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Preacher's Magazine Church of the Nazarene

2-1-1963 Preacher's Magazine Volume 38 Number 02 Norman R. Oke (Editor) Olivet Nazarene University

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FEBRUARY 1963

SORRY! I CAN'T HEAR WHAT YOU SAY Editorial

WHAT DO YOU DO WITH YOUR MONEY? Douglas Horton

THE CHRISTIAN AND MONEY Russell Metcalje

NAZARENES-STEWARDSHIP IS NOT OPTIONAL Morris Chalfant

TOURING THE BIBLE TOGETHER William Hanna

QUALITIES THAT MAKE A GOOD PREACHER D. H. Spencer

METHODISM'S TOBACCO ROAD Orlo Strunk, Jr.

"WE ARE COME FOR SUCH A TIME" Patricia Ward

■proclaiming the Wesleyan message ^ J h c preachers jci(fazine

Volume 38 February, 1963 Number 2

CONTENTS

Sorry! I Can’t Hear What You Say, E d ito ria l...... 1 The Altar Service, Joseph H. Smith ...... 3

What Do You Do with Your Money? Douglas Horton ...... 5 Sermon of the Month, Russell M etcalfe ...... 7

Nazarenes—Stewardship Is Not Optional, Morris Chalfant...... 10

Pulpit and Pew, William Hanna ...... 12

Gleanings from the Greek New Testament, Ralph E arle ...... 15

Qualities That Make a Good Preacher, D. H. S p e n c e r ...... 18 Wesley and Good Works, Eric E. J o r d e n ...... 21

“Queen of the Parsonage,” Audrey Williamson ...... 26

Wasted Wives, Wesley D. Tracy ...... 27 Contradictory Impossibles, Edwin F. H a r v e y ...... 29

Methodism’s Tobacco Road, Orlo Strunk, Jr...... 32

“We Are Come for Such a Time,” Patricia W ard ...... 35

Sermon Workshop, Nelson G. Mink ...... 38 Preaching Program ...... 42 Stewardship Quotations, Earl C. W o l f ...... 46

Book Briefs ...... 47

NORMAN R. OKE, Editor

Contributing Editors Hardy C. Powers Samuel Young Hugh C. Benner G. B. Williamson D. I. Vanderpool V. H. Lewis

General Superintendents, Church of the Nazarene

Published monthly by the NAZARENE PUBLISHING HOUSE, 2923 Troost Ave., Kansas City, Missouri. Subscription price: $1.50 a year. Second-class postage paid at Kansas City, Missouri. Address all correspondence concerning subscriptions to. Nazarene Publishing House, P.O. Box 527, Kansas City 41, Mo. Printed in U.S.A. Sorry! I Can't Hear What You Say

T do n o t h a v e in mind people who the hearers, nothing the preacher can are hard of hearing; rather I am say will make up for it. It is our task, thinking of people who are “ hard of fellow ministers, to see to it that the speaking.” This was forcibly drawn Bible speaks with clarity. And at this out the other day through a typo­ point we have distinct and individual graphical error. In a church bulletin responsibility. To hastily seize the the pastor desired to use I Corinthians Bible, thumb quickly to a selected 13:1, which, as you know, reads as portion, and then proceed to rapidly follows: “Though I speak with the read the lesson—this is most certain­ tongues of men and of angels, and ly undesirable. It is really saying, “I have not charity, I am become as have a terrific sermon in store for sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.” you. I must hurry and read the scrip­ But in cutting the bulletin stencil the ture so I can get to it.” secretary made just one mistake and For clarity of scripture reading, spelled “charity” with an I and it first of all, the Bible reading moment came out “clarity.” Now notice how should be approached with unhurried the verse reads: “Though I speak and meaningful reverence. Then with the tongues of men and of angels, whether the audience remains seated and have not clarity, I am becom e as or stands (the latter is usually prefer­ sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.” able) , the Bible should be read slow­ What was a scriptural error actu­ ly enough for all—both young and ally was not a factual error. For old—to grasp its message. After the when clarity is lacking in preaching scripture reference is announced and it is indeed “ sounding brass” and before reading is begun, by all means, “tinkling cymbal.” Perhaps many allow a moment or two so all who times when our hearers hear us, it is have Bibles can locate the place and the sound but not the meaning they follow along as you read. This en­ hear. Sorry! I can’t hear what you courages bringing Bibles to church. say! And, in fact, such a practice gets the Sermonic clarity: let’s think about audience in a listening mood. Be­ it from three points of view: clarity cause they have listened to the Word of scripture reading, clarity of outline, of God, they will more than likely and clarity of expression. listen to you. So sermonic clarity

C l a r i t y o f S c r i p t u r e R e a d i n g begins with clarity of Bible reading. Sermonic clarity begins at that mo­ ment when the minister reads his C l a r i t y o f O u t l i n e scripture lesson. If the Bible has not People are not dogs (most of them, sounded out a clear trumpet note 1o at. least); bone chewing is not a na­ tural yearning. So I assume that most this regard. To listen back to our audiences will not natively exult sermons: the mumbled words, the over chewing sermonic bones—it is clipped phrases (I nearly forbear, for meat they want. But most people I am a terrible offender)—this is of like to know that the meat they will inestimable value. But let’s get down be eating is vertebrate. They like to to brass tacks. Play that sermon back. detect the skeletal structure, even if Count the number of words either they don’t do any more than admire mumbled or smothered—words the it. So, wise is the preacher who gives casual hearer would not immediately his hearers a glimpse at the skeleton recognize. Now play it back again of his sermon before he begins to and pause for each of these words clothe it with succulent flesh. This and write it down on a sheet of pa­ may be done by the overt way of per. You will likely find that certain stating, “The sermon will deal with words are consistent offenders. In the following considerations. First . . . crime they call such recidivists. Put second . . . and third ...” I think it these in death row of your penal in­ can be done in other more appealing stitutions and declare that they will ways, however. One preacher started not survive. thus: “Our journey this morning will Now again note the significance of take us by two signboards. On the these poorly enunciated words. Are first one you will read the words, they of primary or secondary impor­ ‘The Leading of the Lord Is Reliable.’ tance in the conveying of the basic On the second you will see in bold message of the sermon? Of all words lettering, ‘The Leading of the Lord Is that must be heard with full meaning Relevant.’ ” He was preaching on it is such words as heaven and holi­ Eliezer’s search for a bride for Isaac. ness, sanctification and faith and The text was from Gen. 24:27, “I be­ eternal life. Neighbor, when we are ing in the way, the Lord led me.” using great pillar ideas like these our Regardless of the method used, our lips must be meticulous in speech audiences do like to be “let in” on the clarity. outline and plan for development of Sentence endings: don’t bury them! the sermon about to be presented. This is no novel suggestion. All books Don’t deny them clarity at this point. on pulpit speech remind us of it. It is easy to slump into the habit of C l a r i t y o f E x p r e s s i o n dropping our voices at the close of Space forbids a discussion of the every sentence. And this can become many facets of pulpit speech: eye serious for the listener. For while a contact, gestures, pace, modulation, speaker may begin by merely drop­ etc. Only two elements of speech ping his voice at the last syllable of clarity can be noted just now. the last word, the habit can progress Enunciation: thou art a jewel! until he begins dropping his voice at Don’t you dislike having your name the midway point through the sen­ mispronounced? Unpardonable sin! tence. In such a case, part of the Well, words, like names, have essen­ meaning of each sentence is buried in tial worth, and deserve to be both semi-silence. If a sentence is worth pronounced with accuracy and enun­ expressing, then all of that sentence ciated with clarity. Tape recorders should be heard. stand us ministers in good stead in Sorry! I can’t hear what you say!

2 (50) The Preacher's Magazine The Altar Service*

By Joseph H. Smith

ugh Price Hughes when once with a third piece to the mosaic or H asked before the New York medley. The unity of the Spirit in a Preachers’ Meeting for some advice divine service comprises this twofold concerning the “After Meeting,” said object—the glory of Christ in the sal­ (1) “Take good care of the before vation of men. Worship and work are meeting.” A nd this is wisdom. The wedded. But not only are many held service from beginning to end should without any object, but some indeed be a unit. Not necessarily a unit as have other secondary and even some to themes, nor as to methods; but questionable ends as their object. As surely a unit as to object. Nothing of old, the Lord’s house is made a must conflict, but everything con­ place of merchandise instead of a tribute to this object. The altar ser­ place of prayer. Ways and means are vice should not represent so much an allowed to defeat worship and evan­ addition but a culmination. gelism. Unfortunately, many services— Immediate results during the particularly in what are called the preaching is an ideal condition, which regular means of grace— are without not even our devotion to the altar any object. Unless it be simply that service should be allowed to pre­ of finishing a duty, perform ing a ser­ clude. That sermon is not finished vice or a perfunction. It very often which has failed to grapple with the happens that the prelim inary part of wills of men. “While Jesus spake the service—notably the professional many believed on Him.” An urgent music— is conducted rather for the faith on the part of the preacher, and worship of man than of God, and a unit of faith on the part of Chris­ these singers draw sharp distinction tians present will often precipitate between their anthems and gospel salvation during the sermon, during songs. So that it not infrequently oc­ the singing, during the praying. When curs that to get the people at all into once it is understood that we are the neighborhood of his proposed ser­ met for business, everybody will be mon, the preacher is sensible of a made to converge to the business in mighty effort to recall them from hand. And when we ourselves are what has gone before. Or he must expecting that this business may be ignore it entirely. Then, too, there is accomplished not in connection only much danger that the sermon itself with some one part of the service but become an end, and not simply a with any and all parts of it, then our means to an end. This makes a second zeal will not be showing a feverish break in the continuity of the service, unrest to get to the altar service as and the meeting must be closed up though nothing could be done with­ ♦Taken from The Attar Service, a Symposium, out it, or before it. Inskip would Dublished by the Christian Witness Company, 1904. sometimes reverse the whole order of February, 196*3 (51) 3 things in a service, saying he was not esting and impressive to the audience. going to let the devil find out what It involves an openness of avowal and he was going to do next, and have seeking which at once burns many people prepare themselves against bridges behind the seeker and tends it. It seems to have been right in greatly to intensify his earnestness. the midst of Peter’s sermon that the Its very form and nature emphasize household of Cornelius received the prayer above mere instruction or in­ gift of the Holy Ghost. But we think quiry. It also presents and presses the secret of this was in the number the prospect of an immediate settle­ and nature of their “before meetings.” ment of the question. Besides this it furnishes employment for the gifts of Yet there are New Testament prec­ many besides those of the preacher, edents for “after meetings” in which in invitation, exhortation, instruction, the work begun in the preceding is supplication, etc. And one ideal to completed and the results gathered be ever aimed at in public service is on the spot. When Paul had preached the spiritual and evangelistic employ­ and indoctrinated those disciples at ment of all members of the body. Ephesus, he afterward laid his hands Lastly a word about conducting the upon them and then they received altar service. Till the preacher or the the gift of the Holy Ghost. After leader of the meeting surrenders it Peter preached that great sermon on by appointment of another it should the Day of Pentecost, there followed remain in his hands. Nor should this a meeting of inquiry and exhortation surrender be made without good and and instruction and prayer which led justifiable reasons. While in the very up to the consummation of 3,000 con­ nature of the case the fullest possible versions. And there is no doubt that liberty should be accorded the indi­ procrastination or neglect of these vidual workers in their methods of after exercises would have resulted persuasion, instruction, etc., yet they in the loss of much of the good ef­ in turn should respect the generalship fects of the preaching as it did when of the leader and concede and con­ Felix, though trembling under the tribute in every possible way to in­ great apostle’s reasoning on right­ sure the success of the work as a eousness, temperance and judgment, whole. The leader must also have in dismissed the matter for a more con­ mind and hand the congregation at venient season. An after service is large to prevent dissolution, distrac­ therefore both philosophical and tion and undue detention. Experi­ scriptural. It is necessary because ence proves that the most is done and (1) of the frequent absence of the the results are most quickly attained previous conditions to insure the best by having the seekers pray for them­ end of preaching in coetaneous re­ selves. For whether it be for justifi­ sults; (2) because of the fact that cation or sanctification they seek, certain persons or states of mind re­ “Whosoever shall call upon the name quire added instruction and exhorta­ of the Lord shall be saved.” tion and supplication to get them clear through. The altar service now lacks five years of being in use for a century. The altar service (or “mourner’s Nothing yet has been devised that bench”) still proves to be our most can successfully or sufficiently sub­ efficient (though not the only) means stitute it. Y et there are many things for conducting this after work. When which may supplement it to good properly conducted it is most inter­ profit.

4 (52) The Preacher's Magazine What Do You Do with Your Money?*

By Douglas Horton

T7 or t h e m o m e n t , I ask you to turn perience—the experience of a soul *■ your eyes in upon yourselves, and alone with God—is the very stuff out look at what you are, each of you for of which the heroic in history is yourself. According to Whitehead’s made. famous aphorism, religion is what a

man does with his solitariness. This C o m m i t m e n t may fall short of a com plete defini­ Now comes the ultimate ques­ tion of religion, but w hich of you tion: What shall a man do with his would deny that aloneness is a part freedom? When he is alone with the of Christianity, and a neglected part? Man on the Cross, he knows the ulti­ mate answer: A man shall commit F r e e d o m his free self to God for service in the Let me point out to you, as you world. stand in that strangely solitary condi­ Thomas Barclay of Formosa is an tion, that its chief characteristic is example of a man who did just this. freedom. You have detached your­ He is also an illustration of a singu­ self from everything that would hold larly radiant and useful personality. you down to the world. God himself Any reader of his life story must be lays no violent hand upon you, com ­ convinced of the cause-and-effect pelling you to move either this way connection between the early com­ or that. Y ou may do as you like. Y ou mitment of his free self to God and are free. his strong and beautiful life in For­ At this point, Protestants have a mosa. special heritage to preserve. They After his death there was found will not save their freedom in this among his papers a form of solemn age—when all the tides of culture commitment, first signed on his six­ seem to be sweeping them toward the teenth birthday, when he was a stu­ commanding state and the authori­ dent at Glasgow University. It reads, tarian church—unless they give them­ in part, as follows: selves time to experience this free­ dom. “This day do I, with the utmost solemnity, surrender myself to thee, Freedom as a tradition is celluloid and hollow; it will perish. Freedom 0 God. I renounce all former lords that have had dominion over me; and as a philosophical concept is abstract 1 consecrate to thee all that I am and and thin; it will not hold against the all that I have—the faculties of my pull of actualities. Freedom as ex- mind, the members of my body, my

♦Taken from Stewardship Facts, 1962. worldly possessions, my time and

February, 1963 (53) 5 my influence over others—all to be simple reason that we do not make used entirely for thy glory, and res­ our commitment at a time when we olutely employed in obedience to thy are free from the trammels of circum­ commands, as long as thou continuest stance. We spend for whatever is me in life. To thy direction I resign most attractive around us. We be­ myself, to be disposed by thee in come victims of the near at hand. We such a manner as thou in thine in­ exhaust our resources on the immedi­ finite wisdom shalt judge most sub­ ate. The only way of avoiding this servient to the purposes of thy glory. predicament is to make our decision To thee I leave the management of as to what we will spend and how all events and say without reserve, we will spend it in a moment of free­ “Not my will but thine be done.’ ” dom before God, then carry out this decision. The signature on this document had been repeated on every birthday be­ tween the ages of sixteen and eighty- J o y five years! Think of the man, on his The way of the person who gives birthday, separating himself from a percentage of his income, and who others for a little, so he might feel his decides in advance, freely, what this freedom in God’s sight; then quietly percentage shall be, is the way of and slowly reading over the paper, spiritual joy. yellowing with age; and finally writ­ A few years ago while visiting the ing his name at the bottom. Philippines, I chanced upon a little Here was a man who took the kind church, roofed with palm leaves and of opportunity every soul needs to open to the weather on three sides, be itself, a man who took this oppor­ in which a tithing service was being tunity by the full commitment of his held. The ceremony was simplicity free self to God. itself; in the midst of the regular morning worship, while the pianist

M o n e y played a hymn of consecration, those who wished rose from their benches, The acid test of whether or not you went forward, and laid on the Lord’s are not so committed is the question: table the tithe of their earnings for What do you do with your money? the week. It is your means of being selfish or generous. It is your lengthened arm: Poverty dogged these villagers so with it you can build a self-contained closely that they did not see in a life which will finally shut you off year as much money as we handle from your neighbors, or you can ex­ in a day, yet their facial expression tend to them the bread of human I can describe only as miraculous. As brotherhood. Your money is your they returned down the aisle, their free self translated into the only countenances shone like Moses’ of terms understood in the economic old, with a spirit of holy joy. They world. By your use of your resources were free, with the freedom of Christ, you can tell just how, and to what and they were declaring, by their extent, you are committed to God. gifts to His kingdom, their thanks for If a person means to make a com­ His inexpressible gift to them. plete commitment to the Lord, he Everywhere the same law holds! will see the world as the Lord sees Let a man enter into a free partner­ it, as a whole. It is this, however, ship with Christ and he will find a which many of us fail to do for the satisfaction beyond description.

6 (54) The Preacher's Magazine szEiFtnvconsr o±* tne nvcoism^:

The Christian and Money

By Russell Metcalfe*

Introduction : money that God has given us life and Money is a vital part of modern health to earn. We are stewards of living. Because of what it represents, every cent that comes our way; and money—while neither good or evil of even as a Christian’s life is dedicated itself—can be a vital force both for to God, just so a Christian’s m oney is evil and for good. sacred, for it represents a portion of To the average Christian, money that dedicated life that has been represents a portion of his life. Money “condensed into currency.” represents hours worked and energy However, in this message I want expended, until we could actually to deal particularly with that small call money “condensed life,” for we portion of our income that God has have agreed to trade away a certain reserved particularly for himself. If portion of our lives for an agreed what we do with all money in our amount of money. We agree to spend hands is proper concern for prayer at so many hours of work for a fixed all times, then how much more amount of money, making the money should every Christian approach the we receive actually a symbol of hours matter of storehouse tithing, that he and energies expended. might not only tithe, but that he With this in mind, then, it becomes might know w hy he is tithing, and exceedingly important how we spend how his tithe is an act of worshiping our money, for we are actually God with his substance! spending our hours and our energy I believe in tithing! I believe that when we pass our money across the it is G od’s plan for my own life, as counter. A true Christian can no well as for His entire Church. I have more afford to waste his hard-earned here several reasons why I believe in money than he can waste his time tithing. I would like to share them and dissipate his life. Perhaps if we with you. kept these things in mind we would think longer if we thought in terms I. I Believe in Tithing Because of hours and weeks and even months It Is a Basic Law of God invested before we spent money in There are some Christians that pure luxury. For as Christians we seem to believe that tithing is a part have no business in selfishness or of the levitical law that was intro­ wastefulness with any part of the duced by Moses and superceded by ♦Atwater, Ohio. the New Testament, and only in mod­ February, 1963 (55) 7 ern times revived by Christian minis­ saying that they ought to do these ters to help sagging finances. important things, but also He said Tithing was a part of the Levitical they ought not to leave the other law, and Christian ministers do undone . . . such as tithing the very preach it today in hopes of meeting herbs from their gardens. the critical financial needs of the No, tithing was not begun by churches; but before we write off Moses, nor was it ended by Jesus. tithing as a modern revival of a dead Tithing has been a basic part of ritual, let us be certain where tithing man’s worship since the dawn of started, and find out where, if ever, time, and it will continue to be a it was officially brought to an end. measure of his faithfulness in mate­ Long before Moses was born there rial things until Jesus comes to set were devout men on the earth that up a new order on earth. worshiped the true God, and as a But this is just one reason w hy I part of their worship they always in­ believe in tithing. Other reasons why cluded a token that indicated that I believe in tithing are revealed in a they recognized God as Lord over negative sense by what failure to their substance as well as their spirits. tithe indicates in a Christian’s life. The first record that we have of wor­ ship anywhere was when the sons of II. What Failure to Tithe Indicates Adam built altars and offered to God (1) Failure to tithe indicates a a portion of their livelihoods. This warped sense of values. I feel a sense would seem to indicate that God has of pity for Christians who feel that written upon the very hearts of His they cannot afford to give God His people that the Almighty has a due tenth, for they are indicating that they of the substance of our living. In feel that worship and church and Gen. 14: 20 w e read where Abraham, evangelism are not as important as at a time centuries before Moses and automobiles and washing machines Sinai, met Melchisedek, that mysteri­ and television and other material ous king-priest, and paid tithes to things which have so tied up their God through him, even though there income that God’s work must be left was no written law which said he out. must do so. So it would seem that Perhaps there is not intended self­ tithing, like the observance of the ishness behind such action, but failure L ord’s day, is written into the very to tithe indicates that self is actually fiber of worship, and not merely in the most important individual after Jewish law and tradition. all, and that God can take the occa­ But did Jesus do away with tith­ sional dole and be satisfied with it. ing? Quite the contrary, Jesus It is dangerous for any professing strengthened the claims of God on Christian to put anything but the in­ man’s life and living. The whole tenor terests of Jesus Christ first in any of Jesus’ teaching approves of tithing, area of life and living, and that does and once particularly Jesus approved not exclude this important area of our of tithing even of the most insignifi­ finances. It is more than mere silver cant incomes. In Matt. 23:23 Jesus and gold, remember. It is “condensed rebuked the Pharisees for hypocrisy, life”; and God help that Christian saying that although they w ere faith­ who does not seek first the kingdom ful in tithing they had forgotten the of God and His righteousness, for his weightier matters of worship, as sense of values is warped, and his self­ mercy, love, etc. He concluded by ishly spent ten-tenths will fail to sup-

8 (56) The Preacher's Magazine ply his needs even as the nine-tenths sake of your faith in that trying hour would have done had he been faithful I urge you to become a faithful tither, to bring the tenth as an act of worship beginning this day, if not sooner. into the storehouse on the Lord's day. These have been the negative rea­ (2) Failure to tithe indicates a sons why I tithe—what failure to measure of unbelief in God’s promises. tithe indicates. But I should like to Mai. 3:10 says: “Bring ye all the close my message with a few happy tithes into the storehouse, that there reasons why I believe in and practice may be meat in mine house, and prove storehouse tithing. me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the win­ III. Results of Faithful Tithing dows of heaven, and pour you out a (1) I believe in tithing because blessing that there shall not be room tithing keeps us constantly reminded enough to receive it.” Here God of eternal values, which transcend plainly states that He will bless those things material. A man who tithes is people who have faith enough to tithe investing in eternity, in heaven if their substance, and ask no questions you please, and Jesus declared that as to how they are going to make it. where our treasure (investment) is, God says simply to bring in the there will our hearts be. W hen I tithes faithfully, and the rest is up tithe I am made to realize that I can to Him. When a Christian fails to be a part of something that is eternal tithe he is saying, “ I cannot trust in in the heavens. Money spent on ma­ God’s Word. I must save the tithe for terial things brings pleasure and myself. God cannot take care of me. makes life here more happy; but I’ll take care of myself.” So failure money invested in God’s kingdom to tithe is not only selfish, but unbe­ makes human souls appear more lieving. precious, and life and death and (3) Failure to tithe robs me of con­ heaven and hell more real. It is hard fidence in times of stress. It is a w on­ to be a faithful tither and still have derful thing to be able to look to God warped values about money and ma­ when troubles come and throw the terial things. responsibility over on Him. If we (2) Even more, tithing makes us a can say, “Our tithes are all in!” there faithful part of the active work of the is a wonderful sense of peace and church. Our dollars, representing our trust that we could not have if our “condensed life”—those hours spent tithes were in arrears and we had in a hot factory or stuffy office—go not been faithful. God has a way of where we ourselves cannot go in per­ blessing the habitual tither, and as son. Our very lives mingle with the that tither has shared with God his lives of missionaries and ministers in goods as a Senior Partner, just so in a very real way, and souls are saved times of trouble that Senior Partner because of faithfulness in tithing. A has reserves to draw upon that we faithful tither has every right to feel little dream of, for no partner of that his money and his life behind God is ever really bankrupt! that money are a service to God—a There may be many poor Chris­ service of soul winning. It is no won­ tians, but none of us need suffer real der that ministers regard the offer­ lack if we have been faithful in this ing as a vital part of the worship matter of tithes. Hard times will service of the church. For during the come to us all, times that will try our collection of that money true tithers faith and faithfulness; and for the (Continued on page 14)

February, 1963 (57) 9 Nazarenes—Stewardship Is Not Optional

By Morris Chalfant*

T u s t b e f o r e my father’s death he quired in stewards, that a man be wrote in the flyleaf of my pulpit found faithful” (II Cor. 4:2). Chris­ Bible, “Be loyal to leadership in all tian stewardship is not optional; it relationships, locally, the colleges, the is the commandment of the Lord. seminary, the district and the gen­ Stewardship is grounded in the na­ eral interest of our beloved Zion.” ture of God. This is fundamental and basic. Like evangelism, if steward­ The stewardship ministry of the ship has its basis in any other princi­ pastor is one of the basic responsibili­ ple, it is shallow and partial. In ties of his vocation. If a divorce is I Pet. 4:10, Christians are spoken of threatened because of the mishandling as “stewards of the manifold grace of of money, the pastor brings good fi­ God.” Here, without doubt, is the nancial counsel into the picture. If a basic principle of stewardship. It is man’s niggardliness is depriving him a stewardship of God’s grace, not ma­ of great joy in Christian service, it is terial accounting, through tithes and the pastor’s duty to lead him to a offerings, of money and things. higher standard of giving. If a man’s will does not reflect the basic Chris­ Stewardship is not giving things to tian concerns of life, it is the pastor’s God; it is giving self to God so that privilege and duty to counsel with He can use the things that we have. him in this situation. It is the pastor’s Emerson once said, “Things are in high calling to lead his people in the the saddle and ride mankind.” But basic Christian ideal, “Whatsoever ye God must be in the saddle so that do, do all to the glory of God.” “things” will not drive us but will I personally feel it takes four things serve us for God’s glory. We become to make our people faithful stewards: good stewards deliberately and not inspiration (spiritually), information, by chance. We must decide to serve perspiration, and desperation. Per­ God in every area where His light haps no area of a Christian’s responsi­ may shine. Good stewardship is an bility is as neglected as that of his act of faith and not of fate. stewardship, for it is at this point Stewardship, therefore, cannot be that the cost is the greatest. How­ optional. It is obligatory. We cannot ever, it may also be said that at this escape it; we cannot evade it. The point the reward of the Christian responsibility is there. The tragedy life is the greatest. is that so many Christians have never The Apostle Paul wrote, “It is re- become aware of this obligation. Malachi speaking for God asked,

•Evangelist. “Will a man rob God?” Perhaps not 10 (58) The Preacher's Magazine intentionally, but when we know­ standard of the wealth in the home­ ingly and willingly withhold from land. God what is rightfully His, to that Human nature has not changed extent we do rob God. W hen you since the days of Malachi. The proph­ can sing, teach, witness, serve, but et Malachi asked the question, “Will withhold these services, are you not a man rob God?” and the answer robbing God? When one takes his then and still today, “Yes, some men time and misappropriates it, is he not will, but a Christian won’t.” Horace robbing God? When one cuts ex­ Bushnell was right when he said, pected years from his life, years that “The next great revival will be a belong to God, by drinking, smoking, revival of Christian stewardship.” eating excessively, is he not robbing God has indicated the way and the God? What about the stewardship of only way. We, as pastors in our be­ prayer, worship, suffering, sorrow, loved Church of the Nazarene, must personal witnessing, individual de­ bring our people to see that if God velopment, and Christian living? is shut out in the lower levels of life Tithing, giving a tenth of one’s in­ He will humanly speaking be auto­ come, is an age-old practice but a matically shut out in the upper levels. modern necessity in performing the Dr. A. T. Robertson was fond of will of God. Can the New Testament reminding his students that, as pas­ Christian afford to do less than the tors, they should love their members, Old Testament Jew? Actually, tith­ “warts and all.” No pastor ever led ing is not hard if the heart is soft. his people in stewardship by fussing It is easy when G od’s portion is taken at them. You do not put the bridle out of our income. The last tenth of on the horse by beating him over the one’s income is the most difficult to head. You can catch more flies with manage. Putting God first means sugar than with salt. This does not paying God first. No doubt the fol­ mean that we must feed our people lowing quotation accurately express­ with a sugar-coated diet. We must es the condition of many in our be­ teach our people, not castigate them. loved Zion, “Between the great things You can say anything to your people which we cannot do [like giving a if they know that you love them. million dollars to missions] and the When we come to see that stew­ little things we are refusing to do, ardship cannot be optional because it many have succumbed to the danger is grounded in the nature of God, we of doing nothing.” God has ordained will see the spirituality of our church­ that money can be exchanged for es deepen, the lost will be won, the spiritual values. It should concern inactive enlisted, the study of God’s every believer deeply that he convert Word will increase, Christian living some of his wealth here into the coin will abound, personal lives will be of the Kingdom to which he is has­ transformed, and the treasuries of tening and in which he anticipates an our churches, colleges, seminaries, eternal home. Exchange your goal and general church will feel the into souls, the sort of coin current in weight of our joyful and voluntary eternity. Someday the buying power giving. of money will be gone. It will be NAZARENES, STEWARDSHIP IS dead loss. Plan not to be dollar mil­ NOT OPTIONAL. ARE WE PRE­ lionaires, but soul millionaires, the SUMING THAT IT IS?

February, 1963 (59) 11 Pulpit and Pew:

Touring the Bible Together

By William Hanna*

(The personal description of a plan for the co-ordination of the people’s bible reading and the pastor’s preaching Editor)

T h e I d e a P l a n t e d summer of 1959, the crust of my per­ It was planted in freshman days at sonal fears could restrain the burst­ Pasadena College. It came from the ing pressure of this challenge no long­ handy Pocket Bible Handbook, by er. Early in the fall I began earnest Henry H. Hailey. In strategic loca­ and prayerful cultivation of the seed­ tions in his exposition, Mr. Hailey ling. I shared the idea with the con­ wrote, “The most important page in gregation and received assurance this book is 748.” Naturally I turned from the board of their wholehearted first and often to “page 748.” Here support of such a plan. In Decem­ is what it said: ber a specially prepared bookmark- THE MOST IMPORTANT THING type “Bible Reading Guide” was dis­ IN THIS BOOK tributed, and the first Sunday of is 1960 we began our program of co­ This simple suggestion: ordinated Bible reading and preach­ A congregational plan of Bible ing. At the time of this writing, we reading and have completed the Bible two and That the pastor’s sermon be from one-half times in as many years. The part of the Bible read the past w eek T h e I d e a B l o o m s Thus connecting It has produced a satisfying variety The Pastor’s Preaching with the of fragrant and significant fulfill­ Peoples’ Bible Reading.’ ments in my preaching. Among these Mr. Hailey further suggested that this are the following: program might cover the entire Bible First, m y goal as a Nazarene each year.- preacher was to have a Bible-centered ministry. This was based on two es­ sential considerations—first, I needed T h e I d e a G e r m i n a t e s this myself to stay on course; second­ It developed through school days ly, this was the need of my people, and two pastorates. Finally, in the for only God’s Word is the Word of the ages. Yet I faced the subtle *Pastor, Northside Church of the Nazarene, temptation to deviate from the harsh Fort Worth, Texas. ’Henry H. Hailey, Pocket Bible Handbook (Chi­ discipline of Scripture study and ex­ cago: Henry H. Hailey), p .748. -Ibid., p. 749. p o s i t i o n. Books about the B ook

12 (60) The Preacher's Magazine seemed easier and quicker sources of feasts through the week in her per­ messages. Thus a defined and sys­ sonal study and gets the dessert on tematic program of arbitrary reading Sunday. assignments has placed me in the

constant discipline of com prehensive T h e I d e a B e a r s F r u i t Scripture study and preaching. It is The idea has borne fruit. The re­ significant that my sermon type im­ sults have been more than an intan­ mediately changed with the inception gible “fragrance”—there has been of this plan so that now nearly all of visible fruit. my sermons are of the textual or ex- My own life has been enriched by positional order. this closer living to the Word. George Second, variety is important to the Muller once said, “The vigor of our preacher but he is constantly plagued spiritual life will be in exact propor­ with the possibility of slipping into a tion to the place held by the Bible rut. The rut restrictions involved in in our life and thoughts.” I now being fenced out of pet passages by share with John Wesley the desire to new assignments was just what I be a “man of the Book.” If no other needed. I began to look deeply for person was helped by this plan, its new scriptural approaches to the old benefits to me have been worth the truths and, believe it or not, they time, effort, and expense involved. were there with a freshness before Who can doubt the value of a unknown to me. Special days in our Bible-orientated congregation? This church calendar took on new mean­ plan has assisted us in achieving ing as I discovered new implications more of our ideal in this direction. in them through the new passage Not all have read the Bible through approach. each year, but many have who would Perhaps you have already detected not otherwise have done so. Nearly that I might have been driven to this all have read at least some of the plan by personal frustrations—so I assignment. This program has had a might as well confess another. In­ way of constantly reminding all of the volved in this is a third major com­ primacy of Scripture. Not long ago pensation. Poor congregation! Al­ our engineer-Sunday school superin­ ways subject to the surprise tactics tendent (a convert of two years) said of the preacher! Never knowing what in a casual conversation, “I have his text might be—utterly unable to come to put my Bible reading as­ make any scriptural preparation for signments ahead of everything else.” the sermon. This bothered me great­ The achieving of a sense of team­ ly! I reasoned that if effective teach­ work cannot be minimized as a fruit ing is dependent on prior prepara­ of the plan. Not infrequently the tion by the student it would surely telephone rings and a parishioner make sense for the congregation, asks for an explanation of a difficult through advance study, to be some­ passage we were reading simultane­ what ready for the sermon. I tried ously. Such inquiries, hearing testi­ announcing topics and even texts a monies based on this reading, seeing week in advance but this was diffi­ the assignments form the basis of cult to follow consistently. The print­ lay devotions, etc. do much to make ed “Guide” of co-ordinated reading the congregation feel that we ai'e and preaching contains an important truly a family in study together. beginning answer to this problem. Many are the scriptural promises One dear lady testified that she now of successful evangelism as we em­

February, 1963 (61) 13 ploy the “sword of the Spirit.” Across assigned scripture becomes the basis the months we have seen satanic for prayer meeting devotionals and powers thwarted and spiritual bene­ Bible study experiences. fits won by use of this weapon. Scores Whatever the variation in ap­ have been saved, sanctified, guided, proach, I am sold in the idea of the and blessed through our use of the printed “Guide.” Some have ques­ “sacred instrument.” tioned the binding nature of such a program, feeling that it denies the H ow t h e I d e a W o r k s freedom of the Spirit in preaching. The mechanics of the idea may as­ However, my limited experience so sume many forms. To date we have far reveals that the Spirit has used employed three separate approaches this discipline to uncover truths and in the actual scheduling of our read­ give freshness which would have ing. In each case we have covered been missed under the old hit-and- the entire Bible. However we are miss method. now thinking of taking a year to Perhaps another confession, in study the Psalms, another to cover closing, would clear the table for me. the Gospels, etc. Such approaches During these thirty months of use I would be more concentrated and less have deviated only once from the comprehensive in terms of the total “Guide.” The reason for this infrac­ Bible but would have great merit. tion was not an overwhelming com­ Each year we have printed an an­ pulsion to do so but rather the simple nual bookmark-type “Bible Reading fact that I planned poorly and came Guide” which contains assignments, up to Sunday unprepared. A dip in­ appropriate instructions, and some to “the barrel” saved the day but inspirational quotes to encourage con­ broke my record. sistent reading. Also we have begun So I commend the idea to you. If each year by taking orders for help­ the seed keeps trying to sprout—let ful small commentaries to assist each it! Be assured that such a yoke of reader to better understanding. Our discipline is not apt to be fatal—in church newsletter and weekly bulle­ fact it might prove to be genuinely tin lists the readings for the subse­ rejuvenating to both pastor and peo­ quent week. Rather consistently the ple.

The Christian and Money (Continued, from page 9) are donating portions of their lives faithfulness in the matter of tithing already spent into the service of God. gives us great faith and confidence (3) Last, faithful tithing gives us when the times of stress come. Every great faith in times of need. This is Christian minister could give exam­ the antithesis of another reason I ples of answered prayer to those who gave for tithing—that failure at this have been faithful in tithing, and point robs us of our faith—but this every great tither has had answered fact is as true as ever the other was. prayer. And God will help your For where failure to tithe robs us of faith, too, if you are faithful in this faith toward God in times of need, matter of tithing.

14 (62) The Preacher’s Magazine Gleanings from the Greek New Testament

By Ralph Earle

Eph. 2:1

Q u i c k e n e d passes and sins.” The Greek has no T' h e f i r s t v e r s e of Ephesians two main verb in the first three verses of serves as a good example of the this chapter, which seem to consti­ apparent necessity for supplying tute a sentence. A Greek sentence words in an English translation which can be complete without any verb; have no direct support in the Greek. but that is not the case in English. For this purpose the King James Usually, though, it is only the copu­ translators used italics, to indicate lative verb (to be) which must be that such words w ere not represented supplied. Here something more is in the original. needed—or so it seems. Oftentimes the added words in The first English version managed italics dilute the effectiveness and without a verb. Wycliffe (ca. 1382) force of the Greek text (e.g., I Thess. had: “And whanne ze weren deed in 4:3). At other times they actually zoure giltis: and synnes.” The first distort the true sense of the passage. printed English New Testament was For instance, “somewhat” in Rev. 2:4 by Tyndale (1525). His translation is positively misleading. The Greek became the main basis for the King says simply and clearly: “ But I have James Version. He has: “And hath against you that you neglected (or quickened you also that were deed left) your first love”—which is some­ in trespasse and and synne.” The thing far different. It was not a tri­ Great Bible (1539) comes a little fling “somewhat” that ailed the closer to the King James Version. It church at Ephesus, but a fatal dis­ reads: “And you hath he quyckened, ease, as the next verse shows. It where as ye were deed in trespasses, should be obvious to any careful and synnes.” The Geneva Bible reader that the inspiration of the (1560) introduced the use of italics Holy Spirit for the original writing for words not in the original. It has: of the books of the Bible did not at­ “ And you hath he quyckened also, tach to the work of the translators that were dead in trespasses and of the King James Version. synnes.” But in the case of the passage be­ Weymouth (1902) varies striking­ fore us, some addition does seem ly in placing the verb at the end of necessary. Literally it reads: “And verse 3—“to you God has given Life.” you [plural] being dead in your tres­ But other private translators have

February, 1963 (63) 15 usually supplied the copulative verb. would seem that the copulative verb, The Twentieth Century New Testa­ as in the above recent translations, is m ent (1901) has: “To take your own adequate and less open to criticism. case again. Once you were, so to speak, dead because of your offences T r e s p a s s e s a n d S i n s and sins.” Moffatt (1913; rev. ed., The Greek noun paraptoma (tres­ 1922) reads rather similarly: “And pass) has already been noted (1:7). as with us, so with you. Y ou were What is the difference between “tres­ dead in the trespasses and sins . . .” passes” and “sins”? Vincent makes (continuing the sentence to the end this distinction: “ Trespasses, special of verse 3). Goodspeed (1923) also acts. Sins, all forms and phases of carries on the sentence. He has: sin: more general.”' S . D. F. Sal- “You also were dead because of the mond says: “Etymologically, parap- offenses and sins in the midst of toma points to sin as a fall, and ha- which you once lived . . .” Charles B. martia to sin as failure:'' But he adds: Williams (1937) follows this same “It is impossible to establish a clear line: “You too were dead because of distinction between the two nouns the shortcomings and sins in which in the plural forms, as if the one ex­ you once lived . . Verkuyl’s B erk e­ pressed acts and the other states of ley Version, 1945, reads very similar­ sin, or as if the form er meant single ly: “You, too, were dead in your tres­ trespasses and the latter all kinds of passes and sins . . .” It is obvious sins.” - He takes the whole as a gen­ that modern translators prefer simply eral declaration that it is by sin we to supply the copulative verb so as are made dead. to make a complete sentence. But most commentators find some distinction. Eadie writes: “Perhaps The English Revised Version while the first term refers to viola­ (1881) followed the general lead of tions of G od’s law as separate and re­ the King James Version, only modi­ peated acts, the last . . . may repre­ fying it to read: “ And you did. he sent all kinds of sins, all forms and quicken, when ye were dead through developments of sinful nature.He your trespasses and sins . . .” The says more specifically: “Thus parap- American Standard Version (1901) tomata, under the image of ‘falling,' simply changed did he quicken to did may carry an allusion to the desires he make alive. The Revised Stand­ of the flesh, open, gross, and palpable ard Version followed rather closely, while hamartiai, under the image oi with this wording: “And you he ‘missing the mark,’ may designate made alive, when you were dead more the desires of the mind, sins through the trespasses and sins . . .” of thought and idea, of purpose and But The New English Bible (N ew inclination.” 1 This seems to be e Testament, 1961) conforms more helpful, as well as valid, distinction nearly to the pattern set by private It is in agreement with what Olshau- translations in this century. It reads: sen had already declared: “The plura “Time was when you were dead in hamartiai of course denotes alsc your sins and wickedness . . workings of sins, not, however, sin­ The question is: Does the context ful acts, so definitely as paraptomata justify the insertion found in similar terms in the three standard versions 1Word Studies, III, 374. (before N.E.B.) ? The verb “quick­ -EGT, III, 283. :iEphesians, p. 118. en” does not occur until verse 5. It AIbid., p. 119. 16 (64) The Preacher's Magazint but rather inward sinful movements What do the commentators say? of the soul in desires and words.”"' Olshausen writes: “Men are of course The thought seems to be that what here called dead through transgres­ makes the natural man spiritually sions.”0 Salmond says emphatically: dead is not only his violation of God’s “The dative is the instrumental da­ laws. This would constitute him con­ tive, ‘by trespasses,’ not in them.” 7 demned to die. But it is something Alford makes it “causal dative,”8 deeper. He is not only subject to which would be much the same. Sim­ death or even under the sentence of ilarly, Meyer writes: “The dative de­ death; he is actually dead, because notes the ‘efficient cause’ of the under the control of a sinful nature. death.”11 Ellicott prefers “by,” not “in,” holding that the dative here in­ I n o r T h r o u g h ? Is it “in trespasses and sins” or dicates the instrumental cause.10 “through trespasses and sins”? In Westcott adopts “through.”11 A. T. the Greek no preposition occurs; it is Robertson, however, says that it is simply the dative case, which can be the locative here.12 rendered several ways. The former It is evident that the matter is not usage would be called the locative fully settled. Probably the best solu­ dative, the latter instrumental dative. tion is to allow both meanings to the The older translators took it the dative. It is certainly true that sin first way. “ In” is used by W ycliffe, is the cause of our spiritual death. Tyndale, the Great Bible, the Geneva But it is just as correct to say that Bible, and the King James Version. we are dead “in” our sins. When two But the Revised Version (English possible interpretations of a gram­ and American) has “through,” which matical construction in the Greek is equivalent to “by means of.” Wey­ seem equally well supported, it may mouth agrees. The Twentieth Centu­ be the part of wisdom to adopt both, ry New Testament is even more spe­ rather than committing oneself ir­ cific. It reads: “ because of,” as do revocably to either one alone. Often Goodspeed and Williams. The Re­ both applications may be made in vised Standard Version has preaching, even in the same sermon. “through,” but The Berkeley Version and The New English Bible have (,Loc. cit. ~Loc. cit. “in.” So it is obvious that the ques­ sGreek Testament, III, 88. tion is still debatable. 11Galatians and Ephesians, p. 356. i0Ephesians, p. 42. 11Ephesians, p. 29. 5Biblical Commentary on N.T., V, 54. V2Word Pictures, IV, 523.

February, 1963 (65) 17 Qualities That Make a Good Preacher

By D. H. Spencer*

T n thinking of the qualities of a “Gininda is a straight man. He does good preacher I immediately begin not say one thing and go around the to picture in my mind some of our corner and do something else.” Then African preachers who have made a I knew that the quality of integrity success of their ministry in spite of had given the people confidence in very little academic training by mak­ Brother Gininda and they had heard ing full use of their natural talents his preaching and followed him be­ and by giving faithful attention to cause they trusted him. the total demand of their task as In 1955 we were stationed at Brem- preachers of the gospel. Some of ersdorp (now Manzini), Swaziland, them have seemed to possess several where I was to serve as copastor with of the qualities that would make for Rev. Phineas Dlamini in our church success, while others have sometimes on the main station. The day I met possessed only one of the qualities to him he was wearing a big smile and any marked degree, and yet these a cheerful expression which I seldom last have succeeded by combining saw him without. The last time I this one talent with hard work and saw him his body was emaciated and godly living. The men whom I shall racked by pain because of cancer, mention in this connection are men but the big smile and cheerful greet­ that I have worked with for a mini­ ing were the same as they had been mum of three years each, during during days of health and strength. which time I have had ample oppor­ In his preaching ministry this quality tunity to observe them in almost all of cheerfulness was a blessing and an the circumstances which a preacher inspiration to all. Coupled with this might meet. were two other qualities, covvpassion When I first heard of Rev. Richard and courage, which to me made him Gininda, one of our Swazi elders, it an outstanding preacher. Many times was as one of the more successful I have seen him weep as he poured pastors on the Swaziland District. His out his heart to his people pleading preaching itself did not impress me with them to come to God. Then I as being outstanding and I began to have seen him take a fearless stand wonder about the reason for his suc­ when there was any conflict between cess. One day an old Swazi chief pro­ Swazi custom and Christian principle vided me with at least a very great and be just as uncompromising in his part of the answer when he said, stand for the right as he was com­ passionate in his pleading with sin­ ♦Regional supervisor, African mission field, Transvaal region. ners, even though he knew his stand

18 (66) The Preacher's Magazine was unpopular and would bring a giving of his very best regardless of criticism and possibly persecution. the size of the congregation. He has Some preachers abuse humor in preached to some of the largest Naza- the pulpit while some know how to rene congregations ever to gather in use it to more effectively illustrate the Transvaal, but he has also sermons and make them a greater preached many times to only a mea­ blessing. One of the latter was Rev. ger handful in some small outstation Jotham Magagula, whose use of hu­ church in the bush. However, the mor was very effective. Not only did size of the congregation makes no dif­ he know how to use a humorous il­ ference in the intensity of his preach­ lustration, but he also was able to ing. Many times I have heard him laugh at himself. This quality has preach to a crowd of six or eight, and added punch to his preaching and if I had not been able to see the helped to endear him to his people. crowd, I could easily have thought Resourcefulness is another of his that he was preaching to hundreds. qualities. With only a seventh-grade He does not “just talk” because the education and little Bible school congregation is small, nor does he training, he can yet find sermons and ever give the impression that he illustrations where many preachers thinks he should be somewhere else would not even look for them. A preaching to a bigger congregation, bucket of dirt, an ear of corn, or but he literally pours out his heart just a plain stick can provide him to any crowd. Needless to say, this with a single illustration or the basis quality of always giving his best has for an entire sermon. Even when made his preaching fruitful. preaching on short notice he often It is interesting the combination of comes up with some unique idea or qualities one sometimes finds in a object lesson which makes his mes­ preacher. Often a person who is in­ sage outstanding. A third quality of tensely loyal does not impress one as Brother Magagula's is adaptability. being humble because his loyalty may He seems to be able to preach to a become a source of pride. However large church crowd, or a group of we have one preacher in the Trans­ boys and girls, or a preachers’ meet­ vaal who possesses both these quali­ ing, or to address a conference of ties in a marked degree. Rev. Jo­ teachers, many of whom are far hannes Mthethwa is a member of the ahead of him scholastically, with Transvaal Advisory Board and a poise and freedom. I have been highly respected leader in the church, amazed over and over at his ability but his bearing does not indicate that to adapt himself to such diverse cir­ he is the least bit conscious of the cumstances in spite of his limitations, high esteem in which he is held by but he has done it through constant missionaries and Africans alike. In study and observation. all of his dealings and in his preach­ The first of our African preachers ing his spirit is humble. He is always with whom I became acquainted is willing to take a back seat but he Rev. Enos Mgwenya, who is now the does not do it as if to call attention African leader of our church in the to the fact that he is doing so. Transvaal. He has several qualities The last quality which will be men­ which have helped to bring him to tioned here is that of a sense of re­ this position of leadership, but he has sponsibility for being an example to one quality in his preaching which the believers. One of our young men has greatly impressed me and that is who has been out of Bible school for

February, 1963 (67) 19 only a short time has thus far en­ greatly embarrassed to have to just joyed a very successful ministry, and stand and look on as his people this quality undoubtedly has played brought their tithes to the Lord after a great part in his success. Space he had preached so much concerning does not permit his full story here, tithing. I thought that he was going but he is a young man whose father to ask me to give him some money deserted his family and left them to for a tithe, but I found that his sense look out for themselves. Enoch, along of responsibility was greater than I with his two brothers, was given a had imagined. Instead he asked if he home with his mother’s brother and could come and work in what little had managed to reach the seventh free time he had (in nearly all of his grade when I first came in contact spare time from school and church with him at our school at Arthurseat he was working for us to help a little in the Transvaal. He came to me one with his tuition and clothes) and re­ day to tell me that he was going to ceive a bit of money, even though it have to leave school to work and sup­ might not be very much, so that he port himself, but my wife and I decid­ would have something he had actu­ ed to help him on through school be­ ally earned himself to use for his cause he seemed to be such a bright tithe and set the right kind of ex­ and promising lad. Before long he ample before his people. Does it need announced that the Lord had called to be said that his church grew and him to preach and in about eighteen that souls were saved at its altars? months’ time we put him out to Or that his people continued to prac­ pastor an outstation church which tice tithing? Or that they loved their was without a pastor. Even though young pastor so much that there was he was only about seventeen years a great sense of loss on their part old at the time and had had no Bible when he had to leave them to com­ school training, he was very success­ plete his education? ful from the beginning and soon had Since that time, Enoch has served his little church filled to overflowing the church both in Swaziland and every Sunday. He was thrilled with in other places in the Transvaal and the work and always returned to the he is now the pastor of one of our mission station after his Sunday ser­ outstation churches in the Eastern vices to happily report the results of Transvaal, where his ministry is fol­ the services. lowing the same successful pattern One day, however, he came to me with which it began. A further evi­ looking very unhappy about some­ dence of this sense of responsibility thing, and it was then that this desire is Enoch’s answering a call to leave to be a good example was first ex­ his home in the Transvaal and go to pressed to me. According to Enoch, Nyasaland to serve the church there. he had been emphasizing tithing with He has urged other young people to good success, but his success had be­ go in obedience to God’s call, and in come an embarrassment to him. The this he is simply being an example reason for his embarrassment was of the believers. His health may pre­ that he had no income at all and was vent his going to Nyasaland, but in not in position to tithe even to the his heart he is willing and ready to amount of one penny, and he was go.

20 (68) The Preacher's Magazine Wesley and Good Works

By Eric E. Jorden*

'T' h e d o c t r i n e of evangelical perfec- pies are contradictory from a logical * tion represents, according to Cell, standpoint, but Wesley united them “a synthesis of the Protestant ethic in experience. of grace with the Catholic ethic of Wesley himself, at the heighth of holiness.” 1 In this synthesis the doc­ his power, realized the “synthesis” of trine of justification fulfilled the spe­ which Cell writes. “Who hath wrote cial needs of Protestant devotion, and more ably than Martin Luther on that of Christian perfection those of justification by faith alone? and who Catholic. Wesley joined these two was more ignorant of the doctrine of ideas in his doctrine of Christian ex­ entire sanctification, or more con­ perience. Cell particularly emphasiz­ fused in his conception of it? . . . on es the agreement between Wesley’s the other hand, how many of the doctrine of justification and the theo- writers of the Romish church . . . centric outlook of Luther and Calvin. have wrote strongly and scripturafly At the same time he is anxious to on sanctification; who nevertheless point out that in this synthesis of were entirely unacquainted with jus­ justification and sanctification, God’s tification? . . . The Methodists main­ work for us through Christ and His tain . . . the doctrine of free, full work in us through the Holy Spirit, present justification . . . and entire Wesley has transcended the princi­ sanctification, both of heart and life ples of the reformers, “at any rate . . . being as tenacious of inward holi­ has corrected a recognized limita­ ness as any mystic; and of outward, tion.” Wesley did this by combining as any Pharisee.”- the Reformed view of God’s sover­ Because of this “Catholic ethos of eign grace with the idea of saving holiness,” Wesley was thought by faith as an active principle of holi­ some to be a Roman Catholic. At ness in the heart and life of man. He first thought, the Methodists would combined the Reformed doctrine of seem to be the last people to be man’s total sinfulness and entire de­ suspected as “papists,” but the charge pendence on grace with the Armini- was common. an doctrine of a freedom in man that While Wesley disclaimed any con­ makes him an acting subject with nection with popery,3 he recognized moral obligations. These two princi- there was a deeper, more significant cause for the association than any or all those suggested. This centers ♦Professor, Northwest Nazarene College, Nampa, Idaho. ’ G. C. Cell, The Rediscovery of John Wesley -’Wesley, Works, Vol. VII. Sermon 107-1-5. (New York: Henry Holt and Co., 1935), p. 362. m id ., Ill, 350. February, 1963 (69) 21 about his preaching the doctrine of was won “remotely” by works. Final justification by faith, and the rela­ salvation was clearly dependent upon tionship of “works” in his concept of “holiness” or “perfect” sanctification, sanctification. as distinct from “initial.” Thus, as “Indeed the report now current in Bond says, “The Methodists were Bristol was that I was a Papist, if said to be Catholics, because they in­ not a Jesuit,” Wesley wrote in his sisted so strongly on the necessity of Journal, August 31, 1739.4 “ Some good works.”5 The task is to pin­ added that I was born and bred at point how good works fitted into Rome . . . Oh ye fools, when will ye Wesley’s concept, and where he actu­ understand that the preaching of jus­ ally differed from Roman Catholi­ tification by faith alone, the allowing cism is a distinction some of his critics no meritorious cause of justification failed to discern. but the death and righteousness of The key to Wesley’s position is Christ, and no conditional or instru­ found in the nature of the “faith” mental cause but faith, is overturn­ which gives birth to salvation and ing popery from the foundation? rise to good works. That faith is a When will ye understand that the living, saving principle, the gift of most destructive of all those errors God.0 Back of this faith is a pre- which Rome, the mother of abomina­ venient grace which enables man to tions, hath brought forth (compared accept increased grace, and to go on to Transubstantiation and a hundred to higher stages of the Christian life more are trifles light as air) is, ‘That (a typical Catholic belief). It is the we are justified by works’ or (to ex­ continuance in this faith that Wesley press the same a little more decent­ calls the “condition” of final salva­ ly) by faith and works? Now do I tion.7 Such a faith is “productive of do this?” Wesley avers that he did all good works and all holiness.”8 for ten years. “I was (fundamental­ Such a continuance is not regarded ly) a Papist, and knew it not.” Then only as a work of God. It is at the he testifies “to all (and it is the very same time dependent upon the Chris­ point for asserting which I have, to tian himself. He co-operates with the this day, been called into question) grace which gives rise to his faith. that ‘no good works can be done be­ The essence of this faith in the fore justification; none which have work of sanctification is love. In fact, not in them the nature of sin.’ ” But Wesley makes love the direct fruit of Wesley did teach that after justifica­ justifying faith,0 but that love is “per­ tion, as an outgrowth of the implant­ fected” in “entire” sanctification. It ed love of God, and this more par­ becomes the motivating power of all ticularly after perfect love was given, holy living. By the very nature of works did play a part not only in “perfect love,” then, “good works” present salvation, but also in final are inevitable, providing man co­ salvation. operates, and Wesley believed that What became clear to Wesley was such co-operation was made possible not always clear to his opponents— Wesley attributed the criticisms to either “ignorance” of popery or “wil­ 5B. W. Bond, The Life of John Wesley (Nash­ ville : Southern Methodist Publishing House, fully” speaking falsehoods—that final 1887), p. 104. ^Works, VIII, 19. salvation, while dependent on faith, 7Sermon 6-1-7; see 5-4-5. 8Ibid., 1-3-1, 2. See Works, VIII, 68 ff. °Works, VIII, 276. See Sermon 99-1-6. Works springing from this love are the “highest part” of 4Curnock, Journal, II, 262. the religion therein revealed.

22 (70) The Preacher's Magazine by prevenient grace. But, and this for final salvation, and final salvation is the point to be clarified, Wesley is dependent upon sanctity. The dis­ clearly taught that good works do tinction in Wesley is between “condi­ not possess merit before God.ln They tion” and “merit” in both sanctity are a “condition”—an inevitable con­ and good works. There is no merit dition by the nature of grace—and in good works done by the Christian ■one is rewarded according to these through the grace of God; similarly, good works, but not for them.11 Wes­ the works of supererogation, so com­ ley says he could not “split the hair” mon in Roman Catholicism, are ruled between “for the sake of our works” out.13 There is likewise no merit in and “as our works deserve.” But he present or final salvation apart from did insist that “at every moment” we the work of Christ. are pleasing or displeasing to God, In failing to distinguish between ■“according to our works; according merit and condition in good works to the whole of our present inward and sanctity, the critics of Wesley tempers and outward behaviour.”12 found reason to suspect some ele­ Good works, then, are necessary ments of Roman Catholicism in his teaching. Hence they dubbed him “a Papist in disguise.” “ Ibid., VIII, 336 ff. The Large Minutes. ’ ’See ibid., XII, 382. “But we all maintain, that we are not saved without works; that works are irtSermon 51. “The Good Steward.” Cf. J. A. a condition (though not the meritorious cause) of Moehler, Symbolism (New York: Charles Scrib­ final salvation. It is by faith in the righteousness ner’s Sons, 1894), pp. 158-62. The source of good and blood of Christ that we are enabled to do all works in Catholicism is the same as in Wesley— good works, and it is for the sake of these that love—but the former say these have merit. (See all who fear God and work righteousness are Newman, Lectures, 1890, 5th ed., p. 2, n., for his accepted of him.” interpretation of the Catholic version of good 12W orks, VIII, 285. works.)

A Prayer*

“Lord, Thou knowest better than “But seal my lips on my own aches I know myself that I am growing and pains—they are increasing and older, and will someday be old. my love of rehearsing them is becom­ “Keep me from getting talkative, ing sweeter as the years go by. and particularly from the fatal habit of thinking that I must say something “Teach me the glorious lesson that on every subject and on every occa­ occasionally it is possible that I may sion. be mistaken. “Keep me reasonably sweet; I do “Release me from craving to try not want to be a saint—some of them to straighten out everybody’s affairs. are so hard to live with—but a sour “Keep my mind free from the re­ old person is one of the crowning cital of endless details—give me wings works of the devil. to get to the point. “Make me thoughtful, but not “I ask for grace enough to listen moody; helpful, but not bossy. With to the tales of others’ pains. Help me my vast store of wisdom, it seems a to endure them with patience. pity not to use it all— but Thou know­ ♦This prayer was given to Rev. Forrest Hag­ est, Lord, that I want a few friends gard, minister of the Overland Park, Kansas, Christian Church, by Larry O'Brate, 7733 Marty to the end, Street, and was printed in the Visitor:, the church’s weekly publication. “A m e n ” February, 1963 (71) 23 Recommended by Your General Stewardship Committee

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By By

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Your Liabilities Can Become Your Assets

By Audrey Williamson

T t w a s a raw February day. It had in the eyes of ten-year-old boys, his begun with sunshine and a brac­ hands flew to that zipper, and out ing air. But now the sky was over­ gladly popped the ears, eyes, nose, cast with gray, scudding clouds. A and panting tongue of his most be­ cold wind had risen from the north­ loved possession, a mongrel dog. west and people in cars and on foot By driving only a few blocks out were hurrying to warmth and com­ of my way I could take him to his fort indoors. door. As we rode he told me how As I drove the familiar route from they had gone for a walk, real spe­ the shopping center to home, my eye cial, no school—Washington’s birth­ was suddenly arrested by the sight day—he and his dog. But they went of a boy, probably ten years of age, too far. It got cold. The dog got standing ’twixt hope and despair on a tired. He knew no one would pick street corner. His jacket was zipped him up with a dog. So he hid him! tightly over what appeared to be an And then he got a ride! He was glad unusually portly front, for a young that I hadn’t minded the dog after I lad. His arms were firmly clasped found out about him! over this distended portion of his “Thanks a lot for everything,” he anatomy, except for one thumb, called as he ran for his front door, which was frantically gesturing the the dog joyfully yelping at his heels. hitchhiker’s signal at every passing car. I didn’t tell him that it was the dog He thought his appearance camou­ that made me stop. I didn’t tell him flaged the truth. What he did not that if I hadn’t seen those ten inches know was that ten inches of dog’s of tail I would have paid him little tail protruded from the bottom of his attention. I didn’t say that he had jacket. contrived to turn his liability into an With a swift glance in my rear­ asset. view mirror, I braked to a sudden But later on, and since, I have pon­ stop. The boy came running, or more dered this thought. Our liabilities can accurately waddling, and clambered be converted into assets. Are you into the front seat beside me, arms circumscribed, hemmed in, perhaps still clasped, zipper still fastened, even incapacitated? Are you thwart­ front still protruding. ed, hindered, diverted, frustrated? “You have your dog,” I said. With Have circumstances or events or con­ a look of gratitude that shines only ditions forced you to change your

26 (74) The Preacher's Magazine plans or forego some cherished exulted, “I have fought a good fight, dream? These very things can be I have finished my course, I have kept turned to work for your good and the faith.” Grod’s glory. It takes tremendous courage to Is one avenue of service or useful­ bring hope and faith out of black ness closed? Instead of gazing at the despair in life’s crises. But it takes barred door, turn your back upon it courage, and resourcefulness too, to and, looking in the opposite direc­ face the daily setbacks and readjust­ tion, you will see a new opportunity ments and disappointments with se­ —for joy and activity. renity and confidence. These things Great souls have drained sweetness appear to you as handicaps. They from life’s bitterest cup. Out of his seem to make the achievement of blindness, Milton produced Paradise your goal more difficult. But who Lost. John Bunyan wrote the Pil­ knows? They may be the very thing grim's Progress in the feeble light which will cause a passer-by on life’s slanting through the iron grating of road to give you a lift. Bedford jail. St. Paul, with his head Your liabilities can become your almost upon the executioner’s block, greatest assets.

The Health of the Minister's Wife Is Worth Saving

Wasted Wives

By W esley D. Tracy*

Q o m e o n e h a s s a i d that being a sition. (2) A fish-bowl existence. ^ preacher’s wife is the hardest of (3) Overwork. Kingdom positions. This statement In many ways the success of a draws support from the fact that minister depends upon his wife’s nearly every meeting of preachers ability to properly fill the official and brings word of another minister’s unofficial position of “the preacher’s wife who is on the verge of mental wife.” Unlike her husband, however, and emotional collapse. who has had months and years of study, instruction and training in Why do ministers’ wives break down? Certainly the reasons are college and seminary, Mrs. Preacher varied and numerous, for powerful often goes into her new position prac­ pressures and problems can come tically unprepared. This produces a feeling of uncertainty and anxiety from many sources. But generally speaking, the causes spring from one which, to say the least, is somewhat or more of these three categories: less than ideal. To fill this new role (1) Lack of preparation for their po- satisfactorily requires a near miracle of perception and adaptability on her

♦Gary, Indiana. part. February, 1963 (75) 27 Then too, the minister has been fellowship meetings, but never have “prepared” by a divine call that sus­ time to help around the house or tains him through thick and thin. even be around the house. One pas­ But most ministers’ wives have never tor confessed that during one year experienced a divine call, at least not he spent only two evenings at home. to the same imperative degree that Under these circumstances the their husbands have. family car is usually gone, and so Then there is this matter of a fish­ Mrs. Preacher is imprisoned within bowl existence. This is probably the four walls with her problems and her most chafing thing of all to the progeny. She can find no time for minister’s wife. She is always on pub­ diversion or self-expression. As one lic view, always open to public criti­ pastor’s wife exclaimed; “If I could cism. She must be “all things to all only find some time to be me!” men” and all women too. Her hair, hose, and hat will draw more com­ S t e p s T o w a r d a S o l u t i o n ments on any given Sunday than her There are some things that the husband’s sermon. church, the minister, and the minis­ She, as well as her children, must ter’s wife herself can do to relieve always be pleasant, well groomed, much of the pressure. and well dressed, and that on a very Many churches need to be educated limited budget. She usually lives in as to what can reasonably be expect­ a house and community not of her ed of the minister’s wife. She should own choosing. And in spite of the have the same freedom of choice that natural desire of every woman for everyone else exercises in regard to privacy, most parsonages often re­ the various jobs in the church. Also semble Grand Central Station. This there is no reason for the church to means that Mrs. Preacher must keep expect the preacher’s wife to be re­ her house in top condition at all times sponsible for the whole social pro­ for fear that the wrong person might gram. drop in and spread abroad the news The church must also realize that of any dusty windows, dirty dishes, Mrs. Preacher is an individual and or dingy towels. should not expect her to be, nor Most ministers’ wives are over­ should any minister’s wife attempt to worked either at church or at home be, a compilation of all the preach­ or both. What preacher’s wife is ers’ wives that the church has ever not a Sunday school teacher, mission­ had. ary society president, pianist, and so­ The preacher can help a great deal loist, as well as the organizer, cook, if he will. He should always be maid, and hostess of most of the so­ thoughtful and considerate regarding cial affairs of the church? Add to helping with the housework when this the demands of denominational possible and caring for the children. work, community organizations, and He should also be considerate in the district affairs and you have quite a matter of inviting guests on the spur frustrating schedule that has to be of the moment. In looking forward carried out above and beyond her to a time of fellowship, some preach­ responsibilities as a wife and mother. ers forget that their wives must clean Too many ministers’ wives receive and cook and slave and serve in or­ little help with the daily drudgeries der to make it possible. of the home. There are many preach­ Perhaps the greatest contribution ers who have ample time for golf and that the minister can make towards

28 (76) The Preacher's Magazine his wife’s mental and emotional well­ it. Mrs. Preacher must not be afraid being is to be as sympathetic a pastor to say, “No,” to things and people that and counselor to her as he is to every­ would unnecessarily take her away one else. from her primary duties, those being Both the church and the preacher her home and family. must learn to let Mrs. Preacher be The wife of the preacher deserves herself, and allow her to express the to have a means of diversion and distinctive personality that God has self-expression strictly of her own given her. If she is a joiner, let her choosing. Some time each day ought join. If she is a m ixer, let her mix. to be spent doing something just for If she is an organizer, let her or­ the joy of it, however foolish these ganize. But if she is a stay-at-home, diversions may seem to the other then by all means she should stay at ladies of the church. home and be a good wife and mother, Also she must not allow herself to and that with a clear conscience. be so caught up in religious activity Then there are some ways in which that she depends upon secondhand the preacher’s wife can help herself. blessings for spiritual sustenance. She must realize that she cannot do She must carefully guard her time of it all, that she cannot personally ac­ personal devotions. She need not be complish all the worthy tasks that caught up in the pronged horns of are present in any church communi­ the reason-defying questions of the­ ty. She must learn that she is the ology and philosophy. She should hostess of the church and not the merely strive to keep her spiritual scullery maid. She must learn to be life fresh and simple by committing satisfied with letting others do things her life daily to the Lord and being that she herself could do better, with­ happy and satisfied with His daily out feeling guilty or impatient about blessings and graces.

Contradictory Impossibles :

By Edwin F. Harvey

C' p i r i t - f i l l e d but frustrated—power- impossibilities. They are as incon­ less Pentecost—sanctified but gruous as white crows or red-hot stuck—lukewarm baptism of fire— snowballs. An English teacher would perfect love at ease—self-centered term such captions, “Contradictions Christ exalters—sleepers aflame— af­ of terms.” fluent followers of Jesus—prayerless We are not trying to be funny or Jesus-lovers—respectable apostles— sarcastic. This is written after much static revival—dead to self but alive heart-searching. It is the result of to things— indwelt but passionless. two types of jolts—disappointing, per­ We all agree that the above are sonal observation, and the charge of enemies of holiness or in some cases

*Used by permission, Emmanuel. of those who are unsympathetic be­ February, 1963 (77) 29 cause they do not understand the we feel that the bulk of profession experience and its claims. and results is not up to our claims.

The writer loves holiness because I. Necessity of repeated infillings the experience has been a living reali­ and continuous cleansing. A crisis ty to him. He loves it, too, because experience is wonderful and neces­ most of his dearest brethren, some sary to a new plane of power, but it now in the Church Triumphant, have is not all. In numerous places in the been holiness men. That there is a Book of Acts we find that individuals Spirit-infilling, soul-cleansing experi­ and groups received fresh infillings ence can never be doubted by any­ or anointings, especially at times of one who has possessed it. emergency and crisis. Also the terms of Christian living, such as abiding, But, dear brethren, bear with us, show the necessity of a continuous please. A few years ago some of us inflow. Our consecration and self- took stock. We asked ourselves just discipline, important conditions of what we were accomplishing. We maintaining this state, must be kept spent a week in prayer and heart- up to date. Paul not only said, “I searching. The answer came. Lack in am crucified,” but he also said, “I die results is inexcusable. If we pos­ daily.” Many, once on fire, are doubt­ sessed, and continue to possess less settled down and impotent today (there’s the rub) the experience por­ because of failure to recognize these trayed in Acts 2, then we should see important facts. the results that took place in the following chapters. There was only II. Reality is always at a cost. Peo­ one thing to do. We must face facts ple cannot get sanctified or baptized and ask God, regardless of cost to us, by the Holy Ghost by merely coming to bring our experience up to our out for it. They cannot be educated profession. This has led to stepping or indoctrinated into it. They cannot out into the unknown, often outside follow others into the experience. the respectable organized camp both Every possessor must go through his as to standards and methods. It has own Gethsemane and Calvary. Self brought a new flood of criticism. But, dies hard and real soul-battles must oh, how rewarding! Nor have we yet be fought before the deliverance of attained in the truest sense. We know faith comes. there are new fields of seeking for There is also a cost to the Church. the lost, and of proving God, that are The pungent, challenging preaching just ahead. Oh, may we not shrink must be heaven-inspired. The leaving or falter. We praise God for those of the Holy Spirit to do the work of in the holiness ranks who are being convicting and assuring by His own challenged along the same lines. We witness of the Spirit is not easy. must add, too, that we find desperate­ There is a great tendency to help the ly earnest souls outside their ranks chick out of the shell—hence the crop whose love, zeal, yea, and power, are of weaklings and non-producers. in excess of that of many with a III. The demand for numbers. H oli­ higher profession and more enlight­ ness evangelists and conference lead­ ened theology. ers are liable to succumb to the pres­ In a desire to avoid the contradic­ sure for apparent results. How many tory impossibles among those profess­ saved? How many sanctified? These ing high states of grace we proceed are the questions asked. Mass hand- to set down briefly eight reasons why raising and mass instruction and in­

30 (78) The Preacher's Magazine doctrination, followed by a mental nized.” Such respectability is damn­ claiming of a verse of Scripture (un­ ing. Soul-winners have to crash past illuminated by the Spirit), swell the it. General Booth gave us as the numbers but add nothing to the secret of his success: “You see we power of the Church. have no reputation to lose; we are IV. No new-birth foundation. Many not obliged to stop and consider what second and third generation holiness anybody will say, everybody has set­ people have never been born again. tled it that we are fools, if not a great They have learned their theology deal worse; and therefore, we can go from infancy. How sad to see in a into a town and do exactly what we periodical “saved at ten, sanctified at think best without taking the least fifteen.” There is nothing wrong notice of what anybody may say or about the age qualifications, but the wish. We have only to please God perfunctory listing reminds the writer and get the people saved, and THAT of his own youthful experience. A IS EASILY DONE.” second generationist himself, he was VII. The trend to thrift. Drinking, fed up and disillusioned with profess­ smoking and gambling gone, much ing until he saw a young contem­ money is saved. Industrious habits porary strike fire! That settled it! (not slothful in business) increase Here was reality! Surely an exalta­ the income likewise. Many Christians tion of reality of experience is needed find it easy to accumulate. Affluence among this class. and a high standard of living result. V. The excess bogey. Holiness peo­ This leads to overtime work during a ple are frightened by excesses and revival campaign, or decorating the extravagances witnessed in other house rather than going out for souls. movements and sometimes in their George Fox saw this sign of acquir­ own. They become afraid of “dis­ ing things to be a great evil among plays of emotionalism.” There is a early Quakers. Greater even than terrible danger here. How cute is the persecution was this snare so inno­ enemy to allow shallow, sin-loving cently laid for his followers, and he people to claim experiences and man­ warned those prosperous Quakers to ifestations that are sham, while good beware of letting just “daily living” people become staid and formal for absorb so much of their time and attention “so ye can hardly do any­ fear of fanaticism. To recapture their thing to the service of God, but there power and aggressiveness they may will be crying ‘my business, my busi­ have to risk being charged with the ness,’ and your minds will go into the things they have shunned. Reality, things and not over the things.” Wes­ however, will truly commend itself ley’s slogan, “Make all you can; save and win through. all you can; give all you can” is the VI. Cleansing and respectability. The safe rule here. Otherwise we have trend toward life-killing respectabili­ the anomaly of people claiming per­ ty is a serious one. When a man’s fect love but putting the job or home life is cleaned up he tidies up all before the cause of Christ. What a around. But there is a great differ­ farce! ence between this state and the re­ In closing let us add that the Holy spectability that is afraid to step down Ghost is given for a purpose. He who to reach the man on the street; that said, “Tarry till ye be endued,” said gives no welcome to the dirty and also, “Go ye into all the world.” He unkempt in the house of God; that who omits either is only obeying will use no method that is not “recog­ partially.

February, 1963 (79) 31 At a time when the cigarette issue is a growing moral issue, this article deserves careful reading.—Editor.

Methodism's Tobacco Road

By Orlo Strunk, Jr.

'T' h e c o m p l e t e acceptance of smok- if we are to keep our Christian faith ing as an integral part of the critically alive to the times. It is al­ sophistication syndrome makes treat­ ways necessary for us to examine our ment of the subject nearly impossible. beliefs and statements within the con­ Anyone suggesting the possibility that text of the century in which we move, the smoking habit has religious and never, of course, confusing such ex­ moral overtones risks being branded aminations with mere adjustment to as narrow-minded, bigoted, superfi­ that contemporary environment. And cial, puritanical, et cetera, ad infini­ the assertion that there is indeed a tum. Added to this assortment of hierarchy of issues needs to be ques­ label dismissals is the stern repri­ tioned, especially when a problem is mand that an intelligent person being considered from the Protestant should be able to find more impor­ vantage point—for surely we would tant issues in the world to be con­ all agree that there are times when cerned about than the use or misuse any simple act (as simple as lighting of tobacco. a cigarette) might have perceptional and spiritual overtones of some great I recently received a letter from a consequence. Indeed, many seem­ clergy friend who had just transferred ingly queer little scraps of behavior his membership to another denomina­ frequently carry impacts of untold tion. After outlining his satisfaction and unknown significance. with the clerical garb and formal lit­ The lucid fact is that Methodists urgy of his new association, he con­ have consistently held to the belief cluded, “Besides, it is utterly im­ that the tobacco habit is in some way possible for me to be associated with contrary to the best in Christian liv­ any religious movement which would ing. Its use is criticized at five dif­ consider drinking and smoking im­ ferent places in the Discipline— a portant enough to require abstinence document which supposedly records of its clergy when, on the other hand, “the successive stages of spiritual in­ it harbors theological liberals who sight attained by Methodists under think the virgin birth of our Lord an the grace of Christ.” Such a strong irrelevancy.” claim implies that what is contained Though it is difficult to winnow in this document is important, though the truth from such rationalizations, certainly not infallible. the criticism needs to be considered Most of the references to tobacco found in the Discipline have to do *Taken from the Christian Advocate. Used by permission. with clergy behavior and example.

32 (80) The Preacher's Magazine There are clear statements on ab­ possible tie between cigarette smok­ stinence when being licensed to ing and prematurity. Even the psy­ preach (306.5) and when being ad­ chological studies of the smoker are mitted on trial (322.5), but there is not very complimentary, one bit of also an interesting declaration ad­ research suggesting that smokers are dressed to all Methodists, lay as well physically less masculine than non- as cleric: smokers. “In the interest of a larger Chris­ Despite such findings smoking con­ tian influence and service we urge tinues to increase, especially with our people to abstain from the use younger people—a fact which should of tobacco in all its forms. The A m er­ not be surprising to Methodists who ican Cancer Society and the United appreciate Wesley’s understanding of States Public Health Service warn human nature. that a smoking-cancer relationship is But there are other factors re­ definite. sponsible for this obvious tendency “We remind our membership that to ignore reality. One of these is the the principle of right example must pow er of the tobacco industry. Its be considered in regard to the use of armada does not hesitate to aim its tobacco. Organizations and institu­ billion-dollar artillery on anyone who tions related to The Methodist Church might potentially represent sales, in­ should refrain from accepting and cluding women and children. printing advertisements for tobacco In response to an anti-smoking ed­ in their periodicals.” ucational drive in the New York City This is essentially a humanistic ob­ schools the industry’s journal, To­ servation with only slight theologi­ bacco, commented on the danger of cal overtones. Certainly it is a far such moves: “Such educational ef­ cry from the proclamation that it is a forts could deter all children from sin to use tobacco “because it defiles ever becoming smokers.” Especially the body which is the temple of the teen-agers have become prime targets Holy Spirit.” for the industry’s volleys, as the Di­ The Methodist position is theo­ rector of the Department of Heath logically emaciated. Yet its appeal to Education of the AMA recently scientific findings can have strong showed in a national magazine arti­ argumentative possibilities in a cul­ cle, “Don’t Let Tobacco Trap Your ture which is essentially theologically Teen-Ager.” illiterate but scientifically sophisti­ Writing in a recent issue of Friends cated. Journal, one physician has urged that Just what are these arguments? the Society of Friends take a strong­ The current literature on the rela­ er stand against tobacco: tionship between smoking and cancer The time has come, I believe, for is pyramiding in an unbelievable a stronger statement, reflecting the fashion. The United States Public fact that, as recent researches show, Health Service has declared that the tobacco is even more far-reaching in evidence points to a clear cause and its deleterious effect on health and effect relationship between cigarette financial condition than even the smoking and lung cancer. more dramatic disabilities occasioned Similar studies are beginning to ac­ by the use of alcohol.” cumulate on the relationship between Certainly all these health argu­ smoking and certain heart conditions. ments are valid. The Church has a And more recent is the research on a right to use them. But they seem

February, 1963 (81) 33 somewhat of the caliber of Colonel Christian is obligated—indeed, he is Beleau’s stand in Thomas Fall’s novel, responsible—to answer the problem The Justicer. in terms of his understanding of the “Stop kidding me,” said the Colonel doctrine of man in Christian theology. with a shrug of his big shoulders. “I It is impossible for the Christian, may not live longer for not smoking, lay or cleric, to escape the claim that but I’ll go to my grave with a better his body is a valuable instrument, taste in my mouth.” though apparently the Christian in a pagan society, even in Paul’s time, Early Methodism did not claim to­ often cannot accept the implications bacco bad because it left a foul taste of this claim. The Apostle’s reminder in the mouth. And it spoke out to the Corinthians, though dealing against the use of tobacco long be­ more specifically with another par­ fore science came forth with its con- ticular problem, asserts its theologi­ d e m n i n g evidence. It spoke out cal assumption in a conspicuous way: against the use of tobacco for the “I am free to do anything,” you say. same reason it has always spoken out Yes, but not everything is for my good. against any practice which has shown No doubt I am free to do anything, but itself to deter the spiritual quest, I, for one, will not let anything make whether it be tobacco, alcohol, or free with me. “Food is for the belly and overeating! the belly for food,” you say. True, and one day God will put an end to both Indeed, the fact that modern science . . . Do you not know that your bodies has stamped validity on Methodism’s are limbs and organs of Christ? (I Cor. historic stand on tobacco is not near­ 6:12-15, N.E.B.) ly so important as the original moti­ Whether the subject be fornication vation undergirding that stand. In or overeating or the tobacco habit the this sense Paul’s claim is still a much theological command is the same: stronger argument than the ones put Our bodies are the limbs and organs forth by the American Medical As­ of Christ! sociation, the American Cancer So­ The Methodist position on the use ciety, or the United States Public of tobacco is certainly a sound one, Health Service: despite the jeers, sighs, and winks of the sophisticates and other directed. Surely you know that you are God’s But it is valid because it draws its temple, where the Spirit of God dwells. Anyone who destroys God’s temple will strength from theological roots: any himself be destroyed by God, because practice which cripples the quest for the temple of God is holy; and that tem­ perfection must be annihilated, and ple you are (I Cor. 3:16-17, N.E.B.). any practice which harms the body is Despite the tendency to shrug off an affront to our Lord. the implication of Paul’s observation, In this context, it is indeed legiti­ evidence forces the Christian into a mate to talk about sin when we talk theological dimension when frankly about the deliberate use of tobacco, facing the problem. After all, some and most assuredly the problem is may ask, even if we know that the important enough for Methodist min­ tobacco habit is harmful physically, isters and laymen to place it on the so what? But only a pagan can agenda of truly significant Christian phrase the question in this way; the concern.

34 (82) The Preacher's Magazine You will be interested in knowing what a college coed thinks about our church and our task—

"We Are Come for Such a Time"

By Patricia Ward*

e l i v e in a pluralistic society— life, he finds a world of relativism. W a society which T. S. Eliot main­ The result is a “malaise” which one tains is without religious and social writer has called a “sickness of the traditions; a society which Martin soul” or a “sense of inner emptiness.” Buber calls largely ficticious, without One need only turn to certain aspects “true” living. This pluralism has been of modern existentialist thought to caused by two factors: first, the see how man has reacted to this breakdown of traditionally accepted sense of inner emptiness. Such writ­ values; and second, the lack of com ­ ers as Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert munication between religion, science, Camus have been interested in re­ and the humanities. Professor J. Ed­ awakening the innate freedom of man ward Dirks of Yale has described through a philosophy geared toward the breakdown of traditional values challenging man to seek his authentic in this way. “By the mid-thirties our essence. They maintain that our ex­ great cultural heritage was being istence is characterized by a lack or shattered: continuities in culture and void; that man in his anguish can de­ the study of history were increasing­ termine his own true nature entirely ly distrusted; and, technology, with by his own choice of action and that its encompassing jurisdiction, threat­ hope is an obstacle to action. Yet ened to bring all academic energies these writers provide no ultimate an­ under the tutelage of technical rea­ swer for man in his pluralistic di­ son.” Secondly, he points out that lemma, for essentially they say that “when religious institutions were man can only exist without hope. threatened by waves of forces inimi­ What we can conclude from these cal alike to faith and reason, then two existentialists and other modern many of the more thoughtful and thinkers is that man is left with his scholarly theological and religious sense of inner emptiness, but that he leaders abandoned the dialogues they is searching for a satisfactory answer had been engaged in with the to his quest for authentic ideals and sciences, the social sciences, and the ultimates. humanities.” At this point we may ask what Thus modern man is faced with a relevance the pluralistic dilemma of delemma, for he lives in a world man has to us here today. I think where external forces threaten to ob­ Professor Dirks has given us an in­ literate him. Yet when he looks for dication in his comment, “Religious ultimates by which to stabilize his perspectives offer a different back­

* Student, Eastern Nazarene College. ground, a larger point of view, a February, 1963 (83) 35 more adequate image of man’s pur­ though the form of religion remains, pose in the world.” As products of a the spirit is swiftly vanishing away.” college whose ideal is found in the If the church is without an inner con­ words “The Way, the Truth, the fidence in the teaching that man’s Life,” we ought to realize how signif­ soul sickness can be adequately icant a role the ultimate values which solved by an encounter with the our ideal embodies can play in an­ Holy Spirit, it will lack the drive to swering modern man’s dilemma. meet the needs of our pluralistic so- More significantly, as the educated society. As Dean Munro has com­ youth of churches within the Wes­ mented, there is a danger that we leyan tradition we should realize the will form our “destiny by catch­ obligation we now face to relate our words,” and in so doing make our theology of entire sanctification to church ineffective. the problems of our time. Certainly Secondly, we find that many Naza- we cannot deny the importance of a renes lack a sense of responsibility theology which proclaims that truth toward contemporary societal prob­ is to be found in Christ’s teaching of lems. Too often as Christians we take love and that man’s inner emptiness a negative stand on issues, becoming can be removed by the infilling of concerned only when we are asked divine love. to vote “no” on a liquor question. Nevertheless, the Church of the While we must do this, how much Nazarene and other similar denomi­ more effective a witness we could nations are not answering the needs give to the world if some of us took of modern man as adequately as they an active role in government and might. I believe there are four basic politics and all of us realized how problems which our Wesleyan closely civic responsibility can relate churches are facing and which our to Christianity! Too often Christians youth must solve if we as Christians are analogous to the scholar in his are to meet the needs of our time. ivory tower. The president of the The first and most basic of these Ford Foundation has remarked that problems is the need for a response “in a free society the responsibility in the hearts of our youth to the ex­ of a scholar does not end in the of­ perience which our church doctrine fices of his peers and the pages of upholds. The genius of the early his journals. If his inquiries seem holiness movement lay in the spirit clothed with meaning for mankind, of the church. But as our group has he has an obligation to keep an eye enlarged and generations of Naza- cocked to the course they take.” How renes remain in the church, there is irresponsible is the Nazarene who sel­ an increasing danger that youthful dom reads a newspaper, seldom votes, members will fail to make the ex­ and never takes a part in the life of perience of holiness their own, al­ his community! If religious perspec­ though they understand it intellectu­ tives do offer a larger point of view ally. We find a suggestion of this than does the relativism of our age, problem in John Wesley’s concern for we must “keep an eye cocked” to the Methodists of his own time. “The the problems of contemporary soci­ Methodists in every place grow dili­ ety. gent and frugal; consequently they An additional problem within the increase in pride, in anger, in the de­ church lies in our need for greater sire of the flesh, the desire of the empathy with humanity. By empathy eyes, and the pride of life. So, al­ I do not mean a condescending sym­

36 (84) The Preacher's Magazine pathy, but rather an identification express in a unique and meaningful with the needs of others. Many times way what we mean by “being saved the humanitarian ideals of a man and sanctified” so that these words such as Dr. Tom Dooley cast doubts and other similar terminology will on our claims to a higher motivation not degenerate into irrelevant cliches. for service because we often leave If we are to compete on an intellectu­ idealistic service only to missionaries. al plane with spokesmen for such at­ This empathy was intrinsically bound titudes as that of existentialism, we up with the evangelizing zeal which must continue to emphasize the role characterized the early Church of of Christian education. Yet some of the Nazarene in its work among the our most intelligent young people poor people of the slums of our cities. have left the church for various rea­ Church leaders considered our mes­ sons. In order for Nazarenes to suc­ sage of holiness as vital to the spirit­ ceed in speaking effectively to this ual and practical needs of the poorer age, the church will have to retain classes. Now, too often as we move more of her best young people for our churches to the suburbs we are positions within a thinking ministry leaving the centers of cities without and laity, and our youth must be un­ any effective evangelizing force. An swervingly committed to the goals of important aspect of the church’s mes­ the holiness church. sage will be neglected if we minister The founders of the holiness move­ to only so-called respectable people ment considered themselves to be and if we do not meet the needs of called apart to meet the special needs the total man. In the nineteenth of a critical time. We, as part of a century revivalism was connected pluralistic society, must decide with social reform. The needs of whether we will accept the values of twentieth-century America demand our faith and whether we will over­ no less a sense of identification with come the problems which now face mankind today. us to meet the needs of this society. Nevertheless our church also has I am reminded of the words in the a message relevant to the educated Book of Esther, “Who knoweth classes. Here there is need for an whether thou art come to the king­ educated Christian youth to provide dom for such a time as this?” Esther’s a closer synthesis between intellectu­ reply and subsequent action left no al and spiritual truth. Dr. T. E. doubt as to her commitment. A simi­ Martin recently presented a sermon lar question faces us and our reply entitled “The Irrelevancy of Our Wit­ must be just as definite. As the youth ness" in which he emphasized the of the church, we will decide wheth­ lack of communication between the er the holiness movement has still church and much of society. We must been called for such a time.

T h e s t o r y is told of a miller who “All I did was to send them to you in asked an apple grower, “How is it five of your own flour barrels.”— when I measured the five barrels of From Tall in His Presence, G e o r g e apples you sold me last week I was almost a barrel short?” “That's a fair M c N e i l l R a y . Copyright 1961 by the question,” the apple grower replied. Seabury Press, Inc.

February, 1963 (85) 37 SEIRJUEOnST WORKSHOP

Supplied by Nelson G. Mink

Sermons, Themes, Texts, Starting Thoughts

T h e m e : The Church Glorious B. This connection has big re­ serves of power (Acts 4:31). T e x t : That he might present it to him­ C. This connection was strong self a glorious church, not having spot, over at John Mark’s house or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that (Acts 12:5). it should be holy and without blemish V . T h e G l o r io u s C h u r c h I s G o in g to (Eph. 5:27). T r i u m p h . W e b s t e r : “Glorious—full of glory, of A. Not determined by present-day exalted honor, dignity, majesty re­ newscasts. splendent, extremely, delightful, splen­ B. Her triumph not determined by did.” what any man can do. C. Put your ear to the ground and I. A G lorious C h u r c h Is H o l y listen to God’s army marching. G h o s t -C e n t e r e d . Do you hear them coming, brother, John 16:13; Acts 13:2; Acts 2:4, 42 Thronging up the steeps of light, II. A G l o r io u s C h u r c h Is S t a n d a r d ­ Clad in glorious, shining garments, iz e d b y t h e B ib l e . Blood-washed garments pure and A. Our standard of joy (Jer. 15: white?* 16) B. Our standard of light (Ps. 119: 8) T h e m e : The “Togethers” in Ephesians C. Standard of right conduct T e x t : That in the dispensation of the (II Tim. 3:16) fulness of times he might gather to­ D. Finality of this standard (Rev. gether in one all things in Christ, both 22:19) which are in heaven, and which are on III. A G l o r io u s C h u r c h Is I n w a r d l y earth; even in him (Eph. 1:10). E m p o w e r e d . I. G a t h e r e d T o g e t h e r A. “In those days came John . . .” Greek meaning—“To bring back (Matt. 3:1b); “Then cometh to and gather around a main Jesus . . .” (Matt. 3:13). point.” This points to a previous B. Power-endued (Luke 24:49 and condition where separation did not Acts 1:5) exist.

C. Power needed for times like II. Q u ic k e n e d T o g e t h e r these. (Illus.: Lady in a library (Eph. 2:5) Greek meaning: “to asked librarian about a book, give life, to make alive, to cause saying: “I want something to to live.” inspire me, but I don’t want to III. R a is e d T o g e th e r be upset.” ) (Eph. 2:6) Implications of both IV. A G l o r io u s C h u r c h H a s I n e x ­ physical and spiritual resurrec­ h a u s t ib l e C o n n e c t io n s . tions in Greek. A. This connection is sometimes •From Praise and Worship, Nazarene hymnal. surprising (Acts 2:43). Used by permission. 38 (86) The Preacher's Magazine IV. S it t in g T o g e t h e r (I asked ministers and laymen to give (Eph. 2:6) Seated or enthroned me their thoughts on the above theme. with Him in the heavenlies. Royal Here is a partial list of things you can and enriching privilege. take with you.—N. G. M.)

V. F r a m e d T o g e th e r 1. “We can take the ‘wisdom and (Eph. 2:21) From two Greek revelation in the knowledge of him’ words which mean to “pick out” spoken of in Eph. 1:17.” and “to join.” This is an archi­ 2. “We can take with us an ‘enlight­ tectural metaphor. ened understanding’ and a ‘know so’ ex­ VI. B u il d e d T o g e th e r perience made clear in Eph. 1:18.” (Eph. 2:22) Greek here implies 3. “We can take along the ‘rich glory the joining of the members of a of our inheritance’ ” (Eph. 1:19). body together. 4. “We can take with us the continu­ VII. J o in e d T o g e th e r ation of the ‘quickened,’ risen life.” (Eph. 4:16) Same word used in This is so definitely pictured to us in Eph. 2:21, but a present participle Eph. 2:1-7.—N. G. M. here, indicating the work is going on as a present process. —N. G. M. T h e m e : Behavior Peculiar to the Sanc­ tified T h e m e : “POWER”—the Big Word with God and Men T e x t : And be not drunk with wine,

T e x t : And what is the exceeding great­ wherein is excess; but be filled with the ness of his power to us-ward who be­ Spirit (Eph. 5:18). lieve, according to the working of his After experiencing this blessing, the mighty power, which he wrought in apostle brings out three very important Christ, when he raised him from the phases of the Spirit-filled life: dead, mid set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all I. T h e S e c r e t o f t h e S in g in g H e a r t . principality, and power, and might, and Notice Eph. 5:19. dominion, and every name that is named, “Speaking to yourselves,” literally, not only in this world, but also in that “ Speaking with yourselves.” Means to which is to come (Eph. 1:19-21). be speaking to others more than speak­ ing to your own heart. Here is the greatest array of “power” “ Singing I go along life’s road, for words in all the Bible. These four Greek Jesus has lifted my load.” words are used by Paul here in demon­ strating our great salvation— II. U n m o v e d b y S h if t in g C i r c u m s t a n ­ 1. Dunamis—meaning natural ability, c e s . “Giving thanks always” (Eph. general and inherent. 5:20). 2. Energeia—power in exercise, power “If my Father has willed it, He also operative. makes it possible.” 3. K r a t o s—might, or manifested He would have us learn the secret of strength. Jesus is speaking to John on thanking Him for trials, unanswered the Isle of Patmos. Rev. 1:8—says of prayer, testings, thorns that we cannot himself that He is the Pantakrator, the remove, etc.

“Almighty.” III. B r in g in g Y o u r s e l f in t o l i n e . “Sub­ 4. Ischuous—has to do with strength mitting yourselves one to anoth­ or power as an enduement. er . . .” (Eph. 5:21). The word for submission here is a T h e m e : You Can’t Take It with You Greek word—a military term. It means T e x t : That in the ages to come he might to “marshal, to draw up into battle for­ shew the exceeding riches of his grace mation.” The preposition upo means in his kindness toward us through Christ “under.” The whole term has to do Jesus (Eph. 2:7). with subjecting ourselves to others, and

February, 1963 (87) 39 with a strong desire to get along well few girls ever said “Yes” to a high- with them. Keeping ourselves in line. decibel plea.” —N. G. M. —Standard, Carl Junction, Mo.

E f f ic i e n c y T h e m e : Lessons from the Laughter of “An efficiency expert is one who is Sarah smart enough to tell you how to run T e x t : And Sarah said: God hath made your business, and too smart to start me to laugh, so that all that hear ivill one of his own.” laugh xuith me (Gen. 21:6). —International Correspondence Schools Abraham laughed too. Gen. 17:17— And Abraham fell on his face, and F a l l - o u t S h e l t e r s laughed. Adam Clarke was surprised “Fall-out shelters aren’t so new. My that anyone should think Abraham’s grandfather had one in the far corner laughter indicated any doubt, but with of the attic. He used it whenever he and Sarah he thought it was a mixture of grandma had a fall-out.” doubt and joy. Hutchinson (Kan.) News These lessons from Sarah’s laughter seem to stand out: O n M e n a n d M eth o d s

I. T he L a u g h t e r o f H u m a n W e a k ­ The late Charles M. Alexander was n e s s taken to task after one of his services Her laugh ter at first sprang from by a Christian who said, “I admire your the overwhelming thought of human spirit, Mr. Alexander, but I don’t like weakness. God reminds her that noth­ the way you do your personal work.” ing is impossible with Him. “Neither do I very well," replied Mr.

II. T he L a u g h t e r o f t h e H i l a r io u s Alexander. “How do you do it?” S p ir it “Uhhhh . . . ,” stuttered the man, for The depth of spiritual joys—only he had not been out to weekly calling those who possess them, know them. or visitation for almost a month. “Well,” continued Mr. Alexander, “at III. T h e L a u g h t e r o f T r iu m p h least I like the way I do it better than Psalms 126. The return of the the way you do it.” exiles. “Then was our mouth filled with —From Sunday School Times (Quoted laughter, and our tongue with singing.” in Houston Central Park Bulletin) —N. G. M.

A T h r il l in g S t o r y

L if e I s W h a t You M a k e I t District Superintendent Dr. B. V. On an old temple wall was found this Seals said recently: "I heard a thrilling picture: A king forging from his crown story today from one of my pastors, a chain and, nearby, a slave making of Rev. Leo Guffnet, west Seattle.” his chain a crown. Underneath was Mrs. Jensen, a saint in his church, an written: “Life is what one makes it, no elderly lady, found she was dying with matter of what it is made.”—Selected. cancer. Her son took her into his home. While her body wasted away, her spirit remained brave and strong. Her love V o ic e T e m p o to her Lord and her church were clear (Not sure this is for preachers—just a in all she did. thought on tempo) She often gave her pastor her tithe “To get attention, lower your voice. from her small check when he called. The group whispering in the corner is One day when he came she was so much more intriguing than that little weak she could not be understood. Her knot of persons arguing so loudly in the son tried in vain to hear what she was center of the room. Too, a lowered voice saying. Finally he said: “Mother, is it is much more persuasive. Few sales your tithe?” She smiled as she nodded ever were made by desk pounding, and her head. As her son came back with

40 (88) The Preacher's Magazine the tithe, she slipped across the line of T h e B ib l e worlds. Gone to be with her treasures! The Bible shows us that history is a never-ending battle between a God who B r o w n E y e s o r B l u e ? calls, and men who resist His call.— A little girl who had very blue eyes, God’s Unfolding Purpose. and who wished very much that she could have brown eyes like her mother, B r o t h e r h o o d was kneeling by the side of her mother There will never be a brotherhood of at family prayer and prayed: “Dear mankind as long as one brother has Lord, please make my eyes brown to­ something another thinks he should night.” have.—Information. In the morning she ran quickly to the mirror, then went slowly down stairs, where her mother tenderly looked S ig n s o f t h e T im e s at her crestfallen face. But Mary, a lit­ Since the world did not come to an tle Christian, spoke up, saying: “Mam­ end on the day of the conjunction of the ma, Jesus said, ‘No!’ ” five planets, the astrologers of the East The years passed. Mary became a have lost face, and some more than missionary, finally reaching a tribe that that. In Jaipur, India, a crowd of was very hostile to missionaries. Friends women, angry because they were all were amazed, for the natives flocked ready, and nothing happened, chased around her, listened intently while she four Hindu priests and beat two of them told the wonderful story of Jesus and for being scaremongers.—Quote Maga­ His love. zine. The other missionaries asked her, “But why did they let you into their A n o t h e r D e f i n it i o n o f M id d l e A ge village? They threatened the rest of “Middle age is when your memory is us.” shorter, your experience longer, your She softly replied: “They never had stamina lower, and your forehead high­ seen blue eyes before.”—A n o n . er.”—Grit.

S hort T a k e s G a t h e r e d b y t h e W a y C h a r it y “We cannot all play the same in­ “A bone given to a dog is not charity. struments, but we should all be in the Charity is the bone shared with the dog same key. when you are just as hungry as the dog.” “The robe of righteousness cannot be —Uplift. won by giving away an old vest now and then. C o u r a g e —F ear “God values human life so highly that Don’t boast of being a brave and fear­ He notes the sparrow’s fall, and even less man until you have felt your way knows the number of hairs on our heads, through a dark room at 2 a.m. to in­ but He’s not so sure of the color any vestigate a strange noise, and have had more. a broom handle to fall against the mid­ “The optimist is as often wrong as the dle of your back.—Sunshine Magazine. pessimist, but he has a lot more fun. “A few people get up bright and early, but most of us just get up. D o w n P a y m e n t “Nowadays if a fellow is as sound as An anonymous New York taxpayer a dollar he’s worth about fifty cents. sent a letter to the state comptroller’s “It’s hard to keep up with the Jones office in Albany, saying that he had family. It looks like they want to hit cheated on his income tax ten years the moon.”—Selected. ago, and had not been able to get a good night’s sleep since. A nger He enclosed $25.00, and added, “If I No one ever makes us mad. We grow still can’t sleep, I’ll send the balance.”— angry as a result of our own choice. Sunshine Magazine.

February, 1963 (89) 41 A PREACHING PROGRAM

The True Spirit of Giving

S c r ip t u r e : II Cor. 9:6-15

T e x t : II Cor. 9:7

I ntroduction : The Apostle Paul on his second missionary journey came to a small city on the southern tip of Greece called Corinth. It was just west of the city of Athens. Here he organized a Christian church. He wrote this church two letters recorded in the New Testament as First and Second Corinthians. The first letter had to do with the institution of marriage and the gifts of the Spirit. The second letter is divided into three parts. In the first part he tried to relieve their ill feeling towards him for the way he had to handle one of their men who had done wrong. The last part had to do with his sufferings. The middle part of this letter, especially chapters eight and nine, deals with giving. It is this section we call your attention to. There was a great famine in Jerusalem; the Christians were starving. Paul made a tour of the churches and raised money to relieve their suf­ ferings.

I. T h e M a n n e r o f T h e ir G iv in g A. Who was to give? 1. Everyone was to give (II Cor. 9:7; 16:2). B. When were they to give? 1. Upon the first day of the week (I Cor. 16:2). a. This is the Christian Sabbath. C. How much were they to give? 1. According as God had prospered them (I Cor. 16:2). a. The Old Testament teaches to give the tithe under the law (Gen. 14:20). b. The New Testament teaches that the tithe is a minimum and gives examples of people giving half or all they had as the need arose (Matt. 23:23; Acts 4:34-37).

II. T h e S p i r it o f T h e ir G iv in g A. Not the spirit of selfishness. 1. This causes people to give sparingly (II Cor. 9:6). a. Just enough to get by with one’s conscience (Acts 5:1-10). 2. This causes people to give grudgingly (II Cor. 9:7). a. Sorrowfully, wishing that you could keep it. 3. The outcome of this kind of giving: a. Does not merit the love of God (II Cor. 9:7). b. Reaps little return (II Cor. 9:6). B. The spirit of love. 1. This causes people to give bountifully. a. They shall reap bountifully also (II Cor. 9:6). 2. This causes people to give cheerfully. a. God loves them. b. So do other Christians.

42 (90) The Preacher's Magazine e. God makes all grace abound toward them (II Cor. 9:8). d. God supplies all their needs (Phil. 4:19). e. These grow in grace and the knowledge of Jesus Christ (II Pet. 3:18). III. T he R e s u l t s o f T h e ir G iv in g A. It caused a great chorus of thanksgiving. 1. From the people in need (II Cor. 9:12). 2. It will cause rejoicing today from people who are converted in local churches and those converted on the mission fields. B. It caused the Jews to believe the gentiles had become Chris­ tians (II Cor. 9:13). 1. It causes people to have confidence today. C. It met the need and relieved the suffering (II Cor. 9:12). 1. This kind of giving will do the same today throughout our church and around the world. D. It caused others to catch the spirit of giving (Acts 4:34). 1. When we give we are more like Christ than any other time. 2. Giving strengthens the soul, enlarges the Kingdom, and pleases God. —D e a n B a l d w i n (‘'This sermon outline was suggested by General Stewardship Committee as of special merit and is placed first in the sermon outline book Preach- able Stewardship Sermon Outlines.—Editor.)

“The Tithe . . . Is the Lord’s” the children of Israel not only had a command from God to give one-tenth to T e x t : All the tithe of the land, whether the Lord, but if they kept back any part of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of their tithe, they were to add the of the tree, is the Lord’s: it is holy unto “fifth part thereof.” the Lord (Lev. 27:30).

Introduction : III. T it h i n g W a s A p p r o v e d a n d C o m ­ The word “tithe” is mentioned quite m e n d e d b y J e s u s . often in the Old Testament in connec­ A. He told the Pharisees they tion with the law and God’s require­ ought to tithe (Matt. 23:23). ments as to giving. The principle of B. Note the great principle which tithing was taught by Jesus and prac­ Jesus speaks concerning giving (Matt. ticed by the early Christians. 6:19-20). I. T it h in g A n t e d a t e d t h e L a w . C. When we turn to the New Tes­ A. Abraham practiced it 500 years tament we find the Christians did not before Moses (Gen. 14:18-20). stop with the order of the old law, but B. Jacob at Bethel pledged a tithe gave more. At Pentecost they gave all! to God (Gen. 28:20-22).

C. If these men of God found it a IV. T it h in g Is a n E x p r e s s io n o f Y o u r blessing and benefit to give one-tenth L o v e . to the Lord back in those days, would A. It was a spiritual relationship it not be profitable for us to do likewise (II Cor. 8:7-8). today? B. The attitude of the heart gen­ II. T it h i n g W a s C o m m a n d e d b y G o d . A. It was enunciated by Moses on erates the spirit of giving (II Cor. 9:7). Mount Sinai (Deut. 14:22; Lev. 27:31- C. Christian stewardship is a 34). means of revelation. Money will usual­ B. It was restricted to holy use ly reveal the inner attitudes of an indi­ (Num. 18:24; Deut. 12:6, 11). vidual. Tithing is an expression of ap­ C. God’s law concerning the tithe preciation. It is an act of gratitude for was strict. It is interesting to note that the goodness of God in supplying our

February, 1963 (91) 43 material necessities. Someone has so B. Regards our talents as the gift adequately stated, “You may give with­ of God. out loving, but you cannot love without C. Requires the tithe as “holy un­ giving.” to the Lord.” V. C o n c l u s i o n : D. Reveals life as a sacred trust. According to the Word of God, we III. T h e M o t iv e o f S t e w a r d s h ip cannot honestly proclaim that we love A. Relationship as stewards—ours God without having a spirit of sacri­ is a partnership. ficial giving. Tithing is an obligation, but a complete consecration transforms B. Redeemed servants—s erving our giving into a privilege. Therefore faithfully in love. a person fully surrendered to the will C. Rendering of service—giving of God will exhibit expressions of ap­ God our best. preciation, co-operation, and love to D. Reward of stewardship—en­ manifest the sanctified attitude, “Freely larged responsibilities now, and at the ye have received, freely give” (Matt. end of life’s journey the words, “Enter 10:8 ). thou into the joy of thy Lord.” —M il t o n L. B u n k e r IV. C o n c l u s i o n : Akron, Ohio They had merited his confidence and won a place of permanent fellow­ ship in all the affairs of their lord. They had done it by being faithful over “ a Christian Stewardship few things.” Our Lord is no respecter

T e x t : Well done, thou good and faithful of persons but rewards faithfulness in servant (Matt. 25:21). all. —M il t o n L. B u n k e r I ntroduction : It must ever be remembered that God works through means, and in the salva­ tion of the human family, man is a co­ A Key to Revival worker with God. This is so great and glorious a truth that our hearts leap S c r ip t u r e : Malachi 3 with joy at the mere thought of the I ntroduction : high privilege. And yet, what a re­ A. The value of historical inci­ sponsibility! On our faithfulness de­ dents in the Bible is that we pends the advancement of His cause. might learn from them. I. T he M e a n in g o f S t e w a r d s h ip B. Principles universally applica­ A. Christian stewardship vitally ble are suggested in God’s deal­ relates itself to money, property, goods, ings with His people through but that is because such things are a the prophet Malachi. real part of life and in our day an ever- I. M a l a c h i G iv e s a G e n e r a l D e s c r ip ­ enlarging part of life. t i o n o f t h e P e o p l e . B. The dynamic of life with the A. They have not kept God’s com­ great mass is the desire for an expand­ mandments (v. 7). ing life of things. 1. This is God’s indictment C. Such a concept of life is pagan against them, not man’s. and anti-Christian. 2. God accuses that He might D. The most important thing there heal. “Return unto me, and is about Christian stewardship is that it I will return unto you” gives to us a distinctly Christian outlook (v. 7). on life as it must be lived in relation­ B. The way to return to God was ship to a world of material things. to begin (or resume) tithing II. T he M e s s a g e o f S t e w a r d s h ip and giving of offerings (v. 8). A. Recognizes God’s ownership of 1. This is not sentimental re­ our time. pentance.

44 (92) The Preacher's Magazine 2. This involves practical obe­ A. Prove Him with the tithe and dience. offerings. C. The people had robbed God 1. Material blessings will in­ 1. How? In tithes and offer­ crease (v. 10). ings, for one thing (v. 8). 2. Spiritual rewards will be 2. They also had forsaken other great (v. 12). commandments of God B. Prove Him with obedience and (v. 7). true spiritual service. 3. As a result of robbing and 1. The blessings promised are disobeying God, things were more than material (v. 10). not going too well for the 2. The blessings promised are people (v. 11). more than temporal (v. 16). 4. They had further robbed God by teaching that it C o n c l u s i o n : made no difference whether A. God challenges Christians of one kept His ordinances or this day. not (v. 14). B. There must be a carefulness to II. B u t G od H a d a R e m n a n t ( v v . 1 6 - obey every command. 17). C. The carefulness He seeks is not A. They feared Him (v. 16). the carefulness of fear, but the 1. They reverenced God. carefulness of love. 2. They kept God’s laws. D. Tithing is one of God’s com­ B. They communed together and mands; let us obey it. with God (v. 16). E. The blessings He promises are C. They meditated upon God great indeed. “. . . prove me (v. 16, “thought upon his now herewith, saith the Lord of name” ). His power, omnis­ hosts, if I will not open you cience, justice, mercy, goodness, the windows of heaven, and truth, and omnipotence. pour [lit., empty] you out a D. Their names were registered in blessing, that there shall not be a book of remembrance in room enough to receive it” heaven (v. 16). (v. 10). III. G od C h a l l e n g e s t h e P e o p l e t o — Ross R. C r ib b is P r o v e H i m ( v . 10). Oxford, Nova Scotia

The Preaching That Kills" The preaching that kills may be, and often is, orthodox—dog­ matically, inviolably orthodox. Nothing is so dead as dead orthodoxy, too dead to speculate, too dead to think, to study or to pray. The letter may be dressed up so as to be fashionable, but the attraction is not toward God nor is the fashion for heaven. The failure is in the preacher. God has not made him. He has never been in the hands of God like clay in the hands of the potter. He has been busy about the sermon, its thought, its finish, its drawing and im­ pressive forces, but the deep things of God have never been sought, studied, fathomed, experienced by him. He has never stood before “the throne high and lifted up,” never heard the seraphim song, never seen the vision nor felt the rush of that awful holiness, and cried out in utter abandon and despair under the sense of weakness and guilt, and had his life renewed, his heart touched, purged, inflamed by the live coal from G od’s altar.-—E . M. B o u n d s . * Pulpit—August, 1962.

February, 1963 (93) 45 Stewardship Quotations

Selected by Earl C. Wolf

Why did not Jesus say more about Y e s t e r d a y is a canceled check; to­ the tithe? Simply because it was so morrow is a promissory note; today deeply imbedded in the thoughts and is the only cash you have—spend it practices of the Jews that it was un­ wisely. necessary to do so. Why harangue them to do something that they were already I t i s n o t the shilling I give you doing? Neither did the writers of the New Testament do it for the same rea­ that counts, but the warmth that it son. carries with it from my hand.— D e —H e r s c h e l l H . H o b b s in The Gospel U n a m u n o . of Giving, Broadman Press, copy­ right 1954 Stewardship is Christianity lived re­ sponsibly (Gal. 5:25).—Author un­ That man may last, but never lives, known. Who much receives, but nothing gives; W e c a n put our harvests into barns, Whom none can love, whom none but if we put our hearts into our can thank, barns, we shall lose them.— R a l p h W. Creation’s blot, creation’s blank. S o c k m a n . —T h o m a s G ib b o n s Let your giving speak more and more Our stewardship is always showing— of you—so that just as you are yourself in our practice of the art of worship, in committed to God, your gifts to His the way we support our beliefs with work in all the world are more and our money, and in the whole disposition more given “as unto Christ.” of our lives towards God and our fellow —M. D. B l a c k b u r n men. —A r t h u r M cK a y in It is just as important that the last Presbyterian Life tenth of our increase be used in ways that are pleasing to God as it is that

C h r i s t i a n S c r i p t u r e s continue to the first tenth be brought into God’s be best sellers in Japan. According storehouse. —D e a n W e s s e l s to the American Bible Society, more than 2 V2 million Bibles, Testaments, Stewardship is what a man does after and portions were distributed in he says “I believe.”—Author unknown. Japan last year. This was more than twice the number of leading Japanese Small deeds done are better than nonfiction books sold and more than great deeds planned.—P eter M a r s h a l l . ten times that of the leading fiction best seller. The Society has also re­ First— or Nothing ported that China’s Communists have There are a great many things bought large quantities of a new Ti­ which the Lord will put up with in betan language Bible in order to learn the human heart; but there is one the language of the country they thing he will not put up with . . . have conquered. second place.— J o h n R u s k i n .

4fi (94) The Preacher's Magazine DON’T PARK HERE C. William Fisher (Abingdon, 160 pages, cloth, $3.00) The author, a well-known Nazarene evangelist, has selected a popular slogan and adapted it to a splendid and practical discussion. His central thesis is this: The human temptation is to park where we are. Perhaps it is to park beside our handicaps, our failures, our sufferings, our sorrows, our resentments, our failures, or even our successes. But the author urges everyone to move on. He reminds us that life is not a parking lot, but a thoroughfare. It is a gymnasium, not a rest home. It is a school, not a cemetery. It is an arena, not a bleacher seat. Here is found spiritual advice, phrased in the typical, crisp, and pungent manner that we who have come to know this author recognize. It is strong­ ly and profusely illustrated. It is the kind of book that can be placed in the hands of the discouraged, the bereaved—in fact, all who are embattled amid life’s warfare.

THE CHURCH AND THE OLDER PERSON Robert M. Gray and David O. Moberg (Eerdmans, 1962, 168 pages, cloth, 3.50) This is a carefully done study of the problems of senior citizens in our present day. It is fairly saturated with statistics inasmuch as the book was built around a very extensive questionnaire and many, many inter­ views. The strength of this book is its exhaustive attempt to deal with all of the intricate facets of older persons in modern church life. No minister is removed from facing the problems of older people in church life. To all ministers this book offers solid value. One will have an almost endless resource of factual material, carefully documented, re­ vealing the attitudes of older people toward church life; their reactions, their disappointments, and best of all, how they can be built into modern church life. The author titles his nine chapters as follows: (1) Introduction, (2) “Problems of Older People,” (3) “The Religion of Older People,” (4) “Religion and Personal Adjustment in Old Age,” (5) “Personal Ad­ justment of the Older Person Within the Church,” (6) “Contributions of the Church to Adjustment,” (7) “Problems of the Older Person in the Church,” (8) “What the Church Can Do for Older People,” (9) “What Older Persons Can Do for the Church.” To say that this book is practical is a definite understatement. Your bookman would consider it a means of tremendous help to any pastor if he could have this on the shelf and make it available to the Sunday school teachers who work with older adults, and also if he would select a committee of persons to make it a serious Sunday evening study in the interest of better serving the older persons in the congregation.

February, 1963 (95) 47 CREATION OK EVOLUTION David D. Reigle (Zondervan, 64 pages, paper, $1.00) Books are available in varying price ranges and written from a variety of approaches dealing with the problems of evolution or creation. But here in one small compass is found a decidedly worthy discussion. The author limits his treatment basically to the first chapter of Genesis and points out the conflict between the evolutionary hypothesis and the Bible. The author is a teacher of science with degrees from the University of Illinois, and he reveals his acquaintance with scientific data and documents his statements quite carefully. His position relative to Genesis 1 and 2 will not be accepted by all; and where he suggests the extended reign of Lucifer over the earth, during its period of chaos, I would refer you to Dr. Wiley’s position in his Theology. To be honest, the author does not flatly insist upon the period of chaos between Genesis 1 and Genesis 3, but on page 23 he propounds it as being his most likely interpretation. The book, however, contains much helpful information which in the minds of our high school young people will assist them definitely in en­ countering the subtle and tenacious views of teachers of science who have no place for the Bible account. It should be available for every teen-ager.

CANNIBAL VALLEY Russell T. Hitt (Harper, 256 pages, cloth, $3.95) Missionary heroism has become the basis for some remarkable books in the past five years. Such missionary epics as Through Gates of Splendor and Jungle Pilot told the story of the Auca Indians of Ecuador. These books were best sellers and thrilled multiplied thousands of readers. Cannibal Valley is another in this same tradition, although it deals, not with Auca Indians, but with the tribes of Dutch New Guinea. Cannibal Valley is not an extreme title, for cannibalism was a part of the life of these tribes five years ago, and still is to a limited extent. Here is the story of how missionaries hazarded their lives to take the gospel to these tribes living in the highlands of Dutch New Guinea. The development of the missionary program in this area has come almost totally since World War II. For this was an area known as Shangri- la, where one of our planes was wrecked and some of our military per­ sonnel were marooned until rescued almost by a miracle. This is a land of cannibalism, of wife stealing, of barbaric funeral rites, where the people are inclined to smile one minute and murder the next, where cruelty and ruthlessness are a part of life, and yet as you read this thrilling story the gospel does break through and brings a smile to the face and a peace to the heart—even to the cannibal tribes of the Dani Valley of Dutch New Guinea. One of the unforgettable impacts of this book is the striking truth that there are still young couples still so devoted to the missionary cause that they are waiting in line to spend and be spent in such remote and danger­ ous parts of the world.

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