both in the travelling and in the goal, the way of joy. The triune God is the source of our joy. We read in There is always a joy in doing the right thing. When we Romans 15:13 that God the Father gives joy: “Now the evade some duty or some task, when at last we set our God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, hand to it, joy comes to us. The Christian is the man of that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the joy. The Christian is the laughing cavalier of Christ. A Holy Ghost.” Isaiah 61:3 tells us that the Lord Jesus was gloomy Christian is a contradiction in terms, and nothing appointed to give joy, “to give unto them beauty for in all religious history has done Christianity more harm ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise than its connection with black clothes and long face.” for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness.” Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 1:6 Basis for Joy that the believers at Thessalonica were “followers of us, God promises to joy to those who know and love Him. and of the Lord, having received the word in much The Lord said Psalm 132:16: “I will also clothe her priests affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost.” with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.” Robert Murray McCheyne, the great Scottish preach- Psalm 105:3–5 makes clear that the ability to experience er wrote: “The truest, purest joy flows from a discovery of joy comes as we seek the Lord and His strength: “Glory ye Jesus Christ. He is the hidden treasure that gives such joy in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek to the finder (Matt. 13:44). Do you think you have found the LORD. Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face that treasure? Touching question! For if not, you are poor evermore.” Psalm 70:4 enjoins, “Let all those that seek indeed. But how much joy may you have in Christ? ‘The thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy God of hope fill you with all joy.’ You need not be afraid salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.” Psalm to take the full joy that Jesus gives. If you really come 16:11 reminds us that there is joy in the presence of the
FRONTLINE PASTOR’S INSERT • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2002 7 Lord: “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence father came home and said it looked as if he would is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for have to go into bankruptcy because his partner had evermore.” absconded with their firm’s funds. His mother went Jonathan Edwards once said: “The unparalleled joy out and sold some jewelry to buy food for a sumptuous that many of them speak of, is what they find when they feast. Other members of the family scolded her for it. are lowest in the dust, emptied most of themselves, and But she told them that “the time for joy is now, when as it were annihilating themselves before God; when we need it most, not next week.” Her courageous act they are nothing, and God is all; seeing their own rallied the family. unworthiness, depending not at all on themselves, but God often brings joy in and through adversity. alone on Christ, and ascribing all glory to God. Then Great suffering for righteousness’ sake gives birth to their souls are most in the enjoyment of satisfying rest; great joy. Job 41:22 tells us that God can work joy excepting that, at such times, they apprehend them- out of life’s greatest heartaches: “sorrow is turned selves to be not sufficiently self-abased; for then above into joy before him.” Psalm 30:5 makes clear that joy all times do they long to be lower. Some speak much of comes after a period of affliction and darkness: the exquisite sweetness, and rest of soul, that is to be “weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in found in the exercise of resignation to God, and humble the morning.” submission to His will. Many express earnest longings of Someone said, “The brook would lose its song if we soul to praise God; but at the same time complain that removed the rocks.” Another observed: “The triumph they cannot praise Him as they would, and they want to song of life would lose its melody without its minor have others help them in praising Him. They want to keys.” Seneca once remarked: “Difficulties strengthen have every one praise God, and are ready to call upon the mind as labour does the body.” every thing to praise Him. They express a longing desire John D. Rockefeller Sr. was strong and husky when to live to God’s glory, and to do something to His honor; small. He early determined to earn money and drove but at the same time complain of their insufficiency and himself to the limit. At age 33, he earned his first mil- barrenness; that they are poor and impotent creatures, lion dollars. At age 43, he controlled the biggest compa- can do nothing of themselves, and are utterly insuffi- ny in the world. At age 53, he was the richest man on cient to glorify their Creator and Redeemer.” earth and the world’s only billionaire. Joy comes as we worship and praise the Lord. The Lord Then he developed a sickness called “alopecia,” where commands His people in Psalm 32:11 to “be glad in the the hair of his head dropped off, his eyelashes and eye- LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye brows disappeared, and he was shrunken like a mummy. that are upright in heart.” We are told in Psalm 89:16 “in thy His weekly income was one million dollars, but he name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness digested only milk and crackers. He was so hated in shall they be exalted.” Luke 24:52 tells us that “…they wor- Pennsylvania that he had to have bodyguards day and shipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.” night. He could not sleep, stopped smiling long since, As a third-century man was anticipating death, he and enjoyed nothing in life. penned these last words to a friend: “It’s a bad world, an The doctors predicted he would not live over one incredibly bad world. But I have discovered in the midst year. The newspaper had gleefully written his obituary in of it a quiet and holy people who have learned a great advance—for convenience in sudden use. Those sleep- secret. They have found a joy which is a thousand times less nights set him thinking. He realized with a new light better than any pleasure of our sinful life. They are that he “could not take one dime into the next world.” despised and persecuted, but they care not. They are mas- Money was not everything. ters of their souls. They have overcome the world. These The next morning found him a new man. He began to people are the Christians—and I am one of them.” help churches with his amassed wealth; the poor and Contrast that description with the words of the noted needy were not overlooked. He established the Rockefeller agnostic Robert Ingersoll. When he died, the printed Foundation whose funding of medical researches led to the funeral notices said, “There will be no singing.” Look not discovery of penicillin and other wonder drugs. John D. for hymns, anthems, oratorios, carols, and spiritual songs began to sleep well, eat and enjoy life. among infidels, agnostics, or skeptics. Without God, with- The doctors had predicted he would not live past his out Christ, without redemption, without a divine revela- 54th year. He died at the age of 98. tion and without hope, what have they to sing about? Of all the blessings of joy, the greatest is the salvation of the lost. Dr. Luke tells us in Acts 15:3: “And being Blessings of Joy brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the A Christian leader tells this story about his mother Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the and their “misery dinner.” It was the night after his brethren.” Our Lord said in Luke 15:3, “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of Mike Yarborough pastors Bethany Hills Baptist Church in Raleigh, N.C. God over one sinner that repenteth.”
8 FRONTLINE PASTOR’S INSERT • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2002 Layton Talbert
man without a memory is a regime. It also sought to render its subjects corpse.” So wrote Solomon more docile and less troublesome. Whether Volkov in Testimony, a biogra- through fear, ignorance, or laziness, most phy of the great 20th-century people adjusted their memory to the “offi- Russian composer Dmitri cial” version of reality. Those who refused AShostakovich. The hyperbole effectively to do so became enemies of the state. shocks the reader into considering the The above is a startlingly vivid illustra- assertion that memory is an essential part tion of Satan’s ongoing propaganda of what it means to be human. He was not aimed at robbing our memories of the talking about the ravages of old age on the Biblical perspective of reality. If he can rob mind. He was talking about the effects of a believer of his memory (who he is, Stalin’s Soviet propaganda, which attempt- where he is, how he got there, what his ed to rewrite history, change definitions, responsibilities are, and where he is and alter accounts of events, in order to cre- going), he can hobble his motivation and ate an acceptable reality for the reigning hog-tie his effectiveness.
FrontLine • September/October 2002 21 The Bible places a premium on memory. So frequent- by virtue of their experience: “Remember the days of ly and emphatically do the Scriptures call for God’s peo- old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy ple to remember truth that its importance can hardly be father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will overstated. Maintaining a Biblically informed memory tell thee” (Ps. 32:7). makes you an enemy of Satan’s city/state (the “world”). Third, talk about Him and His doings, both to others It is often unpopular; it is often contrary to officially and even to God Himself: “O give thanks unto the LORD; accepted viewpoints; and it is often even contrary to call upon his name: make known his deeds among the appearances: but it is the one exercise (and I have chosen people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all that word exercise intentionally) that prevents spiritual his wondrous works…. Remember his marvellous works myopia (near-sightedness), provides motivation for that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his service, provides direction for decisions, and promotes mouth” (Ps. 105:1–2, 5). genuine holiness of life. Finally, follow the example of the psalmists and other Does it strike us as odd that the Lord would command Biblical writers themselves by journaling your thoughts us to do something that many find of God and memories of His so difficult? How can God com- work in your life. Puritan John mand us to perform a mental Flavel offers sage advice on process with which we already remembering: have so much weakness? In fact, it Not only does only gets worse with age! I cannot but judge it the con- The Old Testament verb for God remember, cern of Christians that have remember (zakar) is the root from time and ability for such a which the name Zachariah but He expects work, to keep written memo- (“Jehovah Remembers”) is derived. rials or journals of Even though Zachariah and Providence by them, for their Elizabeth were aged and had and commands us own and others’ use and ben- stopped praying for a child (Luke efit. For want of collecting 1:5–7), the Lord remembered and to remember the and communicating such answered those prayers, even observations, not only our- when it seemed unlikely and truth as well. In selves, but the Church of God impossible. is greatly impoverished . . . If Not only does God remember, the Bible Christians in reading the but He expects and commands us Scriptures would judiciously to remember certain facts as well. collect and record the provi- In the Bible, remembering is not an “Remembering” is dences they shall meet with accidental or incidental event. It is there, and but add those that a spiritual exercise. The command not an accidental have fallen out in their own to “remember” denotes a con- time and experience, O what scious, purposeful, intentional, a precious treasure would willful calling to mind. or incidental If something is important, we these make . . . Providence do not leave remembering it to event. carries our lives, liberties and chance. We write ourselves a note, concerns in its hand every or tie a string on our finger, or moment. Your bread is in its mark it on our calendar. The more cupboard, your money in its important something is, the more consciously we make purse, your safety in its enfolding arms; and sure- sure we don’t forget. ly it is the least part of what you owe to record the This is precisely what the Lord means when He favors you receive at its hands. Do not trust your commands us to remember our former bondage, His slippery memories with such a multitude of gracious salvation, our unworthiness of His goodness, remarkable passages of Providence as you have, His mighty acts, or His Word. We must take the steps and shall meet with in your way to heaven . . . and make the time necessary to think back, to contem- Written memorials secure us against that hazard plate, to call to mind, and to meditate on these all- [of forgetting God’s providences], and besides, important truths. There are several dimensions to make them useful to others when we are gone, so exercising our memory and a number of means to that you do not carry away all your treasure to prompt it. heaven with you, but leave these choice legacies First, simply take the time to meditate consciously on to your surviving friends . . . Take heed of clasp- God and His doings: “I remember the days of old; I med- ing up those rich treasures in a book, and think- itate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands” ing it enough to have noted them there; but have (Ps. 143:5). frequent recourse to them, as oft as new needs, Second, talk to those who have more spiritual memory
22 FrontLine • September/October 2002 fears or difficulties arise and assault you. Things God Commands Why is remembering God and real- ity as He records it so important? Simply put, there is nothing else; His People Remember there is no other reality. “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am the LORD, brief survey reveals that a dis- and there is no other” (Isa. 49:6, 45:5). Aproportionate preponderance Remember Your A person who does not remember of the Bible’s commands to remem- Unworthiness where he has been can have no clear ber appear in Deuteronomy. An Deut. 9:3–8 idea of where he is or where he is important theme uniquely under- going. We have a word for someone scored in Deuteronomy is the call Remember God’s Judgments like that; he is “lost.” When we forget to remember. Twenty-five times Deut. 24:8–9; Luke 17:32 where we used to be or what we have God’s people are commanded to seen; when we forget what God is to “remember” (5:15; 7:18; 8:2, 18; 9:7, Remember God’s Word us, what He has shown us, and how 27; 15:15; 16:3, 12; 24:9, 18, 22; 25:17; Num. 15:39–40; Mal. 4:4; He has provided for us—that is to say, 32:7) or warned not to “forget” (4:9, John 15:20; Luke 24:6–9; when we fail to call these things to 23, 31; 6:12; 8:11, 14, 19; 9:7; 25:19). Acts 20:35 mind—we end up wandering around Here is a brief overview of aimlessly in a spiritual wilderness. We what God’s people are exhorted Remember God’s Day may be busy but we are oblivious of to call to mind. Exod. 20:8–11; Deut. 5:15 the larger picture and forgetful of the vital realities that give context, per- Remember Your Past spective, humility, and holiness to our Bondage Remember God’s Servants lives. A Christian without a memory is Deut. 5:15; 15:15; 16:3, 12; Col. 4:18; Heb. 13:3, 7–8 a spiritual corpse, dead while he lives. 24:18, 22 May the Lord grant us a fresh appreci- Remember God’s Prosperity ation for the emphasis He places on Remember God’s Salvation Deut. 8:10–19 remembering the realities that He Exod. 13:3; 1 Cor. 11:23ff. intends to govern our behavior, guide Remember God’s our decisions, and reinvigorate our Remember God’s Discipline Chastisement worship of Him. Deut. 8:2–6 Jer. 51:50; Zech. 10:9; Rev. 2:2–5 Dr.Layton Talbert is a Frontline Contributing Remember God’s Mighty Editor and a member of the faculty at Bob Jones Acts Remember God Seminary and Graduate School of Religion in Deut. 7:18–19; Mark 8:18–21; Eccles. 12:1; Neh. 4:14; Greenville, South Carolina. 2 Tim. 2:8–9 Ps. 20:7
FrontLine • September/October 2002 23 Training preachers is what we love most and do best
“Our church is blessed to have active participation by many Bob Jones University students, members of the faculty and staff, and graduates who live in the Greenville area. These folks make vital contributions to our ministry in many ways.”
—David Yearick ’51 BJU grad Pastor, Hampton Park Baptist Church Rob Johnson, ’02 Pastoral Studies grad— Faith Baptist children’s church grad pastors in local churches Bob Jones University is interested in the local church and encourages their stu- dents and graduates to get involved. Some of our graduates feel called of God to minister in the local churches of the Greenville area. There are over fifteen BJU graduates pastoring local churches and many more graduates serving in staff posi- tions in those same churches. For more information about how BJU prepares our ministerial students for their future ministries, call 1-800-BJ-AND-ME.
“BJU is as aware of the importance of the local church in “Heritage Bible Church the lives of their students, staff, and faculty as our church could not effectively pur- is of the importance of the outstanding Christian educa- sue the commission of tion available there. We are unusually blessed with the fel- Christ without the partici- lowship and teamwork we enjoy with BJU and have had pation of an entire church students, faculty, and staff serve in every capacity within family, an important part our church, including Sunday School teachers, choir and of which is made up of orchestra members, ushers, deacons, youth sponsors, bus BJU students, faculty, and drivers, custodians, nursery workers, and more.” graduates. We appreciate the maturity, passion, and —Dr. John Vaughn ’77 BJU grad gifts that so many of them Pastor, Faith Baptist Church bring to our body, and I count it a privilege to pur- 7BJu sue Christ's purposes together.” Greenville, SC 29614 • www.bju.edu —Dan Brooks Stands without apology for the old-time religion and the absolute authority of the Bible. ’89 BJU grad Pastor, Heritage FrontLineBible• September/October Church 2002 BJU does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national origin. © 2002 Bob Jones University The public cannot be too curious concerning the char- acters of public men. —Samuel Adams
Public affairs go on pretty much as usual: perpetual chi- canery and rather more personal abuse than there used to be.... —John Adams
Self-reverence, self-knowledge, self-control. These three alone lead to sovereign power. If Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice is too —Alfred Lord Tennyson great for me to give for Him. —C. T. Studd Almost all our faults are more pardonable than the It is altogether in accordance with our pilgrim character methods we resort to to hide them. to see how much we can afford to give to the poor or to —Francois, Duc de la Rochefoucauld the work of God in every week. —George Mueller Who lies for you will lie against you. —Bosnian proverb How shall we take our stand beneath the cross and continue to love the selves that put Him there? Our repugnance to death increases in proportion to our —Elisabeth Elliot consciousness of having lived in vain. —William Hazlitt
God did not tell us to follow Him because He needed Did you ever know a politician that was not “facing the our help, but because He knew that serving Him would most critical time in the world’s affairs” every time he make us whole. —Irenaeus spoke in public? —Will Rogers
So many people feel able to do better a job that they do not have, who are careless about the one they do possess. —A. T. Robertson
It has become quite the thing to lambast the funda- mentalists, but we are declared lacking in Christian love if we express even a suspicion of wolves in sheep’s clothing. —Vance Havner
We stand here on the only island of freedom that is left in the whole world. . . . We defend freedom here or it is gone....If we fail I think we face telling our children, and our children’s children, what it is we found more precious than freedom. —Ronald Reagan
The contest, for ages, has been to rescue liberty from the grasp of executive power. —Daniel Webster
Saddam Hussein promised us the “mother of all battles” but in the event produced something like the daughter- in-law of an obscure cat fight. —Wesley Pruden
It is error alone which needs the support of government. Tr uth can stand by itself. —Thomas Jefferson
In war there is no substitute for victory. —Douglas MacArthur
We men may often make very bad priests. That is because we are insufficiently masculine. It is no cure at all to call in those who are not masculine at all. —C.S. Lewis
We must never forget that we are defending a free soci- ety, not just a particular plot of land located in North America. —Doug Bandow Compiled by Dr. David Atkinson, pastor of Dyer Baptist Church, Dyer, Indiana.
FrontLine • September/October 2002 25 Praying for Men after God’s Own Heart Dianne Heeney
e have been impressed in recent days with the A striking resemblance between this man and his Wneed to pray for those serving in the leadership female counterpart, the “Proverbs 31 Woman,” can be positions of our country. We are even afforded a meas- seen in comparing Psalm 112:9 and Proverbs 31:20, 28 ure of comfort in the fact that our “king,” by his own (among other verses). Both might have as their motto, profession, has placed his heart in the hand of the Lord. “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). But the greatness of our country does not rest in that The godly man acknowledges that he must give freely profession. Our “one nation, under God” was originally because he has received freely. It can be said of his tes- comprised of many godly men—some prominent, some timony that “many shall see it and fear and shall trust quite average—who had a common strength of charac- in the Lord” (Ps. 40:3). Yet, as his Lord was despised, ter that is uncommon today. When you pray for the even so will he be (verse 10); but the darts of the adver- president, do you also pray for the leadership in your sary shall fall powerless to the ground. own “Jerusalem,” like your pastor, your deacons, and The “Psalm 112 Man” is a man of power and prin- your husband? Psalm 112 provides some direction for ciple. We need men with this caliber of integrity and us in praying for that “Founding Father’s Fortitude.” conviction in our churches and homes. Our men need In Psalm 112:1, we are encouraged to look back- the fortitude of our founding fathers. Let us pray ward to discover the source of greatness in God’s daily to that end. man. We hear echoes of Psalm 111:10 (these two psalms are companions). This man fears the Lord, Praying Psalm 112 and has consequently begun to have wisdom. He experiences blessing because he has learned to prize Sunday: That he would fear God. That he would delight in righteousness above all else (Jer. 9:23–24). He delights the Word of God. That he would obey God’s command- in God’s commandments, knows that in his flesh ments. (v. 1) dwells no good thing, and is glad for the safety found Monday: That he will be a consistent example to his chil- in divine restriction. dren and others. That he would have a faith worthy of imi- This man leaves a legacy of potential blessing (verse tation. (v. 2) 2), that is “incorruptible, undefiled and that fadeth not away.” He is spiritually rich (Rom. 8:17), and he makes Tuesday: That he would strive to “make others rich,” others rich (2 Cor. 6:10) by his deeds and example beginning with his own house. (v. 3) (verse 3). Because his roots are deeply planted (Ps. 1:3), he can say, “I will fear no evil,” and others can look to Wednesday: That he would have discernment, especially him for “light” (verse 4) in times of adversity. in difficulty or temptation. (v. 4) This man of Psalm 112 follows the example of his Thursday: That he would have works to prove his faith Father (Matt. 5:45; Luke 6:26) in graciousness (Ps. (James), know how to demonstrate agape (selfless) love, 111:4 and Ps. 112:4b). He has works to prove his faith, and have the mind of Christ in ordering his affairs. That he and he embodies discretion, which has been called would know the blessedness of giving, realizing how much the “chief of virtues.” His character lends itself to a he has been given. (vv. 5, 9) sterling reputation and he seeks an “everlasting remembrance” (verse 5), rather than the fleeting Friday: That he would have tenacity for the truth and a rewards of this life (Matt. 25:21). resolve to do right. That he would live his life practicing When a trial lays its hand upon him, the godly man the presence of Christ—for His approval and not man’s. gives no consideration to panic. His heart is “fixed” That his feet may be solidly planted when facing opposi- (verse 7) and “established” (verse 8). His resolve is tion, that he would desire the good of those that would be solidly founded upon what he knows about his God. his enemies. (vv. 6, 8) He does not give in to frenzied feelings. He knows Saturday: That he would have an inner strength and that, as one man said, “God is unchangeable; and unswerving and fearless dedication to his God. (v. 7) therefore faith is invincible, for it sets the heart on Him, fastens it there on the rock of eternity; then let Diane Heeney is a freelance writer in Pinedale, Wyoming, where winds blow and storms arise, it cares not” (quote from she and her husband are helping a growing church. The Heeneys Robert Leighton, Treasury of David, Vol. III, p. 24). have two small children, Erin and Michael.
26 FrontLine • September/October 2002 The Evangelist’s Corner
Faith Phil Shuler
he Gospel of Mark tells us the story of blind So it is with the unsaved mind. They hear of drunk- TBartimaeus’s marvelous restoration of sight ards that Christ has saved. The testimonies of converted (10:46–52). I cannot read this wonderful story without felons shake their very souls. The problem is the lack of thinking of my good friend Billy Renstrom who traveled contact, and after that, the lack of faith. Let us consider with me for several years as my singer. Billy, a member Bartimaeus for moment. of Patton’s Third Army, lost his eyesight in WWII while The mob thought they were going to set up an earth- attempting to disarm a land mine. At the time of the acci- ly kingdom, John and Peter on thrones beside Jesus, and dent, the doctors told him that he would a healing line all the way to Jericho! never regain his sight; but, some years They were cheering Christ on, and ago, he received an operation in his only [He] went to Him Bartimaeus heard the mob as they cried remaining eye, and today can read the knowing that when out their encouragement. After asking labels on the cans at a grocery store. someone what this meant, he was told I remember talking with Billy back in Jesus was through that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by our motel after a service. He told me with him, he would this way. Now stop right here in this about God’s wonderful gift to him story and review what has preceded this which he received after the loss of his not be blind any event. Bartimaeus had no doubt heard eyesight, a keenness in his hearing. You more. THAT IS all about Jesus. He believed him to be could not sneak up on Billy! I remember FAITH the Son of God with power to heal him taking him to his home after the Santa (note the words, “thou Son of David” in Fe, New Mexico, meeting, and his little Mark 10:48). His problem was that he daughter misbehaved while I was visiting. He called her could not find his way to Him; so Jesus found His way over to him, but she refused to come. Instead, that little to Bartimaeus. Can you hear his cry? He said, “Jesus, tot just froze where she was. In a stern voice, Billy called thou son of David, have mercy on me!” The followers of her again, but she did not move. So Billy began to Jesus told him to shut-up, which made him shout all the answer a question I had purposed, and as he did, his louder. And now (what a beautiful scene) as Jesus stands daughter eased by his chair to get out of the room. still with a mob about Him and Jerusalem ahead of Somehow he heard her and was on her like crows on a Him—He still had time for one lone sinner! June bug! And here we see the key to the salvation of I am sure Bartimaeus had the same quality of hear- Bartimaeus. It says, “And he, casting away his garment, ing. He sat by the highway begging and on this occasion rose and came to Jesus” (Mark 10:50). In the day of heard the crowd that accompanied Jesus. Having been Christ the beggars wore an outer garment of coarse blind for such a period of time, he had to learn by ask- brown cloth, identifying themselves as blind and in need ing. Without a doubt he had spoken to many travelers of alms. Bartimaeus, no doubt, wore such a garment. But who brought up the name of Jesus Christ, a man from when he heard that Jesus would give him audience, he the northern providence of Galilee. The news of the took it off, dropped it, and went to Him knowing that wedding in Cana would finally reach him, as well as the when Jesus was through with him, he would not be changing of the water into wine. I cannot help but think blind any more. that he mused, “That is a miracle! If He could change THAT IS FAITH. And that is what is lacking in many water into wine, perhaps He could touch my blind eyes of our so-called conversions today. There are few who that I might see.” I think he heard about the blind man drop that garment of sin that identifies them as hell- whom Christ healed with spittle and clay, and the one bound and KNOW that Christ is going to save them. I that Jesus touched who saw men as trees, walking. I testify to you that I have seen sinners believe before they cannot believe that much escaped the ears of ever hit the altar. I have seen them saved before I can Bartimaeus, and that what he heard about this miracle take them through the plan of salvation. The garment. worker gave him great hope. “If only I could meet The garment. You don’t need it anymore. When Christ Him!” That was the rub. gets through with you, you’ll be a child of God.
FrontLine • September/October 2002 27 Newly Reprinted by FrontLine Press
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28 FrontLine • September/October 2002 Gerald L. Priest
he answer to that question is a simple yes and no. distinct denominational entity, originated in 17th-centu- Some Baptists have suggested that, since their spir- ry England out of the Puritan movement. Both the Titual fathers were not a part of the mainline Particular and the General Baptists opposed what all branches of the Protestant Reformation and therefore did Puritans contested, that is, a Roman Catholic or episco- not separate from the Roman Catholic Church as these pal state church. In that regard, Baptists, along with branches did, they cannot be Protestants. But that is only Congregationalists and Presbyterians, are historically part of the story. part of the English Nonconformist movement (i.e., refus- There is a sense in which Baptists are part of the ing to conform to Anglicanism). This is definitely in Protestant effort, that is, of protesting keeping with the genius of against Roman Catholicism. It is true Protestantism. In fact, this is carrying that Baptists did not originate in the . . . what distinguishes Protestantism to its logical end—the 16th century with the Lutheran, complete disavowal of Romanism. In Reformed, or Anglican branches of the Baptists from the other this respect, we may call Puritans Reformation, but they nevertheless Nonconformist Puritans (including Baptists) Protestants of the have identified themselves strongly Protestants. They were protesting with the cause of anti-Catholicism. is mainly their refusal to episcopacy in the “Protestant Church Some of the sternest polemics against of England” because it retained the the papacy have come from Baptist baptize infants and their “rags of popery.” However, what dis- leaders over the years. Indeed, we can insistence on separation tinguishes Baptists from the other say that Baptists are even more deci- Nonconformist Puritans is mainly sively Protestant than the mainline of church and state. their refusal to baptize infants and Protestant groups. While the latter their insistence on separation of have retained some elements of church and state. But when Baptists Catholic tradition, such as infant baptism by sprinkling, left the Puritan movement to venture out on their own as state involvement in church affairs, sacramentalism, and a distinct denomination, they retained much of some form of hierarchialism, Baptists have repudiated Puritanism (e.g., its piety, its high moral standards, its these and believe they are more closely aligned to New Calvinistic theology, and its congregational polity). Testament faith and practice than any of the other There is also a sense in which Baptists are not groups. Protestants. I have already hinted at this in the previous Not only philosophically, but historically, there is a sense in which Baptists are Protestants. Baptists, as a Continued on page 32
FrontLine • September/October 2002 29 emphasizes the OT roots of many sayings and events in his Gospel by citing the OT over forty times. Function Written and Compiled by Dr. Layton Talbert Luke’s Gospel serves an explicitly edificational, confirma- tory function.L LukeUKE 1:1–4: could INTRODUCING be more literally translat- ed, “I have written a narrative accurately and sequentially number of distinctions set Luke apart from all other (in chronological order) . . . that you may know the cer- Awriters of Scripture. Contrary to popular assump- tainty of those things you have been taught.” Luke’s tion, Luke (not Paul) penned the lion’s share of our New Gospel, written later during Paul’s ministry, also served Testament. (In terms of overall material, 27% comes from an important purpose of demonstrating the place of the pen of Luke; Paul contributed 25.6% , and John Gentiles in the kingdom. 17.7%.) He was also the only (so far as we know) Gentile Style among the human authors of the Bible, and the only physician—cultured, well-educated, well-traveled, and a Luke demonstrates an impressive command of Greek, a long-time and loyal companion of Paul. This column, wealth of vocabulary, and a sensitive breadth of stylistic fourth in a series on the Gospels, is devoted to the Gospel expression (sometimes more classical Hellenistic, some- According to Luke. times more Semitic, depending on the subject and context). Although Luke’s name does not appear in the Gospel that bears his name, it is clear from both internal and Organization external evidence that Luke-Acts forms a literary unit As a purposefully chronological account (Lk. 1:1, 3; see from the same pen. The external evidence consists of mul- “Fuction” above), Luke’s Gospel does not display a par- tiple early church testimonies. The internal evidence ticular thematic or topical arrangement (like Matthew), includes the language, structure, and style of both com- but follows the chronological order and development of positions; the fact that both are addressed to same indi- Jesus’ ministry. vidual (Theophilus) with similar introductions, the refer- ence in Acts (1:1–2) back to the Gospel as the author’s Content “former treatise . . . of all that Jesus began both to do and Of all the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke), teach”), and the unmistakable link between end of Luke Luke contains the largest amount of independent, distinc- (24:50–53) and Acts (1:9–12). It is equally clear from both tive material: internal and external evidence in connection with Acts that the pen that composed the Gospel under considera- 1:1–2:52 (Annunciation, Birth, Infancy, Early Life of John tion belonged to Luke. the Baptist and Jesus) Audience 7:11–17 (Raising of Widow of Nain’s son) “Theophilus” means “lover of God.” Some have 7:36–50 (Anointing of Christ by sinful woman) supposed this to be a pseudonym, a kind of metaphor 10:1–18:14 (Details of Judean and Perean ministries) for a collective, Christian reading audience. Luke’s mode of address and language (e.g., “most excel- 19:1–28 (Zacchaeus and Parable of Minas) lent”), however, suggests that this was not a pseudon- 22:24–30 (Dissension of disciples at Last Supper) ymous reference to a general audience (to all “lovers of God”) but to a specific individual of rank and/or 23:6–12 (2nd Roman hearing before Herod) wealth. Some have even suggested, in keeping with 24:13–35 (Appearance to disciples on road to Emmaus) the culture of the day, that Theophilus may have been Luke’s patron who undertook the copying and distri- 24:44–53 (Appearance to disciples in Jerusalem and bution of the treatises. ascension) Luke-Acts is clearly addressed to Theophilus, intended for his personal edification (1:4) and, by extension, for any Themes and Emphases other readers. Nonetheless, this is not merely a letter to an Luke includes a variety of emphases that are, in most individual, nor a personal project. The nature of the mate- cases, unique to Luke. Even when they are not exclusive to rial, the scope of the research, and the magnitude of the Luke, they are noticeably emphasized in his Gospel. project indicate this was intended for publication and Joyfulness of the Gospel (1:14, 44, 47, 58; 2:10; 6:23; 8:13; widespread distribution. 10:17, 20; 13:17; 15:5, 7, 10, 32; 19:6, 37; 24:41, 52) [all refer- Whatever larger audience was targeted beyond ences are unique to Luke except 6:23 and 8:13] Theophilus was clearly a Greek audience. Luke typically Luke uses “joy/rejoice” 20x (MT=16x; MK=4x; JN=9x) used Greek terminology rather than Hebraisms (e.g., “Calvary” rather than “Golgotha”) and generally avoided Newness/Availability of the Gospel Semitic terms (such as Abba, Rabbi, Hosanna) commonly See 2:11; 4:21; 5:26; 19:5, 9; 23:43 found in the other Gospels. Nevertheless, he frequently
30 FrontLine • September/October 2002 • 1:57–66 (Elizabeth’s role in naming John) • 2:19 (Mary’s response to shepherds’ message) • 2:34–35 (Simeon’s words addressed to Mary) • 2:36–38 (Anna the prophetess) Part 4—The Southern• 4:25–26 Kingdom (Elijah sent to Gentile widow) GOD’S MAN TO THE WORLD • 7:11–15 (widow of Nain’s son resurrected) • 7:36–50 (Jesus’ anointing by sinful woman) • 8:2–3 (women who accompanied and ministered to This use of “today” or “this day” is unique to Luke Jesus) • 10:38–42 (Jesus’ visit with Martha and Mary) Saviorhood of Christ (19:9–10 is a key thematic verse) •11:27–28 (woman’s words to Jesus as He taught) “Savior”—2x (1:47; 2:11) (MT=0x; MK=0x; JN=1x; • 13:10–17 (crippled woman’s healing on Sabbath; note ACTS=2x) luo, vv. 15, 16) “Salvation”—6x (1:69, 71, 77; 2:30; 3:6; 19:9) (MT=0x; • 15:8–10 (parable of lost coin; woman pictures con- MK=0x; JN=1x; ACTS=6x) cern and joy of God) “Save”—18x (MT=15x; MK=14x; JN=6x; ACTS=13x) • 17:32 (“Remember Lot’s wife!”; woman pictures dan- ger of worldliness of heart) Sinners (as the object and focus of Christ’s ministry) • 18:1–8 (parable of persistent widow; woman illus- “Sinner(s)”—17x (MT=5x; MK=6x; JN=4x) trates reward of persistent prayer) • 23:27–28 (women following Jesus to Golgotha and Repentance (emphasized in Luke’s Gospel and Acts) His words to them) Metanoeo 9x (MT=5x; MK=2x; JN=0x; ACTS=5x) • 24:10, 22–24 (emphasis on women’s report of empty Metanoia 5x (MT=3x; MK=2x; JN=0x; ACTS=6x) tomb to disciples) Prayer (a marked and distinctive emphasis on prayer in Poverty & Wealth Luke; most of the references below are unique to Luke) “poor” 9x (MT=5x; MK=5x; JN=0x) Jesus’ prayer (3:21; 5:16; 6:12; 9:18, 29; 10:21; 11:1; 22:32, “rich” 13x (MT=3x; MK=2x; JN=0x) 41, 44, 45; 23:46) Others’ prayers or instruction to pray (1:10, 13; 2:37; Humor (6:41–42; 7:24–25; 7:31–34; 11:5–8; 11:11–12; 18:4–5; 5:33; 6:28; 9:28; 10:2; 11:1, 2; 18:1, 10, 11; 19:46; 20:47; 18:11–12; 22:25) 21:36; 22:40, 46) Luke includes the most examples of Christ’s sense and use of humor in His teaching. Holy Spirit, 17x (1:15, 35, 41, 67; 2:25, 26, 27; 3:16, 22; For fuller discussion see “The Use of Humor in the 4:1 (2x), 14, 18; 10:21 [?]; 11:13; 12:10, 12) Teaching of Christ,” Frontline, March-April 1996. Word (rhema) = 19x (NT=70x; MT=6x; MK=2x; JN=12x) Conclusion 1:37, 38, 65; 2:15, 17, 19, 29, 50, 51; 3:2; 4:4; 5:5; 7:1; More obviously than any other Gospel, Luke highlights the 9:45 (2x); 18:34; 20:26; 24:8, 11 universal humanitarian focus of Christ’s ministry as Savior Emphasizes importance and reliability of God’s (Jesus’) and underscores the genuine and full humanity of Christ in words His personality, in His interaction and familiarity with people of all ranks, and in His exemplary reliance on prayer and the Women Holy Spirit. Luke’s Gospel, called by believers and unbelievers Plummer refers to Luke as the “Gospel of alike “the most beautiful book ever written,” fittingly focuses Womanhood,” adding that “in the gospels there is no on the singularly unique human figure in all of history. It is the instance of a woman being hostile to Christ.” introduction of God’s Man, the God-Man, to the world. The material in Luke’s Gospel (and Acts) demonstrates Luke’s unique attention and insight regarding female perspectives, experiences, responses, characteristics, involvement, and role models. Only 2 Synoptic stories involving women are not recorded by Luke (Syrophoenician woman and Mary’s anointing of Jesus) However, Luke records a number of significant passages involving women that are unique to Luke either in their entirety or in their extended focus on women • 1:5–25 (Elizabeth’s conception of John) • 1:26–38 (Angelic announcement to Mary of her conception of Messiah) • 1:39–45 (Mary’s visit with Elizabeth) • 1:46–56 (Mary’s Magnificat)
FrontLine • September/October 2002 31 discussion. In the first place, Baptists did not begin retain the doctrines and practices of the primitive New with the original Reformation groups. Baptists should Testament churches. Like the earlier Anabaptists, not be identified historically with the 16th-century Baptists have contended that one cannot reform or Swiss Brethren Anabaptists, the so-called Radical revive a corpse (the Roman Catholic system), nor do branch of the Reformation, but they are a part of a they need some comprehensive networking denomina- broader movement that began simultaneously with the tionalism to maintain themselves. Where exists a local Swiss Brethren in 1525—Free Church Separatism. The assembly of regenerate believer priests, under the concept of an autonomous church with a gathered headship of Christ and the proper leadership of pastor regenerate membership, practicing believer’s baptism and deacons, practicing the New Testament ordi- and separated from hierarchical ecclesiastical or gov- nances, preaching and obeying the Word of God in ernmental control, was at the heart of this movement. purity and clarity, separated from worldliness and It is in stark contrast to the magisterial Reformation of external ecclesiastical and civil control, there you have the mainline Protestant groups who retained, to some the church, emphatically protesting against the world, degree, sponsorship of the state. Secondly, Baptists did the flesh, and the Devil. not directly or physically come out of the Roman Catholic system unless we acknowledge an indirect Dr.Gerald Priest is a professor of history and practical theology at Detroit departure via Puritan separatism from the episcopal Baptist Theological Seminary in Allen Park, Michigan. Church of England. Rather than saying that Baptists are not Protestants, it is better to say that they are not an integral part of the Protestant Reformation, in the techni- cal sense of those terms. That is, Baptists, unlike Luther, Calvin, or Zwingli, have no wish to reform the institutional church, but to restore and
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32 FrontLine • September/October 2002 Newsworthy Compiled by Tim Locke, Managing Editor
Miami Homosexual through Christ. The cur- The VA Approves Holy Matrimony, and must Rights Ordinance rent statement says, “Jesus Homosexual not resemble it (though the Christ is the only Savior Chaplains homosexual press routine- The Baptist Press News and Lord, and all people ly refers to such blessings reports that an effort to everywhere are called to The Veteran’s as marriage ceremonies). repeal the homosexual- place their faith, hope and Administration agreed to —World, 7/20/02 rights ordinance of Miami- love in Him . . . No one is allow the United Dade County failed in the IBFNA Resolution: saved apart from God’s Federation of Metropolitan primary election in Responding to gracious redemption in Community Churches, a Florida, September 10, Jesus Christ. Yet we do denomination of gay, les- Compromise in the 2002. Fifty-three percent not presume to limit the bian, bisexual, and trans- GARBC of voters sought not to sovereign freedom of God gender churches, to serve repeal the ordinance. The WHEREAS, the . . . we neither restrict the as veteran chaplains. The ordinance adds “sexual Independent Baptist grace of God to those who UFMCC found a loophole orientation” to discrimina- Fellowship of North profess explicit faith in in the VA policy by stating tion prohibitions in hous- American (IBFNA) exists Christ nor assume that all that their homosexuality ing, employment, lending to lead the cause for people are saved regard- was part of their religious and public accommoda- Biblical Separation and less of faith.”—Foundation, belief and practice and tions.—Baptist Press News, this leadership requires July-August 2002, Volume thus protected by the First 9/11/01 Amendment. The homo- both teaching the truth XXIII Issue 4 and warning against com- SBC’s Union with sexual group plans on Homosexuals Invade applying for commissions promise (Col. 1:28), and BWA Big Brothers of as military chaplains.— WHEREAS, continuing The Southern Baptist America Baptist Press News, 8/8/02 compromise is evident in Convention is the largest many of the churches affil- Big Brothers-Big Sisters Episcopal Blessing contributing member of iated with the General of America (BBBSA) is the Baptist World Alliance. The latest reason tradi- Association of Regular now requiring all 500 of its Historically the BWA has tionalists in the Episcopal Baptist Churches (GARBC) local affiliates to allow been a vocal proponent of Church are shaking their and its partnering schools homosexuals as volunteers the ecumenical movement heads in disbelief: Bishop and agencies, and to mentor children. Many and liberal theology. William Smalley of Kansas WHEREAS, symptomatic children will soon be Current membership announced he will now of this compromise is the paired with homosexual includes American Baptist permit the liturgical appointment of Dr. mentors; in fact those chil- Churches, the Baptist “blessing” of unmarried William Brown, currently dren in the school-based General Conference, the couples—whether hetero- the president of new-evan- program will not even be National Baptist sexual or homosexual. For gelical Bryan College told of the sexual orienta- Convention, and the some heterosexual couples, (Dayton, TN) as the next tion of those with whom Progressive National he explained, marriage president of Cedarville they have been matched Baptist Convention. could create a financial University, and WHERE- up.—AFA online, 7/26/02 Readers can view an arti- hardship. He cited as an AS, this appointment con- cle detailing the BWA’s Airport security example older people who tinues the theological pluralism by clicking on would lose a pension or decline of Cedarville their web site and reading A fully armed federal disability benefit from a University has pursued for the listed research docu- marshal is reported to deceased spouse if they many years under the ments.—Managing Editor have made his way marry. leadership of its retiring through airport security He said the new policy president, Dr. Paul Dixon, Pluralism in the after flashing his identifi- is in line with a resolution as demonstrated by the PCUSA cation card. However, the denomination adopted speakers in its chapel pul- when it came time to check pit, the lack of separatist The PCUSA General in 2000. It “acknowl- his carry-on luggage, teaching in its classrooms, Assembly approved a edged” that some church screeners confiscated his the rapid descent into statement that attempts to members were living in tweezers, as dangerous worldliness in its most please conservatives and life-long committed rela- weapons are not allowed recent jazz festival, and liberals. The PCUSA has tionships outside of mar- on board.—The Federalist the discarding of its for- long been divided over the riage. He said the rite is 7/31/02 mer musical and theologi- exclusiveness of salvation not to be a substitute for
FrontLine • September/October 2002 33 NOTABLE QUOTES
et the American youth never forget, that they Lpossess a noble inheritance, bought by the toils, and sufferings, and blood of their ancestors; and capacity, if wisely improved, and faithfully guarded, of transmitting to their latest posterity all cal standards, and WHERE- the substantial blessings of life, the peaceful SBC affirms their com- AS, the GARBC is cooperat- enjoyment of liberty, property, religion, and inde- mitment to the Family ing with the theological com- pendence. —Joseph Story (Federalist Brief, In a Nashville, TN meeting promise of Cedarville www.Federalist.com) the Ethics and Religious University, the site of the Liberty Commission reiterat- 2002 Annual Conference, ur military strength is a prerequisite to peace, ed their commitment to the through its partnering rela- but let it be clear we maintain this strength in biblical model of the family. tionship, and WHEREAS, O ERLC President, Richard partnering has proved no the hope it will never be used, for the ultimate Land said, “It is hard to better than the approval sys- determinant in the struggle that’s now going on in imagine how this family- tem but has only served to the world will not be bombs and rockets but a test unfriendly culture can be deflect criticism of the of wills and ideas, a trial of spiritual resolve, the turned around without GARBC, and WHEREAS, we values we hold, the beliefs we cherish, the ideals Southern Baptists playing recognize that there are sev- to which we are dedicated. —Ronald Reagan and integral role;” and, “We eral of our fundamentalist (1982) (Federalist Brief, www.Federalist.com) live in Corinth. The culture brethren who remain in the today more closely resembles GARBC, BE IT THEREFORE have a simple answer to any American patriot Corinth than any society RESOLVED that we, the who claims that there is no conflict between his I since the fall of the Roman members of the IBFNA meet- love of country and his desire to hitch our fate to Empire.” Land promised the ing in Annual Conference in the United Nations: ‘You’re mistaken.’ And, there- ERLC would remain aggres- Middleburg Heights, Ohio, fore, I’m thinking of adding this corollary to my sive in its efforts to preserve June 25–27, 2002, do affirm General Rule of patriotism: The more intellectually and protect the traditional that affiliation with the consistent and pro-UN you are, the less patriotic family in its word in GARBC is inconsistent with you are likely to be. —Jonah Goldberg (Federalist Washington, D.C., and across the Biblical Doctrine of Brief, www.Federalist.com) the country. —Baptist Press Separation that has been the News, 9/13/2002 very purpose of the IBFNA ’m on the side of the — the men who invented the from its inception. BE IT country.They believed in the Second Amendment, FURTHER RESOLVED that I College Diversity and I believe in it, too. —Charlton Heston we encourage all of our fun- Activists and Freshman (Federalist Brief, www.Federalist.com) damentalist brethren to with- Orientation draw from the GARBC and that they rally together with he Bush administration is no longer debating Freshman orientation the IBFNA in raising high the Twhether to launch a war against Iraq. The only classes at major universities standard carried by the sepa- question now is which empty gesture to make no longer focus on where to ratist founders of the before attacking. —Jacob Sullum (Federalist Brief, buy books or on helping stu- GARBC. BE IT FINALLY www.Federalist.com) dents find their class. Instead RESOLVED that we instruct facilitators focus on diversity the Editor of the IBFNA nstead of obsessing over why angry primitives in a pluralistic society. Review to provide Pastors Ihate Americans, a more fruitful area for Liberal diversity trainers, like and church members with Democrats to examine might be why Americans Edwin J Nichols, charges current information about are beginning to hate Democrats. —Ann Coulter $5000 to teach students to the compromise in the (Federalist Brief, www.Federalist.com) recognize “White Privilege.” GARBC so that the IBFNA Some Orientation Directors argue that they are trying to continues to follow the hate Saddam Hussein. I don’t hate a lot of peo- example of Dr. Robert T. combat racism and homo- Iple. I don’t hate easily, but I think he’s, as I say, phobia. —World, 9/14/2002 Ketcham, Dr. Paul R. his word is no good and he’s a brute. He’s used Jackson, and other past lead- poison gas on his own people. So there’s nothing ers of the GARBC, who chal- redeeming about this man. I have nothing but Churches and Tax lenged the compromises of hatred in my heart for him. —Former President Exemptions their day and defended George Bush (Federalist Brief, www.Feder- Biblical Separation in official The U.S. House of alist.com) GARBC publications.— Representatives defeats the Calvary Contender, 8/02 Houses of Worship Political Speech Protection Act (H.R.
34 FrontLine • September/October 2002 foster-care youth and Brothers Big Sisters organi- expanded the recruitment zation announced that it of transsexuals as foster would open the door for parents. Foes of the bill homosexual involvement said the legislation would in the program, a lesbian have discriminated against couple in Wichita, Kansas applied for the position. 2357) with a vote of 239- foster parents with strong scientists joined 132 other Officials with the Wichita- 178. Had the bill passed it religious convictions. scientists nationwide who area BBBS have not would have amended the Foster parents who have all signed the state- announced how they will Revenue Act of 1954, expressed concern or dis- ment, “A Scientific respond to the lesbian’s which was added to approval of deviant sexual Dissent From application. The local Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS behavior would have been Darwinism.” The state- United Way board of direc- code prohibiting churches reported to the state. This ment urged “careful tors adopted a “donor from engaging in partisan veto is a departure from examination of the evi- accommodation policy” to politicking. Specifically, the norm for the homosex- dence for Darwinian allow donors to exclude the 1954 amendment to ual Governor. —Baptist Theory” in the classroom, BBBS from their contribu- the IRS code restricts Press News, 10/03/02 while also expressing tions. —Baptist News churches and other chari- skepticism toward the Press, 10/02/02 table organizations desir- Cobb County School Darwinian claim that ing tax-exempt status from Board “random mutation and endorsing candidates for natural selection account public office. Those who The Cobb County for the complexity of life.” opposed H.R. 2357 say School board in Atlanta The intelligent design the- they have saved churches received letters from ory has been debated in from themselves. —Baptist twenty-eight scientists other states, Ohio and Press News, 10/04/02 from the University of Michigan, and people Georgia, Georgia Institute around the country are of Technology, Emory taking notice. —Baptist California Governor University and other News Press, 9/23/02 Vetoes Bill institutions appealing for academic freedom to Lesbian Couple Governor Gray Davis of Applies for Big This news is presented to inform California vetoed a bill teach the scientific contro- believers. The people or sources men- versy over Darwinian Brothers Big Sisters tioned do not necessarily carry the that would have affirmed endorsement of the Fundamental evolution. The Georgia Baptist Fellowship International. the rights of transsexual Shortly after the Big
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FrontLine • September/October 2002 37 Behind the Lines
Baptist By Conviction
ou’ve heard it said, “I’m the United Methodist Church, and We knew from the first service we Baptist by conviction, not his time at Emory put him in an early attended that we were home. As the convenience.” Of course, grave. folks where we grew up would say, a person who chooses to While Dad was plugging away at “Everything just rang true.” What we be a Baptist is not neces- Emory, I was in Thailand with the Air saw in our Bibles was what we heard Y sarily stronger in his con- Force getting saved in the home of a from the pulpit, and what we saw in victions than a person who was Christian & Missionary Alliance mis- the leadership. Within our first year, raised Baptist, or saved in a Baptist sionary. When I got back to the states we knew we were in a Baptist church church at an early age. But, I certain- as a new Christian, having realized for sure, when it split over whether ly identify with the statement, “I’m a that being a Methodist and being a the pastor was really in charge. We Baptist by conviction.” Christian were not necessarily the went with the pastor and never My father graduated from Asbury same thing, my wife and I started regretted it. He sent me off to Bob College in the mid-forties to become a looking for a church. I told the pastor Jones University to prepare for the pastor in the Christian of the United Methodist ministry as soon as I was discharged. Church, sometimes known I told the pastor church we visited that I By the early 80’s Dad was already in Kentucky as the was now saved and counting the Sundays he had left Campbellites. He did pas- of the United called to preach. He until retirement—he never did leave tor two churches, each for Methodist church offered to backdate our the denomination—and I was the a short time, and each one we visited that I membership to avoid the excited pastor of a Fundamental “handed him his walking was now saved year I’d have to wait to Baptist Church. The first sermon he papers” as Dad put it. and called to get a license, and we heard me preach was at his request They weren’t the least preach. He never went back. at my grandmother’s funeral. I interested in the kind of offered to back- We visited the Base believe that her years in the C&MA preaching Dad brought date our member- Chapel a couple of times and faithful prayers for me was the with him. He had learned ship to avoid the and knew that we’d never reason I ended up in that mission- the Bible under Dr. year I’d have to learn the Bible under the ary’s home in Thailand. As I rode Morrison at Asbury. wait to get a Chaplain we heard. It with her pastor in the funeral direc- Some years later, after license, and we never occurred to us to tor’s car to the graveside, he asked working on the railroad never went back. consider a Baptist church. me, “Now, your grandmother was in and teaching school, he My wife had been raised the Christian & Missionary Alliance; was told by a friend from in both the Methodist your father is a United Methodist Asbury that he could find a ministry Church, and then the Missionary pastor; how did you come to be a in the Methodist Church. He did, Baptist churches of Southeastern Baptist?” starting out in a part-time pastorate Kentucky. To put it nicely, we thought I gave him my testimony and con- and working his way up to a full-time the Baptist Church was for folks who cluded, “When I found out what a church where he stayed for four years hadn’t been to school much. We didn’t Baptist was, I realized that is what I while I was in high school. Thereafter, know where to go, but after our last had become when I got saved.” I was like most Methodist preachers, he service at the Chapel, we sincere. He was offend- moved every two or three years. prayed the Lord would ed. We rode to the Needing seminary training, he show us. The next night, a graveside in silence. But moved to the North Georgia couple from a small Bible it was true. I know there Conference while taking a Master of church came to our door are godly, fundamental Divinity—at the Candler School of on Thursday night visita- Christians who are not Theology of Emory University. He tion. Their pastor and Baptists, but I thank was finishing up while I was dis- head deacon were gradu- God He led me out of charged from the military and ates of Bob Jones sin and compromise enrolling at Bob Jones University. I University. They didn’t where I could learn and believe his Methodist ministry, espe- have the name, but they teach the Bible. I’m a cially after his denomination became were Baptists. DR. JOHN C. VAUGHN Baptist by conviction.
38 FrontLine • September/October 2002 Christian Academy Dublin, New Hampshire
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FrontLine • September/October 2002 39 longev still standing but not standing still
senior Lima, Ohio lthough the technology, facilities, and the size of the stu- grandson of Mel & Gere (Crandall) Stratton, class of ’51 & ’61 a dent body have changed in the last 75 years, the product senior has not. At BJU, you’ll still get the same biblical foundation, the Greenville, SC granddaughter of R. K. & Guye (Ellenburg) same quality education, and the same academic excellence that ethan hamblen Johnson, class of ’35 & ’34 we have provided for decades, by the grace of God.
junior Slough, England christy grass Thousands of students every year receive a biblical education that granddaughter of William & Mildred (Holmes) Stephens, class of ’41 & ’38 has produced Christian leaders for 75 years. Call today to find out
more about your place in BJU’s history. sarah rutledge BJu Greenville, SC 29614 • www.bju.edu The Opportunity Place…God‘s Special Place for You. 1-800-BJ-AND-ME stands without apology for the old-time religion and the absolute authority of the Bible BJU does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national origin. © 2002 Bob Jones University
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