Contending for the Faith, Vol. V, 1974

Volume V, 1974 DOWNTOWN SAN FRANCISCO CHURCH OF CHRIST PRESENTS Volume i, No.1 $1 Per Year

FOR ELDERS, DEACONS, PREACHERS, TEACHERS AND CONCERNED CHRLSTLANS

NAILING DOBBS 1 "95 THESES' TO HIGHLANDS 1 CHURCH-HOUSE DOOR IS BROTHERHOOD POLARIZING? IF IT HAS TO BE-SO BE IT! Dear Brethren: That was quite a Pandorats Box opened by James Walter Nich- ols, back in 1965, when he, as then-editorofthechristianchroq- icle, opened his pages to Liberals, Modernists, Neo-Pentecostals and false teachers of every stri~e.The brotherhood just has not been the same since. From that day to this a growing polarity a- mong the churches of Christ has been clearly in evidence. By now the question is not will we break apart--but only when.Two still cannot walk together, except thev be aqreed. (Amos 3:3)~ndthose of us who are determined to walk in truth simply are not agreed with those who seem equally determined to walk in error.

In a conversation I had with brother Franklin Cam~,ofBirm- ingham, Alabama, during the February/l973 lectureship, at Freed- Hardeman College, he stated that in his view 1973 would prove to be the year this brotherhood broke apart over Liberalism,inpar- ticular, and these other assorted matters, in general. Certainly brother Camp is not a prophet, since that supernatural gift--and all other such--ended in the first century A.D. However, as 1973 wore on, it appeared increasingly that he was atleastprescient. It now should be apparent to all that we did indeed polarize, as a brotherhood, during 1973--and that the thing that did it, more than all else combined, was the insistence ofthoseelders yetre- maining at Hiqhland/Abilene, Texas, upon a courseat variance from the truth rather than in harmony with it. Never in all my preaching life--and this is my 42nd year as a preacher--have I ever witnessed such a concerted effort on the part of an eldership to deceive Itthe rest of us." IJIoreover, they have used the brotherhood's own money--money contributed for the support of the Herald of Truth--to finance this deception! Rath- er than simply repenting of--and correcting--a wrong course--now apparent to all that will look--they have spent literally thous-

Shades of Martin Luther vs. Roman Catholic Church Page 2 ands upon thousands of YOUR-and the LORD'S --OWN MONEY to travel to all parts of the brotherhood (to say nothing of those big mailings they got out) to make us think that the BASIC CHANGES were being effect- ed that are necessary for us to be able to ,"walk together." They were not. What is worse, those elders remaining yet at k I. lio. +., Editor Highland knew they were not1 Yet, some- ~~b.sm sm Frmdlco, wlani. MI01 how, if enough of us could be made to think they were--enough, at least, that we- would continue sending inourmoney-- VolumeV,No.l January/l974 they evidently reasoned that should be sufficient. SUBSCRIPTION RATES So it was that on November 8, 1973 Single Subscription- Siperyear they got out a 24-page something called or Six Years for $5 "HERALD OF TRUTH: A SPECIAL REPORT." It Club Rate- SixSubscriptions, $5 was so persuasive to brotherBatsel1 Bar- rett Baxter that, like Barnabas of old, Bundle Rates: he was "carried away with their dissim- 12 Copies / $1 ulation" to the point of bringing out an 25 Copies / $2 open letter "To Whom It May Concern" on 40 Copies / $3 November 21, 1973, which was distribut- 60 Copies / $4 ed brotherhood-wide (I say in sorrow, 80 Copies / $5 rdz condemnation), attempting to persuade 100 Copies / 56 us to continue our support. It had just - the o~positeeffect on brother H. A. (Bus- ter) Dobbs, minister to the Memorial congregation, of Houston, Texas (and editor of Pleaseaddress all conununications to CONTENDING IVR THE FAITH, Anchor Magazine), who subsequently sent Post Office Box 588 me 95 questions, which, in a figure, we San Francisco, California now are nailing to the churchhouse door 94101 at Highland/Abilene, Texas, as follows: -

"QUESTIONS FOR TKE HIGHLAND ELDERS IN RESPONSE TO THEIR SPECIAL REPORT "1. Is it fair to make the statement, 'While that (getting into personalities) would make our case perhaps Stronger, we will notdo it. We cannot believe that is the Christian thing to do1? CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH is published monthly by the Downtown San "2. Is it the 'Christian thing to do1 to Francisco Church of Christ, at 250 Van imply that therearepersoralmatters Nesa Avenue, San Francisco, California. that would stopthemouths ofbrother MAILING ADDRESS: P. 0. Box 588, Harper and others, but that you men San Francisco. California 94101. Second- Class postage paid at San Francisco. are too magnanimous and charitable to mention these personal matters? "3. Is it ' the Christian thing to do' to attack by innuendo? "4. Is it your position that brother Har- Iper is the tool of Satan and that he is determined to stopthepreach- -NOTE: Literally 100s already have ing of God's word eveninthe faceof laced their orders for BOUND VOL- 'national corruption, moral break- ~Esof CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH-- down, flagrant disregard 631: the Word Volumes J, 11, III_ and =. They are of God...pagan worship' and etcet- 83 for each volume--or 612 for the era? If not, then why mention these set. Please address all orders for things in your Special Report? these to 0. Box 588. San Francjsco, Californ- "5. "On Page three of your 'Special Re- ia 94101 by return mail. IYRJr. port' you wrote, 'Then, about a year Page 3

ago,a difficult situation arose. Wewere why did you not just send himacheck in- aware that somedoctrifalproblems had sur- stead of making 'an of fer' to restore what faced in this (Highland) congregation.' you admit you wrongfully took from him? What were these doctrinal problems? "17. Is it not a fact that making an 'offer* to "6. Are we to understand that these doctrinal restore brother Harper's retirement pay problems surfaced only oneyear ago? How puts brother Harper in the position of long had these same doctrinal problems having to accept or reject your offer? existed at the Highland congregation? "18. If brother Harper rejects me 'offer', does "7. Over how long a period did brother Har- this put him in thepositionofbeing pet- per request that these doctrinal prob- ty and unwilling to forgive and forget? lems be handled? "19. If brother Harper accepts the'offer'but "8. What 'harsh1 methods did brother Harper continues his oppositiontodoctrinal er- 'demand' be takenbytheelderswith ref- ror at the Hiqhland congregation and his erence to these doctrinal problems? warningtoabrotherhoodthatis being asked to give financial support toaprogram "9. How did the elders propose to deal with of the Highland church, what positiondoes these doctrinal problems? this put him in? "10. Is it true that the same doctrinal prob- "20. If brother Harper accepts the 'offer' and -1ems had existedatthe Highland congre- discontinues his objection to doctrinal gation for at least five years? Isn't it error at Highland and ceases to warn the a fact that these same doctrinal prob- brotherhood, what position will he be in lems were discussedbythe elders at the then? Highlandcongregationas long ago as19667 "21. Did the elders at the Highland congrega- "11. Did you mean to portray brother Harper tion discuss the dilemma brother Harper as a harsh and threatening man in your would be in if an 'offer' was madetore- Special Report? instate his retirement pay? "12. In your Special Report you state that "22. Since about one fourth of your Speaal Re- brotherHarperwas fired becausethefeel- port deals with brother Harper and his re- ings of the eldersatHighlandwerehurt, lationship to the Highland churchand el- and because of frustration in not being ders, is it fair to concludethatyoucon- able to cope withbrother Harperthatre- sider this to be a major itemfordiscus- sulted in making you sick and blind (p. sion? Do you consider this to be an im- 5). How long does it take for the elders portant and critical matter? at Highland to get over hurt andtomake decisions based onsound judgment instead "23. If the elders at the Highland churchmade of emotional reaction? a major, important and critical mistake over 'personalities1 (Spedal Report, page "13. In your report you state that the com- 11, the elders1 'hurt feelings1, 'frus- mittee 'after consideration of all aspects tration', 'temporarily1 losing sight of of the situation with brother Harper1 facts, and because you 'were so sickened recommended to the elders that hebere- and frustrated by what was going on that leased. And 'the Highlandelders review- we were blinded' (Special Report, page ?), ed thematteragainanddecidedafter sev- are they competent to manage the affalrs eral days of consideration that this of an international radio and television should be done1. (Special Report, page program? 5). You also state, 'Now, we know wewere wrong. There is just nothing elseto say "24. If it is a fact that you are not interest- except, 'We made a mistake.' An apology ed in dealing in personalitiesorgetting was obviously in order*. (SpedalReport, into a dog-fight, why do you take up 25% page 6). Did you make your decision to of your Special Report dealing in purely fire brother Harper on the spur of the personal matters? Is it all right tohave moment and in frustration,asyousayyou a dog-fight if only one dog bitesand the did on page five of yourspecial Report, other dog is notallowed to evenbark back? or did you fire him after several days "25. On page seven of your Special Report you of coolofdeliberation and consultation state, 'Much of what you have been read- with the committee, asyou sayyoudid on ing is distorted, containing some half- page six of the same report? truths. Some is honest opinion, but seen "14. You admit that the firing of brother from a perspective that did not show the Harper was a mistake oflargeproportion whole picture.' Will you please comment in your report. Did youin factmakesuch on the following quotations fromLynnAn- a mistake 'after several days of consid- derson, preacher at the Highland congre- eration' 7 gation, and say if you agree or disagree with the statement; if the statement is out l'15. Brother Harper was fired the end of March. of context or in context; If the statement You wrote to him offering to reinstate is distorted; if the statement is out of his retirement pay onNovember 3.Whydid perspective? it take you seven months to make an of- ferto correctamistakeyoumadeinblind- "'0 our Father, we ask of thee this ing frustration when you 'temporarily morning these wordswhichseemto lie lost sight' of brother Harper's long years so still and quiet on the page will of service? be energized by your Spirit to really give us life andgive lifetothis "16. If there are'no stringsattached (Spec- body of people...' ial Report, page 6) to your decision to reinstatebrotherHarperlsretirementpay, "'And I frankly said to my wife, 'You Page 4

know, the church of Christ isabig "32. Is it not a fact that thisteacheradvo- sick denomination.' And I meant ex- cated that we should not despise those actly every one of bsethree words. who claim to be able to foretellthefu- Big and Sickand Denomination. Iwas tureand bringnewrevelationsabout God's startled at her answer. I thought word? she would be crushed for me to so boldly call the church a denomina- "33. Do you see any contradiction in the two tion when we had preachedandgiven following statements? our lives to preaching restoring a "Now, as we said at the beginning, church that is not a denomination, some of the situations are too per- but she said, 'No. I have believed sonal. We just can't take names of that for a long time. "' local membersand printarticles de- "'..the Charismatic movement isnot tailing everything that they have a hazard because I think that any- donewrong' (Special Report, page8). body who feels you have to speak in "It should be pointed out that one tongues ought not to be banned from of these three men, brother B. GI the church or kicked out orconsid- Clinton, who signed an article he ered a third rateChristianor some- helped produce as an elder of the thing; I don't feel thatwayperson- church, had not attended the High- ally... ' land church for some three months' (Special Report, page 9). "I.. .I can offer to you some rather excitingandstrangeandwbtsome "34. Why is it proper for the elders at the people would call far out things that Highland church to call thenamesof such men as B. G. Clinton, Hoyt M. Blodgett, are experiences in my life that I attribute to God's Holy Spirit in Jim E. Harper, but improper to call the names ofJo Bass, Nell Jolly and Lynn An- it. But I'm not going to offer to somebody else my experiences as their derson? platform. ' "35. Have Jo Bass, Nell JollyandLynn Ander- "'...I really need your help now, son taught false doctrine? Lord, totalktothesepeople.Idon't "36. Have B. G. Clinton,HoytM.Blodgett,Jim know what their needs are, and I E. Harper taught false doctrine? Ifyes, don't know how to express even the please specify. ideas that I have, andIdon't know "37. Are you protecting and harboring Bass, even if they aretherightideas. So Jolly and Anderson, but fighting Clint- Itmasking that your Spiritwill take control of my heart and every mind on, Blodgett, and Jim Harper? here, and that every circumstance "38. You state that youcannot support or con- in this meeting will combine to real- done the behavior of Clinton, Blodgett, ly excite people about the Good or Harper (Jim). Can you support or con- News...' done the behavior of Bass, JollyandAn- "26. If these statements are out of context, derson? will you please explain the proper con- "39. It is not important that brother E. R. text for each of them? Harper was fired1 It is very important as to why he was fired. Will you please "27. If the statements are distorted or out say why he was fired? Was he fired be- of perspective, will you please give an cause he opposed the false teaching of explanation that brings them into focus? Bass, Jolly and Anderson? Washeconsid- "28. If the problemsat Highlandareunimport- ered to be in rebelliontotheeldersbe- ant and minor, whydidbrother Baxter, in cause the elders were attemptingtopro- a letter to the elders of the Central tect these false teachers? Is it not a church in Jackson, Tennessee, write, fact that E. R. Harperwas fired fortak- 'There is no question but thatthere are ing a stand against false doctrine? serious problems in the Highland church '7 "40. If the problem at Highlandwiththechar- in Abilene. ismatic movement is slight and involves "29. Did a teacher at Highland teach in a Bi- only some unclearthinkingon thepart of ble class, 'I feel that, if left up to me, a few members and has not been publicly that I will not condemn anybodywho says taught in Bible Classes,asyour Special that he can speak in tongues or he can Report seems to imply, then whydidsis- healorhecandoanyofthesethings.'? ters Bass and JollyresignasBibleclass "30. Did the same teacher in the same class teachers? say, 'There's a boy at our house right "41. Did sister Bass and Jolly resign at the now...he is quite a good Greek scholar request of the elders? ...But this word 'despise', he saysmeans reject with contempt. Do notrejectpro- "42. Did brother Batsell Baxter say to the Highland elders in August of 1973, 'You phesying. And I said, 'Well, Jeff, what is prophesying? Doesthismeanjustprea- must dismiss these Charismatic sisters ching the word?' And he said, 'No. It's or get another speaker for theHeraldof more than that. It's foretelling future Truth,' or words tothateffect7Didbro- events, and bringing new revelations a- ther Baxter convey totheeldersat High- land that he would notworkwitha church bout God's Word.' '? that harbors Charismatics? "31. Are these statements out of context? "43. Did brother Baxter report to the elders Page 5

that East of the Mississippi River bro- 1973 stated, 'A.A. Wade, chairmanofthe ther LynnAndersonls imagewas tarnished? elders, said Monday tht Anderson was dismissed after a meetingoftheelders Sun- "44. If there is only aminor problemat High- day night. Wade said that after several land with the Charismatic movement, why complaints were lodged, a general meet- did the elders makea public statement on ingofthedeacons and the elders was held January 28, 1973 condemning themovement? Thursday night. After the general meet- "45. Did brother Lynn Andersonsayatthetime ing, the elders elected torehireander- the elders at Highlandmadetfiestatement son. ' The article continued, ' Wade declin- condemning the Charismatic movement and ed to discuss the reasons forAndersonls declaring that its proponents should be dismissal but said, 'The elders made a withdrawn from afterloving consultation mistake when wemade the first decision.' failed to result in repentance on their Wade said thatnothingmajorenteredinto part that 'historymay declarethe state- the decision to dismiss Anderson, 'just ment they have made this morning tobea a few minor things. There wasnothinga- mistake1, or words to that effect? gainst Lynn's character. Therewere just a few minor things, he said. "46. Why did brother AndersonsayonMarch 18, ' 1973 (sevenweeks after theelders' state- Was brother Wade correctly quotedinthe ment): 'On January 28, our eldersmadea article? public statement. Somebrothers havelov- Who superintends the work at Highland-- ingly told me that I didn't communicate the elders or the deacons? clearly in my public response to this statement.Apparently, someunderstoodme Did the deacons in fact reverse a decision to be critical of itt? the elders had made? "47. Did those who understood brother Ander- Is it true that the elders of the High- scn to be critical of theelderst state- land church dismissed a gospel preacher ment understand him aright7Didtheymis- from their @pit over a few minor things1? understand him? Is it not a fact that at least some of "48. DoesbrotherAndersonpresentlyagreewith Highland's problemswere airedina public the following part of theelders* state- way by br0therA.A. Wadewhenheconsent- ment, 'Now then, we would also like to ed to be interviewed by the newspaper study and counsel withtfiosewhobelieve, reporter? teach and create trouble and faction by Why complain in your Special Report that advocating privately or publicly that brethren Clinton, BlodgettandSimHarper Charismatic gifts arevdLid kday.We can- have made these matters publicwhenbro- not condone such teaching. If those who ther Wade was the first of these men to hold this view feel they must teach it, release information to the public? we will not continue to extend fellowship to these individuals1? Did the dismissal and re-hiring of brother Lynn Anderson have anything to do "49. Do you believe it ispropertouseambig- with Don Finto and Anderson's attitude gous or misleading language in order to toward the Charismatic movement? escape having to face squarely a difficult situation? Is the public (Bible Class and Pulpit) teaching of Jo Bass, Nell JollyandLynn "50. Was brother Anderson's statement of March Anderson, the general meeting oftheel- 18, 1973 intended toconvey theidea that ders and deaconsthatresultedinthe re- there was total agreementbetweenbroth- hiring of brother Anderson, and brother er AndersonandtheHighland elders on the Wade's interviewwithanewspaperreport- question of the HolySpirit andhowteach- er, what you have reference to in your ers and apologists of the Charismatic Special Report when you say, 'We became movement should behandled? Doessuchto- aware, sometime ago, that five couples tal agreement exist? were having some uncertainties about the "51. Does brother Andersoncontinuetobelieve work of the Holy Spirit.'? that the Charismatic movement is not a Are you being open, candid, honest and hazard and tM those who 'speak.in hmguesl forthright in yourtreatmentofthechar- should not be banned from the church or ismatic problem at Highland inyour Spec- kicked out or considered a third rate ial Report, or is it a cover-up and Christian? Do the elders atHighland agree whitewash? with that view? *...tfie Andersoncontinuetobelieve You state in yourspecial Report, "52. Does brother elders are unanimous in their rejection that Don Finto should be fellowshipped? of the charismatic movement and do not "53. Do the elders agree? extend fellowship to those who advocate modern-day tongue- speaking and miracle "54. Why did the eldersoftheHighlandchurch working1 (p. 12). Do you extend fellow- dismiss Lynn Anderson as ministerofthe ship to those who say that advocates of church in the Summer of 19737 Was there the modern-day tongue-talking and miracle a disagreement beeen elders and bro- working are harmless and oughtnot to either Anderson over what attitude should ther repent or be disfellowshipped? be taken toward Don Finto? Do you extend fellowship bilmse who have "55. If the elders and brotherAndersonpres- taught publicly at Highland that we are ently agree on this question, who has under command from the Bible to not re- changed--the eldersorbrother Anderson? ject those who claim to be able to fore- "56. The Abilene Reporter News on August 6, tell future events and bring new revel- - ations about God's word? Page 6 In the light of brother An- derson's seemingly straighb forward statement, printed on page thir- teen of your Spedal Repart, will he now tell us if he repud- iatg the statement he made on November 12, 1972 to tfie effect that the Charismatic movement is mt a hazard? Does brother Anderson repudiate his prayer offered on April 9, 1973 requesting that the Holy Spirit en- ergiz.ei3-e words of the Bible? -Staff 641010 bv Frank Em- Does brother Visitors for Church of Christ Session Anderson re- Out-of-town visitors to the Nashville Evangelism included Ms. Cathy Meeks, left. Macon. Ca.: John pudiate his Seminar, held this weekend at the Sheraton, down- Allan Chalk, a nationally known Church of Chrid statement tht town, and rponrored by the Belmont Church of Christ speaker, and Mn. Roxie Thomas, Los Angeles. the church is a Xg, sick de- Midstate Religion News nomination? "72. Does brother Anderson stjll

Seminar Toldof 'Stifling Orthodoxy' onsay9 *ember as he did12, 1972, 'I can By W. A. REED life that is concerned with a epochs and ia this pd of AT THE VERY MO- T.nm"un 11111.10. NmEditor tempest in a teapot instead world we need tough' MENT +-hat those offer to you me stifling orthoZoxy of of being compared with the churches-those that are - some rather many Churches of Christ is real hesof the world." -.matatre - .-- - . elders vet re- strange and keeping many persons from Defining the term "tempest "Churches must grow and maining at High- being a part of Christ's in a teapot" he said there leave behind in-fighting and land were pre- whatsomepeo- church John Allen Chalk, a were teapots in Nashville and navel-gazing (looking always ple would call former mioister of the Broad in Abiiene and whereever at their own oroblemsl." he paring and Inail- far out things, Street Church of Christ in Church of Christ leaders are said. ing out that 24- that are ex- C o o k e v i l l e , Tenn., said continually em b r o i led in Chalk said also "in too page white-wash yesterday. church arguments. many churches the church periences in "But, the opposite of goer hears about the building (mostly on blue my lifethat1 'stifling orthodoxy' is not RE SAID "the church will paper) all over classical liberalism," Chalk, never fulfill Its mission until fund and 'who is the most attribute to also a former radio and it is unifkd and we must get recent heretic' rather than the brotherhood, on with the mission of being about the claims of Jesus God's Holy Spi- television swaker on the Christ. they KNEW that rit in it'? "Herald of '~nrth" national the $~ureh in the world one of their own vram declared. today. "We must grow up unto What are these Christ and allow the claims former ministers , . CfIhLK WAS In Nashville Chalk said the key to open experiences? ns one of the Bible teachers and happy churches is a of Jesus Christ to be felt in as well asform- at the NashviUe Evangelism personal experience of faith our lives," Chalk told the er s~eakersfor "73. Did brother An- Seminar, now under way at by church leaders. He said seminar audience. the Sheraton downtown. He the u10 persow in attendance the Herald of derson, cnSun- raid, in an inkview. 'me at the Nashville Evangelism Truth,whowhile day morning Church of Christ sbould offer Seminar were there because: having quit the ministry for law January 1,1972 .rn opportunity for individua!~ Ibere , is an appalling .ti be confronted by the living biblical ignorance of average still (with his family) reqularlv publicly re- :Christ so Jesus Christ can church members. attends at Hiqhland and isinfull port a vision 'make a claim on those per- Local congregations do fellows hi^ with i3-e Highland church, he claimed to &ns' lives for salvation and not pmvide seminars for Bible :service so they can make study. was preparingtotakepartwith the have had con- -worthwhile contributions to Many persons are busy annual, spurious, so-called m- cerning a book, :miety." and don't have time to go into ville Evanqelism Seminar sponsor- nail pierced Chalk, now an attomy In depth study of the Bible. - :Abilene. Tex., said he quit Speaking to the 'seminar, ed by the apostate Belmont Church hands, weeping ,preaching three yews ago Chalk said: "We are at Be of Christ. Does Highlandagree with eyes, a smil- 'because "I refuse to live a threshold of a change of Belmont? If not. then why this? Ins ace. seeds anh a ' white bird? Is this "68. Do you extend fellowship to those one of the exciting, strange and what some people who do not believe thatthecharis- would call far out experiences in his lifethathe matic movement is a hazard? attributes to the Holy Spirit? Page 7

"74. Did he say, 'I saw that the words were seeds and so I back- edoff bmitQ? Hillsboro Herald What did he mean EWELI /%@; by this? Delmr A bvu PnnHu A Yeador K.n C Cslllm. H. hIIw Morton *--\ Tp % -7 "75. Who does broth- erArderson think I $1 gave him this vision? Was the vision a revelation of some kind?

" 76. Did brother An- derson say, ' I'd XXXV like to present VOLUME DECEMBER 2, 1973 No. 48 to you a little Brickbats and Kudos vision. I don't Here is a doleful quote from last Saturday's Tennessean: "The stifling orthodoxy know if you will of many Churches of Christ is keeping many persons from being a part of Christ's be able to interpret it. I church John Allell Chalk, a former minister.. .said yesterday. .. Chalk now an at- don't know all torney in Abilene, Texas, said he quit preaching three years ago because 'I re- of what it means fuse to live a life that is. concerned with a tempest in a teapot instead of being com- but I had it the pared with the real issues of the world. "' other day when While a noisy few are hurling such brickbats from within the church and moaning I was sitting inmy office... low because of alleged inadequacies, it might be well to consider an analysis of may be...^ can churches of Christ made by Wayne Dehoney, former president of the Southern figure out the Baptist Convention. In his book, Set The Church Afire, Dr. Dehoney writes as vision1? Has follows: brother Ander- 'While statistical totals suggest a declitling church, a closer look at the Churches son been able to figure out1 of Christ would hardly reveal that their brand of religion is on the downgrade! t3e vision? Have This fast-growing group is one of the most potent missionary and evangelistic tfie ttighland el- forces in the country. Their congregations are flourishing, and new churches ders figured it are continually being established. out? Have any of the members "A profile of their faith and practice contradicts practically every 'solid conclu- atHighland been sion' by the authorities of the main-line denominational establishments about the able to figure renewal the church must experience to survive. The Churches of Christ are anti- out the vision? ecumenical in their relationships; conservative in their theology; atonomous and Hasanyoneany- democratic in their congregational practice,without any scmblai~ceof a denomin- where figured ational superstructure; they havc a-rigid biblical theology? with a strong emphasis it out? on Bible preaching and Bible teaching; they make rigid moral and ethical demands "77. Has brother An- on their members in such matters as social drinking; they are not 'social action' derson had any oriented; they have a 'messianic complex' after being the true people of God and other visions the true church! All of these factors combine to give them a high motivation, an or revaations? unquenchable zeal, and inescapable compulsion to win the world to an acceptance "78. Willyou please of their convictions and beliefs. And they arc growing rapidly !" tell us who the writersarefor Meantime a loud, brash minority clamors for the church's supposed need of re- the Herald of newal and restructure rather than her continuing need for God-fearing, Christ- Truth Radio and centered, Bible-based faith and practice among all who would please God. T7 program? Who --DH '.lave all of the writ- been o- ver the past NOTE: While Batsell Barrett Baxter continues to write "To-Whom-It- three years? ~~oncern~lettersaiding and abetting the Highland elders' effort "79. Has bmther Tony to carry on the Herald of Truth Program without qenuinelv correct- Ash been one of ing anvthinq, even the congregation where he preaches--Hillsboro/ the writers? Nashville, Tennessee--is so little concerned that theyhaven'tin- cluded support for this program in their budget for years1 Andwhen "80. Has hrcrther John John Allen Chalk, former Herald of Truth speaker as well as former Wilsonbeenone the Highland minister (who still attends Hiclhland and whom theyfellow- of writers? u)came aiding and abetting Don Finto and the apostate Belmont "81. Did the elders Church of Christ and their undermining, so-called Nashville Evanq- approve the TV elism Seminar in late November, above is what appeared onthe front manuscript en- page of the Hillsboro Herald--the very next Lord's Day following. titled 'Search for Truth' (TV sermon 98617 Is this program presently "82. Did the elders approve thecurrentser- available for sl?owing? If not, why not? iesonTheWay, TheTruthandtheLife? Page 8

"83. Have you had by your own admisslon, any opposi- AFAVORITE HIGHLANDDODGE IS THATWESHOULDCONFRONTLYNNANDERSONPERSONALLY; because youwereemo- tionto this THE LINCOLN/HUNTSVILLE (ALABAMA) ELDERS WROTE LYNN ANDERSON PERSONALLY; tionally upset.

series?~~ - RAY HAWK'S ACCOUNT (AS PUBLISHED IN SEPTEMBER "BIBLEBEACON") FOLLOWS: --DismissedbrotherAn- derson because of his "84. Are me bre- 12. Do YOU believe in different congregations cooperating Charismatic leanings, thren object- I~ THE Hl~HLAN~cH RCH'S in an effort such as World Radio? but re-hired him at ing to these 13. Do you believe in supportingOrphan homes out of the thedemand ofthe dea- three pro- PULPIT! church trersury? --..-LUIAJ. grams (The 14. Do you helieve in the plan of salvation (hear, believe, --Permitted false doc- Way,?he Tmth Ray Hawk repent, confess, and baptism)? trine to be publicly and The Life) To show how easy these questions are, my answers to taught atHighland for beinq showr, Recently a meeting was cancelled with a preacher from the above would be: (1) Yes, (2) Yes, Yes (3) No, No (4) many years without op- over televi- Abilene, Texas. The elders of the Lincoln church of Christ No, No (5) Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes (6) No (7) Yes (8) Yes, Yes sion in +heir in Huntsville, Alabama sent a questionnaire to the Texas (9) They are commentaries of denominational error, (10) It posingit, correcting preacher. They asked him to answer the following ques- is a false doctrine, (1 1) No (12) Yes (13) Yes and (14) Yes. the false teachers, local areas? However, the preacher returned their questions with If so, why? tions. He did not have to answer with a "yes" or "no." but or withdrawing fel- coilld write out his reply if he so desired. The questions the following comment, "I feel uncomfortable with your lowship from them. In view of were, questionnaire. My response to some of the questions would --Permitted false doc- the elabor- 1. Do you believe every word of the Bible to be verbally need lengthy explanations. Also, I think it leaves the most trine to be taught on ate and in- inspired of God? important questions unasked. But mostly, in my own view, the Herald of Truth 2. Do you believe vocal mb;iC is the only kind of music such questionnaires carry a flavor of creedalism." We volved wonder why this brother did not write out the lengthy television program. -tiom authorized in the Bible fo: Christ~anworship? Do you --Have made no attempt believe mechanical music in worship to God is sinful? explanations? Why did he feel so uncomfortable with this lined cnpage 3. Do you believe the Holy Spirit works in or through the questionnaire? This brother stated to a preaching brother, as yet tocorrect the fifteen of Christian separate and apart from the Word? Do you "One's belief in or alledged practice of speaking in tongues false doctrine that your Special believe the Holy Spirit operates upon the Christian was not grounds for the severing of fellowship." This same wastaughtas public- Report) to directly? brother also stated that he had had a vision! His eldership ly as theerrorswere protect the 4. Do you believe a person today can have the power of recently fired him on Sunday, but hired him back the next proclaimed. integrity of the Holy Spirit in a baptismal measure? Do you believe evening. Who is the preacher? Lynn Anderron, the pulpit +he program, a person today can have the power to speak in tongues preacher for the Highland church of Christ, Abilene, Texas, Now, do you brethren how do you and/or work miracles! spons~sofHERALDOF TRUTH!!!! think that we can have account for 5. Do you believe mixed swimming is sinful? Do you I wrote the eldership of Highland several weeks ago and confidence in youas an believe rocial drinking is sinful? Do you believe asked them if they asked Lynn any questions when they eldership? the fact that hired him, or did they refrain from doing so because dcctrinal er- smoking is sinful? Do you believe dancing is sinful? 6. Do you believe we should have open fellowship with questions have the flavor of creedalism? I have not received Questions written by A. rorhas been those who we believe to be wrong in doctrine (such as my answer yet! H. (Buster) Dobbs" taught on with the Christian Church and mechanical music)? There are many other things that could be said, but I program, and 7. Do you believe the church under the leadership of the am waiting for copies of transcripts to be sent to me before HIGHLANDCHURCHDIVIDES that pgrams elders should practice discipline, including withdrawal I write anything. However, I have had these transcripts read WITH THOSE STANDING FOR are current- of fellowship from the impenitent sinner? to me and one would be shocked at what is allowed by the TRUTH FORMING 5TH & GRAR: lybeing re- 8. Do you believe forsaking the assembly is a sin! Do you elders of the Highland church. My brethren, if you are leased that believe the one who practices forsaking the assembly presently supporting HERALD OF TRUTH, I suggest, in When the Highland many breth- should be disciplined (after ample persuasion and time the name of truth, to stop until Highland rids itself of false elders, sometimeinNo- tedchers, preachers, and workers! vember, saw fit to re- ren Wirk are to repent)? Recently, brother Art Haddox has had rome articles in in prtaste 9. What is your opinion of the New Versions (Good News lieve one of their most For Modern Man and The Living Bible)? the GOSPEL ADVOCATE and FIRM FOUNDATION respectedteachers (and and danger- trying to white wash HERALD OF TRUTH and make ous to the 10. What is your opinion concerning the doctrine of former Herald of Truth situation ethics? everyone think everything is fine at Highland. It is anything speakers) James D. Wil- truth and the 11. Do you believe we can see visions today? but that! church? lesbrd of his Bible class at Highland, for many Did. the el- this was just the last ders at Kgh- straw. land approve the book written by the of the same reasons that the Missionary Straughns before releasing the same to Society is wrong and sinful? So it was, that on the public? How many copies ofthis book December 2, 1973, when 'l91. Is it true that the argument has beenmade the Highlandchurchfi- were mailed out? To whom? Has the book by the Highland church representatives been withdrawn? Why? Does thebookadvo- nally dividedoverthis since the days of the Harper/Tant debate issue, 321 members put cate the Charismatic movement? Have you in Lufkin that the Highland church and withdrawn fellowship fromthe Straughns? in their appearance at the Herald of Truth are organically in- the first service of the Have they repented? Are you lovingly terlinked? Is this a correct position? teaching them? new congregation being "92. Does it not therefore follow that as High- formed at 5th & Grape. Will you please answer the question you land goes so goes the program? Would it Not all of these, nat- raised in your Special Report, 'Does Heart- not follow that the elders at Highland urally, came from High- beat teach&WordofGod1? Canyouanswer may not reasonablytakethepositionthat land; but by far the this questionyesornoand thengive your the brotherhood has a right to know a- most of than did-includ- explanation? bout the program, but that what happens ing all three of those Doestheteachingministrybeginonlyafter within the Highland congregation is none f~rmerelders (who re- the programisairedandsorneonehaswrit- of the brotherhood1s business? signed in protest, and ten in a response, as you say is thecase who put out the state- "93. How long has it been since one of your ment we carried in our on page eighteen of yourSpecia1 Report? Certified Financial Statements (mention- If the teaching ministry begins at the November/l973 issue)-- ed inyour Special Report) hasbeenprint- also another former el- point mentioned in yourreport,what are ed and made available to eitherthebro- (W. youdoing on theprogramitself? Is it not -der F. Cawverl--at therhood in general or all supporting least two former Herald teaching something? What is it teaching? congregations? Does the program teach the Word of God? of (one CanyouteachtheWordofGod without men- "94. Will you say, in view of your statement of them former1 minis- tioning the Word of God? If yes, will you on page two of your report that 'We are ter at Highlandt-=. explain how? determinedthatthisprogramwillbeBibli- Harper and James D. Wil- cally and doctrinally sound and Christ- ---besides great Is it not a fact that, in &of the long like in attitude. It has therighttothe numbers of others from standing argument that the Herald of Truth support of brethren only if this is true.', the Highland church. is not a separate entitybutavital, in- and in view of the unbiblical teaching Henry Speck, from tegral part of the Highland church of that has gone out over the air (TV pro- Christ in Abilene, we cannot different- ACC, agreed to preach gram #986) that HeraldofTruth does not for the first 30 days. iate between the Highland church and the deserve the support of the brethren? program? The ame "95. You correctly state, 'The question for who rv- If the Herald of Truth program is one you, obviously, is whether you can have land in November, were thing and the Highlandchurchanotherand confidence in us asan eldershipi (Spec- different thing, then are you not open to ial Report, Page 7). You brethren have ith & Grape, the charge that theprogramis un&lical done the following things: sDay. December on some of the same grounds and for some --Fired and mistreated brother Harper, 16, 1973. (More Later) February/l974 DOWNTOWN SAN FRANCISCO CHURCH OF CHRIST PRESENTS Volume V, No.2 $1 Per Year; 6 Years $5

FOR ELDERS, DEACONS, PREACHERS, TEACHERS AND CONCERNED CHRISTIANS

HARPER, CAWYER TO BE AVAILABLE FOR QUESTIONING DURING DOWNTOWN SAN FRANCISCO COLLEGE'S MARCH 4-7 Second Annual Bible Lectureship

Dear Brethren:

If there was one fact that stood out like an iceberg above all the rest during that 13-hour Herald of Truth confrontation, last September 10-11, in Memphis, Tennessee, it was this: WITHOUT SUCH A FACE-TO-FACE CONFRONTATION BY THOSE WHO -KNOW WHAT GOES ON BEHIND THE SCENE ATHIGHLAND, ITISIMPOSSIBLETOGET THE TRUTH ABOUT THE HERALD OF TRUTH--OR ANYTHING ELSE!

Never in all the 42 years that I have been tryingtopreach the gospel have I ever seen such a disillusioned bunchofgospel preachers and elders as the 150 to 200 such who finallyleftthe meeting when it broke up at 1 o'clock in the morning ofthesec- ond day, Typical of the comments I heard on all sideswas "those fellows will not tell the facts when .the Sets would serve them betker! "

Because we know for a fact that this is how it is at High- land, we know, too, that those 65 "field representatives" High- land brought in for that so-called "workshop" they had in the fall had no way of finding out what really is the situation--no confrontation being allowed--hence, all they know is solelywhat those in control wanted them to know--and that an enormous fund of information necessary to a true appraisal of what they were told simply never was brought to their attention. Consequently, when these fine brethren go about the country offering to setyou straight about Highland, it is an exercise in futility.Nodoubt most of them are quite honest in thinkinq they know thefacts. We are not questioning their integrity. It is simply that, in the -name of truth, the truth--the WHOLE truth, that is-iswwhat they never were given. Hence, you can listen to their report from now until Judgment Day and never find it out. -One way that you can find it out is to write to the elders of the Getwell Church of Christ, 1521 Getwell Road, in Memphis, Page 2

Tennessee 38111 and ask for a Wscwof the ta~erecordinas that were made of everything that was said duringthat exhaustive (as well as exhausting) confrontation. Besure to enclose a few dollars to help cover the cost. I hap en to know that the night session (128 pagesP already has been transcribed. HcpeM- ly, the day session, too, will be ready in Ira Y. Ilia. Jr.. Edkr time for the Freed-Hardeman Lectures, Febru- PoltOlAu~SM ary 4-8. It will wear you out just to wit1 Sm FrMsilco, c.Morn* 94101 However, if you really want toknow the facts, this is awayyou can find them out. There VolumeV,No.2 February/l974 they are for all to see.

SUBSCRIPTION RATES her way is to attend the 2ND l -ESHIP of DowntownSanFranciscc Single Subscription- Siperyear orld Evangelism. Brethren u. or Six Years for $5 Harper and W. F. Cawyer BOTH plan to be here to speak on our lectureship and tomake them- Club Rate- SixSubscriptions, $5 selves available for questioninq. Har~erwi.11 z- ~ Bundle Rates: speak on "The ~eautiful~hrist;; Cawyer will discuss "The Trend of the Times." Watch for 12 Copies / $1 further announcement of this great event. Re- 25 Copies / $2 40 Copies / $3 member the dates: March 4-7. 1974.Theplace: 60 Copies / $4 250 Van Ness Avenue (2nd floor), on the cor- 80 Copies / $5 ner directly across the street south of City 100 Copies / $6 Hall, San Francisco, California. - Brethren, we may be doing this thing on the corner, but it dead sure will not be "& Pleaseaddress all coITIm~ni~ati0n~ a corner." Also, we promise not to push any- to CONTENDING FDR THE FAITH, body around as Ipersonallywas pushed, shoved Post Office Box 588 San Francisco, California (about 40 feet) and threatened. with arrest 94101 (twice) by those officially in charge of the great "Herald of Truth Rally" alonginNovem- ber, 1973, at the El Camino College Auditor- ium, in Gardena, California. Bound Volumes of this paper (at 53 per volume) now avail- ARCHIE W. LUPER LETS INGLEWOOD ELDERS KNOW for Volumes I, I1 & 111. Vol- HIS DISPLEASURE IN NO UNCERTAIN TERMINOLOGY ume IV is now at bindery. If want the set of four, please Part of my problem, brethren, is that I enclose 512 withyourorder. almost always see something humorousinprac- tically everything that happens. (Brother=- ert R. Price used to say that I was the only fellow he ever saw who could laughhimself to death at a funeral1 ) Thus, when I later learned that whileall this vio'lencewas being prac- CMTENDING TOR THE FAtTH 1. pub- Urnbed myby tbm Dorm- Sam ticed on me outside brother Batsell Barrett Frr.dmco Church of Chri-t. at 250 Vr. Baxter was preaching on llPeacel' inside, this Ne.0 Ar.au.. Sm Frmcimco. Cdlbrni.. UAUMG ADDRESS: P. 0. Box 500. somehow seemed to agitate my risibles. Sr. Frmm~l.co. Califor& 94101. Seed- Ckm- pootaae paid at Sm Tnoclaco. Archie W. Luver, however, definitelywas not amused, when, under date of November 20, 1973, he wrote The Elders: Inglewood Church of Christ, 323 Eucalyptus, Inglewood, Californ- ia, as follows: Dear Brethren: "As I sat downfrontintheE1 Camino Col- lege Auditorium in Gardena lastsundayafter- noon looking into the faces of Norvel Young, Charles Runnels, Kenneth Hahn, Hugh Tiner, DUNN RECOMMENDS PUBLICATION Batsell Barrett Baxter, Landon Saunders, and Doug Kostowski with such deep concern and ap- Quentin hnn, of Earth, Texas, prehension written in their faces, my heart wrote under date November 2, 1973-- simply ached. I have never attended a more "1 am, continuing to appreciate beautiful service in my life thanlast Sunday Contendinq for the Faith.Youaredo- afternoon. The singing of thelLittleAngelsl ing a splendid jobof exposing false was just marvelous. Brother Saunders perhaps teaching and dangerous trends. Vol- preached one of the best sermons he has ever umes I, I1 and I11 are very valuable. delivered in his life. When Brother Ba-r con- Brethren need to readdocumentedma- cluded his sermon on the subject of *Peace' terial andrealize that it isnot just which every person in that packed auditorium idle talk." needed so desperately, includingthiswriter, I was firmly convincedthiswasoneofthernost

Sponsors of the occasion. Page 3 outstanding and beautifulGospel sermons1 ev- for you to read. It is not as thorough as I er have heard in my life. would like but sufficient for you to see our aim. "Because 1,was so emotionally concerned and involved, I could not stay fortheentire "Brother Rice, I know your great devotion to program, so I got up and walked out. As I walk- world evangelisrn.Iapprechtealsoyourwarn- ed through the front door, I said to brother ing that a liberal, worldly churchcannot do Rice who was standing there, '1 do not feel the job. With all my heart I believe, too, very good; I will see you in the car.' One in the necessity and urgency of world evan- minute late he joined me and explainedinde- gelism and in the absolute necessity for a tail that for the past two hours and fifteen strong, solid, faithful, Biblical church. minutes the harassment, abuse, physical vio- "Further, I want to donothing that is incon- lence and threat of arrest by those of your sistent with these two aims. Iwouldapprec- number was unbelievable. It made the beauti- iate deeply your consideration of this tool ful sermon Brother Baxter preachedon 'Peace1 for finding people who are then taught fully inside the auditorium seem hypocritical with the Word of the Lord. the mob-like activities outside the auditorium of Walter King, Phil Kendrick, Hugh Tin- "I will call you in a few days. er, Lyle Dalzell and others. "Thank you so much for your recent kindness "I would call your attention to tyo of and patience. the enclosures. First of all, the letter to "YOU brother, the Highland Elders written byBrotherMurphy D. Rhoads and the statement by GussieLambert (signed ) 'ILandon B. Saunders why he refused to appear on the T.V. panel for "LBS :a f the 'One Way' series for the Heraldof Truth. Enclosures." May I direct your attention to thelastpara- graph when Gussie Lambert said, 'On my knees This letter evidently was inresponse to in prayer to God I type these lines.Whene1- my agreement Pithbrother Baxter, re: his then ders of the Church will spelid the Church's recent phone call not to take upbrotherLan- money for films like these and show them to don and "Heartbeat" in Contendina for the Faith the world over the earnest pleading of sin- until he (Baxter) could see ifsaunders could cere brethren--it's later than youthink. May be straightened out. God helpsomeone to stand against theavalanche of modernism that threatens the peopleof God I studied through the enclosures Landon today. With malice toward none but with love had sent, found that they did not touch top, for all and especially &r Christ and His truth side, bottom or edge of what thousands of us I plead in Jesus' name.' Icanonlyadd--Amen. found so offensive in his doctrine.Hence,on "Because of the Cross, September 4, 1973, I wrote to himas follows: (Signed ) "Archie W. Luper "Landon B. Saunders 5th & Highland Church of Christ "AWL :pr Post Office Box 2439 Enclosures : (7) Abilene, Texas 79604 "cc: Elders, Fifth and Highland "Dear brother Landon : Church of Christ Batsell Barrett Baxter "Thank you for your letter and enclos- B. C. Goodpasture ures of August 31, which cametohandoverthe Reuel Lemmons week-end. Your letter was excellent. It is the Ira Y. Rice first direct indication thatIhave seen from Gussie Lambert you that the healing of the breach which be- Alan Highers" gan with your lectureship speech at Freed- Hardeman College, inFebruary, 1971, might be WHY THOUSANDS OF US BELIEVE IT WRONG TO USE even possible. I had, of course, seenwhatyou LANDON SAUNDERS ON "HERALD OF TRUTH," ON wrote that was published in Paul Saints bul- "HEARTBEATtt OR IN ANY OTHER WAY WHATSOEVER letin. At the risk of seeming blunt, Landon, it simply did not answer thequestionsoccas- That Landon B. Saunders, who works for ioned by your Freed-Hardeman speech and sub- Highland/Herald of Truth on their so-call- sequent events. ed "Heartbeat" program is one of the effective speakers of our time goes without say- "There is some doubt in my ownmindthat ing. When I contemplate the potential that you are aware--even yet-ofwwhat yousaidthat was his for truth prior to his Lectureship- was so violently offensive to so many others speech at Freed-Hardeman College three years as well as to me. Certainly I would not wish ago this month, my heart cringes within me to seem merely 'picky1 or petty; however, if that he thus so recklessly threw it all away. I do not get down to thenitty-grittywith you How he ever expects brethren ever again to we may never come to a meeting of the minds. accept him without making a clean breast of So, before discussing your enclosures,letme repentance for that tragic speech, +3musands begin by going down through your speech at of us will never understand. Freed-Hardeman point by point, relativetothe offenses contained so glaringly therein. Under date August 31, 1973 --less than "First, (and this got youoff to about* two weeks prior to the "Memphis Meeting," I poorest start possible before an audience of was being written by brother Saunder-s, as mostly preachers and elders dead seton speak- - follows: ins 'as the oracles of God')..vour resortina "Dear Brother Rice: to-the use of terms more chara&

ed to be beside the point entirely. 'Can8twe and discipleship of the Lord Jesus and bring give them alittletime?' youasked. 'And while thcm together?. .. we are giving them a little time, can't we "And what does all that mean? NOTHING-- really love them? And can wenot reachout for ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. It's just a bunch of words a kind of love that is so secure and that is so strong that it isn'tthreatenedwhenweare that sound good--but do not edify.Itassumes in the presence of someone with whom we dis- what is not so--ttnt *re is somehow and some- agree? A kind of love thaf is so strong that where a middle qround between racismandnon- it can accept a person for what he really is racism, between those who believe inthemir- at the same time withoutkindofexcludinghim aculous for today and thosewhodon't, or be- as a third cousin or something? Is there not tween those who would cooperate andthosewho time for that? Do we feel thattoaccepta man won't. Oh, if we would try to walk between thq we have to approve everything that hebelieves we'd be 'attacked and shot from all sides, all and everything that he teaches? And we are right--and suffer--and suffer--and suffer-- raising these as possibilities.. but what would it get us?NOTHING--JUSTNOTH- . INGI It's like being caught in the middle of "Time has absolutely nothinq to do with a paragraph, half way between cause and ef- what you were saying. But truth has. And the fect! I cannot conceive of a greater exercise truth is that you clearly were pleadingfora in spiritual futility. fellowship not necessarily based on truth-- and that in plain disregard of allthescrip- tures that circumscribeour fellowship. Scrip- "No, brother Landon, it just won't work1 tures like Romans 16:17-17; I1 Thessalonians 3:6-15; Titus 3:lO; IIJohn9-11 and the like. Rather than waste any more time tryingtoex- plain that speech, if I were you, I think I "Twelfth, what was that you had to say would just repent of it, confess faults--&- about truth? 1 .. .Is there not something to be therhood-wide--forhadngevermadeit, and ask said for the fact that truth is not a stone the brethren to forqive me for it. any more--that truth is notwritten onatable of stone--and that it isn't a matter of from "The same goes for your having had fel- one generation to another generation handing lowship with Don Finto and those other false teachers at Delmont, in Nashville-- for your down the stones of truththatarealreadywell Eric the Red speech in Pensacola--and for polished. It's still written on our hearts. any- And the great difference between theoldtes- thinq else you may be aware of thatbrethren tament and the new testament is that great in general are still holdingagainst you--and difference--simply the fact that the quality try to start all over. of material on which it's been inscribed is different. It's gone from stone to India paper1 And, if so, doesn't thatchangetheissues just "In addition to your ' FHC LECTURE : A COM- a little bit...' MENT,' I have read and weighedmostcarefully is what you wrote in the other two enclosures-- "The fact that truth never was, as you 'HEARTBEAT IS MORE THAN A RADIO PROGRAM, and put it, 'a stone. And the fact that it now is I HEARTBEAT : A BRIDGE TO THE MARKETPLACE. 9 Were wr-ittenwhetheronIndia paperor onour hearts, how that it not for having to weigh these against the just would change 'the issues?' You overall background dealt with in the We-part implied it, but did not siiy how. of this letter, perhapsImight be a bit more "Thirteenth--and last--was that remark- sympathetic. But, Landon, we cannot consider able mumbo-jumbo at the end of your disastrous just what you say ina given brochureor state- speech the like of which I never yet have heard ment; it all has to be weighed together with nor ever hope to hear. You said, 'And then-- your statements, speeches anddcdngs elsewhere. last--can we not have an upsurge of this min- "It would have to be only after public istry of reconciliation?...There are so many correction on your part, as indicated above, divisions, not only inour fellowship, but in that any further continuanceof either you as the denominational world. There is a genera- speaker or the Heartbeat program itself should tion gap--and all these ot:her lines have been even be considered. That youwantto continue, drawn.. .Are we not big enough and are we not I am aware. For you to do so with the good will strong enough to takeour~alvation,the gos- and support of alienated brethren may prove pel of Jesus Christ, whick. we have received difficult. and look at this generation gap--fathers and mothers against sons anddaughters? Brothers, "For the truth, can we not walk between them--and suffer--and (Signed ) "Ira Y. Rice, Jr." be beleaguered-butbbring themtogether? Isn't that one of the things we're here for? "'Can we not walk between thegreat rac- (NOTE: It was a more than usually sub- ism of our society--walk between them--and dued Landon Saunders, who turned up for the suffer--be beleagured --but bring them to- Great Confrontation, Septemberlo-11,1973, at gether? Memphis, Tennessee. He did, in fact, make a statement of a sort, which I later, at lunch, "'And with those who differ on the Holy in a post-mortem session of six or eight who Spirit, can we not allwalkbetween them--and heard it, inquired if they understood him to suf fer--but maybe somewhere down the line bring be confessing faults for the foregoing things them together? brethren in general still hold against him. "'And can we not take the cooperation is- Not a single brother present feltthathehad, sue and walk between them--andsuf&r--suffer in fact, cleared himself. If he had done so, that beleaguered walk where you are attacked then I should (and would) have dropped it. I and shot from all sides--but suffer in the love am just sorryhe fai1edtomakecorrection.IYR) Page 7 WILL THE HIGHLAND CHURCH EVENTUALLY BECOME 3) Study carefullyphoto-reproductionof ANOTHER "FINTO/BELMONT" LIKE IN NASHVILLE? what you see below. Please rememberthatJohn IT APPEARS TO BE HEADED IN THAT DIRECTION! Allen Chalk both is in fellowshir, withandis ptill beinq used at Highland.: Just 16 aays af- When the (remaining) Highlandeldersis- -ter Highland's 24-page statement, John Allen sued that 24-page statement in November (and was featured at Belmont, in Nashville. Also, Batsell Barrett Baxter followed up with his Lynn Anderson was most unhappy whenhis plans "To Whom It May Concern" endorsement 1, sighs were thwarted for participationwith DonELnto of relief went up brotherhood-wide that this and Weslev Reaqan in a Burke Roadaffair. Will pesky. matter was now settled. They were pre- Highland become another wFinto/Belmont"77777 mature. If you will now re- study our issue for Janu- ary, you will find 95 questions regard- ingtiie statement itself-- raisedbybro- ther HA, $us- ter) Dobbs , of Houston. Tex- as--ab&dant- Bimonthly of the North American Christian Convention, 3533 Eply Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45239 ly demonstrat+ Address all mail to: N.A.C.C., Box 39456, Cicinnnti, Ohio 45239 ing why Bat- Secondclass postage paid at Cincinnati, Ohio. 1 sell's endorse ment was without justifica- "GOD STILL CARES" IS THE THEME! tion--a thing Such an exciting theme promises to lend itself to some very Ballard, minister of Mt. Camel Christian Church, Decatur, Geor- he must sure1y thrilling preaching at the 1974 North American Christian Conven- gia, speaks Wednesday, July 24 at 8:00 p.m. concerning "God have realized tion, July 23-26, in Anaheim, California. Mark Collis, speaking Still Cares for the Lost"; Robert C. Shamcn, minister of First if he had not of the original NACC program in 1927; said, "No one should be Christian Churcl~,Largo, Florida, will treat the subject, "God closed his eyes put on this program who cannot be trusted to give the people his Still Cares for His Church," at the Thursday, 8:00 p.m. service on to the facts. best thought, expressed in the very best manner, and delivered July 25; Myron J. Taylor, minister of Westwood Hills Christian with all the grace and force of which he is capable." This repre- Church, Los At~geles, California, will challenge us concerning Brethren, sents the qualifications expected in speakers who are invited to "God Still Cares for the Future," at the concluding session, Fri- if you think the platform of the convention. From the opening. - session to the day, July 26 a. 8:00 p.m. Three morning-. preaching hours at the necessary final sermon various aspects of the 10:45 ah. will feature: John A. corrections ao convention theme will be expound- Chalk, former minister and now tually HAVE ed upon by seven dedicated preach- practicing attorney from Ab~lene, beenmade, ask ers of the Word. Texas. s~eaklneon "God St111 Cares yourselves the The keynote address on the for thk ~rokeniearted~onWednes- 6llowing ques- theme itself will be presented by day; James Earl Ladd, President of tions : Thomas W. Overton, 1974 Conven- Get Sound College of the Bible, tion President, onTuesday, July 23, Seattle. Washington. on "Cod Still 1)If so, at 8:00 p.m. Mr. Overton is the min- then why was ister of First Christian Church, Hun- it necessary tington Beach, California. Those for those who chosen to bring the remaining even- had stood for ing messages are as follows: Jack H. the truth at Thomas W. Overton Highland, finally to abandon Highland, afterward, as a lost cause, forming themselves into a -new congregation now meeting at Fifth and Grape, in Abilenel 2) If so, then why have not those at Highland w- ins all these divisions and offences been proper1y dealt with and cor- reed;-or else wfidrawn *ml As late as of right now they havenot been. ---FROM THE PEANUT GALLERY Grover C. Beard

I have no idea this article will ever showupin word) who do not have the courage to stand upandtell print, but there are some things thatneedtobe said, the world to shut up,have literally turned the church and I have waited long enough for someonetosay them over to a Godless generationofrebelliousingrateswho but as yet no one has. Some of the comnents made in do not have enough backboneto~fightfortruthandright the Finn Foundation and other so-calledreligiouspa- and would gladly be a 20th-century adasturningtheir pers are enough to make the average Christian sick. backs on the church for whichChristdied, selling him We may not have the "clergy and laiety" arrangement, out not for 30 pieces of silver, mind you, but for a as the denominations do, but we areworse0ff;wehave few moments of sensual pleasure and a slapattVthees- the "Scholars and the fools," the "Barons and the tablishment. peons," the "Divine and the ignorant." Thank God for the ignorant. I larow that God said, "Becauseof alack Preacher-brethren, what is the church where you of knowledge I will reject thee." I am not trying to preach? Is it still the blood-boughtinstitutionofthe put anything inGodlsmouthbecauseotherpassagessup- Son of God? Does it still follow God's divine plan in port this idea: "Because of toomchknodedgeyoucdll organization, worship and work? Do you stillpreachit reject me." I am not opposed to education but I fear as "the one bodyw? If not, why not? Or, have you sur- that too many of our brethren in the higher echelon rendered to the battlefield of compmmise, and where have more education than they have senseenoughtouse you once preached the church of Christ as the only church for the good of the kingdom. you now preach it as one among many. Brother, youhave sold out to the devil. Face it and repent. Brethren, let us not fall into that trap. When the scholars are able to enslave the minds of free- Some brethren can't seem to recognize when they thinking men, we become no more than tools of their are liberal. You can tell what you are by what you trade. Why denominations? This very thing took place preach. If you are preaching a social gospel then you in the third century and brought forth an apostate are a liberal. The social gospel doesn't make Christ- church known as Catholic. Why is the churchofChrist iw; it makes socialites. The gospel of Christ makes in trouble today? For the answer, look who's in the Christians. "Bigness has been ourdarrmati~n.~hreryone driver's seat! When the church is placedinthe hands wants a big chu~ch,a big preacher, a big crowd; the ofl'long-coated,hippy-typeconmen (whocall themselves Lord wants righteousness. The gospel of Christ makes preachers of the gospel and are able to deceive the little churches and big men. The social gospel makes very elect), what else can we expect?Quickly,before big crowds and little people. AgainIask,"Whatis the I am branded as a **scholarhater," let me say that I church where you preach?" The answer dependsuponwhat am not opposed to scholarshbp, as such. We have some you preach. If you preach a social gospe1,youturntfie scholars among us who are above reproachanddedicat- church into an institution ofsodety:Tothealcoholic ed to the cause of defending the truth at any cost. it becomes God's AS (Alcoholics Synonymous), a place Then we have some who are bent upon destroying "the where sin has become a sickness andthesinnerisnever faith which was once delivered to the saints." This rebuked. To the dope addict it is a place wherehecan kind I oppose, as does God almighty. be turned on and not turned in. To the whoremonger it becomes a harbor for his malicious deed. After &lwe There are some of us who will not be dominated do tolerate adultery even Bmong the leadership in the by the wills of men. There are some of us who still church. And to the girl watchers it is asightfor sore believe the Bible to be the inspired word of God and eyes. Watch the transformation! When one preaches the that God means what he says and that the simplest of full gospel of Christ the church becomes:Abulwark of minds can understand enough of it to get to heaven. strength and hcpe. He no longer needs the bottle, and There are still some of us who think three songs and so the alcoholic has his fulfillment. Whenapersonto- a prayer is all right; we also think six songs and a tally surrenders his life to Christandthechurch, the prayer is all right, if it is done in the right spi- only trip he is interested intakingisthetriptohea- rit as a sincere act of worship. We alsobelievethat ven. He no longer will need his crutchtohelphimface all Christians should come together on the first day reality. When the whoremonger learns that hellispre- of the week to break bread and not on Saturday night pared for his kind, he will disappear. Whentheladies for the fellowship meal. We have, do, and shall par- of the church learn to put on some clothes to Metheir ticipate in the five acts of worship just as we find nakedness, the girl watchers will also leave. My bro- recorded in the New Testament: preaching (teaching), ther, that's the church for which Christ died. Jesus praying, singing, giving, and the Lordssupper. Any- did not die upon the cross of compromise, but he died thing other than this we find no scriptural authori- because he would not campromise. It almost breaks my ty for, and so we will leave it out. We also follow heart to read articles writtenfromlearnedmen,menwhO God's scheme of redemption on the partofmankealiz- once defended the faith but arenowencouragingcongrf+ ing that Grace is God's part): Faith in Christ, regations to rebel against Christ, thechurchandthe ac- pentance of sin, confession of Christ, andbaptismfor cepted norm that is neither unscdptural nor antL-scdp- the remission of sins. We have just enough faith to tural. Hell can not be too hot for anyone that would believe what the Lord said, "Be thou faithful unto deliberately divide the body of Christ. death, and I will give thee a cruwn~flife.~(Rev.2: 10) W& believe the-~ibleteaches us to "sing and make After all is said and done, thereseemstobemore melody in your hearts." Not on an instrumentofmusic said than done. When the smoke clears, after the bat- (mechanical), not by humming, groaning, moaning, nor tle is over for the souls of men and theLods church, sounds of esthesia. "Make melody in your hearttothe and the Devil calls all of his disciples to their re- -Lord1'--not to self ! ward, those of us in the peanut gallery will sift the ashes, pick up the pieces and continue on.Jesussaid, We believe in the body united undertheheadship ltThe gates of hell shall not prevail against it." of Christ, with God-fearing, Bible-believingmentak- I think it is high time that we smoked the Dwil ing the oversight or holding the reins, so to speak. out in the open so we can see who he is. Remember he It would be an awfully foolish thing for a father to can't stand the light; so let's turn the 1ighton.One turn over the reins of a run-away team of horses to the hands of an inexperienced driver and expect to word of encouragement: Let us not worry toomuchabout the Pentecostal people, poor souls; because if what salvage even his life.Yet,thisverything is happen- they are getting from us does not destroy them, they ing with elders of the Lord's churchalloverthebro- will soon be educated out of existence. Eitherway,if therhood. Men (1'11 call them men, forwantofanother we stand by the word of God, we will win. March / 1974 I DOWNTOWN SAN FRANCISCO CHURCX OF CHRIST PRESENTS Volume V, NO. 3 $1Per Year ; 6 Years $5

FOR ELDERS, DEACONS, PREACHERS, TEACHERS AND CONCERNED CHFUSTIANS

DON'T BOTHER ME WITH THE FACTS ; MY MIND IS ALREADY MADE UP!

Dear Brethren:

Especially those of you who swallowed--WHOLE-- that 24-page "Special Re- port" Highland/Ab%me put out in November--thus re- instating your support of Herald of Truth, justify- ing your decision todo so thereby, please fix your attention on tkthree-line captionimmediatelyabove!

Is this the attitude you are taking in themat- ter? If so, whenthe truth is fully apprehended, you will see, once again, the Highland brethren were no more truthful in putting out that report than they have been in practically everything they have done to "cover up" since they fired E. R. Harwer (photo left), NOT forthereasons they would have thebrotherhood believe,butsimply for standinq like a stone wall aqainstthe encroach- ments of error in the Her- ald of Truth's sponsorinq conqreqa tion!

It makes no difference -how many "Special Reports" E. R. Harper Highland finally decides Page 2 to put out, the facts being what they are, anything short of re~entance, confession of actual faults and scriptural correction will will not suffice. Until this happens, brethren and congregations whocare anything atall about the truth will simply refusetocontin- ue supporting the Herald of Truth, while its sponsoring church continues fosterins. In Y. Ria. k.. MiEor Podolk.~sm 1974 FREED-HARDEMAN COLLEGE LECTURESHIP IS Sn Fr.ndrc0, GGfunb PIlOl ACCURATE INDICATION OF WHERE THOSE WHO ARE VolumeV, No. 3 February/l974 STILL FAITHFUL TO RESTORATION REALLY STAND At a time when attendances at some col- SUBSCRIPTION RATES lege lectureships is falling off--somegrieu- ously--the most refreshing exception in the Single Subscription- Siperyear entire brotherhood is the one at Freed-Hard- or Six Years for $5 eman College. The reason, for any who really Club Rate- SixSubscriptions, $5 want to know, should be apparent: Instead of "playing footsyvvwith that bunch of liberals Bundle Rates: who would lead the church once againintoer- 12 Copies / $1 ror and digression, Freed-Hardemanstands now 25 Copies / 52 where it always has stood--for the right and 40 Copies / 53 against all wrong. 60 Copies / $4 80 Copies / $5 The 1974 Freed-Hardeman Lectureship was 100 Copies / $6 one of the most outstanding series in thehis- - tory of the college. Great speakers delivered wonderful lectures in defense oftruthand Pleaseaddress allcomnunicationS opposed to all forms of liberalism. Well ov- to Cr)NTENDING FOR THE FAITH, er 4,000 were in attendance. (More than that Post Office Box 588 many--by actual count--went through the line San Francisco, California at the cafeteria at a single lunchtimel) In- 94101 stead of slowly fillYng up, the entire floor and all four sides of bleachers of old Bader - gymnasium was filled for Guy N. Woods' "Open Forum" from the verv first dav--and literally hundreds more either had to stand or else could not get in at all! Highland's "Herald of Truth1' representatives--about six of them--were on the camp- CONTEND1NGM)RTHEFAITHis published us, like spooks, that week--but no one show- monthly by the DomtomSanFrancis- ed any interest in anything they had to say. co Church Of Christ, at 250VanNess The plain, simple fact was that the sort of Avenue, San Francisco, California. brethren who regularly attendtheFreed-Hard- MAILING ADDRESS: P. 0. BOX 588, Sari eman Lectures are interested only in truth-- Francisco,California94101. Second- they have lost all confidence in Highland's Class postage paid atSanFrancisc0. willingness either to stand for or even tell the truth without some sort of deception any more. In this time of religious turmoil it is refreshing to see a college and a congregation such as Freed-Hardeman College and the Henderson church of Christstand up and be counted on the side of truth and opposed to all forms of liberalism as well as willing to attack and expose all errors destructive of the Lord's church and his truth.

FOR THOSE WHO REALLY WANT TO KNOW The die has been cast; the time is now Of course, there is none so blind as here; but the soldiers are too few who will' he who will not see. However, forthosewho be willing to stand in the front lines and really want to know what has been happen- speak out with voices so clearand.convincing ing to "usv1as a brotherhood--especially, that those who are striving to completely re- over the past decade--you can know it by structure thechurchtremble fromhead to foot. reading the following bookr We believe it is time for all menwhobelieve the truth to band together and fight for the AXE ON THE ROOT--VolUtW I...... $1.00 life of the church and the truth that isable AXE ON THE ROOT--VO~UW II...... $2.00 to save man's souls. It is time forallreli- AXE ON THE ROOT--Volume III...... $2.00 gious periodicals to abandonall polidesthat CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH--Volume I $3.00 will forbid them from attacking this evil that CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH--Vol~II $3.00 is invading the Lord's church. Fromthe Bible CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH--VO~UIWIII$3.00 Depa~tmentsin our schools, from the pulpits CONTENDING MR THE FAITH--VO~UU+PN$3.00 in our congregations, and fromthepensofall Order from: CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH religious editors aggressively and pointedly P. 0. Box 588, San h-andsco, CA 94101 attacking these errors and havingthecourage Page 3

E. R. HARPER IS HOMECOMING IS ENJOYED FROM START TO FINISH HONORED AS ALUMNUS OF YEAR E. R. Harper of Abilene, Tex., was named 1973 Alumnus of the Year during Freed-Hardeman Col- lege's annual Homecoming festivi- ties, Saturday. Nov. 10. according to John Bob Hall. executive secretary of F-HC's Alumni Association. Born in Enola. Ark.. the author, minister. debater. and national media speaker received his higher education from Freed-Hardeman College and Union University. Jackson. Tenn. john ~obHall presided as Director of E- R Harper, noted evangelist of Abilene, Tex.. received Alumnus of Year Alumni Affairs. Award. L. to r., Dr. E. Claude Gardner. Harper, John Bob Hall. Jess Curry. Brother Harper has served as mlnlster, Brownsv~lle,Tenn. minister at Bemis. Tenn.. Jackson. Tenn.. 4th and State. Little Rock. Ark.. and Highland, Abilene. Tex. DRAMATIZING THE ANOMALOUS SITUATION that nowhas developedbrotherhood- He was the regular speaker for six wide, the self-same reasons for which brother E. R. Ha er was firedby the yean on ye he ~eraldof Truth: a herald of Truth Radio and Television CoMntttee at High?and/Abilene, Texas, national radio and TV sponsored by the churches of are the very reasons for which he was honored as "Alumnus of the Year" by Christ. his old alma mater, Freed-Hardeman College. He has authored numerous books In both instances was his unequivocal stand for the truth! and tracts, his latest book being it Propheey Foretold and Prophecy How ironical that both of these events should occur in the same broth- FuIfiUed. He has appeared On the erhood in the very same year--just nine months apart! lectureshios of most of our - Christian colleges and has conduct- More than almost any one thing that has taken place sinceHighlandset ed gospel meetings throughout the its present course, this demonstrates the central prob1em:Onecannolonger nation. defend the truth at Highland/Abilene and be honored for it.Hecangetfired In 1924 brother Harper married the former Ollie M. Poe. The Har- for it--witness E. R. Harper. He can have his adult Bible class taken away pers have four children. from him for it--witness James D. Willeford. But he no longer canbehonor- Selection of F-HC's alumnus of ed for standing for the truth inthechurch that sponsors theHeraldofTruth! the year award is made annually by the Alumni Board of Directors. Dr. But standing for the truth is still honorable at Freed-Hardeman Col- E. Claude Gardner, president of a--witness the above item photo-copied from their official bulletin for F-HC. was last year's recipient. December/l973. We honor Freed-Hardeman (and not Highland) for this reason.

to call the names of those teaching such, can trouble at Highland and the Herald of Truth be destroyed the most pernicious and vicious Radio and Television Programhadbeensettled. groups of men ever to undertake the destruc- That E. R. Harper wasreceivinghis retirement tion of the church. This would be the great- from the ~i~hlandChurch of ~hristuntil his est contribution these groups could possibly death. That David Lipscomb Colleqe, of Nash- make at this tineinthehistoryofthechurch. ville, Tennessee, with brother B%S& Barrett This impending digression is far more devas- Baxter as head of the BibleDepartmentthere, tating than the digression of a century ago was sending this to you with their indorsement that gave birth to the llChristian Church," of the letter signed by the eight elders at than the Premillennial faction, or the Anti- Highland. Cooperation faction ofmorerecent times. This is what the people want and at a time when they This, too, was just another deception! of this generation havenotbeentaughtenough truth to generate convictions against errors The Highland Church of Christ did not (for they do not seem to know what the issues promise E. R. Harper one dime from the Hiqh- really mean). land Church of Christ treasury. They said, "so long as the Herald of Truth has it to pay." Hiqhlandls Most Recent Deception Who is to say when that would be? They stop- The most recent of all their deceptions ped brother W. F. Cawyerls retirementinless as they have sought toblind theeyesof honest than a year. This clearly was on1ytotkE.R. men and women to what is reallv happening is Harper's hands and to stop his exposing the that just made by the elders of thechurchat errors being taught at Highland. He refused Highland/Abilene, Texas. The largewhite fold- to acce~tsuch an offer. Would not you, too, er that many thousands of you received--with have refused? It is being referred to around David Lipscomb College's return address inthe Abilene as "Harper's Zipper Check." With it, upper-left-hand corner--caused multiplied thou- they evidently supposed they could zipuphis sands of Christians to believe that all the mouth. But his mouth was not for sale! Page 4

HIGHLAND'S ACTION IN THIS DECEPTION NOT ONLY lently perpetrated" upon you Pythis unlawful WAS UNETHICALBUTANOUTRIGHTVIOLATIONOFLAW manipulation with the large folder sent you.

I have it upon reliableevidence (and if But there were tens of thousands of us you doubt this, you may writeE. R.Harper for who were not deceived by all this, forwehad verification) that this large white folder the facts and refused to be swerved by false (or some of them may have been on brown pa- claims. per), enclosing brother Baxter's letter, to- aether with the letter from the Hiahland el- Under date December 31, 1973, I personally wrote and sent the following:

"Elders, Highland Church of Christ ~06thFifth and Highland Attention: Brethren, let's all mull that over abit. Abilene, Texas 79606 Art Haddox David Lipscomb College DID NOT FURNISH HIGH- LAND WITH THOSE ENVELOPES. They either bought Dear brother Haddox and Brethren: them--and then stamped the return address of the college in the upper-left-hand-corner,or "This is to acknowledge receipt of the they made them up themselves and stamped the 24-page 'special report1 you sent to me last college's return address upon the folder. month. Shortly after, Ialso received 95 questions based on that report frombrother H. A. REPEAT: DAVID LIPSCO~ COLLEGE DID NOT (Buster) Dobbs. Inasmuch as these questions FURNISH HIGHLAND THOSE FOLDERS as practical- now are being mailed to all partsofthe bro- ly everyone was led to believe! therhood, I felt that you should havea special copy of your own, that youmight read your On that folder, in the upper-right-hand report and these questionstogether. It ismore corner, they printed Hiqhland's POSTAL PERMIT and more evident to me that through your re- with David Lipscomb's return address printed fusal to take the necessary steps tohold our on the folder WITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE confidence, tens of thousands of uswho form- COLLEGE. Hiqhland neitherrequested~ermission erly were grateful supporters of you and the to use David Li~scomb'sfolderswiththeirre- Herald of Truth must now part company with turn address nor was ~ermissionqranted to them. you. This circumstance bringsme no joyat all but only sorrow. According to Federal PostalLaw, theper- mit on the folder must agree withtheaddress "One last request before closing. I have, of the sending party on the folder. The per- of course, the transcripts of those tapes mit on the folder you received had only the wherein brother Lynn Anderson has spoken permit of the Highland Churchof Christ. This things so contrary to whatgreatnmbersofus is a violation of the Federal Postal Laws and yet believe to be the truth.Hehasstatedthat if wressed could cause the Hiahland elders if we would listen tothetapesthemselves, we serious trouble. Just think: AN H PEN VIOLATION would havequiteadifferentimpressionofwhat OF THE FEDERAL POSTAL LAWS WAS USED TO DECEIVE he said, especially if we listened to he YOU INTO BELIEVIIJG THAT DAVID LIPSCOMB COLLEGE said upon each occasion.Thisis difficult for WAS BACKING THE HIGHLAND ELDERS in their un- me to believe; yet, in all fairness, Iamwill- christian accusations aqainstE. R.Harperand ling to take the time out to listen to those to cause you to feel that all things we;e set- tapes, in their entirety, if you will send them tled. Well, it just was not and is not so! to me. The ones Irefertoarethose fromwhich excerpts are quoted by brotherDobbsunderhis Upon reliable authority, Inowunderstand Question No. 25. Please send rneacopyofeach that DLC President Athens Clay Pullias has of these tapes--cassettes would be fine, if written to the elders of the Highland Church you have them, or ordinary reels, if not--and of Christ requesting an explanation as well send me the bill and I will gladly repayyou. as a retraction of this unlawful actwhichhas embarrassed the college and could cause the "Wishing your decisions had been such thatwemight continuealong together, Post Office at Abilenetoreceive severe rep- remands for allowing this folder to pass through (signed) "Ira Y. Rice, Jr., Editor their office withoutwriting thecollegewhose CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH" return address appeared on the folder to see if the permit on the folderwas thepermitas- (NOTE: This is being written on Monday, signed to the college. It is _not the permit February 25, 1974. In the Memphis meeting in assigned to the college. September, we were told that whatever tapes Well, HOW. IN THE NAME OF TRUTH. CAN WE CONTINUE we might ask for would be sent. as you BACKING THE HERALDOFTRUTH. NHENITS SPONSORS see, I asked for these tapes. Not only have NO LONGER CARE ABOUT THE TRUTH THEMSELVES?! these tapes not been received, butnaryaword of reply to the above has been received eith- Because many of you were deceived into er! Which is about "par for the course." Af- believing that all thin~swere settled, great ter all, literally scores of brethren inform numbers started sending Highlandmoneyagaln. me that they, too, have continually had such Well, were they settled? Hardly. E.R. Harper treatment at the hands of theHighlandelders was not consulted one regarding any of --and a phone call to brother Dobbs, refered time to above, revealed that he had receivednota these decisions. The accusationsmadeagainst him in the letter signed by the eight elders sinsle word of reply to his 95 questions! Yet are just as false as this "deception fraudu- brethren are being asked to suw~ortthem and Page 5

YOU WE CARE ABOUT YOUR FAMILY

ARE WELCOME Because God loves you and your family, we love you as well. HERE That's why we invite you to come LOVE

Highland Church of Christ S. 5th and Highland Avenue

Sunday - Bible Class 9:00 Worship 1O:OO

Sunday Evening 6:OO

Wednesday Evening 7 : 00

Minister - Lynn Anderson Minister of Education - C. Bruce Davis Minister of Youth - Gary Mab

Church Office 677-3522 or 672-7391

their efforts, while they themselves continue class? Well, do you know that sister Jolly's their deceptions in the name of truth! Well, husband, Dr. Grady Jolly, has just been made brethren, it just won't work. You,ofcourse, "Bus Captain" at Highland (see photo - repro- may do as you choose; but for me, mine, us, duction from their current brochure, above) ! ours and those concerned for the truthofthe Now turn to Page 6 and note photo-reproduced gospel in all things, from this point onward proof that not just Ca tain Jolly, but "the we shall have no part either withHiqhlandor Jollys" (and that woulg have to include any of its works until such a time as genuine -ter Jolly, too! ), not only were on that bus, repentance, confession of faults and correc- but are clearly implicated in this teachinq tion may be forthcoming. IYRJr. ) proqram. What difference does it make if her - - teaching no longer is being done in a class- HGW CAN LllE CClNTINUE MCKING THE HERALD OF TRUTH -room in the Highland church buildinq butona WHEN HIGHLAND CONTINUES TO COMPOUND ERROR bus--the Hiqhland-Church-of-Christ-Bus-Minis- RATHER THAN TO CORRECT IT?! ---try - bus--as well as "at the farm" (see Dara- graph 2--that is the Jolly farm, remember)! l That all may see that Highland's claims The fact remains thattheJollys---ofthem to have corrected their mistakes are empty, --STILL- ARE VERY MUCH ACTIVE IN HIGHLAND'S please consider the following: "REACHING, TEACHING, AND PREACHING THROUGH A BUS MINISTRY, " as it is so designated even in 1) Do you remember their claimthatsis- their own local publications. (See photo-re- ter Jolly and her compromising attitude to- production on Page 7 of one of their own of- ward neo-Pentecostalism areno longera threat ficial bulletins during January.) Is thiswhat at Highland--because she no longer teaches a Highland means by "correction"7 t

Publ~cationof Highland Church of Chrrst Bus Ministry

January 16, 1974

[EDiTESDAY NIGHT : :lith Jalter rlartin and Katherine Broom and driving, one writing, we picked up 23 bus an exceptional job keeping the kids orderly, Katherine is a superb baby holder, and we just had a great time.

SATURDAY BIORNING : In lo0 weather, eight hardy souls gathered at the knock doors. This type of dedication really men from the boys. A good morning was had by all. On Green Street we found kids in droves. It nay take a week or two to get then coming, but they seeneg willing. It has been said this type of work is for the young people, but don't you believe it. One of our best workers last Saturday was 78 years old. Reaching people for Christ is not restricted to young people, we need all ages. Workers in this frigid temperature was Eddie Allred, Jesse Eubanks, Billy Jean ~ewis, Floyd Ileredith, iIary Indindoli , Jerry Plorris and-4 the Jollys, THE HARDY'S: Little has been said about the work of the Hardy's because they work so quietly. Their work is in the South 8th and ~lmarea, working with three underprivileged families, and bringing them in on the mini-bus , seven or ej Slfit this week. Beth Barnes is their bus secretary, and Saturday helper. She is branching out, and working other houses in the area. Beth is a hard worker, always willing, always ready.

4 SINCE THEY TOLD what Walter Martin and Katherine Broom did (see Paragraph#l,above) wonder why they did not tell what the Jollys were doing on that bus?Playingtiddly- winks? Incidentally, we wonder, too, if brother Baxter told the DLC Bible Department and the elders at Hillsboro that Highland had reinstated the Jolly family to active participation in a "teaching program" again? They have been elevated to the "reach- %?teachinq, and preachinq...Bus Ministry" at Highland.Dr.Jollyis Captainofthis mlnlstry. What are the Eight Elders and Brother Baxter now going to do?BrotherBax- &-- ==id he would not preach for them if they did notridHighlandofthese Charismat- Page 7

BY king Present FOR I*~PORTEL"JTHEETING - MARK YOUR CALENDAR:

Mid McKnight and Toby Quinn will be highlighting our special emphasis on Ministry the end of this month.

Mid hlcKnight, well-known for his church growth meetings throughout the brotherhood, will be speaking at a special series here at Hi hland. His topics, intended for the entire membershipof aehdchurch, will be:

Thursday, January 31, 7:30 P.M.: "Commitment to the Greatest Cause in the Universe"

Friday, February 1, 7 :30 P.M. : "Christian Motivation"

Saturday, February 2, 7:30 P.M.: "Excuse Making"

Sunday, February 3, 10:30 A.M. : "Congregational Development*

Sunday, February 3, 9: 30 A.M. : "Roaching, Teaching, and Preaching- through------a Bus Ministry" Sunday, February 3, 3:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M.: "Seminar for Bus Workers"

ic teachers--and here they now are hiqh up on the totem pole of Hiqhlandls teachinq -and preaching ministry--&! What wiil b>other Baxter nbw do? yes; brother ~atseli Barrett, WHAT?

Please remember, from Question #25, re: regation, of Houston, Texas, asked the High- Page 3 of our January issue,thatbrotherH.A. land elders to comment on the following quo- (Buster) Dobbs, minister to theMemoria1 cong- tations from Lynn Anderson, preacher at the Page 8

Highland congregation, "and say if you agree Now, brethren, get ready for some ment- or disagree with the statement; ifthestate- al gymnastics. Harking back to lastJuly, re- ment is out of context or in context; if the member, in order to "correct" the situation, statement is distorted; if the statement is first of all, the Highland elders startedout out of perspective?" The Anderson statement: by firinq Lynn Anderson. After peeling themselves off the wall when they tangled the 161- "0 our Father, we ask of thee this morn- lowing week with most of their deacons and a ing these words which seem to Lie so still few "money men" in the congregation, the eld- and quiet on the page'will be energized ers decided they hadn't had it "explained to by our Spirit to really give uslifeand them that way before," so they "correctedn it give life to this body of people..." again by hirinq Anderson back. But watch it: Lynn came back, by repentance, confession "And I franklysaidtomywife, 'Youknow, and prayer (the only possible way thatheev- the church of Christ isabig sick denom- en could correct these doctrinally false de- ination.' And I meant exactly every one clarations), but on his own terms1 of those three words. Biq and Sick and Denomination. I was startled at her ans- By the time some 150 to 200 of us prea- wer. I thought she would be crushed for chers and elders confronted LynnSeptember10 me to so boldly call the churchadenom- and 11, 1973, at Memphis, Tennessee,notonly ination when we had preached and given was he not confessing faults for making these our lives to preachingrestoringa church false statements but he was contending that that is not a denomination, but she said, they were not even wronq--that we all simply 'NO. I have believed that for a long time.l1' "misunderstood" him, that if we had heard him in context, we should have another idea con- "...the Charismatic movement is not a cerning his meaning entirely1 He has not cor- hazard because I think that anybody who rected them even yet! Well, which time did We feels you have to speakin tongues ought Highland elders "correct" the situation there not to be banned fromthechurchorkick- at Highland--1) when they fired Anderson for ed out or considered a thirdratechris- his falseness, or 2) when they hiredhimback tian or something;Idonlt feel that way under pressure with NO CORRECTION WHATSOEVER personally.. .I' on his part! If they were correct in the first instance, when they fired him, then they got ".. .I can offer to you some rather excit- -uncorrect again when they hired him back! If in$ and strangeandwhat somepeoplewould they really want to correct things now, what call far out things that are experienc- then must they do? Obviously, as long as An- es in my life that I attribute to God's derson stays, unrepentant, there canbe-- Holy Spirit in it. But I'm not going to ins made risht at Highland. It is as simple offer to somebody else my experiences as as that. their platform." As for Landon Saunders, dealtwithin our "...I really need your help now, Lord, February issue, Howard Winters had him dead- to talk to these people. I don't know what to-rights when he wrote Paul Sain last year, their needs are, and I don't know how to "...is he saying, '1 said what I said and I express even the ideas that I have, and will now explain what I said so that it will I don't know even if they are the right not mean what I said so that brethrenwho un- ideas. So I'm asking that your Spirit will derstood vhat I said will now understand that take control of my heart and every mind they did not understand what I saidbecauseI here, and that every circumstancein this did not say what they think I said butIsaid meeting will combine to really excite peo- what they think I did not ~ay?...~"Nowthere ple about the Good News...If you have the Highland matter in a nut-shell!

DOWNTOWN SAN FRANCISCQ -+I OF CHRIST Second Class Postage Paid at Sanhmcisco,California

POST OFFICE BOX Y SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF- 94101 April /I974 DOWNTOWN SAN FRANCISCO CHURCH OF CHRIST PRESENTS Volume V, No. 4 $1, One Year/Six Years, $5

FOR ELDERS, DEACONS, PREACHERS, TEACHERS AND CONCERNED CHRISTIANS

Ira 'Y.Rice, Jr., Editor Truth-Not Executive Post Office Box 588 San Francisco, CA 94101 Privilege-Is the Issue "SIMPLY YES OR NO--CHRISTIAN INTEGRITY." DID YOU SAY? HOW CAN PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY HAVE THE UNMITIGATED GALL TO ANNOUNCE SUCH A THEME1 SIMPLE ANSWERS--WITH INTEGRITY-- IS WHAT WE CANNOT GET FROM PEPPERDINE ADMINISTRATION--

Dear Brethren:

I could scarcely believe my own eyes, when I picked upthe -Finn Foundation~okdation for March 19, 1974. There on Page 12, big as you please, was Pepperdine University--announcing, as the theme oftheirap- proaching Lectureship (of all things): "CHRISTIANIN- Jesus called for a simple "yes" TEGRITF1--andTEGRITFI--~~~ pleading or "no" in our affirmations to for simple "yesv or men (Matt. 5:37). Has there "no" answers, exact- ever been a time when the need ly the kind oG- wers we have souqht was greater for honest words from them--and been from honest hearts? denied--for lo these many years. Simplyincred- -ible! Pepperdine University Lectureship '74 If only -Me Nomel young, Bill Banowsky and others in **high FIRM FOUNDATION--MARCH 19, 1974 places" atpepperdine University wouldhaveprac- ticed Christian integrity and provided those of us who were concerned with the direction things were going at Pepperdine with some simple"yeswor"no~ answers, when our inquiry began as far back as 1971, then much thathasap- peared in Contending for the Faith already probably neverwouldhaveseenthe light of day--neither should we have felt impelled for -this issue to appear. Page 2 If I had had my own way about it, I should have broken open the "Pepper- dine Story" as farbackas December, 1971, when Reuel Lemmons' erroneous and misleading editorial appeared (Firm Founda- -tion--December 14, 1971) attempting to deceive the brotherhood that there actually was going to be anNEWFACEATPEP- Ira Y. Rice. Jr., kti)or PERDINE"--something that he had dreamed Port Office bx !iW up with absolutely no basis in fact. $an Franciw, CaI'iia 94101 However, at that time, I wasinal- Volume V, No. 4 Apri1/1974 most daily telephone contactwithbroth- er Archie W, Lu~er,of Ventura, Califor- SUBSCRIPTION RATES nia, who I knew was doinghis bestto salvage Pepperdine for thetruthofthegos- Single Subscription- $lperyear pel, Most reluctantly, at his urging, I or Six Years for $5 agreed to postpone what I hadplannedto Club Rate-SixSubscriptions, $5 say just then to give him timeenoughto persuade Pepperdine to face aboutinhar- Bundle Rates: mony with the truth--if they really had 12 Copies / $1 such a thing in mind. 25 Copies / $2 40 Copies / $3 But when both the Gosd Advocate as 60 Copies / $4 well as the Firm Foundation twoor three 80 Copies / $5 monthslatercarriedanerroneous andmis- 100 Copies / $6 1eadingadvertisementon"WHYISIRANORTH - RECRUITING STUDENTS FOR PEPPERDINE?", it was just too much. I could not--knowing I Pleaseaddress allcommunicatio~S what knew--in good conscience hold my to CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH, peace, Therefore, both in our A~riland Post Office Box 588 also May issues for 1972,I broughtforth San Francisco, California numerous reasons why neither Ira North, 94101 Reuel Lemmons nor anyone elsewhovalues truth should be trvinq to recruit even -one student for Pepperdine until it had been brought into harmony with the doctrine of Christ, Among the corrections needed, that we listed at that time, were 1) a disa- vowal of "MISSION Flaqazine" bybothu Banowskv and Frank Pack; Bill wasoneof "MISSION*sWfounding fathers--and Frank was a member of its Trustees and Board of Editors; neither is any longer con- CONTENDINGFORTHEFAITHis published nected, but neither has ever disavowed monthly by the DowntownsanFrancis- it eitherl--as far as anyoneknows, both co Church of Christ, at 250 Van Ness still endorse "MISSION"; we shall con- Avenue, San Francisco, California. tinue believing this until each specif- MAILING ADDRESS: P. 0. Box 588, San ically disavows that faith-destroying, Francisco, California 94101. Second- truth-undermining magazine. 2) ThatPep- Class postage paid at SanFrandsco. perdine should cease to hire and harbor known false teachers into its faculty-- including false brethren forced off of otherChristian collegefa'culties because of false teachina as well as out-and-out - - ;on-Christian. teachers. 3) That, as Ed- itoroftwomagozines--2OthCenturvChri.s- NOTE: Forthosewho want to know - cameabout, -tian and Power for Today--M.NorvelYbung should cease to use knownfa'lseteachers you will find it all m- aswriters forthesepublications. 4) That -ed in AXE ON THE ROOT%olme 1,.$1 Tonv Ash's views on Theistic Evolution, and in the bound vg&- Volume I1 ,$2 VolumeIII, 52 since he is ChairmanoftheBibleDepart- umesofCONTENDING ment on the new Malibu Campus,shouldbe -THE FAITH, Vole1 111 a Iv, corrected. 5 1 That "respect of persons", Q $3 each, Order from this publication: P.0, Box588,SanFrancisco~ whether based on Doctor's Dearees or on Page 3 any other basis should be aban- If it were a representative group its voice would be doned atPepper- heard through legitimate channels. Being too small dine. 6) TM the &&toria! rto be heard otherwise, a radical element does some- Presidentofthe thing to dramatize its cause. Palestinian guerrillas University (any- black,mail the whole earth with senwleless slaughter at one else, as far Blackmail Tel Aviv and Rome. The Arab nations use oil as a as that goes! 1 ) should cease to Long ago, freebooters on the Scottish border devel- blackmail weapon against an energy-starved world. help "dedicate" the practice of extracting a tax from passing If the world will do thus and so with tlhe Jews they buil&gs the pilgrims to insure safety from pillage and spoil. will release the oil. If Hearst will do bhus and so E~isco~aliansor The practice grew, and spread itself through many they will release Patricia. And, incidentally, we other denomina- lands-and even into twentieth-century life. Today Christians sometimes tell others of us that when they tions the newspapers tell the story of the kidnapping and do what we want them to do, we will release the sup- . holding for ransom of a publisher on the east coast port we have withheld. What's the difference? We offered It an elder's let- and a publisher's daughter on the west coast. Blackmail has a terrible power to inflict fear. ter in evidence Like the airline hijacking racket, it will probably operates upon fear. The heartlessness of blackmailers that at the vetv become popular as the press gives full publicity to the can strike fear to the heart of any Person, regardless time that Reuel actions of the blackmailers. of how immune he may feel. And fear makes us some- - times do things we do not want to do, and which our Lemmons and Ira The purpose of all blackmail is to get for bhen~selves North were try- ,ktterjudmment argues against. B~~~~~~ of the in- all they can at the expense It matters not humane torture connected with it, blackmail is one of ing to persuade .as to the justice or the injustice of their claims or us that we could the most potent weapons by which to attain unholy trust Norvel and their ends. -Bill--that they The principle of blackmail operates in many other One reason why the world is in the condition it is in A writer Or a "will I& let you areas, including the church sometimes. today is because it is ruled by people who do not take downf*--*y were speaker may claim to have inf0mation which he does ~~d into account in their actions. And one reason having some sort have, and making prejudicial insinuations which he why blackmail is practiced is because individuals and of Catholic week cannot prove, he uses it as pure blackmail. He black- small groups try to increase their puny power by un- (including some mails both the victim of his foul scheme, ,and those holy means. Christians must always remember that sort of "w"in who support his racket. there is more might in right than in wrong; and chapel)--not to The government passes laws to prohibit bh~k~~a~l.though injustice and ,\vrong may temporarily occupy mention a pro- And some blackmailers they can catch, convict and the throne, the throne ulti,mately will be occupied by gram called, "WE jail. But the most pernicious of all crimes, and the right. DON'T aEA Dm: most devastating, are those too delicate for the law If our society is a fearful mess of bigotry, strife, In our May to handle. alienation, persecution, hate, bloodshed and violence, issue that year He who blackmails for ~z~shgets only trash, but he of which blackmail is but a familiar part, we have we photo-repro- who seeks to gain his unholy ends at ex- largely brought it on ourselves. We were too content duced a picture pense, through holding UP the name of Some good with our bounty. We had no concern for those who from the m- .brother, or some good brotherhood institution, strikes had no oil until our own gas tank ran dry. we did not ville Tenneseean for that which does not enrich him in the end, and worry about those who had no bread we found Maaazine for NO- which leaves his victim stripped indeed. our own granaries empty. vanber21,1971, Attempts to destroy someone or some institution to And if some of these conditions are beginning to "Norvel gain personal satiSfa~ti0nOr to satisfy injured per- show their ugly heads in the church, where good pea- Young, chancel- sonal ride, though not holding the person 'but the ple would be appalled at the thought that they, too, lor reputation for ransom, is just as much blackmail as were of this nature, it is because we have too much CO1leqe in kidnapping and holding Patricia Hearst. world in the church and too little church in the world. Angeles" talldng Blackmail is a terrible thing. Because of the an- It's time to stir up sincere minds to a conisderation of toa 'packed lzmse'' at Belmont a- guish involved, and the dangerous nature of the black- some real issues that trouble us. nue Church of mailers, one involved as a victim will go to any lengths - to satisfy the demanden0 matter how unreasonable FIRM WOUNI~AT~OR Christ--even af- ~cmc~Lcmmonm. -- Edltor .- or outrageous--and will appeal, as Hearst did to his - ter he lme* that Fl RM FOUNDATION-MARCH 12, 1974 Belmont had &- friends, for their contributions too. All this is but ready a~ostatiz- another indication of the degeneracy of our times. & after Finto- Skidding ethical and moral standards have produced E:Any man who cannot tell the difference -ism. We d-on- a generation of perverts who seemingly will stop at between vicious, illegitimate "blackma.Ilwand stratedadirect nothing. legitimate, earnest contending forthe faith, tie-in between The very principle of blackmail demands that those Ought not be Of the %!!! who exercise it be an infinitesimally small minority. Othewise* "the faith," as Once for de- what was happen- livered, is in dire jeopardy among "US". IYR. ing at Belmnt/ Nashville and on campus at Pep- perdine--except that, &tpep-rdine, we Showed photos of in- edly, it would be hard to "out-Belmonti9 Bel- Sk-a@1 music being offered--= worshiF- mont--b~te~-Bellaont,as farasIrecal1, has in sort of "Jesus msic Festival" 0ffi- not (as yet) tried to use instrmental cially sponsored on-cam~usbytheUniversity1 as wotshie: Not only did we present documentation photo- graphically-reproduced from Pe~~erdine'sown When, by the fall of 1972,someofuswho official 8tud-t publication--=---in are still trying to cling to the wold paths" which this appeared; but we showed the great saw that we had no chance at all bytryingto pains they w*t to to make itperfectlyclear forbear with the doctrinal depredations rep- that this instrtrm*tal music was offered = resented by Pepperdine Universityanylonger, and & in Smme other sense1 (Admit- we decided to break away entirely from +-hat Page 4 fellowship and influence. It had become so ir- er, the days have rolled into weeks, and the retrievably corrupted, insofar as we were able weeks into months--and for whatever cause the to judge, that to follow that leadership any Attorney General's office still has not made farther would be just to get fartherandfar- its report. Meanwhile, much informationvital ther away from the truth. Hence,bythe Octo- to a proper understanding regarding what is ber-November issue of that year,, Contendinq happening at Pepperdine has continued to be for the Faith was announcing ourFIRSTANNUAL all bottled-up. BIBLE LECTURESHIP sponsored by thecollegeof World Evangelism, in Downtown San Francisco. LUPER TRIES TO GET YOUNG TO SIT DOWN WITH HIM AND ME TO DISCUSS ALL THIS FACE TO FACE We had that first annual Lectureship in --BUT YOUNG REFUSES TO W SO March, 1973. The heading of our issueofm- tendina for the Faith for April-Hay/l973 an- Although brother Luper attemptedrepeat- nounced : edly over a period of many monthstopersuade Norvel Young, Chancellor of Pepperdine Univer- "FIRSTANNUALBIBLELECTURESHIP SIGNALS sity, to sit down with him and me personally OPENBREAKWITHPEPPERDINEUNIVERSITY to see if anything could be worked out (mak- ANDALLOTHERSHEADEDFORAPOSTASY--" ing publication of "Peppergate" material un- Also in that issue, we photo-copied ad- necessary), Luper informed me that Young al- ditional evidence from ways refused. Seeing that absolutely nothing Pepperdine's student- was resulting from Luper's efforts to effect newspaper documenting that thereactually had correction at Pepperdine, finally,underdate been "a Catholic folk mass, folklorico danc- ers and rock arou~s"officially presented on of February 23, 1974, I wrote Norve1,as fol- campus; furthermore, from theresponsible- lows: Anaeles Times, that Pepperdine president Bill "Dear brother Young: Banowsky had joined the Confrerie des Cheva- "The months wear on, you continuetomake liers du Tastevin, a local wine-drinkinqclub certain promises to brother Archie W. Luper of that great city. Talk about your "social- that things are going to be betterat Pepper- drinkingw--there you haveitwithavengeancel dine University; however,as nearas Icandis- HIGHLAND/ABILENE'S APOSTASY ABSORBS MOST OF cern, nothing really basichasreally changed. OUR ATTENTION DURING SECOND HALF OF 1973 "I do not know, of course, justwhatcom- mitments, if any, brother Luper may havemade By June, of 1973, I had seen personally to you. As for myself, I havemadenone atall. some documentation that had fallen into the "In the office of Ur. Gordon del Faro, hands of brother Luper that made what expos- who I understand is one of the donors to the ures we had published regarding Pepperdine-- University, his attorney, Mr. Trent Deveney, up to that point--seem almost insignificant. has turned over to me a rather enormous file It was my judgment that we should not delay; of documents regarding what has been trans- that we should get the matters involved pub- piring at Pepperdine. Among these documents, lished to the brotherhood at theearliestmo- I find some 52 questions posed to youbybro- ment possible. ther Luper. ?Lo things, however, were to get in the "That you may know that brother Luper ac- way before this could happen: 1) The firing- ted in good faith with you,I shouldpointout of-E. R.Harper matter by Highland/Abileneas- that I did not receive any ofthesedocuments Radio-and-Television-Committee reachedsucha from him, but from Mr. del Farots attorney, point by June that something just had to be Trent Deveney. done about the way things were going involv- "At brother Luperls request, I have held ing Herald of Truth; and21 brotherLuperkept off publishing these documents, sincetheDe- hopingagainsthopethat surely somethinqcould cember issue appeared, in hopes that something be done to "save Pepperdine" without what we concrete might develop upon whichtobasered are about to disclose ever having to be made belief that the necessary changes at Pepper- public--so he kept urging that Iwwaitanoth- dine will be forthcoming. Uptothis point, as er month" and see if he could not getthemto before, you and others connectedwithPepper- give us some assurance thatknecessarycor- dine appear to have been giving him the well- rections would be made. known 'run around.' As we all know by now, of course, issue "I have told brother Luper that, for my after issue, beginning with July/1973 had.to part, I am willing to hold off just one more be devoted to the Highland/Herald of Truth-- issue--the one for March/1974. If,afterthat almost the rest of '73 and on into '74. How- issue appears, you still are willing to make ever, all during this time, between publica- nothing right, then I see no reason to hold tions, I was making trip after trip down to off any longer. Beginning with the April is- Los Angeles, checking out this additional in- sue--and the 52 questions--I fully intend to formation regarding Pepperdine withLuperand publish the whole matter. If this isnotwhat others. Finally, by our issue for December/ you want, then perhaps you and brother Luper 1973, I could not conscientiously delay pub- might come to seeme personally sowecan reach lication any longer; however, even then, on- some understandings. ly of the story was told--as, by then, matters involving possible criminality high- "For the truth against all error, - (Signed) Ira Y. Rice, Jr. er up had been turned over by some ofthedo- nor6 to the Attorney General--and itwas felt that possibly we should wait untilhisreport "Carbon Copies to: Archie W. Luper,TrentDe- before publishing any more ourselves. Howev- veney (and no one else)" Page 5

YET ONE MORE EFFORT MADE TO TRY TO GET SOME any further on behalf ~fdelaying~ublication ASSURANCE FROM PEPPERDINE IS IGNORED: HENCE, of matters pertaining to what ishappeningat WHAT IS TO BE GAINED BY FURTHER DELAY? Pepperdine University. "If I had had even theslightestindica- -0 more! weeks Passed by, and when bra- tion of any genuine repentance upon behalf of ther Young ,-. did not see fit to reply to brethren Young, Banowsky, White, Runnels or the foregoing letter, under date Of March 9* possibly others connected with all that cor- 1974, I wrote him one last time*as ruption, then I might be willing to listen a "Dear brother Young : little longer. However, in all this time, you and I both have just been given the old run- "The March/1974 issue has now gone to around, with delay tactics leading to no cor- press; and I am now preparing the Apri1/1974 rectionat all. issue, as mentioned in my letter to you of February 23 (to which, of course,youhavenot "This is to inform you that I already have replied). sent the March issue to press; it should be back in my hands and ready to mail out with- "Brother Archie W. Luperwas hereearlier in a week to ten days. this week to speak on ourSecondAnnua1 Bible Lectureship with the College of World Evang- "I am now preparing theApril issue, in- elism. While he was here, I asked him for the cluding Pepperdine, and will send it into the answers you had previously given him to the printer inmediately upon receipt oftheMarch 52 questions he had posed to you. He refused issue here--unless, of course, brother Young to let me have them, saying that he felt it decides to meet with you and me together and would be far better to secure these answers so inf~rmsus beforehand, which I now doubt directly from you for first-handpublication. very much that he will- "I therefore now am writing to you re- "After all that we have tried to do to questing your direct answers to eachofthose bring them to repentance, to no availvwhata 52 questions that I may publish your answers Pity that it should now come to this- right along with the questions,Lordwilling, "In the cause of truth, in our Apri1/1974 issue. Ifyou sendyourans- wers here in time, I purpose to publish your (Signed) Ira Y- Rice, Jr- answers, just as you give them, right along I*,,-: ~~~~~lyoungv with the 52 questions. If you do not send these answers to me for publication, then I shall WHy WE TITLED THE DECEMBER/1973 ISSUE publish the 52 questionswithout~ouranswers, ~*~EPPERDINE(s) CHRISTIAN (7 UNIVERSITY (1 leaving the brotherhood to surmise as to why you did not send your answers. "Brother Young, it should beapparent to Before going into the questions brother all that both brother Luper and I have been Luper had posed to brother Young, I now Pro- patient with you in all this enormously more pose to document at least some of the back- than Christian reasonableness and forbearance ground upon which his 52 questions were bas- would require. It is our convictionthat just ed. He did not make than up"outdftheblue," to ask those 52 questions, with no reply on You know1 your part, would be damaging enough.Foryour answers to be anything less thanaccuratewould For instance, here before me is a sum- be far more so. Therefore, should you decide mal-Yofatel~~h~~~c~nversationbetween Doyle to send us your answers, please make certain %!E& and Pepperdine University President u- that they are exactly according to facts. We liam s- Banowsky on or about April 7, 1973, have no interest in publishing anything that reported brother Swain, who, until fir- is not so. ed recently, worked 14 yearsat Pepperdine in their Business Administration. Please study: "In the event we do &receive your answers, this letter, too,will bepublishedright "Banowsky telephoned me at my office to along with the 52 questions. advise that it was time we 'talkedthingsov- erec He appeared to be very irate. He charg- "For the right against all wrong, ed that I and Trent Devenney had been engag- (Signed) Ira Y. Rice, Jr. ed in a campaign against the Administration of Pepperdine University. He told me that my "P*S* If you & want the 52 questions pub- phone calls--outgoing and incoming--had been lished, as as the further monitored. He further indicated that Jennifer in my possession, I am still ready to sit down Lynn, formerly secretary to Nr. Larry Horn- with you and Luper if baker, Vice President for Developtent of Pep- Christian are possible. perdine at Malibu, had been assigned to work 9 time is running so 9 if you wish at the Center for International Business as my this, please let me know. IYRJr." secretary in order to audit allmvactivities ***** and associations and to keep a l&and record on all of my actions. (Earlier I had been ad- Five days after sending the above let- vised at the time ofnissLynn*sassignmentto ter to brother Young, to.forestal1 any fur- office as secretary that Kiss Lynn'spres- ther delaying action on brother Luper's part on the nalibu campus as Mr. Hornbaker's I wrote to him, as follows, March 14, 1974: secretary had aroused objections from Urs, Blanch Seaver, a major donor to Pepperdine, "Dear brother Luper: and that Mrs. Seaver had insisted that Uiss Lynn be removed complete1 from the Halibu "As much as I appreciate you and all your cam us. This information Kati been rela ed to help, 1 really must ask you not to intervene me gy Mr. Richard C. Xing, Executive drect- Page 6 or of the Center for International Business. be hospitalized. King had insisted Miss Lynn had been brought "Dr. Banowsky said that there had been to the Center which islocatedindowntownLos financial irregularities at Pepperdine, but Angeles so that she wouldnolongerbe seen by that if anyone were aver implicated, indict- Mrs. Seaver and there wouldn't be any subse- ed or punished for them, itwouldbeDr.Young quentoccasionsonwhichMrs. Seaveresirewould and Bill Teague, not Banowsky. He said that be aroused by Miss Lynn's habit of wearing he, Dr. Banowsky, had not 'signed' anything. 'mini-skirtsthatweretoo revealing' and 'blou- ses that were too low-cut to be proper for a "Moreover, he said that I was trying to secretary on aChristiancollegecampus.~ King turn the Church of Christconstltuencyagainst indicated that Mrs. Seaver had raised precise- Pepperdine and Dr. Young. He said that the ly these objections toMiss Lynn'spresenceat prospect of the membership of the Church of Malibu and that he therefore had, after con- Christ formulating negative attitudes against sultationwithMr. Hornbaker,broughtMissLynn Dr. Young would break Dr. Young's heart. He in as a secretary to the Center so that she said that I had incited Dr. Benson towritea would no longer be seen by Mrs. Seaver.) negative letter against Dr. Young out of motivation to turn the Church agdnst Dr. Young* "But Dr. Banowsky indicated that Miss Dr. Banowsky said he personally did not care Lynn's real reason for being transferred to the whether the membership of the Church of Christ Center was to keep an eye on me and report back felt negative about him.Banowskysaidthathe to the Administration onmy activities and the felt that the Church of Christ was too 'sec- campaign that I hadbeenallegedlycarryingon tarian' anyway and that this fact had caused against the University. Dr. Banowsky, among him finally several years agotobegln follow- other things, charged that I was personally ing 'more secular pursuits.' But he said Dr. 'some kind of right-wing nut.' He said that Young's life was wrapped up in the Church of the disenchantment existing among various Christ and that alienation of Church of Christ groups against Pepperdine was not entertain- members againstDr.Youngwou1dbreakDr.Young ed or held by donors but that thepeople car- completely. rying on the 'campaign against the Universi- ty were not donors at all. Rather, Dr. Ban- "Dr. Banowsky asked me to write him a let- owsky indicated, those carrying on the nega- ter of endorsement affinningmysupportofhis tive criticism against the Universitywere in Presidency at Pepperdine,inview of the fact reality a group of 'John BirchSocietytypese that he and Dr. Young were going, during the seeking to gain control of a fine University following week, to make a trip back East to on the West Coast. converse with donors.Irefusedtodo so. When I refused to write the letterofendorsement, "Dr. Banowsky said that I had made charg- Dr. Banowsky said that he waswithdrawing the es that he was a hypocrite--thatIhad charg- request. He then asked me to write Dr. Young ed him with projecting the image of conserv- a letter saying anything positive in it about atism and that I had saidthatthis imagewas- Dr. Young that I could say in this letter. I net in keeping with his real philosophic or told him I would get a letter off to Dr. Young political orientation. He said he wasn't a inmediately setting forth in it anything that 'conservativee or 'right-winger' but rather I felt I could say honestlyinapositivevein I could feel free to tell people that he was about Dr. Young's role at Pepperdine. 'a couple of degrees left of moderate.' He said that Pepperdine as a University and he "Dr. Banowsky was offered by me my res- at the personal level would both benefit by ignation. I orally asked him if he wanted me the 'campaign* being waged against them. The to resign formally at this time. He said, 'No, 'campaign' would make hia a champion of the the time is not exactly right1 Perhaps in a 'broad middle-ground* of 'moderatfont and 'bal- month or so would be a better timel' ance.' It would injure only the 'extremists' "Dr. Banowsky also said he wanted me to who were carrying on the campaign, nothimor know that from the very origin and outset of the University. my 'campaign' against Pepperdine, hehadurg- "As far as the Universitywas concerned, ed that I be immediately teradnated and fired. Dr. Banowsky said thattheAdministration had He also said he had urged that the Universi- turned around the D. B.Lewis incident sever- ty sue me and Trent Deve~eyfor any financ- al years ago to its advantagesothatthishad ial damages the University might eventually ultimately been worth millions topepperdine. sustain through gift curtailment or otherwise He said further that they had handled the mil- as a result of our criticisms. He saidhehad itant student protests at Pepperdine in such been for 'getting' me and that would contin- a way from a public relations point of view ue to be his view and that I ought to know that. that this also had been worth millions ulti- "He told me that the people that Trent mately to them. He said the Administration or I had contacted (here he mentioned the would turn this situation--the current cam- Scaifs,KerseyKinsey, Mr. W.B. Camp, thepay- paign against it--around to itsadvantageal- sons, Mrs. Harnish, Mrs. Seaver and others) so so that it f1nallywouldbesimilarlyworth had all programmed back withhhandDr.Young millions of dollars to the University. about the matter. These people, he said, had "Dr. Banowsky said that hewastelephon- turned over to him and to Dr. Young all of the ing me at a time whenDr. Youngwas personally data, materials, written communications and in the hospital at Santa Monica with a heart reports, that either Trent or I had provided or coronary condition. He said he blamed me them. (His mentioning all of these people seem- completely for this and that althoughmyneg- ed strange inasmuch as neitherTrentnorIhad ative criticism of Pepperdinehad accamplish- contacted some of them at all.) ed nothing else, it had caused Dr. Young to have this heart problem and had causedhimto "Dr. Banowsky also wanted metoknowtM Page 7 all of the obove donors were supporting the support the existing Pepperdine program more Administration at Pepperdine and that they vigorously. He said the donors had been most were wondering 'what has happened to Doyle?' receptive to his and Dr. Young*sreports and He also said he had been in contact with Evelle conversations with them. Younger and that Mr. Younger wasn'tinterest- "Dr. Banowsky asked that if he were to ed in an investigation of Pepperdineat all-- write me a letter setting forth in it a firm that Younger had great respect for Pepperdine promise to the effect that hewould remainwith and the incumbent PepperdineAdndnistration-- the University, and notengageinpolitics,and that he (Dr. Banowsky) enjoyed Younger's com- not run against Alan Cranston or be a candi- plete confidence and that he had Younger in date in the forthcoming U.S. Senatorial cam- his pocket paign or for other high political office--would base was covered and no investigation by the this action deter any of the plaintiffs or ag- Attorney General's office would be forthcom- grieved groups from suing the University. I ing of Pepperdine's affairs. told him that there would be oneprivatelaw- "Dr. Banowsky also indicated that hehad suit against the University--regardless of whe- been in touch with people at thehighestlev- ther he withdrew completely from the politi- els of influence in the White House and the cal field--because this particular plaintiff Executive branch oftheGovernmentin Washing- and other aggrieved people hadgenuinegriev- ton. He said the White House wassimilarlyon ances against existing practicesand policies his side completely and that there would be at Pepperdine--and that I did not believe Dr. no investigation forthcoming by the IRS as I Banowsky's mere withdrawal fromthepolitical had warned him there might be. He also indi- field would deter the privatelawsuit against cated Reagan was supporting him completely. the University. "Dr. Banowsky also indicated that hehad "Nevertheless, Dr. Banowsky told me he gone to the 'Editor* of the Los Angeles Times would immediately dispatch a letter to me tell- --that the Editor understood that thiswas an ing me he was withdrawing from the political attempt by an extremist, right-wing, John Birch field and asked me to tell theplaintiff that Society type group to take over Pepperdine-- he would be writing such a letter. When the and tkat the Times understood the situation letter did not arrive for several days,Itel- completely and would not be carrying any ad- ephoned Dr. Banowsky at his Malibuofficethe verse publicity about Pepperdine. following Wednesday to tell himtheletter had not arrived--but that if hewouldgoaheadand "In summary, Dr. Banowskyindicatedthat write it I would show it to theplaintiffand all of the above bases were covered--the do- others--even though I doubted that it would nors, Gov.Reagan,Mr.Younger, theUhiteHouse deter private legal actionagainsttheuniver- and Executive Branch, and the Times. All of sity. He proraised he wouldgetthisletteroff them, he said, were in his corner,wouldsup- to me immediately so that I could show it to port him completely, and that the University the plaintiffs. As of this date (June 5, 1973) would not be getting any negative criticism this letter has not arrived.Rather, lastweek or investigations from any of them. the Los Angeles Times carried a story to the "The whole essense of this conversation effect that Dr. Banowsky had been appointed was extremely militant. Dr. Banowsky was very Republican National Committeeman from Calif- agitated. He was very angryor appearedtobe. ornia, after the resignation of Ed Mills of He told me just prior to concluding the con- Laguna Beach who had formerlyheldthepostof versation that he had said a lot of *hardn Republican National Committeeman from Calif- things about me; I agreedthathehaddone so." ornia. " SUMMARY OF TELEPHONE CONVERSATION SO NOW PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY IS GOING WITH WILLIAM S. BANOWSKY ON OR ABOUT TO LECTURE THE BROTHERHOOD ON "SIMPLY MAY 19. 1973, BY DOYLE SWAIN YES OR NO--CHRISTIAN INTEGRITY"! Some five or six weeks went by, then on There is much, MUCH more in this fileof or about May 19, 1973, brother Swain reports information still to be published on Pepper- a second telephone conversation, as follows: gate, which must come later; however, as you ponder back through what we have set forthon "Dr. Banowsky telephoned meatmyhomein the past few pages, I am sure that if there Redondo Beach on this occasion. He reported is any one thing that the Pepperdine Admini- that my letter to Dr. Young had been receiv- stration is ill-qualified to teach, surelyit ed and that their trip back to see donors in has to be the theme of their forthcoming Lee the Eastern section of the United States was tureship on "Christian Inteqrity." very successful. (My letter to Dr. Young had expressed admiration for him as a person but Great numbers of brethren who read that had in effect re-stated that I believed that "OK to pay" which we published in our Decem- there were policies, programs and personnel ber/1973 issue, whereby M. Norvel Younq gave at Pepperdine that posed serious problems.) authority to Donald V. Miller, Chairman, Ex- Dr. Banowsky did not indicate that they had ecutive Committee, Board of Trustees,Peppe~- shown this letter to any of the donors. dine University, to pay something called m- "Nevertheless, he seemed more concilia- versitv Pla~in~Consultants, ofLos Angeles, tory, less militant than formerly. He said the California, S40,000, marked, "For Consultant University, despite the campaignthathadbeen Services" have expressed adasiretoknowmore waged against it, was going to meet its fin- about this. Since NO SUCH FIM exists in Los ancial goals. It now had a united Board and Angeles, was it CHRISTIAN INTEGRITY that in- so forth and that the 'campaign1 hadonly serv- spired brethren high in the PepperdineAdmin- ed to unite the Board and cause the Board to istration to invent such a fictitious firm-- Page 8 and then through this deception pay to them- fictitious company ke~tsecret from the ma- selves $40,000 each year for the past seven jority of the Board of Trustees of Pepperdine years (WELL OVER A QUARTER-OF-A-MILLION DOL- University? For instance, below, wearelist- LARS!) above, beyond and in addition totheir ing the full Board of Trustees. Onlytheones already-considerable salaries? Just who sre marked with an asterisk (*) were "in" on the "University Planning Consultants?" Just what secret; the rest of the Board were not: "services" do they render thatpepperdineun- iversity should pay them $280,000 between the YOUNG, Dr. M. Norvel LEMWONS, Reuel G. years of 1966 to 19731 Careful checking dis- MILLER, Donald V.* LOVELL , James L. closed that this hasnoad- ACKLIN, H. B. (Bud) NORTH, Dr. Ira dress of any kind--neither post office box, BANOWSKY, Dr. William S.* PEPPERDINE,-.G. telephone number, directors or orqaniaation-- CROTHERS, G. L. (Lip) SALLABERRY, Arnold just a letterhead1 ELLMORE, W. Austin SHATTUCK, Clarence P. (Tuck) EVANS, George* WARFORD, Earl Was it CHRISTIAN INTEGRITY that prompt- JONES, Robert P. YEARWOOD, Nile E. ed those brethren, once they hadfictbnalized YOUNG,Mrs. M.Norvele the "firm" in the first place, to print such a letterhead to deceive trustingbrethrenin- CHRISTIAN INTEGRITY? At tfE verv time they to thinking such fim did exist inLos Angel- were trying to makethe Pepperdine facultybe- es? No listing of this firm appears anywhere lieve there simply were no funds available-- on the official records of the CityofLosAn- so they might have those salary raises great geles. How come? numbers felt they had coming--these venerat- ed brethren (the ones with the asterisks) all Was it CHRISTIAN INTEGRITY that caused knew that Young, Banowsky,Teagueand Runnels brother Donald V. Miller, Chainnanofthe Ex- thus were skimming off the creamwhileothers ecutive Committee, Board of Trustees,Pepper had to make do with skim milkl dine University, to accept a billing annually each year for seven years from University And, beside all that, if CHRISTIAN IN- Planning Consultants--a statement for 240,000 TEGITY really mattered, why were all these fi- each year, marked "O.K." by M. Norvel Younq, nancial shenanigans KEPT SECRET FROM THE DO- which he, in turn, would mark, "OK to Pay-- -NORS who gave MOST OF THE MONEY7Weretheyaf- D.V.M."--when both of these brethren knew no raid such donors might quit donating if they such firm existed? found out that some of their donations were getting side-tracked into private pockets in Would CHRISTIAN INTEGRITYmotivate these such a surreptitious manner? $40,000 checks to be hand-deliveredtoM.Nor vel Young, drawn on Pepperdine University's ac As to just they were able toperpet- count with the United California Bank, hat- uate their lucrative, little secret all this ed at Manchester and Vermont, inLosAngeles, time without getting found out, it evidently and cashed at PacificNational Bank,near80th was all bottled up in theExecutiveCommittee and Manchester, in Los Angeles? --who just never saw fit to share itwiththe What kind of CHRISTXAN INTEGRITY, after these $40,000 checks had cleared the bank, You fill in the blank. would cause them to comeback stampedwiththe name "University Planning Consultants" (which That M Norvel Y un (ChancellorofPep- did not exist--or with a piece oftheinvoice perdine Un-- (Pres- or letterhead containing the words University identof Pepperdineuniversity) and HelenYounq Planning Consultants which had been scissor- (wife of the Chancellor of Pepperdine Univers- ed off and pasted as the endorsement onthe ity) are ALL MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES backs of these checks? of Pepperdine University is a matter of r>ub- lic record. Is this all right?Tosaythatthis It took a bit of doing to dig out these "is a situation that's entirelyunorthodoxin facts; however, brother DonaldV.Miller, who educational procedures," as one of our most- served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees, outstanding Christian educators put it in a Pepperdine University, for many years, final- letter of April 27, 1973, addressedtobroth- ly admitted, in the presence of Larry Horn- er Young, is putting it mildly. It is a built- baker and Trent Devenney, thatthis "company" in invitation to do this sort of thing1 originated with M. Norvel Young and William J. Teague, in 1966, Miller explained that U- If anyone told you that M.Norve1 Young, niversity Planning Consultants was conceived who is Chancellor of Pepperdineuniversity, is as a means whereby certain top officials at also the Chairman of the Board ofTrusteesof Pepperdine University might be rewarded for Pepperdine University, would you believe it? their fund-raising efforts above and beyond Go riqht ahead. Believe it.Andinanotheris- their salaries. As to who got the money,bru- sue, ;re long, Contendinq will ther Miller, in a meeting on this matterwith try to spell out in clear languagethat"%- M. Norvel Young, Reuel Lemmons, and Archie W. ple Yes or No CHRISTIAN INTEGRITY1' is what is Luper, confirmed that it was paid to M, Nor- needed, all right; but, with sucha set-up as vel Younq, William J. Teaque,Charles Runnels this, we have no way of achieving it at that and William S. Banowskv. certain university called "Pepperdine." CHRISTIAN INTEGRITY, indeed! (NOTE: Sorry the last two issues have been If thesebrethrenweregenuinely concern- late. We should be back on schedule in May. ed about CHRISTXAN INTEGRITY, thenwhywas this Also those 52 questionsmustcornelater.IYR~ May 1 1974 DOWNTOWN SAN FRANCISCO QIURQl OF CHRIST PRESENTS Volume V. No. 5 $1 Per Year; 6 Years $5

FOR ELDERS, DEACONS, PREACHERS, TEACHERS AND CONCERNED CHRISTIANS

OTHERS MAY DO AS THEY WILL; . 1 BUT AS FOR ME AND MINE, WE SHALL CONTINUE SERVING THE LORD-- rhme is me If there is any one thing that is plain for all to see (if we will only look), it is that thegreat Restoration 9k why Movement of the past 181 years at long last is in the process of dissolution. Rather than uniting, as once wedid, on +a ba A "thus saith the Lord," like the Israel- ites of old, we seem to be fleeing "every man to his own tent." -0m4j tkY

More is the pity, too, sinceGodls --Vicksburg Reminder word still teaches us that "it is not in manthatwalkethtodirecthis steps." (Jeremiah 10:23) God's word still teaches us that "Man shall not live by bread alone, but every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4) As Joshua said to the tribeswhenhe assembled them at Shechem, "...If it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose YOU this day whom ye will serve...but as for me me and my house.we 24:1524:15)

A close personal friend of mine, J. T. Marlin, of Hereford, Texas, engaged the editor of one of our two leading brotherhood papers in conversation during March at the AlabamaChristianCol- lege Lectureship. Said editor was trying to break the forceofall that E. R. Harper had said regarding the tragedy transpiring re: Highland/Abilene by charging that he (Harper) is "just an embittered old man." Brother Marlin said that he had notseenanything in brother Harper's demeanor thatwould sustainsucha charge, "But just suppose that he is an embittered, old man, l1 he asked, "has he misrepresented the facts at Highland in any way?" This editorad- mitted that the facts at Highland were as brother Harperhadrep- resented them; however, he protested that "not all" of those at Highland were that way. Marlin pointed outthatbrotherHarperhad never said that "all" were that way--but that there is a charismatic element as well as other false elements now in control at Highland--and that as Highland goes, so, eventually, will go the Herald of Truth! Why I felt it necessary to mention this highly revealing conversation is that this same editor has gone on recordeditoriallyas having "investigated" the Highland matter, giving the impression that the causeoftruth is in safe hands at Highland. Well, it not only is not, but that editor, by his own private admission, KNOWS it is not. What is the name Ira Y. Ria, Jr., Mita for a man who speaks swayin private but PoctO(kaIbr5M SM FrNK*CO. C.rdemu 94101 just the op~ositein public. If I didthat, I know what they would call me. Well, does the fact that said editor has a big paper change what he is! And if brethren generally predi- Volume V, No. 5 May 11974 cate their decisions on such unreliable mis- SUBSCRIPTION RATES information, how will it be possible for us to be united on the truth--ever again! Ithas Single Subscription- Slperyear been well said that "there is none so blind or Six Years for $5 as he who will not see." Jesus himself said, Club Rate- SixSubscriptions, $5 "And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch." (Matthew 15:14) As for Bundle Rates : what we should do about such "blind leaders" 12 Copies / $1 of the blind, he further said, "Leavethema- 25 Copies / $2 lone." It is long since past time that those 40 Copies / $3 of us who care anything at all about contin- 60 Copies / $4 uing the Restoration Movement abandon such a 80 Copies / $5 man and his paper and get back on the Book! 100 Copies / $6 - Who was that editor? Well, it was not B. C. Goodpasture! It was Reuel Lemmons, Ed- Pleaseaddress allcommunications itor of the Firm Foundation! to CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH, Post Office Box 588 San Francisco, California 94101

Although practically every undermining, confidence-destroying effort one can imagine is being made by these liberalizing heretics that have arisen among us, all their combined force is proving insufficient, whether to stop our mouth or else to divert great numbers CONTENDINGKIRTHEFAITHis published from paying attention to what we are saying. monthly by the Downtown San Francis- Almost from the very first day this publica- co Church of Christ, at 250VanNess tion appeared, in January, 1970, it has serv- Avenue, San Francisco, California. ed as a sort of rallying ground forthosewho MAILING ADDRESS: P. 0. Box 588, San still believe and love the truth of the gos- Francisco, California 94101. Second- pel and want to see the Restoration Movement Class postage paid at San Francisco. continue.

We have had neither the space nor the inclination to spend very much timetooting our own horn. Neither is that the purpose of our publishing quotations from these letters now. However, lest some be misled into thinkingwe have no support in the brotherhood,Iknow of no more effective way to disabuse our minds Iof such an idea than to let ourreaders speak for themselves! We already had a readership FOR THOSE WHO FULLY WANT TO KNOW of more than 5,000 paid circulation even be- Of course, there is none so blind as fore we took on this Herald of Truth/Highland he who will not see. However, for those who debacle back in July, 1973. It has well more really want to know what has been happen- than doubled sirlce that time; in fact, inor- ing to "us" as a brotherhood--especially, der to take care both of our normal mailings over the past decade--you can know it by and also have enough for the large number of reading the folloving books: special bundles being requested for greater distribution, we now regularly have to have AXE ON THE ROOT--Volume I...... $1.00 at least 15,000 copies printed each issue! AXE ON THE ROOT--Volume II...... $2.00 AXE ON THE RO(YP--Volume III...... $2.00 Which may not be the larqestcirculation CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH--Volume I $3.00 in the brotherhood (we never saiditwas) but CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH--Volume11 $3.00 it should amply demonstrate that -body is CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH--VO~UIWIII $3.00 listening--and that list of somebodiesisin- CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH--VO~W N $3.00 creasing day by day. But enough ofletting~ Order from: CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH do the talking. Beginning on Page 3--and for P. 0. Box 588, San Francisco, CA 94101 the next several pages--please listentowhat many of ourreaders nowaresaying,as Iollows: Georqe H. McCord , elder, enough to hear it. Please J. E. Towrv. Sr., Fay- your caliber are gone.;." Hobart. Indiana, Sept. 14, send the following and use etteville, Tennessee, Aprll 4. Shelbv C. Smith, elder, 1972: "I don't know if you the b~lancein your great 1973: "Thank you fa 'Con- remember me or not, but Iam work.. ." tending for the Faith.' We Hawthorne, California, Feb- an elder of the East Gary appreciate what you are do- ruary 3, 1973: "Enjoy your church of Christ and I just (NOTE: Evidently, lro- ing in your stand 6r ~e trkh." paper very much and (thank- came in contactwith the July tiler Nix succeeded in get- ful) for the great job you issue of Contending for the ting the Covington brethren J. A. Farber, McLean, are doing.. .Hope you do .great Faith and am very much im- to stay "long enough b hear Texas: "...I do not want to with the new school..." pressed with it. Ihave long it." They now have a stand- miss an issue." admired your vigilance in ing order for 60copiesper Lee Anderson, elder, of standing for the truth and issue.) Mrs. Rufus L. Sherrod, St. Petersburg, Florida, Mar. would like to receivethepa- Cumberland City, Tennessee, 2, 1973: "I am enclosing. .. per.. ." Enclosing 85 for five Mrs. TerrvL. Tesh, of January 10, 1973: "I apprec- 825 to help out with the good subscriptions, heconcluded, Helenwood, Tennessee, Jan- iate your stand fcr i3-e truth. " work of 'Contending for the "Our prayers go uith you. Keep uary 6, 1973: "I appreciate Faith', and for a copy of We up the good work. My prayer very much your 'Contending Tom Hale, Minister, of 1972 Volume.. ." is for more dedicated elders for the Faith. I have two Hartwell, Georgia, January and preachers ofthegospel. young boys which I hopeful- 2.1, 1973: "May God bless you Mrs. S.B.Nilson,Tish- I can't un::srstand how so ly will send to one of our iiyour efforts. Keepup'the oaingo, Mississippi, Febru- many of our preachers and el- Christian Colleges. It is a good work of exposing those ary 16, 1973: "I am trying ders and formerly faithful very sad thing to hear a- who have left the faith..." to set as many interested in members of the Lord's church bout AbileneChristianCol- your books Axeonthe~ootas have strayed so far from the lege, but otherwisevery en- Mrs. Sam Wjlhtrn, Obion, possible. When we order 830 truth. i wish1 had known of couraging to hear good re- Tennessee, January, 19'13: ". worth of Bible study mater- your paper sooner for I know ports about Freed-Hardeman. ..Keep up the good work..." ial from the Nars Hill Book I have missedmuchinnotre- ...May God bless you in your Store, in Florence, Alabama ceiving it before." every effort for furthering James E. Foster, Geary, we get a 83 book free, so -she his cause.. ." Oklahoma, January 22, 1973: last order I asked for your (w:aound volumes of "Please send me...your won- first two volumes of Axe on all pre~L~US years--Volumes (NOTE: When ACC quits derful paper. Iwantto high- the Root and gave them- I, !I, 111 and IV--now are encouraging error and err- ly commend your finework you 1ninisterJimmyWest. Hewants available at 53 ner volume, orists on their campus, we are doinq for the Lord and His me to order Volume 3 for~- him or 811 per set. Please send shall resume good reports church." and I want ~h;Lgrd kill Find all orders to CONTENDING FOR about them, too! IYRJr.) a Xav.. .For Me. I'm sending THE :AITH, P. 0. Box 588, Mrs.J.G.Cole.Sr., of 85 for these and 82 to hel~ San Francisco, CA 94101.) Cecil F. Bunch, minis- Killeen, Texas, wrote Janu- pay postage for them and on ter, Bovina, Texas, Janua- ary 29, 1973, sendinginher sending Contending for the V. F. O'Gara, Vinita, ry 13, 1973: "Find enclos- subscription, saying, "...I Faith fund. I'vesentcopies Cklahoma. Oct. 26. 1972: "Am ed ten dollars for your pub- read of your publication in to several congregations ard enclosing a small contribu- lication, Contending for the 'First Century Christian'." hope I've done some good in tionto yourveryworthy cause Faith. It is refreshing to helplng you in yourwork for ...I wonder if youareplan- find a person who really (NOTE: We are grateful our Lqra and I-ias ter ,. . dhen ninq to bind copies of the contends for the faith. It to brother Rov J. Hearn and my father attefided Freed- 1972 Contending for the Faith? seems as though the church his First Century Christian hardeman, it wasn't called I hope so, forIwant to get in many places has turned for their unrelenting back- that, but was the sane col- it for thechurch library. I into just another denomin- ing and support of what we lege, and I'm glad to kncw have the '70 and '71 copies!' ation of men. ..May our Great are try to do for the cause so far they have kept false God richly bless you is my of truth. If you do not re- reach2rs out there.. ." Samuel D. Harwell, Jan- prayer. " ceive that splerdid publica- uary 6, 1973: "Thank you for tion, you should! Send $3 to Plarion 3. Fuchs, Sayre, your efforts in "Contending (NOTE: He submitted a First Century Christian, 4400 Oklahoma, Feb. 8, 1973: "Bro- for the Faith8." list of ten names as gift Knight Arnold Road, Memphis, ther 3ill Craig has inform- subscriptions.Muchapprec- Tennessee, 38118. IYRJr.) ed me thatyoumighthaveac- Zeorqe Meadows, Trent- iation! IYRJr. cess to information about the on, New Jersey, January 25, Walter Fetch, Spokane, falsedoctrines comingoutof 19.73: "Last night1 read two W. B. Owens, Rupert, Washington, January18, 1973: AbileneChristianCollege. I issues of Contending forthe Idaho, January 20, 1973 :"I "We certainly appreciate re- am in need of documented ev- Faith...I told several mem- don'tknow thatmy subscrip- ceiving the Contending for idenceaboutthesefalsedoc- trines. I have enclosed a bers-- ~ of theLordVschurch vou tion ran out, but here is the Faith paper. It is so are editingthe soundestli'z- payment for five more years. good to know that there are check for 86, which I hope erature in the brotherhood, I appreciate getting your still some who stand forthe will cover the costofsend- (according to those I have newsletter and seldom put trutt,. .." (NOTE: He enclosing me the information that read during thelast several it down until I have read it ed five liew subsciptions. ) I desire. If this doesn't cov- years). I have delayed sub- througn. I also appreciate er your expenses let meknow scribing for 'Contending for what you are doing to try to Jack E. Wallace, Moga- of any additional expenses. the Faith' for too long...I stem the tide of modernism." dare,Ohio, January19,1973: I would also liketo receive am enclosing a check for a "Thank you, brother Rice, and your paper 'Contending for standing order of 60 copies Mrs. E. R. Smith, Flo- God bless you..." the Faith. of each issue...I pray you rence, Alabama, January 8, will livemanymore years and 1973: "...I would like to Dan Clark, Balmorhea, (NOTE: In my reply, in continue to grow strong in take the time to thank you Texas, January 13, 1973: "May part, I said, "...I am send- the Lord...Thank Godwehave for your bold stand forthe God bless your efforts." ing you a copy of Contendinq a sound minister in the faith truth. We appreciate... it" for the Faith, Volume I11 at thiscongregationinTren- Mrs. Vicki Tubbs, Hunts- (for 1972) in bound form. Sane Robert E. Newman, a-ville, Alabama, January 15, of the information you may ton. ..'I uary 23, 1973: "Itbrough- 1973: "...You have a fond be looking for, re: ACC, you Olen L. C. Nix, elder, ly enjoy reading Contencting place in my heart for your will find in the October-No- Covington, Texas, Jan. 22, for the Faith, though my courage to stand fortruth in vember and also the December 1973: "I have read only one heart is saddened to read of face of ridicule fi-om so many issues in that volume...The copy of Contending for the the dis-unity among somany liberal and uncaricg sc-call- bound volumes sell far 83 per Faith. I am really impress- of our 'brothers' in Christ. ed brethren of ours.. .Contin- volume. Iamapplyi6 gthere- ed. Thank ,God for men of your May our God grant you many ue in your efforts always. maining 83 you sent to a 3- courage. I am going to use more years in his service The strength left in the year subscription b Contend- your June 1972 copytoteach that you may continue to cllurch is due to men like you, ing for the Faith. . . Thank a class. I hope I can keep contend for the faith..." and I personally greatly fear you for writing and thank Bill them in the building long what is to come aftermenof Craig br putting us in touch." Page 4

David Brvant, Camden- I'm finally getting around Michigan, February 19,1973: And it is going toget just ton, Missouri, January 31, to asking you to senda copy "I would llke a year a worse before it gets 1973: "1 just received... to us. Also, please send the scription to Contendina foy any betterl I can already copiesofOccober, November, publication to a young sis- the Faith. I ama concerned hear those who are r;ausinq and December issues. It real- ter who recently moved in- elder of the church and I these "offenses and divis- lymakes me sad (and mad) to toour fellowship. Enclosed appreciate very much your ions contrary to the doc- read about what has happen- find our check for s10.00. efforts.. .I1 trine" as they mouth sweet ed to A.C.C. My wife and I Please use the difference nothings about "persecution both attended there. Howew in whatever manner you see Joh T. Lyles, Manch- com~lex.'' They only reason er, it wasn't until I went fit. We found your set of esterdl1am con- they are not persecuted is to Sunset SchoolofPreach- books--Axe on the Root--to cerned over conditions at that they don'tpreachany- ing in 1964 that I began to be most mmativeand help- 5th & Highland Church&the thing worth being persecu- see wbtwas going on atA.C.C. ful. Perhaps you know of Herald of Truth.. .. .Please ted -1 If they ever do-- Because of this I haven't someone or some congregation send me 'Contending forthe the way the congregations, supported the school and I which needs a set, or needs Faith,, July issue, 1973, mostly, seem to be going-- would try todiscourage any- to receive Contending for Vol. 4, No. 5. Also let me they'll learn what trouble one fromgoingthere...I am the Faith..." know the cost of subscrip- and persecutionreallymean thankful for the good work tion.. ." --and forget the "complex." you are doing informing the Dan Jarrett, Gassaway, But even if we have to "make brotherhood auout many of West Virginia, February 6, Mrs. Fannie Green, of tents" for a living, breth- the dangers among .as. I on- 1973: "Please send me back Luxora, Arkansas, February ren, it isnomorethan Paul ly hope and pray that many issues of your paper from 10, 1973: "Enclosed is one had to suffer. If it has to will wake up before it is the time of the special one dollar for subscription for be, so be it1 1YRJr.)- too late.. ." about BelmontAvenueand Don this paper. I sawitadver- Finto--the one in which it tised in brother Roy Hearn's Clara Harris, Mountain was pointed out that 'The paper First Century Chris- View, Oklahoma, February 10, Living Bible--PARAPHRASED' tian and he recommended it 1973: "Enclosed is a check was being handed out by Don highly..." for fifty ($50) dollars. I and the false teaching init. wish it could be more. How .. .I have a son who is a min- David A. Pinckley , of I wish people who claim to ister. I would like tohave Lawrenceburg,Temessee,on be Christians and have a lot the same sent to him. I've February20,1973,said:'Tor sf money would wake up and been preaching ibr 30 years, some time I havebeenread- do what Gad wants us to do. and I am trulyconcerneda- ing 'Contending far ti%= Faith" If one says anything, cth- bout these things. Another and appreciatinq the fact ers object and if you con- son attends BelmontAvenue. there are people who pub- demn sin in our classes we I think he is coming out from liclystandagainsterrorin qet put down..I am a sold- under their influence slow- the church. I also believe ier of the cross; and I'm ly... I want you topwus on that this year or the next <,oing to he a good one. We your mailing list for a year. two or three yearswill tell even have some who say there I have read January issue the story on which way the isn't anything wrong inthe this morning. Any place Carl Church of Christ goes. I be- churches today, and others Ketcherside (is accepm lieve that faithful men must say we shouldnlttalk about has already apostatized." refuseto let their names be Downtown S.' things thatarewrong. That associatedwith periodicals theory is everywhere.Every Georqe C. Tucker, Chat- which seekto throwaway the principlestauqhtintheBi- HOW PUNY MORE dffficulties . time our preacher talks a- tanooga, Tennessee, Febru- possibly could have happened (to ble. When they allow this bout things that are wrong ary 8, 1973: "1 appreciate it maJce it seem impossible forus to there are some that jumpall your courage so very much. only serves to confuse and tear down the work of the have a successful lectureship) I over him...The attitude of We need moremen inthe bro- cannot imagine. the whole world is so wrong. therhood who arewilling to church...At one time, I It could helpa lot if Chris- speak out against those who thought it was through ig- The week before it was sup- tians had the right atti- are teaching false or soc- norance that somemenofthe posed to transpire, first, =- tude. I'm sure it's other ial gospel...Keep up the Tennessee area served on wood E. Bisho~,one ofouspeak- places like it is here; we good workandmay God bless boards and lent their sup- ers, called from Hollister, Cal- are losing members. Mhat you in your efforts..." port tocamps, instit~tions ifornia, saying that he had just hurtsmostisouryoung peo- and so-called religious pub- taken his wife (Lillie) to hosp- ple.. .May God help us all!' James H. Lowrey, Mae, .lications. Faithful Chris- ital wlth double pnewnia and he Alabama, February 1973 :"Keep tians can not continue to msn't sure if he could make it JackieDurham, Vernon, pressing on, brother Rice, pretend that Liberalism, Or not. Then, beforeevensheoarld IvIichigan, February, 1973 :"I in the good work you are do- Pentecostalism, Pseudo-In- get well, he himself took a-bed would like to subscribe to ing. .. " tellectualism and Hippyism wlth the flu1 'Contending forthefaith.' do not exist. These errors E. R. Harper let us know he It is one of the best pa- Mrs. F.H. Burqess, of are creepinginto congrega- Crossville, Tennessee, Feb tions everywhereandmust be and sister Harper werehavingthe pers I have read. It keeps Worst flu they hadexperiencedin us informed of what's going ruary, 1973: "I am enclos- dealtwith squarely. Ifnot, on around us. .. " ing a dollar bill subscnp- I fear that faithful Chris- their lives. W.P.Cawyer and his tiansareinfortrouble and vife had the same. It was nip and tion price for. ..Contending tuck Mrs. Rodney McAdams, for the Faith.. .I I?und this persecution..." for several days whether either one of them couldrecoverin Clio, Elichigan, Feb. 27,1973: advertized by brotherRoy. the "Our prayers and thoughts Hearnin First Century Chris- (NOTE: Anywho imagine to come at all. 'I%&they did - so was evidence of their spirit- are with rou constantlv as tian. .." that faithful Christians are you and other dedicated bre- -not "in for trouble and per- -ual rather than their physical thren contend forthe faith Marc T. Vauqhan, Dav- secution" have not been read- wnditionl and warn thebrotherhood of enport, Nebraska, February ing & mail? On an average Sam Hartline called all the the false doctrines and the 5, 1973: "Received...comp - of from Once to twice each way from Albany, Georgia, sayin( teachers circulating them. limentary copies of C.F. My month now for well over a his finances just were insuffic- While each of us need tobe wife and I found them most year? 1 have been receiving lent to make the journey. on the alert to local sit- interesting;. .fhd enclos- lnqulries from thoseIknow . One of our key sedes of lec- uations and problems, it is ed a check for $10. Please to be faithful preachers of a great help to knowofthe send us the '~oundpast ml- the gospel asking if I know serious distorting of the umes at $3 each 1970, of a congregation anywhere truthamongour colleges and '71 and '72 and one dollar sufficiently dedicated to lectureships ...We have been for my subscription for '73 the truth that a man can reading my father's copy of to C.F.. .We are ]Doking for- preach itwithout being fir- Contending for the Faith. ward to reading the back is- ed for doing so. Admitted- Perhaps you remember him-- sues of this powerful paper. ly, they are growing fewer Marcus Kinq--an elder at the We appreciate your efforts and fewer. I know of quite Flushing church in khigan. for the truth." a number already who actu- Wesoappreciatedhavingyou ally have been fired simp- amongus several months ago. WaldoR. Tucker,. . Flint, ly foreachinq the truth! Page 5

Frank P. Liscum, Gen- Carmack Brewer, elder, brotherA. C. Blackwell, Sr. CF...The suggestion that we eseo, Kansas, March, 1973: Waynesboro, Tennessee,Mar. preaches, he asked me to contribute some amount each "In appreciation of broth- 3, 1973: "We appreciate your write you to...bring a set month to CF Fund is a welcome er Rice and the timely in- stand and 'Contending for of the Contendina for the good work. I am enclosing a formation received in past the Faith.' You will have -Faith in Bound Volumes. In check of $10 l5r that purpose letters. May God continue our support..." fact, bring two sets. Bring and will try to send $5 each to bless hin is our prayer." also a set of VolumesI, I1 monthas soonas our finances Clifford Seawel, May- and I11 of Axe on the Root. areputinorder...Thoseback Stephen N. Fisher, of nard, Arkansas, March 23, Be sure and bring tm of 111 copies of CF were inspiring Bloomington, Indiana,March 1973: "Please send me 12 --I have Volumes I and I1 as well as challenging. The 1973: "...I really enjoy al: copies of Contending for the already. Also, if you can, fact that you were a profes- of your volumes very much. Faith...While inSt.Louis, bring the records, Beyond sional newspaperman explains we were privileged to hear the Sunset and How Great thecare youtook tomakesure Walter C. Lum~kin,min- brother Rice andarebehind Thou Art. I haveMansionOv- of facts and your excellent ister, in sending ina fine him 100%. .." er the Hilltop. Also, some English--grammar, spelling, list of new subscriptions, of the tract, Withdrawinq punctuation, etc.1 You are March 12, 1973, wrote, "I Willard Wriaht, of St. from the Disorderly. Look- just the man for this type have been receiving this for Ann, Missouri, wrote Karch ing forward to seeingyou." of work in publishing the CF about two years and enjoy 4, 1973: "Because you are --the brotherhood indeed is reading it, and sincerely to be with us in a gospel .James, Gar- fortunate to have you. Iwas hope our brethrenwill soon meeting beginning March 19 den Grove, California, Feb- a Linotype operator on news- wake up to what is going on at Mid-West Church of Christ ruary 26, 1973: "Thank you papers for many years until in this brotherhood." ...St. Louis, Mo., where for.. .the few back issues of last year, whenIchanged to

s Second Annual Bible Lectureship- S- ~es--onWPersonalitiesandP&- there being three stations open- Chanaeless:" and.re~ladnad1- back this war. sueakinq ddlv.-. .ples of the Restoration Move- --by then there were none! ing grothe; ~oweilin the li a.m. on "Jesus1-words--~ncha$ing and :nt"--was to have been deliver- time Eternal." Richard Harp, of For- But God still movesinmys- slot, Pat McGee, from Mem- 1 by J. M. Powell, of AsheviUe, phis, TeMeSSee, was on hand to est Park, Georgia, spoke on "% rth Carolina. Just before the terious ways his wonders to perform! And when, cane Monday morn- speajc three times on "The Threat Gospel of Christ vs. Other Gos- ctureship was tobegin, hetel- of Liberalism to World Evangel- Eels" and "Maintaining the Dis- ,honed that he was coming down ing, March 4, hardy souls began congregating here not only from -ism." (Incidentally, he will be tlnctiveness of Christianity." .th the worst case of flu since back in Downtown San Francisco, up and down this West Coast but Also on hand forhissecond xld War I! July 8 through 14, for a gospel from all over the United States year (and bringing his wife Mae All of which was bad enough I knew we had aLectureshipthat meeting before leaving next day to resume his wrk as a mission- with him this time) was the in-

-but then. on top of that. the wwldnlt ouit on our hands! And . - . . . . . imitable Bill Cose._~_., fmm Green-~~ In ~tionwide.~asolineshortage we from the &tent that Dee Ellis, field, Indiana. His two subjects id been hearing about all over of Sam Valley, Oregon, led our One of thespecialdelights were: "Jesus Christ, the Great- te nation hit California--San opening song (followed in Pray- of the entire Lectureship unex- est Preacher" andupreachingthe :ancisco in particular--with a er by Robert alley, from Rich- pectedly proved to be Don Mich- Gospel in Any Age." mgeance. Gas lines four, five mond, California), there never ael's presentation oftheerrors Bill Reed, of Watsonville, 1d six blocks long were every- was the slightest doubt that it ofmnim, which he entitled ?ere--assumLng stations had any was to be one Of the finest ev- "That Which Has Chan ed." Having discussed the fact that "Christ Lives Today."F.' is, that is. To make sure that ents of its kind in the history lived and worked pekdlyamong Of Richmond* 2 got here and could get rest- of New Testment Christianity. the Mormons for a period of 12 Carson* !upbeforetheLectureship wm- .- ,-,,, ,--, ..--, years. brotherMichael. minister considered "Teadng Down tt-e Walls?' snced, brother Harper flew in Hadcworth, of San Mateo, deliv- to the church at Grants'pass, Or- Both fmm Ventma, Californ- uch 1--three days early.Aswe our egon, has developed a remarkaile ia, Archie W. LuperspokeMonday rave back the 15 miles fromthe ered keynote address--using as his topic the general theme overhead-projector presentation night on "This is the Way; Walk .part, we observed only three Of his material. Having "tasted" Ye in It;" and one of his over- tations opcn--and gas lines at of the Lectureship: "Jesus onist --the Same Yesterday and Today what he has to offer, we defin- seeing elders, Cleo Kellner, on east five to seven blocks long itely plan to have him back for Tuesday, on "It Was Jesus Wno = each one! He wondered wheth- and Forever! " From that point on --interspersed with many songs a four-lesson series in our March -Said." Also Monday night, and- c folks could get enoughgasto 3-69 1975, ANNUAL BIBLE elder (who is also a preacher), st here. I said we'd just have and prayers by a multiplicity& brethren--the Lectureship roll- LECTURESHIP, next year. Joe Moulder, ofNorthHighlands, 7 leave it up to the Lord. California, answered, "Does It ed inexorably forward. From Di- Looked uDon as a veritable -. . -. -- -~ ~~ .. Brother Cawyer arrived then nuba, ~alifoka,Dan Flow "preaching machine," Lester Elsh- a Dirrerence We Hear E- R- n Sunday afternoon. Instead of spoke' on "The Changing and thz er, of Newman, California, came e?"And HKper spoke on "The Beautiful Christ." (NOTE: God bless eld- people bday is unreal. I ap- of $5 for your fight against proof-reading.. .Please send ers like Rov Runionsl Heis me Bound Volumes I,II,III preciate brother Rice and 'Mission'. Alsoacheck for his 'Contending for +he Faith' $2 for 25additional copies one of a vanishing breedil Contendinq for the Faith; When he speaks of the "in- also Volumes I, 11, I11 and the '6spel Advocate.' of current issue of 'Con- Axe tending for the Faith'. Hatre difference that exists among on the Root...TheMenaceof Perhaps they will sound the alarm long and loud enough already distributed someof God's people today" as be- Liberalism, by Roy Deaver, ing "unreal," he is exact- is a &reading You'll to wake up our brethren. our copies and encouraged ... at least two elderships to ly right. Not justfromthe probably never receive an Count me on your side. I will help any way you need me. I subscribe to it Galsoto rank and fileof the members order from us for your long but from among the elders play albums and record be- will contribute atleast $5 contribute to your effort. monthly to the Contending- ...Our prayers will bewith themselves, out of almost cause, you see, we (mywife any given 100 elders today and I) are deaf-mutes! ..." for-the-Faith Fund for as you ...I subscribe to 20th lona as isneededtoridthe C.C. Inote that two trustees you cannot find even ten who will stand up and be counted Roy Runions,New John- worid of 'Missionr--or--to of 'Mission' also serve on for truth aaainsterror.In- sonville, Tennessee, March put it in the 'world' where the editorial staff of 20th - stead of protecting their 14, 1973: "It is certainly it belongs! If you need more Century ChristianMaqazine. heart-warming to see a man --say so. If I don't have it, They are: Walter Burch and flocks from the wolves, the of your stature stand up for 1'11 get it!...Wereceivea and M. I. Summerlin. I am average elder today makes our Lord. Of course, He ex- bundle of 50 of Contending writing 20th C-C.andvoic- no distinctionbetweenwolf pects this kind of courage for the Faith' here at New ing my protest. If they don't and sheep. Hence, wolves are and conviction from all of Johnsonville, whereJ.Noe1 discontinue using them, I invited into our pulpits, us, but the indifference Plerideth preaches.. .Endos- will terminatemy subscrip- lectureshivs and ublica- that exists among the Lord's ed is a check in theamount tion to the publication." -tions devouringthepsheep!)

LECTURESHIP IS HUGE SUCCESS.. . Dan Flournoy, of Ilnuba@- (Continue from Page 5) ifornia. started us off well on By Tuesday, regardless of the thiid norninq with a careful all that gasoline shortage, flu consideration of "What About Pep- and even some rain, interest in the lectures hi^ could hardLv have

-- -- ellner, already mentioned. Maurice Meredith, of Alhambra, To get us back on schedule, Wayne California, on "The Authoritat- Jackson, of Stockton, Californ- ive Silence of the Scriptures;" ia volunteered to surrender his Don Hinds, of Downtown San Fran- time to someone else; however, cisco, on "Jesus Christ, the Mas- he did take occasiontoannounce --ter Teacher;" and J. C. Rodgers, the beginning of a new publica- of Bayview/San Frandsco, on "What tion among us--theApostolicRe- are You Striving ~or?"~hen,af- flector, of Doraville, Georgia. ter the evening meal, Bill Coss, John Renshaw (of Memphis, Tem- Sister Myra H. Hill, form- essee) and W.F.Cawyer spoke on er teacher at Four Seas College "Preachinq tfe Gospl inAny Age," of Bible & Missions, now living "Thepowerofthe Word Yesterday, at Corpus Christi, Texas, began Today and Forever" and "The Trend her classes, especial?. jr for the of the Times." respectively. ladies, separately, that morning. Between the ubiquitous qas Then. after further lessons shortage and a spitting rain-we by brethren McGee, Fisher and may have had a slight drop in at- Tommy J. Hicks (whose topic was tendance that third day--but it "Christ. the Author and Finisher seemed to me that nearly every- Of Our Faith"), brethren Hqrper one was back forthe fourth--and and did a magnificent job final--day. Windell Fikes, ofthe of letting us all know "The T~thDowntown San Franciscocongrega- Regarding Highland's ~4~a- tion, led off the morningspeak- ial Report. " Brethren had assem- erswith"Beho1dtheGoodness and bled from many areas tohear tFds the Severity of God;" H.I.Ta - presentation--and itwasobvious -lor discussed "The Church atThe:- to everyone that the24-pagere- salonica;" A. P. Spurlock, Hay- port was just some more of High- ward. California, "Shall We Up- land's "cover-up" for error and date the Gospel?"--and brother A SPECIAL DELIGHTgracedour that nothing basic actually has Fisher closed out the fore-noon first morning, when, follow- been cnrrected at CLighland! The with a stem-winder. ing his incisive speech re- over-all presentation lasted ap- garding Liberalism's threat proximately 3% hours--and ample After lunch we all came back. to World Evangelism, we in- opportunity for questioning was then, to hear ston P. Ellis, vited the Pat HcGee family, ofSamsValley,Oregon;J.c.Stilr accorded all who came. Also any as seen (right), to sing to desiring to comment was invlted -s, of ~entral/~aklan-- us in the Indonesian lang- to do so. Not one person offer- fornia; and Wentin-. Earth. uage, where, from '67 to '71, ed to refute a single point ei- Texas. reswctivelv. or they were our pioneer mis- ther Harper or Cawyer made rel- sionaries. Itwasbeautiful! ative to the facts at Highland! If there had been nothing closing session that niaht. bre - -.~-- else during the whole Lecture- thren john Renshaw, Quentin- ship, the Harper-Caw presen- and W. E. Wardlaw (of Viaalia, tation would have been worth it California) brought three power all. But there was more--much, packed lessons on "The ~o&rof much more. Closing outthatsec- the Word, " "A FMline W of Bread ABSOLUTELY ond day, magnificent lectures by but of the Word of God" and "T& ND ONE thrilled Joe Gilmore, of SanJose. Calif- -- Unchanging Nature of Sin." to the proceed- G.2 ornia; by H. I. Taylor. of Hous- ings more than ton, Texas; and byUchardHarp, of Forest Park, Georgia, forth- theBill Cosses, When it was all over, f&s of Gre-In- came on "The Lordship of Christ," all around kept -expressing how diana. Just "Jesus Christ the Same in You," much they enjoyed it and the e- at those smiles! and "Maintaining the Distinctive- normous spiritual good they de- ness of Chri tianity." -Mae is sister to rived from it. Thanks, everyonel "Ween-of -Coun- try-Music" -Wells. Page 7

1973: .Keep up your great Albert H. Smith, 01~~-bless you, brother Rice; tureship for 1970. ..May God ".. work and paper.. tee, Oklahoma, Elarch, 1973: you are doing a wonderful bless you inyourgre&work ." service for our Lord." is my prayer ..." "Here is $1 for which mail Howard Greene, minist- 'Contending for the Faith' Ralnh R. Brad , Lan- WilliamO. Povner, St. er, Arlington, McMinnville, to Albert Haves...&bertis casteGhio, March 2:, 1973: Louis, Missouri, April 10, Tennessee, April 5, 1973,in one of my students at Elk "...I thank you. Keepup tk 1973: "Enclosed is a check sending in his ownrenewal, Citv School of Preachinq. good work of letting us know for (five) subscriptions. .. and 14 new subscriptions: "I He is one of three Neqro men who is contending for the Nay the Lord be withyouas appreciate your paper very in my classes. Tom ~riqht, faith. I believe that too you have need and according much. I am sure it is doing who is to speak onthelec- manybrethrenlettheirlove to his will." much good. My prayer is that tureship there, is also one over-ride &her commandments Mrs. Dorothy Brannofi, you may be able to continue of my students. Keep on keep of Christ.. .It in the work you are doing." ing on.. . Moore, Oklahoma, March 18, Mrs. Annie Youn , of 1973: "Please send me sub- ..... Ruby Edwards, Ahilene, Kingsburg, California, zarch scription to ' Contending for Texas, March 15, 1973 : "Put 4, 1973: "I have just fin- the Faith.' Ye need more Literally 100s--pcssi- me on your mailing list for ished readinq the Dec. '72 preachers likebrotherriice bly 1,000s--have written in Contending fortheFaith.1~ issue of ~ontendinqfor the today who will stand up and such words of encouragement closed you will find dollar Faith. I want to subscribe fight the error being taught as these. Our object in let- for one year subscription. for two years. I also want in the Load's church..." ting then appear is not to be I have read several copies the book, 'Thechurch Faces praising ourselves, but just passedaround by friends and Liberalism, delivered at Terry Hiqhtower, Mem- so folks will know that we enjoyed them very much. God Freed-HardemanCollegeLec- phis, Tennessee, April 16, are not alone in this work!IYR Page 8

(and a "Single") by tlie

NOW AVAILABLE 8/

In addition to "Mansion Over the HILLTOP"

this 12-Song, Long-Play Album (in STEREO) Mrs. Janie Ayres, Kerens, Texas: " ...Ireceived The Robert W. Bentons. Port Byron, N.Y.: "We includes such old favorites as... the stereo recording and thank you so much ... " received your album ... and we are writing to The Glory-Land Way inform you that we enjoy it very much. You and Just a Little White Mrs. Tom Burks, Woodbury, Tenn.: "...I have your family have been blessed with nice singing Be With Me Lord enjoyed it so much and hope to share it with voices ..." What A Savior others. My father dearly loves to slng and he Victory in Jesus enjoyed it very much on a recent visit ..." Colleen and Clarence Ham. Brunswick, Ga.: Christ's Love is All I Need "My mother and daddy have received the record In the Shadow of the Cross D. Conner. Wilmington, Del: "...We are 'Mansion over the Hilltop' and they are really Sweet Will of God enjoying ~t!..." enjoying it ..." The Lord's Uy Shepherd 1'11 Be a Friend to Jesus and Wilda B. Ratliff: "... Thanks so much for tlie James H. Beck. Sheffirld, Ala.: "Please send me Sing to Me of Heaven..... PRICE: 65.00 record - it is lovely ..." one copy of the album BEYOND THE SUNSET. 1 have enclosed a check for $5.50 ... 1 have heard this Mrs. E. C. Bobo. Roxton. Texas: "...My thanks album and am more than delighted with it. I have a In addition to for the beautiful record. I loved every word of it. radio program and want to use it ..." Thanks so much. It arrived on my 81st birthday. and that was wonderful! ..." Estella Echols, Rosanky, Texas: "Thanks, so "Beyond the much, for the record ... It is just wonderful! ..." Otis & June Hanes. Keyes, Okla.: "I took my record player to Guyman and left it a few weeks. Mrs. H. B. Reynolds, Fresno, California. March SUNSET" Got it last week, so got to hear your record. I take 23, 1971: "Please find enclosed a check in the it to have been sister Rice's voice I could hear so amount of $11.00 for two of your albums - this 12-Song. Long-Play Album (in STEREO) plain ..." (NOTE: The "lead" voice belongs lo Mansion Over the Hilltop. I am allowing 5.50 each includes colafort songs forqenerallisten- Ramona, our eldest daughter, now 23, who is an for postage. I heard this record at brother Stanley ing, shut-ins and funerals, such as... RN at John Gaston Hospital, Memphis, Tenn. Clark's house. I like it very much and I want one of

IYRJr.) these for a gift ...'I Nearer MY God to Thee Heaven for Me 'AITH, P.O. Box 588, San Francisco, CA 94101 Glory for Me Qvssing the Bar Abide with Me Asleep in Jesus DOWNTOWN SAN FRANCISCO CHURCH OF CHRIST Near to the Heart of God Sec~ndClass Postage Paid Empty Mansion at SanRancisco.Californla Only a Shadw Between Beautiful Isle and m..... PRICE: 65.00 I POST OFFICE BOX 588 . . .and that "Single" SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94101 m-SONG, 45-RPM RECORD (in STERU)) includes the songs... Hcu Groat Thou M and I Master, Let Me Walk With Thee PRICE:61.00 June / 1974 ON BEHALF OF THE DOWNTOWN SAN FRANCISCO CHURCH OF CHRIST Volume V, No. 6 $1, OneYear/SixYears, $5

FOR ELDERS, DEACONS, PREACHERS, TEACHERS AND CONCERNED CHRISTIANS

"MY PEOPLE ARE DESTROYED FOR LACK OF KNOWLEDGE: hY.Rice, Jr., Editor WILL BECAUSE THOU HAST REJECTED KNOWLEDGE, I ~~p~~~x~~94101 ALSO REJECT THEE.. ." (HOSEA 4:6 1-- "For the LEADERS of this people CAUSE them to ERR; and they that are LED of them are DESTROYED!' (ISAIAH 9:16) Dear Brethren:

With the "Antisff continuing to bind where the Lord loosed--and with the "Liberals" seeking to loose where the Lord bound--those of uswhoare still trying to thread through the strait gate and narrow way that leads to eternal life are having a difficult time indeed.

Because we have allowed a generation to grow up that "knows not Jo- seph," the rank and file of our people senses no loyalty whatever to the ffrestoration movement"; since, for the most part, they don't even know what it is. They understand so little about it, in fact, that they mistake those of us who are earnestly contending for the faith asitsenemies --and those who are actively seeking to destroy it as their friends! In- stead of their leaders taking them unto themselves and teaching them the way of the Lord more perfectly, we see perhaps a majority of our leadership at least seeking an accommodation with error (in the name of peace) and in great numbers of instances actually causing the people to err.

Thus, whether through our own "lack of knowledge" orthroughfollow- ing false leaders into error, slowly but inexorably the once-great movement to restore Christianity to the plain, simple teachingoftleNew Tes- tament is being destroyed. And unless we can somehow persuade our brethren to return to the Bibleastheir only rule of faith and practice, this will be the last generation wherein the truth of the gospel madeanydif- ference between the churches of Christ and thedenominations against whose errors we have contended for a return to the New Testament forl81years.

Notwithstanding all this, there still are a few of us leftlikevcdr- es crying in the wilderness actively persuading our brethren to return to a "thus saith the Lordff for what we think, say and do religiously. In hope that we can turn this thing around even yet, I ask those whoread at least to consider what some of our fellow contenders for the faith are saying through gospel papers, church bulletins and the like elsewhere. For instance, here is something by William S. Cline, minister tothechurch at Bellview/Pensacola, Florida, thatap- Ira Y. Rice. Jr., Edih peared in his most-excellent publication Post Otfice Box 588 --The- Defender--forNovember 30, 1973, as San Francisco. California 94101 follows : Volume V, tsJumSer 6 June/1374 A Time to Build Tents SUBSCRIPTION RATES by William S. Cline Single Subscription- Slperyear or Six Years for $5 We are neither aprophetnortheson of a prophet, therefore we do not consi- Club Rate-SixSubscriptions, $5 der ourselves a voice crying inthewil- derness. Yet one needs nothingmorethan Bundle Rates : to casually observe the situationtode- 12 Copies / $1 duce that the church ofourLordis head- 25 Copies / $2 40 Copies / $3 ing toward a testinq, the likesofwhich 60 Copies / $4 she has not seen since the Restoration 80 Copies / $5 movement of 150 years ago. 100 Copies / $6 We are concerned the liberal m- - osophies of the educational, political, social and denominational worldsarebe- Pleaseaddress all communications coming the governing undercurrent in the to CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH, kingdom. Preachers who contend earnest- Post Office Box 588 ly for the "Old Paths," wavering neith- San Francisco, California er to the right nor the left, are not 94101 nearly so popular as they oncewereamong a people that claims to "speakwherethe Bible speaks." Scripture-quoting, sin- condemning preachers are fastly becoming out of step and out of style ina church that wants to "win friendsand influence people" so long as we do notu~setthem. Feelings and friendship instead of &- --trine and fellowship have become the en- igma of the day and political, love-everybody, condemn-nothing, joke-telling, good God, good Devil, good heaven, good hell, entertaining preachers havebecome CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH is pub- the desired order of things on the part lished monthly by the Downtown San of many. Nhere in the name ofheavenare Francisco Church of Christ, at 250 Van we headed? Ness Avenue, San Francisco, California. MAILING ADDRESS: P. 0. Box 588, Almost unnoticed among some breth- San Francisco, California 94101. Second- ren is the fact that a great number of Class postage paid at San Francisco. sound gospel preachers are quitting the pulpit to go into some type of secular work. For certain some havequit because they found out they simply were not cut out for preaching, while othersmayhave been so poorly supportedor cared farthey had to go into some other type of work to --JUST IN! A shipment of 200 copies1 adequately support their families. But "READY ANSWERS TO RELIGIOUS ERRORS" there are large numbers ofpreacherswho by Williams and Dykes.Over100,000 have quit becausebrethrenwouldnotstand copies now in use. Thefinestbook- for sound, doctrinal preaching and hav- let of its kind ever written. Send ing been associated withoneormore such your order with $1 per copytousat congregationsthey becamediscouragedand P. 0. Box 588, San Francisco 94101 went into secular work. Page 3

Brethren can be mean when they want to. topr~chtheunsearchahlerichesoftheChrist. Just now preachers whoexposedthesinsofmem- God forbid that we ever let the whims and the bers in their respectivecongregatironscometo outswken minority keep us frompreachingthe mind. They are no longer preaching.Oneprea- word without fear or favor. ched against adultery.Oneinthecongregatio~ Preachers, "Preach the word. Be instant set out to "get him." His reputation was se- in season, out of season;reprove,rebuke, ex- verely damaged by the gossipsandhequitpea- hort with all long suffering and doctrine, For ching. The gossip, theunkind remarks towives the time will come when they will not endure and children, the mockery, therefusaltopar- sound doctrinen--and if and when that time ticipate in program of work, thecutting off comes for you, for the sake of Christ, the of the dollar in the contribution, the con- kingdom and all that is pure and holy, begin stant wrangle in the classes, etc., are some building your tents. It looks like that time of the things that are putting preachers in- is coming. But when you start building tents to secular work. One ablepreacherofthegos- don't stop preachinqtheword.That iswhat the pel who quit preaching told this writer that devil wants and God forbid that weevercon- he was sick and tired of his family's welfare duct our lives in such a way as to give vic- depending upon the whimsofthebrethren.On1y tory to the Prince of Hell. the Lord himself knows how many others have harbored the same feelings. Statistics which havecome tous indicate A little over a year ago,itwasmypriv- that we have approximately 800 fewer preach- ilege to be associated with brather Max R. Mil- ers today than we had five yearsago1 Perhaps ler in a gospel meeting where he preaches to each of us can name several preacherswehave -the East Xain congregation, at Mufreesboro, known over the years that havequitpreaching Tennessee. I picked up the following article and taking note of those that have quit re- from his East Main MessenuerofMarch4, 1973: cently one can only become concerned because of the present situation. We know ofonecity that has at least 19menin it thatwere faith- The Church of Christ Zoo ful gospel preachers, yet today they are not preaching. There are more than two congrega- by Max R. Miller tions for every preacher--yet our nuaber of preachers is decreasing.rJhereareweheaded7 The Zoo isoncofthemostfantasticplac- es of all. Children, in amazement, gleefully As liberalism continuestoinffltratethe and with great curiosityscrutinizethefierce congregations of the church of ourLord,more and exotic creatures. Adultsalsooccasional- and more faithful preachers are going to he- ly delight in a trip to the zoo and there see come tired of beating their headsagainst the the wonderful production of God's creation. brick wall of this old philosophy which has gotten such a strong hold on themindsofmod- Have you ever thought how different each ern man, and they are going to leave preach- critter was fromall theothers? Reptile, bird, ing to engage in some other formofwork. Per- two-legged, four-legged creatures; some fair- haps €he the is fast coming when a preacher ly tame, others fiercelywildanddeadly; ser- who intends to "cry aloud, spare not,liftup pents cold, colorful or dull, y& full of dead- thy .voice like a trumpet and show my people ly poison. Basically, they are unlikeonean- their transgression, and the house of Jacob other, caged or otherwise separatedlest they their sins" is going to have to "buildtentsW destroy one another. Once ever the cages are if he is to be supported in hispreachingthe opened and the bars removedthe zoowould soon whole counsel of God. destroy itself in a madcycloneoffang,venom and gore. When Paul went to Corinth to preach, he supported himself by building tents. (Acts 18: The church of our Lord, the church of 3) There is a certain inde~endencethatcomes Christ as Paul speaks of it, isnotat all like withtent building. A preacher that is self- a zoo. There is only one kind of creature in supported will not feel the need to keep one the Lord's church. Christ picturesHis church eye on the contribution and attendance while as a fold, a sheepfold; He being the chief he preaches the gospel.bnydothtp verything shepherd. Those in His fold, the church, are because they know when the contribution and His sheep. There are to be no other critters attandance drop they are in trouble. Since of any sort in thesheepfold exceptsheep.Once brethren use these as gauges, thepreacher is predacious creatures enter intothesheepfold tempted to preach that which will keep those the sheep will be scattered with manyofthem two thermometers high and rising.Ontheather torn and mangled, others of thein devoured by hand, the self-supportad preacher can keep their fierce enemies.Itis altogethercontra- both eyes on the Bible and preach the whole ry to the nature of His sheepfold to include counsel without fear of being cut off. There other kinds of creatures in the fold. is certainly nothing wrong withpreachers be- There are those in the brotherhood of ing supported and supported well bycongrega- Christ who want to turn the sheepfold into a tions as long as they do not allow that sup- zoo. They would,as featuredattractions, give port to hinder their work as an evangelist. prominence to the serpent for his poison; to There are congregations which use the sal- the buzzard for his ability to gobbleupcar- ary to buy the kind of preachingtheywantand rion of false teachers and the ravening wolf some preachers are more concernedabout their (in sheep's clothing) to expounda false way, salary than they are their a.If the the thus ensnaring the sheep of the fold. Every comes when preachers have to build tents in sort of strange animal, mutation and freakof order to preach the word of Godasrevealed in nature would be in the church of Christ zoo. His verbally inspired book, t5enmayGodbeou.r The Ketchersides and Garretts are to be stay and our strength to do whatwehavetodo the zoo keepers. They, withthekapostatedis- cipler, are opening the door oftherheepcote es of Christ, are attempting tobrainwarhthe and welcoming all the varmints of the relig- children of God. They arewantinggood, faith- ious world into its sacred fellowship. Here- ful, Bible-believing Christians to give up tics and apostatestaketheupperseatsofpro- their basic "religious beliefs and attitudes minence. Hen who could only speakinderision to accept contrastingr~etateduliberalthe- of the church a day or 8s ago are now to be- ology. Here the brainwashing begins. mole come its deacons, ov8cuus and mhisterso congregations are taught that tolerance is a There is tobenodistinctior~betweenthesheep Christian virtue--even the toleranceof false and the goats as Christmadethatdistinction. doctrine (as one should really see, thisisan The vulture and the dove are expected to perch essential phase of the brainwashing, for the on the same roost. overthrow of thesound doctrine).Liberalsov- erwork the word and apply it to suit The broad fellowship in the church of their designs. He, the liberal, teaches that Christ zoo will include the advocatesandus- one should love everything-exceptt thetruth. ers of mechanical instrraents of music, the In his brainwashing of the church,theliber- holy-roller pentecostals, therationalist and a1 challenges whether truth canbeknown, us- modernist of the rankest sort, those who do ually by asking, "do you believe you know all not believe the Bibleis tobethesoleauthor- the truth?" To be successful in his work of ity in faith and practice; the unkersed and brotherhood brainwashing, theliberalmustsi- denominational llChristians.n Carl Ketcherside lace the mouth of his critic who is espous- speaks of his embryonic brothers, that is, a ing Biblical truth. Intimidation is the tool brother in the egg yet unborn. most freely used by liberals to quiet their The zoo will be attractive to many who critics. The liberal tries to aakehisoppon- are young in the faith, thecuriosityseeker, ents out to be behindthe times, ignorant, un- those who follow after the doctrinesand com- loving trouble-makers, and the like, whilehe mandments of men, theemoti~nallyunstableand claims to be up-to-date, intelligent, loving, the uncaring. and a peacemaker. Then to cap it alloff, the liberal places himself before the people as an The church of Christ 2001 Have you ever innocent sacrifice. willina eventn suffer mar- heard of it? You have now. Lookc1oser;there tyrdom, being persecuted bythose moss-badted, may be one near you. tradition-bound keepersoforthodoxy. Phooey1 A fair illustration of what brotherhood brainwashing is like was recently found in a I have brother M. A, Auuilur, of Dallas, local church bulletin under theheading, "The Tews, to thank for calling the following ar- Cell Church." Here we reproduce in full that ticle from the pen of one of our younser gos- article: pel preachers, Tomv J. Hicks, of San Angelo , Tews, to my attention. Appearing originally "It seems to upset some elders for in the church bulletin where brotherHicks is people, especial1y young people, to the local minister, it is about study Bible and worshipin *home. This is what some people call the 'cell church* or 'minichurch.' Why Brotherhood Brainwashing elders and preachers areafraid for by Tommy J. Hicks members to meet at a home and worship God is beyond me. Thank God A few years ago a well known politician there is an outbreak of Bible stu- aspiring to be the President of the United dies. Thank God for people who de- States journeyed toViet Namtogainfirsthand sire to bemore spiritual. Thank God knowledge of the military situation there. for people who are not afraid to ac- Shortly after he had returned to the United cept the Bibleas God's wordand stu- States, he publicly stated that he had been dy it with an open heart. May oth- brainwashed while in Viet Nam. Because of a ers join them. Who will dare to be general misapprehension by the peopleofwhat a Daniel?" he meant by the term "brai~wash~~his political hopes went up in smoke. Most think that (Article byJimMurphy,minister for one's mind has beenirreparablydamagedand is the FairgroundRoadChurchofChrist under alien control (hypnotically) fortheac- --TJH) complishment of some foul deed. However, a First of all, brotherMurphytriestoin- consideration of the definition of the word timidate elders by saying that theyareupset l1brainwashing" is sensible and helpful. w- by Bible study and worship in the home, then ster's Seventh Colleaiate Dictionarv de- later, he says that they are afraid--this is fines brainwashing as "a forcible indoctrin- an attempt to silence the elders' objection to ation to induce someone to give up basic po- the false doctrine that is being fostered in litical, social, or religious beliefs andat- the "Cell Church.ll This writer knows scores titudes and to accept contrasting regimented upon scores of elders all over the United ideas 2: persuasion by propaganda or sales- States, but he does not know of even one who manship. l1 From this definition it is detemdn- is opposed to Bible study and proDer worship ed that one may not be strapped in a chair in the home--rather they all advocate such. with bright lights shiningintohis facewhile However, we should wt "be sold a bill of goods," the process of brainwashing is occuring. In brainwashed into believing that the Cell Church fact, brainwashing may Be done subtly, pain- is all right, because it is not. Space does lessly, without the subject knowing heisbe- not afford a complete analysis of the Cell ing brainwashed. This is happenhg htfie church Church, but one doctrinal error of many will of our Lord today. be identifiedo That is, the partaking of the Denominationalistic liberals, standing Lord's Su er in the Cell Church isindirect in pulpits and before classes within the church- contradic!fon to I Corinthians 11 :20, which Page 5 teaches that the saints in a local congrega- church. The pathetic thing is that it just tion are to come together "intoone@aceW for takes a few loud people to begin a movanent, the Lord's Supper, ratherthandividingupin- an eldership that does not want any trouble, to Cell Churches for that purpose. There is, and a frightened membership that isafraidof in fact, no scriptural justification for "Cell standing for the truthto cauaeoneofthemost Churches" and in many placestheyarew-beds disastrous events in a church's life. for Neo-Pentecostalism anddoctrinal liberal- The "loveless, hard-preacher" movement ism. Yet, brother Murphy says, "Why elders and generally begins with dissatisfied hypocrit- preachers are afraid for members to meet at ical members of the church.Thepreachersteps home and worship God (that is, in the Cell on their toes with a sermon which deals with Church--TJH) is beyond me." Brother Murphy their pet sins and tfiese irdividudls, rxk wanting knows better, so what is he tryingtodo? Be- to change their lives, seektochangetfieprea- sides intimidating the elders,brotherWphy cher's life. Finally, after much backbifinq, exhorts Christians, mind you, to rebel against whis~erinqand trrua~ed-UDcharses, the move- the God-given authority of the eldersto join ment gains momentum. This movement will not the apostasy. Then he concludes withthemar- reach great strides, however, until an elder tyr's cry, "Who will dare to bea Daniel?" It lends a supporting ear and then the movement is a shame that Daniel cannot come back and skyrockets. The eldershipthendesiringnotto talk with brother Murphy. Now,brotherMurphy have trouble seeks thesupposedlyeasywayout will probably claimthatthiswritermisunder- and tells the preacher goodbye. stood what he meant. However, the article is before us and we can see what brother Murphy Every Christian needs te recognize ade- meant, as well as what he was trying to ac- quately various movements throughoutthebro- complish. therhood. Elders need to evaluate and search Brethren, let us not be dupes. Let us every spirit to see if it be from Godor from man. When movements arise within the church stand for the truth and not fall for error. The that antagonistic to God's will, then liberals should be made to underatandthatwe are el- will fight them, "tooth and nail," for the ders need to stifle thembeforethey start. It cause of truth and thatwewillbevictorious. is this writer's firm opinionthatmany ofthe They should also understand that we will not liberal movements which threaten the church allow ourselves to be brainwashed, but rath- have resulted directly from members of the er we will "earnestly contend for the faith church and elders who have failed to stop these which was once for alldelivered unto the saints." evil movements in the church. (Jude 3) Now, what can we doto fight against the Satanic movements7 First, if you havea preacher who preaches God's truthuncompromising- Another of our younger preacherswhois ly, then both members and elders support that determined not to be duped by these brother- man. A preacher has a full-time job fighting hoodbrainwashers is brother RaymondA. Haqood, evil without having to fightthosemembers who fellow ministerwith brother Robert B. Tavlor, are supposed to be on God's side. Secondly, Jr., of Ripley, Mississippi. Throughhis pro- learn to recognize false movments. "If an lific writingsintheGos~e1Advocateandelse- elder is responsible for leading or partici- where, of course, we have all long known ex- pating in a false movement, thenheshouldnot actly where Taylor stood--but now givea lis- be an elder." But when each elder is standing ten to his co-worker, under the heading, by strong and sound doctrineandis living in holy hannony with suchteaching, herichly de- serves unstinted support from the preacher, Try the Spirits deacons, teachers and all the membership. If on the other hand, he is a soundgospel prea-' Whether They Are of God cher, he ought to be cherished. When a preacher is only accused of being hard, narrow, and loveless, he is usually being accused of One cannot help but be reminded of the the only fault men can pretend to find with silversmith in Ephesus that became disgrunt- him. They cannot find anything wrongwithhis led with Paul because he taughtagainstidol- preaching, since he is preaching truth. If a atrous worship of Diana. Theworkmen, whomade member of the church is leading such a move- their living by making shrinesof Diana, were ment, he should be disciplined, sinceheisin on the verge of going out of business, so they violation of God's will. Listen to this final started a movement againstPaul andcoinedthe throught: "Beloved, believe notevery spirit, slogan "Great is DianaoftheEphesians."Hany but try the spirits whether they are of God: folks today become dissatisfied with hearing because many false prophets are gone out in- God's truth proclaimed uncompromisingly and to the world." (I John 4:l) they rush about with their wloveless, hardw Ask yourself this question: Am1 support- slogans in open warfare against the preacher, ing the gospel by supporting the sound prea- the church and God. Manmakesthepreacherin- cher who proclaims the gospel in its plenary to a political figure and changes the church form'? into a political battleground. There with gnaahlng --Borrowed from the Riplev Reminder teeth, insensitive tothepreacher, thepreach- via the Y~silantiNews er's fatally and godthey re-enactpitiful scenes like those of Jesua at Golgotha, Paul inEph- It Bears Repeating: esus, and John before Herod. The people of this "It is strange what men can believe, as ungodly, illicit movement take on the likeness long as it is not in the Bible." of those hypocritical Jews and the immoral --Dub McClish Herod. A11 this occurs in the name of Chris- Sunset Sentinel tianity since this is supposedly good forthe Carlsbad, New Mexico Page 6 James A. Tuner, Deats- WHAT 'THEY' ARE;SAYING.. . ville, Alabama, April 21, 1974: "Please send me forty copies of I don't know about you, were willing tostultify their the March/1974 issue df Con- brethren, but1 always findour consciencethatmuch, at least, tending for the Faith, and use readers1 comments themast fas- just to keep brother Baxteras the rest of the check to keep cinating of all. Forone thing their preacher, Esau had the up your good work.,," sometimes I get to feeling as same problem, Bill Coss, Green-, ad- if the cause of truth makes no "Ithoughtyoushouldhave difference to anyoneanymore, iana, April 25, 1974: "...We written those elders as you think of you and the good work Then thesemarvelously encour- thought about doing, aging letters start coming in you are doing all the time,,, and I am made to realize over "You told those brethren Right at present, this church and over again that the Lord thereat Stamps, yourhome cong- is trying to break loose from -still has 7,000 who have not regation that is, correctly that this Liberal teaching theyhave bowed the knee to Baal1 neither of us is against the had for the pastsixyeara, but Herald of Truth, as such. I I believe with Godlshelpthey For example, here is one still believe it is right to will. Pray for us,.," from brother Aaron Nicholas, cooperateinheraldhgthetruth of Stamps, Arkansas, Writing Adrian Mavnard, of Nash, --provided truth is not be- Texas, in sending a list of 13 under date May 6, 1974, broth- ing compromisedbytheones do- er Nicholas said, in part, "I new subscriptions, under date ingtheherakhg. However, when April 25, 1974, wrote, "I ap- wrote the Hillsboroelders and the ones asked them some questions and pretendinq to herald preciate the sound wdcyou are the truthare com~ro~gwith doing,, " they did not answer my letter error in the sponsoring cong- . but had brother Baxterto ans- regation--certainly totheex- Joe A. Moore, Dyer, Ten- wer my letter instead, He as- tent they are at Highland/Abi- nessee, April 26,1974:t*Itwas sured me that everything at lene--thensomebodvhastowarn a pleasure to meet and talk with Highland was all 0.K. He said the brethren, Ezekiel 3 indi- youattheboothatthe F-H lec- the reason the elders didn't cates that we thus free our- tureship,.,I read Volume I of answer my letter was because selves from the blood of those Axe on the Root several years they did not want to prejudge warned: those rejecting the ago, I must admit (andnowwish any congregationsLncetheydid warning., well, thatbecorn& *ir your firgiveness ) that I thought not know much about the High- problem1 you were some kindof nut, HOW land Church, To me that is a COULD SUCH THINGS COME ABOUT poor reason, I thought about "Thanks for helping the IN THE LORD'S CHURCH? Boy, was writing them and telling them paper,. ," I in the dark1 When I went to if they didn't knowmuchabout (NOTE: Brother Nicholas the Memphis meetingconcerning the Highland Churchwhen their enclosed a contribution help- the Heraldof Truth, I did not preacherwas preachingthereat ing us spread Contendinq fur even know there was anything Highland, they shouldfirebro- --the Faith just that much far- wrong, Iwasin shock, The first ther Baxter and hire brother ther. We need many to put their time I stood up to speak to a E. R. Harper, sothey couldget money where their mouth is, IYR) congregation (other than as a the facts. (When1 said broth- student) was in an effort to er Baxter was preaching for raise funds for the Herald of Highland, Imeant on Herald of Truth. Anyone in that meeting Truth,..I had a roundwith the Pauline Cap~s, Candler, could not be serious and not church here at home for send- North Carolina, March8,1974: know that things were in bad ing the Lord's money toa bunch "After reading the February is- shape, So, brother, I just of liberals to do the Lord's sueofcontending fortheFaith, thought to myself, Now I will work, and they accused me of itjustmademeacheinsidewon- just watch theItContending for being opposed to Herald of Truth; dering what thesebrethrenare the Faithw andseeHOWIraRice but I am not and Isaidneith- going to do next..,Here is a writesthismeeting. (Ihad sub- er is Ira Rice--we just don't check to help a little,,." scribed just a few months be- uphold error,,." (NOTE: Sister Capps en- fore.) Brother, yourwrite-ups InmyreplyofMay9, 1974, closed $10, It is through such were mild, in my opinion..,It I said, in part, "Thanks for gifts that we can pay for the ismyopinion that youhave done letting me know what response paper, ink, printingandpost- the brotherhood a service, Simp- you got from the Hillsboro el- age to send the paper to that ly because some could not and still canrot see the 'WOLF* does ders--which was nothinq. " Then many morel IYR) I filled him in on the reason not mean there isnowolf, You I had been givenas towhythey yelled wdf , and there is a wolf , (Or rather wolves1 1.. .Enclos- had decided to puttheprogram A. G, Hobbs, Fort Worth, ed is 55.00 to renew my sub- back in their budget for1974, Texas, April 23, 1974: "Keep scriptiontoContendina forthe when it was common knowledge up the fight fbr truth and right; -Faith,,.The bound volumeswere that they hadnotbeen support- and keep exposingHighlandun- eye-openers forme, I donot see ing for many years--going it ti1 they repent and get right. how youcansell them for 53,00, on to point out they had "put I appreciate so muchyourguts $100 per month intothebudget ,.,Why doesn't the GAandoth- to speak out, to call a spade er papers speak out and name for this purpose this year-- a spade; and name the guilty, not that they shouldhavel How- names? Theseveiledarticles are Paul said, 'Alexanderthecop- disgusting to me, If the evi- ever, anyone who knows this persmith did me much evil.,," wealthy congregation is swift dence is known of error, then to realize that,tothcsn, this (NOTE: Paul equally could names need to be named (inor- still is buta 'token1 support say today that A. G. Hobbs,by der to protect the onesnot in on their part, Evidently they his writings, did much good, IYR the know),.," He then went on Page 7

HIGHLAND CHURCH OF CHRIST RADIO AN0 TELEVISION PROGRAM. HERALD OF TRUTH 425 SOUTH HIGHLAND, P. 0. BOX 2439 ABILENE, TEXAS 79605 PHONE 19151 677-3522

1 cam bte 14t) ief tmMp lfth WhlaAd ,mtilX they repent-& ~enfwsto %he br&wtw tw ha- teu many *hine %hat were not tm,tshs &ring up false d~brlwend rstm to the k.ching ef the bible as it onae

that the mChurchmis a big nadnatien?~oado not believe have to asstme that the bible inspired word of Cod:These are f the teeehlnge that here been

- IF THERE WAS AMY DOUBT the lengths to which tribution, after the way Highlandtreatedhb, the apostate Highland/Abilene brethren will is like Judas Iscariot approaching Jesus for go to try to raise another dollar,sorelythe a 31st piece of silver after he had already above has to be the clincher. For Paul Hc- betrayed him with a kiss1 Speaking of kisses, Gauahev to be asking U. F. Cawver for a con- please read what HcGaughey said once again11

to inquire ofrumorscirculat- into my fifth volume of CON- not only of that personbutof ing in his area as totheoun- TENDING WR THE FAITH) simply all his kinfolks, friends md ership of oneof ourpapers and to bewritten,ifthetruth those they influence. Hcnce, what wouldhappentoitwhenits of the pospelistosr~virrethda they think longandhardmre present editor passes on. Be- gmeration among 'us' of the naming bnvona other than in a ing as my own information was chtuches of Christ. favorable light. incomplete, I could give him "You ask why some of the "It is specifically for only a partial answer. other papers do not speak out that reasonthat Ipreferto do In my reply of?Iay1,874 and name names inordertopro- my writing through suchmin- I wrote, in part, "Yourletter tect the ones not intheknow. strument as CONTEMDXNGWRTHE of April 26 (enclosingyourre- Well, of course,a feudo, such FAITH- I, too, get great nm- ncwal for six years) camaasa asPirstCentury Christian,- bars of cancellations-andf fir season of refreshing from the Defenderandafewoftheamall- the same reasons. Hovever,we presence of the Lord.Icannot er-circulation papers. I have arenata comerd.1 enterprise. thank you enough for the en- an opinion,ofcourse,astowhy ~esea)ronlytopleareGod.Vhen couraging thingsyousaid. And this is. The largarpapers are folks cancel,wearesorry, but thank you for reallsing that first and forerost COHHERCIAL keepoa, rerrembetlmg Galatiansv what I have been writing a11 ENTERPRISES. Every time they teachingthat(if1 seek yet to theseyears (throughttweevol- name a name in my derogatory please men, Ishouldnotbethe umes of AXEOblTHEROOTand now manner, they losethebusine~~servant of Christ...'" IYRJr. Page 8 WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THEHERALDOF TRUTH? -11 Co..

For years I did support the Herald of Truth. Brother W. F. Cawyer resigned as elder I have as a gospel preacher defendedtheHer- for the same reason as brother Harper. These ald of Truth and its sponsor, the Highland two faithful gospel preachers objectedtothe Church of Christ in Abilene, Texas. I still trendtowardLiberalhnin the Highland Church. believe thatsuchacooperati~effortisscrip- These two men have done more to promote the tural. And because I went to other congrega- Herald of Truth in the years gone by thanany tionstogetthemtohelpin bringingtheHerald I know. of Truth to Chicago andtheMidwest, Ibelieve Then there were the middle-of-the-road I have a right tomakesorneobservationsabout brethren who have been silent partners with my f eelhgs toward tM program at the present time God and silent they are ridingthefence, who I no longer believe that churchesorin- have accused these men and others inourbro- dividuals should support HeraldofTruthasit therhood of being troublemakers,whentheytry is now being conducted. It is possible that to warn the brotherhood of these things that things could change so that1 and many others are going on at Highland and the Herald of I am sure wouldchangeourviewsaboutthepro- Truth. But I know this with all my heart to gram. However, thechangewouldhavetobedras- God, being a troublemaker isnothing new, be- tic and radical. cause those that stand up for the truth have been referred to as troublemakers all theway This is not a problem that is new. For throughout our brotherhood and Restoration several years there has been onething after movement of the New Testament Church. When the another that has happened--andwhenbrethren Apostle Paul went to Thessalonicaandpreach- objected and withheld theirmoney somecomc- ed the gospel, his enemies said: "These that tions were made. have turned the world upsidedownarecomehi- However, by the time this wasoversome- ther also." (Acts 17:6) God help those prea- thing else would come up just as bad or even chers and elders who will keep thetruthaway worse. John Allen Chalkalmostkilledthepro- from the people just by saying, "We want no gram a few years ago with the typeof sermons trouble here, we are at peace." he preached on the program as well asoffthe Then their latestblunder isLandonSaun- program. Someofourbrethrenalloverthecoun- ders, who is employed by the Herald of Truth try objected, and they withdrew their finan- and has a radio program called "Heart Beat", cial support. They took him off theHeraldof ------in which the Bible is notmentionednoristhe Truth and hired him as theregular preacherat Church. Now get this brethren: "Brother Lan- HighlandinAbilenewhiChsponsorstheprogram. don Saunders stated it was agreed to refrain This within itselfshouldhavegivenbre- from using Jesus1 name for fear that people thren an idea which way theeldersat Highland would be turned off by it." were going. And now they have Lynn Anderson, God helpa sick, dying eldershipthatwill preacher fortheHighlandchurch,whohas prea- allow such as this even to be mentioned much ched frornthepulpitin a sermonth&v'tfreChurch less to be put out over the air in the name ofchristisabig, sickdenominationl~andthen of Heralding the Truth. When brethren agree to be sure to put his point over he repeated not to use the name of our Lord and Saviour the statement. Jesus Christ anywhere, it is high time "we He also claims to have had a vision. He turned them off." Paul says, "And whatsoever also has said that he could notcondemnthose ye do in word or deed, do all in the Name of who claim to speak in tongues. At least two the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the teachers at Highlandhavemadesuchstatements. Father by Him." (Colossians 3:17) Because these things havebeenbroughtoutin- So, we see that the elders of the High- to the open and discussed in meetings, land Church have agreed to refrainfromusing some of our brethren aretrylng to letthebro- the name of our Lord Jesus Christ lest it turn therhood know just what is going on at High- some off. Howcanloyal congregationsthrough- land in Abilene--the sponsorsoftheHeraldof out our brotherhood support such a program, Truth program. which agrees to refrain from even as much as But one of the saddest thingsthisprea- using the name of Jesus becauseapreacher or cher ever heard of concerningthisprogramwas a committee thinks it might turn some off1 the firing of brother E. R. Harper, byaCom- I would be afraid, yes brethren, and a- mittee--not the elders--who would notevengo shamed not only to support them, but to let to him and discuss with him whatitwasalla- people know that we have such a thing as this bout. Iwentto Abilene (thewifeand11 to sear in the first place. God help us if wehaveno son Randy, who was a studentatAhUeneChris- more love for our Saviourthanthis, being a- tian College. This was the last week in June fraid (or is it ashamed) of his name1 of this year 1973. I wanted totalktomyvery good friend E. R. Harper,whomIhaveknown %r With this attitude, these Highland eld- so many years, loved and haveadmiredbecause ers have shown the lack of unity among them. of his stand for truth. Most of these programs could be put onbyany denomination. There is so little thatisdis- The wife and I and Randy and his wife Lin- tinctive any more. And theirtrendtowardhleo- da all had lunch with brother Harper.Andaf- Pentecostalism has been brought to light. We ter over three hours of discussing this with are not surprised at them wanting to get rid brother Harper, I am convincedthathewas the of E. R. Harper and W. F. Cawyer, menwhoal- victim of a dirty deal. After this Gospel prea- ways stood solidlyforthetruthofGod against cher had worked 28 years in this program and error. My prayer to God is give us more men with the Highland Church, who worked so hard like these who will standupandnevergiveup, for the program md forthechurch of our Lord not saying who is right, but what isrightin for over 50 years. And yet the elders allow- the sight of God. ed a committee to fire thisrnan. Get your stuff and be out in two weeks, they told this old "Neitheristheresalvationin any other, soldier of the cross. And in the letter they forthere isnoneothernameunder heaven given sent to hh ih~yreferred to him as "Mr." Harper. amongmen, wherebywemustbesaved. (Acts 4:12) July/1974 ON BEHALF OF THE DOWNTOWN SAN FRANCISCO CHURCH OF CHRIST VolmeV,No. 7 81PerYear; 6Years $5

FOR ELDERS, DEACONS, PREACHERS, TEACHERS AND CONCERNED CHRISTIANS

ship oud'22 Dear Brethren: When a fellow preacher is as personable and charismatic, for instance, as our beloved Stanley Shi~p,it is hard for anyone to to see any harm in him--no matter what he either says or does.

Even now, as I sit down to write this effort toatleast curb if not halt as much of his false-teaching efforts as possible upon behalf of the truth of the gospel, I find my heartreachingout in sadness to Stanley, hoping that he can be brought backtotruth and learn to teach it, as he once did, without admixtureof error. / Just when old Stan and I first met, I am not exactlycertain. My first conscious memory of him was in Abilene, Texas, one night more than 16 years ago, back in 1958, I had flown back in for the first time since going out to Singapore some three years earlier, hopefully to find at least one preacher who would agree to volun- teer for Hong Kong, A mutual friend of ours, then preaching in Ha- waii, thought he might go--and brother Shipp and I had satdownto discuss it, As it turned out, this friend never did go; however,I always appreciated Stanley's interest and encouragement.

A few more years went by; and, in 1962, brother Shippcameto Singapore with some six other brethren and he did thepreaching in a gospel meeting for us at that time, That we thought nothing but well of him then should be self-evident, for we tried to persuade him and those who accompanied him to return to Singapore as missionaries--something I never would have done had he given forthan I'uncertain sound," which, then, he did not, Just when brother Shipp began to swerve from the truthofthe gospel, I cannot exactly say. In 1966, as most of ourreaderswill Page 2 recall, brother Zellie Daniel, one of the elders at Royal Oak, Michigan, was sent with me by his fellow-elders to Saigon to check out some disturbing rumors re: Royal Oak's missionary program there. On our return journey to the U.S.,wefound ourselves on a Lord's Day morning in E- gypt. Actually, hadweknownwhereto look Ira Y. Rice, h., Editor for them, several brethren were meeting Port ORce Box 588 that morning in Cairo. Not knowing this Sen Francisco. Caliiomia 94101 we flew to Athens, Greece, looking for a place to observe the Lord's supper. The VolumeV, No.7 July/1974 Georqe Dumas telephone in Athensdidnot answer, so we got back on the plane and SUBSCRIPTION RATES flew on to Switzerland--then took a train on to Lausanne, where the Shi~~sandthe Single Subscription- Slperyear Gene Arnolds were then serving asmission- or Six Years for $5 aries--arriving in time at least for the Club Rate-SixSubscriptions, $5 Lord's supper that evening.

Bundle Rates : Perhaps there might be another ex- 12 Copies / $1 planation for it; however, after servic- 25 Copies / $2 es that evening, I sensed acertaindis- 40 Copies / $3 inclination on Stanley's part towant to 60 Copies / $4 sit around and talk, something entirely 80 Copies / $5 natural for missionaries visiting each 100 Copies / 56 other to do--especially when they have not seen each other for a long time. It was painfully obvious to me that,as far as he was concerned, Stanley would just Pleaseaddress all communications to CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH, as soon we were not there. Since nothing Post Office Box 588 untoward had ever passed between us, up San Francisco, California to that time, I was at a loss to under- 94101 stand it. (Still am.)

That was the year (19661, you will recall, that I brought out the first val- -ume of Axe on the Root. Thinking back on it, I am made to wonder if Stanley may nothavebeenslipping his doctrinalmoor- ings even then. Certainly by the following year, 1967, when I brought out & on the Root, Volume u,I began hearing critical feed-back from him, as he was attempting to break the force of what I had set forth in those two books. But it CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH is pub- seemed so out ofcharacterwiththestan- lished monthly by the Downtown San ley Shipp I thou ht I knew, that, for a Francisco Church of Christ, at 250 Van time, I tenddiscount these straws Ness Avenue, San Francisco. California. in the wind. MAILING ADDRESS: P. 0. Box 588, San Francisco, California 94101. Second- However, as I watched in amazement Class postage paid at San Francisco. while brother Shipp gravitated more and more to the crowd trying toundarrnine the church in the name of "restructurinql' it a new Stanley--fardifferentfromtheone I had known began to emerge. Thisnewone appeared to be no longer concerned whe- -NOTE: If you have not yet read Vol- ther the truth of the gospel was kept or umes I, I1 and IIIofAxeontheRoot,1 not. The Campus Evanaelisrn heretics who they are $5 per set; bound volumes were trying to lead the youthofourbro- I, 11, I11 and IVof Contendins forthe therhood completely into apostasy dear- Faith are 83 pervolumeor $12 per set. ly looked upon Stanley as "their man." Address all orders tocontendinq for the Faith,P.O.B0~588,SanFrancis- For quite some time, brother Shipp co, California 94101. was operating out of Highland/Abilene, Page 3 before that sad church itself began to apos- informed and scared preachers and brethren-- tatize. At that tire, the Highlandelders had St. Louis has no Paore (in fact much less) of not reached the accommodation witherror they the Neo-Pentecostalism than any other city. now have. Consequently, as StanleySdeprcda- Though we have had 200 baptisms in our work tions against the truth of the gospel reach- with youth, I know ofonlyoneboywhohas gone ed those elders* attention, finally they had into it. I am determined to do God's will in to call him in for an accounting of what he my life and be a man. Pray for me. I am e- was doing and teaching. Instead of firing him ing on the mission workshop at ACC and will then and there, as they probably should have speak anywhere I am asked as I havethetime. done, like so many other elderships I could My purpose: to glorify Godandpreachthegos- name, they chose the less courageouspartand pel of Jesus Christ.. .Please come by St. Lo* let hirp "resignw. However, make no mistakea- to see us sometime.. .I, tw ,remember our plea- bout it; as far as thev were concerned,Stan- sant times together in Switzerland.-God keep ley Shipp had become a false teacher.Theyno you...In Him, (Signed) Stan." longer wanted him around misleading the young people. So, they let him resign and go on up All right, brethren, from what you have to St. Louis to mislead their young people1 just read from his own pen, would you be led to think that brother Shipp believes in the (NOTE: Brethren, when the present apos- continuance of the direct operationoftfrHo- tasy is full grown among us, it will be at- ly Spirit today or not? Dqubtlesslyyouwould tributable in large measure to thisastonish- say that he does not. If all I had torelyon ing "policy" now widely practiced. If elders was this simple, unsupported statement writ- being faced with heresy would practice m- ten to brother Luper, I probably would think of gainsayers (according to the same thing. e 1ectinq a man that is a heretic after the first and second admonition But now let us look in on that spurious, (as required by Titus 3:10), then we actual- so-called "mission workshop" they had at ACC ly could have a genuine Restoration. The way less than one month after he wrote the fore- it is, by turning false teachers loose on an going. I have before me aword-for-wordtran- othervise unsuspecting brotherhood, as often script of the speech made there by _Jim- as not with ahypocritical letterofrecomen- -nolds--and Stanley Shippls endorsement of it dation from us in their pocket,wemakeital- in his speech, which was thevervnextspeechl most impossible to have the NewTestamentor- der restored. Error seemingly can "march a- That we may fully comprehend what Shipp round the world, while truth is getting its was endorsing, please weigh the following ex- boots on.") cerpts from Reynolds* address. Among various other things, Reynolds said: Once ensconced with John L. Edwards as fellow ministers of the McKniahtBoadcongre- "I think, since theHolvS~iritisalrea- gation, brother Shipp induced that same type dv workinq, it would be good that Ididnltget of "Jedus Movementw hippyism into churches of up here and guench him. So rather thangetup the Sf-. Louis area for which he had been forc- here and beat around the bush about the sub- ed 90 resign from Highland/Abilene, Texas. I ject of the Holy Spirit, which all too many ddnot have to guess about this. While con- times is eitherjustadefinitionforthachurch acting gospel meetings in St. Louis recent- and a theological football, or elsesomething ,&,elders and preachers from faithful cong- that's wholly privatized we've isolated over ' regations all over the area described to me in a corner, I would like to iustsharemvown over and over again Shipp's and Edwards* ag- emeriences relatinqto the klv Snirit... gressive efforts to sow this perniciousness, not lust at McKniaht Road, but prea-wide.Al- ".. .In the New Testament, there is a tre- so, ifone knows what to look for, a careful mendous promise that's supposedly realized; reading of the McKnight Road church bulletin that is the promise of the Holv S~irit..." since Stanley went there abundantly demonstrates the effect his and Edwards* teaching "...It seems that Peter is saying inActs has had on that once-faithful congregation. the second chapter, whenhepreachesthis ser- So much so, in fact, thatbrethrenandchurch- mon, that the Spirit of God is to be poured es in the St. Louis area who still stand for out on all flesh who come to Jesusendaccept the truth of the gospel no longer fellowship him as Lord and Savior. That is you and your or endorse either the preachers ortheelders children and to all who areafaroff,allwhom of McKnight Uoad as being faithful or sound. the Lord our God shall call. That thereisno in which we can say that the Holy Spirit One is responsible not only for what he was limited to the first centurv. Thereism himself teaches or does but what he endorses that we can begin to draw bounds around in others. Uomans 14:22, for instance, says, Him.. ." "Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth." WhenArchieW. "...we can preach a disembodied spirit- Lu~erheard, in 1972, that Stanley claimed to ualism, but the worldain*tgonnahearbecause have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit there's no guts in it. There's no flesh and and to speak in tongues, he wrote him a let- bloodinour message..." ter of inquiry about it. "Dear Archie," Stan wrote under date 13 Septeppber 1972, inreply, "...The Holy Spirit, theSpiritofGodis Glad to hear from you, brother. - I have mt alive. He's claimed me. I'm alive. He's been accepted the baptism of the Holy Spirit.&- poured out into my life..." I do not speak in tongues...Contrary to rumors--most of which have been startedbymis- "Also does he notonly create freedombut Page 4 he gives aifts to his body. Let's talk about stood here and -, &ad a, the aifts of the Holy Sairit. Jesus the res- and the lbJ,y &igj& in urrected Lord aivesaiftstothebody... What- God's Word. And it thrills me because I like ever you want to call them. bLessings, gifts, to see the exuberance, the happiness,andthe brother, the church wouldn't c*ist without zeal, and the clapping of hmds, and the .dl- gifts. The gift of freedom, the gift of for- ing andthelaughlng, lad thusiaging, and just giveness, the giftoftheHoly Spirit, thagift the general atmosphere that when peeple can of life.. .So God's Spirit pours out these gifts honestly express how they feel, and they just into our lives and we are blessed by them. .. express it. That's something that hasn't a1- Let me say this to you...I don't think the ways been possible. And I'm really grateful mountain-top experience is the ecstatic; and for that..." I don't have to give an exegesis of I Grin- thians 12 to 14. But I think the wrong emph- w...Each of these speakers has spoken. asis ia that sneakinsin tonsuesis supposedly Question. When they spoke tlle message c8me the greatest gift...It's notthemowbin-top. through. How did you listen? With fear? It's a childish gift. It'Snottobede~lored. With self-e~nation?Youknowsomebodysays, It's not to be run down. It's not tobewith- Someafthe~peoplathreatenthechurch.They@- drawn from. If it happens, God happens. It re threatening the church, Uaah.Ainltnobody ha ens But we don't have to go around an? threatening the church. I don't feel threat- eile)ourselves into it; and if you have- ened at all but I'm part of the church.,.You n't had that experience, you're not a second know, I don't have to be threatened if same- class citizen.You*renot,no, youlrenot.Yeur body qets up hereand says somethingcomplete- re not a nobody because you haven*tandyou1- ly contradictory to what God says....I1m not re not unspiritual becauseyouhaven'thadit. threatened. Why should I be threatened? If I You're alive brother.You'remyhrother. There know what God says? That's part of the vic- aren't any second class citizensin the king- tory. See, I've got a victory in Christ Jes- dom, whether they're black orwhether they're us. And I don't have to run around threaten- guys who don't speak in tongues,.,Ihavethis ed by something everybody says, or anything gift, you have this gift (laughter),solet's anybody says, if I know what the Lord says." just be thankful we've got God and He's with us and He's giving us these things end don't "...if these guys (referring to all the tear anybody up, love thechurch, lovethepco- speakers) could linerightbackuphereon this ple around you, If you disagree withme,bro- platform and core right back up hereandtell ther, that's beautiful; we can agree to dis- you the truth--and they a11 did..." agree. If it ha~~ens,it's beautiful, If God gives it, it's beautiful. He doesn't, don't Well, they all didn't1 Not Jim Reynolds sweat it; He's got a reason for notdoing it. to be sure1 But with Stanley Shipp following ...The gifts GO^ gives are for the body of right behind him, as he did, telling how the Christ, to be given and sharedinthebody the speakers had stood there and "shareil" Jesus church. All these sifts are to be shared.,," Christ, and God and the Holy Spirit "AS THEY ARE REVEALED IN GOD'S WORD," andalso thatu ",..The glorious power of the Holy Spi- had told the truth, well, how much stronger rit has got to give us a vision to dream and an endorsement could he possibly have given1 continue dreaming..," Then, when he further said that these f.lrra teachers are not a threa, think how entire- ".,.I dream of a day when there will no ly different this kind of talk is from Paul's longer be a Baptist, and there111 no longer militant words in Acts 20:29-31, "For I know be a Methodist, and there'll no longer be a this, that aftar my departing shall grievous church of Christ and we'll all be disciples, wolves enter in among you, not sparing the and we'll all be Christians,,." flock. And of your own selves shall menarise, speaking perverse things, to drawawaydisci- There were quite a lot of other things I ples after them, Therefore watch, and remem- could have excerpted from that speech, which ber, that by the space ofthreeyears,Iceas- were equally contrary to the doctrinerevsd- ed not to warn every one night and day with ed in the New Testament. I have news for our tears. " young brother Jim Reynolds: He can dream all he wants to of "a day when.. .therell no bnq- Farther along in his speech, Shipp left be a church of -," but that dream is the notion that God is with youno matter what false and it was not the uglorious power of you say or do, "mere was God," he inquired, the Holy Spiritw that gave him a "vision" to "when the 750,000 Jews were killedinwarsaw, dream it. However, fromthese fewexcerptsone Poland, IN THE OVENS. WITH THE JEYS. That is thing is crystal clear: Jim Reynoldswastry- where He was. Suffering with 'em, Wherers God iag to implant the idea of a directoaeratlon when somebody's down in the ghetto killing of existing in the church&- somebody? God's there with thosepaople--suf- &y or he wasn't teaching anything at all. fering with thcm, Sure they don't know Him-- sure 'they don't acknowledge Him--sure they Yet, when brother Stanley S~~DDgot up turn their back on Him--but God hasn't turn- as the very next speaker, did he try to s- His back on them.,." Brethren, is that howit -rect this false teaching? Or did he endorse reads in your Bible? it? Here are his ownwords inthis connection, taken from the self-same tape. He said: Still farther along, he said, ''1 had the same problem that Jim did, you know, he was "It's so good that God has gottenusto- talking about thinking the soul was uphere.1 gether,AndIpiveHimthanks.tonightandpraise used to right at first when I startedpreacb because of what's happened all day, Hen have ing say, 'You gotta believe it inyourheart,' Page 5 but I got told on that one realquickly.They I have no alternative but to take a stand a- said, you got the wrong part,brother, iPsup gainst such. here. I said, 'Oh.' You gotta believe it in '1 would like though to know whereof I your heart, then Ifound out thatwasmy brain. speak before I get 'out on a limb.' mat, if (Laughter) That's not my heart either..." any, information do you have on this man? Is he sound? Would you say it is safe for our Were it not for both brother Reynolds aa young people to hear hip? well as brother Shipp trying so hard to make points so contrary to God's revealed will, I "Uay Cbd continue to bless thegoodwork found rany of the things both taught entire- you are doing. For obvious reasons at this ly commendable. These deliberate arrd oh-ao- point I aak youtokeepthematters aboutwhich unnecessary errors are like "thelittle foxea I have written confidential.* that spoil the vines, spoken of in the Song of Solomon 2:15. If they would butstickwith "thus saith the Lord,11 then we could all still (Signed) Leon Cole" be together as we were before. But with auch insistance on teaching things at vadance with In my reply of October 19, 1973, Isaid: the truth according to their own feelingsthe "Dear Leon : tender grapes of our fellowship are being eat- en away. "Thank you for your good letter of Oct- ober 15, which came to hand last evening. It That Stanley Shipp has changedfromwhat astonishes me that brethrenwhoothendaeseem he used to be and teach is plain as day. The to think of themselves as sound in the faith question is m. I still do not know why but and loyal to the truth seem so bentonhaving something he said earlier on in hisspeechon speakers who are not. Within the last yearor that occasion makes me know that downdeepha so, at least twoother falseteache~shavebeen knowshehas changed, too. nI~vesufferedthr- brought into the Florence area--Landon m- ough so many things like you have," he told mandwAnderson--andnow, as you brought his young audience; "Imeanhurt- really hurt, out in your letter, Stanley S~~DD. and not know anybody I couldever justgo talk "One thing you can put down for certain with about that hurt. And by the time I was --regardless of all the false teaching that 16 until five years aso I wouldn't dare go talk has been going on among thechurchesconcern- to anybody about the deepeat problems of my ing Liberalism, Ebdemism, Nco-PcntecostaUsm heart. I wouldn*tl There was no open commun- and the like, you haven0tye.t heard ONE WORD ication..." TO THE CONTRARY from Stanley Shfpp. This, within itself, seeing the general situation the I doubt that a single one ofour readers church now faces over all, speaks volumes. has always been free from psychologicaltrau- mas. Certainly I have hadwhatseemsmorethan "I first began to wonder about Stanley , my fair share. Thus, if Stanley stlll was com- when I was through Switzerlanda fswyearaaga municating lust the truth of the sos~elashe Before, he had always seemed to besowamand once did, we might all rejoicethathenow can friendly.~wever,whsnIvisitedhiminSwitz- communicate more openly. But it matters not erland, he did not seem to want to be assoc- what psychological problem he now has over- iated. I could not figure it out...Later on, come--this in no wise justifies his teaching I learned through mutual friends that he had different from God's word on pnvthin~atall. had somewhat to say against myAXEONTHEROOT And that's just about how long it has been-- books. If he reallybelievedthetruth, Icould five years--since I began hearing "uncertain not understand thLseither, since thoae books soundsn emanating from this beloved brother. simply contend earnestly for the faith once for all delivered to the saints. LEON COLE SENDS LETTERS OF INQUIRY REGARDING "When I was loeking over the list of false FLORENCE (ALABAMA) CHURCH'S PLAN TO USE teachers they had lined up for the so called STANLEY SHIPP IN AREA-WIDE YOUTH RALLY '13thAnnual WorldHissions Workshop' last fall at Abilene Christian College, Iwas disturbed Under date October 15, 1973, Leon Cole, to ace Stanley's name there, rightalongwith faithful gospel preachertotheJacksoaHeiahts -Jim Reynolds, Don Finto and other known false congregation, in Florence, Alabama, inquired teachers. If you can get hold of the tape of as follows: "Dear brother Rice:A feudays ago the speech made at that workshop by Jim Rey- I receivedadvancepublicityaboutayouthral- nolds, you will see that ReynoM8 was advocat- ly that is to be conducted at a congregation ing the continuanceof supernatural gifts.And here in Florence. The key speaker is to be Stab when Stanley Shipp spoke afterward,he*koen- ley Shipp. I have not seen anything from hia ed* himl...When I was inagospelmeetinglast in print but I have heard for quitesometiae March in St. Louis, I learned from Arthur C. that he is associatedwiththatgroupof apos- Blackwell, k., Melvin Elliott, and quite a tates who desireto 'restructure* thechurch. number of other sound, faithful gospel preach- "I heard a tape of a lecture delivered ers of the inroads of Liberalism among many at the school of preachinginMemphisinwhich of the young folks throughout the Greater St. it was charged that Shippendorscd fullyfalse Louis Area--all of it being traced specific- doctrine that was presented at Abilene. ally back to Stanley Shipp and hiseffortsa- mong the area young people. When I was back "It is distressing to know that someone inst. Louis a feudays ago, brother Wayne Hall, like this would get a hearing in one of our minister to the church at Lemay, Missour~a congregations, but even more that the young suburb of St. Louis) said that, in a conver- people with which I workdght hear such a one. sation with him, Stanley had argued that Q- Lest anyone imagine that I betrayed brother Cole's confidence, I phoned him and got his pennissiontoprint. Page 6

&Q= Trueblood (an unconverted Quaku) 'prea- thu, that's beautiful. We can agree to dis- ches Christ.' agree,' saying a11 we need doislove.Hesaid the Holy Spirit is 'peuradout* ona11whocome "If that is the direction Florence bre- to Jesua (terms used in the Hw Testament to thren wish their young people to take, fine, denote the baptism of the Holy Spirit), that have Stanley Shippi If not, than they need to there was no way to limit that to the first rec~nsidar. century, he had the Holy Spirit 'poured out* "In the cause of truth, on him. He praised 'unity in diversity', the cry of llberalim. He ridiculed the church as (Signed Ira Y. Rice, Jr." being like a doctor uhofaintsatabrokenarn. He said if tongue-speaking happens just be COLE CALLS JAMES W. BOYD'S ARTICLE IN THE thankful for it, just dom't look down your JACKSONVILLE, ALAWBULLETIN TO OUR ATTWmN nose at those who do not. If it happens it's beautiful; if it doesn't don't sweat it.' Ha Several months passed; then, under date said we try to pray when all we needissore- February 19, 1974, brother Cole wrote again, as body to hug us, adding that theultimatespi- follows: "Dear Ira: Enclosedis anartidcfrom ritual experience is intouchlng, holding, and the Church of ChristinJacksonville, Alabama. we need to celebrate our bodies all over, what- Brother Jh Bovdisthepreacherthere. Hesays ever that means. He saidinhuggingwefedthe some things that need to be said better than soul of the other person. And on and on it I can say them. went. His talk was welcomed withapplauaeand "After facing Stanley Shipp in a confront- approval in laughter andpradseallthrough it. ationherein Florencepertainingtothls 'Youth And then the S~~DDcame in. Quake,' I am convinced he is one of the moat "*It's so good that God has gotten us to- dangerous of the 'grievous wolves' that has gether," he said, 'and I give him thanks and come in among us. praise because of what has happenedall day.' "It was a pleasure to see you atthere- He said he thought whileReynaldswas talking, cent F.H.C.*lectures. Best wishes for contin- 'Lord, it surely isn't me that's going to get ued success. up there next. And then I said I'd like to "Sincerely, take that back. It's all your fault, brd. You (Signed ) Leon Colepp made it happen.'Headded, 'Menhavebtoodhere and shared Jesus Christ and God and the Holy Replying to this under datePebruary24, Spirit as they were revealed in God's Word.' 1974, I wrote: "Dear Leon: Thank you for your I contend that is false. The Biblebeing true, good letter of February 19, enclosing photo- God had nothing whatever to do with speeches copy of the bulletinofthechurch in Jackson- by Reynolds or S~~DD. ville, Alabama. Jim Boyd isa personal friend "His repeated endorsements of Reynold's of mine. He stands for the truth. Ihave hmd speech was coupled withglaringdoctrinal err- him always to be reliable. ors of his own plus an outlandish presentation "You are correct in your evaluation of of the holy and sacred subject of sex. Sure- Stanley Shipp. Those who know, belleve and love ly no reasonable personwouldwant their child the truth are going to have to continue our to sit at the feet of a ran who cheapens and stand against his incursions amongthe young, provokes laughter and applauseathisowncon- especially, of the congregations of Christ. fessions of immorality. Also, he used 1 Cor- inthians 2 where Paul spokeofinspirationand "God bless you for caring, the revelation of God's Word andapplitdsuch (Signed) Ira Y. Rice, Jr." passages to people today.Afk&rsayingtheHo- ly Spirit explainsthings tothosewhoarespi- Yhat brother Boyd had to say in his ar- ritual, he said, 'buttheunspiritualmnsim- ticle was as follows: ply cannot accept thematterstheSpirit deals with.' He added, 'For after all, you must be wS~metire ago an invitation came to me spiritual to see spiritual things. Poor per- to urge young people to attenda 'Youth-quake son that isn't spiritual but needstobe spi- '74' in Florence, Alabama, sponsored by the ritual, he cannot becomespiritualuntilheis Northwood Hills church of that city, On Jan- spiritual. Calvin never taught more falsely. uary 9 I wrote the elders saying I would not It's the same doctrinethatteachesdirectop- and told why. One reason:'the use of Stanlev eration of the Holy Spirit, andshia~applied S~~DDas a speaker. A month later I have not a passage teaching inspiration to people to- heard from them but he was used. day. He gave that as his definition of 'spi- rituality.' This is just false doctrine. "Yhy did I oppose Shila~? Because of a speech he made and another he endorsed that "1 will not copy his display regarding was delivered on theAbileneCollegec.mpus in sex. It does not merit repetition eventoex- October, 1972, of which brethren were inEorned pose it. These liberal fellows lovethatsub- in 'GntendLng for the Faithc in December, 1972. ject and dwell on it, They cannot discuss it I have tapes of both speeches.Letretel1you on adignifiedandupliftinglevelgospel prea- something about them and seeifyouwauldcon- chers, teachers and parents do. They have to done him. couch it in terms that cheapen it, provoke laughter, etc. And some deluded people still "Immediately prior to S~~DD'Sspeech havingsuchasthatbeforeauryoung Reynolds, a known liberal, spoke. (The three approve of day session was saturated withliberal speak- people. ers. ) Reynolds spoke of Ma experlance with the "He also said, 'When we really do thank Holy Spirit, said it did not nmtterifbreth- God for what's going on, Pmnot concerned. I ren disagree. 'If you disagree with me, bro- know what direction it will take. It will be The Freed-Hardeman Lectures have become the focal point each year where those still faithful to the Restoration Xovement anther- IYR Page 7 what God wants.' Nonsense. He can thank God "That college has long since abandoned all he wants to for the false dackrines he any real claim to the upholdingof Christian- preaches and endorses. The differencebetween ity as taught in theNewTestament.N&heryou Shi~pand truth is what causes me concern. I nor anywho thinkas youdo can prove otherwise am concerned when brethrenusesolittlejudg- whilesuch spectacularsasIhave justheardcon- ment and display such contmtptfortruthas to tinue there. continue to promote suchmenbeforeour young. "Surely those who sacrificedandlabored I know the direction they will take them and long that the college might produce the best it will not be right. Space prohibits going have been betrayed. into the many other details thatdeservedis- cussion of his talk. "1 wish these radical people would repent (signed) James W. Boyd" and come back to the truth. Until they do, I love truth, young people, old people, the church, It just seems to me that if I were pre- the lost, enough to standupand fightagainst siding over a college and receivedsuchalet- their false ways. Do vou?Evennowotherplac- ter as this, I would see thatIanswered this es have shown so little judgment and faithful- one personally. But not John Stevens1 On the ness as to plan on using such men. And some contrary, he turned it over toGeoraeGursan- brethren who know better will play the coward us, who proceeded to let on he did not know and remain silent. No use talking about the what it was all about. (And maybe he didn't1 dangers of liberalism when you are not will- If not, it wouldn't be the first timel) ing to stand up for the truth, brethren.. At any rate, under date August 23, 1973 "If Shipp, and those like him, wish to de- brother Gurganus wrote, Dear brother Boyd, nounce their error aey have endorsed and taught, Dr. John C. Stevens, President of Abilene Chris- let them be as bold and open in denouncing as tian College, has just passed on your letter they are in teaching and endorsing.Untiltfiey of August 7, 1973 to me, asIwastheDirector do, faithful brethren ought not use them for of the Seminar in Missions. Iamabitcurious anything. When they do repent, we willallbe about the tapes to which you refer. Were you glad and much happier. (Signed) Jamesw. Boyd" talking about our SeminarinMissionsthatwas just conducted this summer,orwere you talk- ABILENE CHRISTIAN COLLEGE OFFICIALS GIVE ing about the Student Mission Workshop that BOYD THE WELL KNOWN RUN-AROUND WHEN HE TRIES was held on the campus here last October. If TO PIN-POINT RESPONSIBILITY FOR ERROR TAUGHT you're talking about the SeminarinMissions, I'm a bit confused as we did not furnish any Brethren, it is both distressingaswell tapes of any of our programs. Some of the stu- as astonishing that when anyone tries to get dents taped certain ones of the lectures. I help from almost (but not quite) all of "our" would like to know who the persons are that colleges these days in putting a stop to all you feel were unacceptableintheirBibletea- this error, instead of their really respond- ching. Sincerely, (Signed) George Gurganus" ing with the necessary action to stop it,dU we get is the well known run-around. Upon receiving this from ACC, four days later brother Boyd wrote again,"DearDr. Gur- Brother Boyd found this out right quick ganus, In answertoyourletterofAugust23rd, when he wrote J&n St-, president of ACC, the tapes to which I refer wereofactivities under date August 7, 1973. that took place there in October, 1972. "DearMr. Stevens,"hebegan, "Having just "The speakers on these tapes are ident- finished listening to tapes made at the most ified as Jim Reynolds, Dan Harrell, Lcw Han- recent missions workshop there, I write you cock, Stanley Shipp, andagroup from Pepper- direct. dine called 'His Players'. "Like most religious meetings, there were "1 would think you would have access to many things with which one Who accepts the Bi- such tapes, although I understand some ses- ble to be true could accept and agree. sions take place there where the last thing some want is toberecorded. Whomadethe tapes "What is beyond acceptance is the atti- I have heard is unkown to me but supplied me tude that obviously accepts so muchopen, de- at my request by a fellow preacher who had liberate, calculated error. If you wishIcan heard them previously and discussed them with me. enumerate so many instances thatran violently Regretfully, (Signed) James W. Boyd" contrary to the truth revealed .in God's book. "The fact that the college there spon- To which brother Gurganus responded un- sors, permits, endorses and promates such false- der date September 6, 1973, "Dear brother Byd, hood and ensnarements bcfore young people makes Thank you very much for your letterofAugust it beyond integrity to claim 'Christian" any 27, 1973. I'm glad to hear that you were not more. You people know better but allow this. criticizing our Seminar in Missionswhichwas held this summer. I was not awareofanything "Until there is an open repudiation of of an unorthodox nature that was being taught such offensives that went on, no knowledge- at the Seminar. In reference to the tapes that able person could bid you Godspeed, and I do you heard, they represented speakers at the not. I must, wherever andwheneveronemayin- Student Missions Workshop which is conducted quire, identify that collegeas apromoterand at a different school each year. None of the condoner of the most serious kindsofdigres- speakers that you mentioned as being radical sion, religious error, blasphemy, andouMght are connected with Abilene Christian College. filth and vulgarity openly and without shame May I invite ou to come over and visit with on your part. us sometime. 5 believe that you would find that Elders and preachers, especially, need to read this sentence again, and let it sink in. IYRJr. Page 8 ACC is not suchabadplaceafterall...Wepray It was one of the oddest sights I ever wit- that you will continue tohavea fruitfulmin- nessed; you looked like what the faithful bre- istry. InHis service, (Signed) GeorgeGuganus, thren around St. Louis now refer to youas:A Professor of Missionstt BALD-HEADED HIPPY1 "Even with all this, I could not bring Pilate himself could not havewashedhis myself to believe that youreally, inyour own hands any better1 Incredible1 heart, had left the truth. LIKE ELYMAS DID TO SERGIUS PAULUS TOTUEWHIM "Then I listened to your endorsement of AWAY FROM THE FAITH (READ ACTS 13:6-121, EVEN Jim Reynolds* speech and all that hehadsaid SO STANLEY SHIPP TRIESTOSUBVERTGLENMARKHAM about theHoly Spiritatthatfalsely, so-called World Missions Workshop atAbilene (fir cd- When the elders of the Shepleychurchof lege students) ayearorsoago. Iwasnot pres- Christ, in St. Louis, asked me to preach in ent for the workshop; it was literally domin- their spring meeting, April 7-12, this year, ated by false teachers, several of whom, in- they also asked if I would prepare a special cluding Reynolds, had never been out as mis- lesson on "Liberalismlt for an area-wide ser- sionaries. I could not conscientiously take vice to be delivered that first (Lord's Day) part even if I had been asked, which Iwas not. afternoon. Not only did nnf Stanley Shipp and But I did hear you on tape. Also, Stanley, I those he influences attend this special ser- have that tape. What yousaidwasas unreserv- vice or any part of the six-day meeting, but ed an endorsement as any false teacher could when it was over the nextmorningayoungbro- ever want to receive. And, thus, you placed ther Glen Markham (who wants to become a gos- your influence squarely beside hisinleading pel preach- waiting for me atthe build- all those some 2,000 young folks into error. ing, when I came to pack up and leave. Among the things he wanted to discuss with me was "Since that time, I have known without how Stanley--just like Elymas--had tried to any shadow of a doubt that youno longer stand persuade him to pay no attention to anything for the truth of the gospel, as youoncedid, I said. Since all I had donewas topreachthe as it is in Christ Jesus. IfIneededanyfur- word of God, some sortofresponseclearlyhad ther proof, I received it earlier this month, to be forthcoming. in St. Louis, where you now liveandwork. As you know, the Shepley congregationinvitedme Hence, under date of April 20, 1974, it there for a gospel meeting, April 7-12.As al- was my unhappy duty to write him as follows: ways, I went there and preached the meeting, being careful, as I always am, to preach the "Dear Stanley: truth and nothing else. Yet, whenthemeeting "Because of our friendly relations in for- was over, one of the young men you have been mer days, it is with extreme reluctance that trying to influence; brother Glen Markham, came I approach this letter. Backin1958,whenyou seeking someanswer. tohis questionsnextday. and I talked together for that first time, in During the conversation, out of the blue, he Abilene, I regarded you mosthighly.When you let me know that you had warned him topayno came to Singapore, in 1962,weweremosthappy attention to what I preached.Ifyoustillbe- to have you as our principal speaker on our lieve and love the truth, Stanley, why did you evening lectures. Later on, itwasalways good do that? That young man was seekingthetruth to see you on various occasions inthis coun- --the truth that you had evidently not been try;andtovisityouin yourworkinSwitzerland. giving him. It was bad enough that you failed to teach him the truth; infinitely worse "Some few years ago, however, you began that you would warn him to paynoattentionto to change. Whether you didsowittinglyornot, one who would teach it to him1 1 am unable to say. However, sometimeaftermy AXE ON THE ROOT books warning thebrotherhood "Stanley, the time has cane when those of incipient apostasy then encroaching began of us who still believe and love the truth of to appear, reports from faithful brethren of thegospel needtoknow~wctl~wherevoustand. oral criticisms of these books by you started If you stand for the truth,thentheaBremen- filtering back to me. Ithought Iknewyoubet- tioned things need to berepentedof, confess- ter than they did, so, at first,Ididnotpay ed so the brotherhoodcanknowit, andcorrect- all that much attention. ed. On the other hand, if you are not willing to do this, the brotherhood needs to know that, "Then, I noticed, that even after itwas too...Please write to me know what you plan coming clear that the West Islip brethren in to doe New York were apostatizing, still they were having you to speak. Ithoughttomyself, *How "Written in sorrow and great cKsappcbntmd, come?' Later, as the fight over 'Liberalism* (Signed) Ira Y. Rice, Jr." began to thicken, I continually sawyour name on lectureshipsandworkshopswiththoseonthe Liberal side. And I asked myself, 'Howcan it belt When that bunch ofhereticstriedtolead (NOTE: As I have been informed that the off the young disciples under the guise of Lake Geneva Encamment plans to have Stanley 'Campus Evangelism,' there was old Stanley Shipp as their principal speaker, in August, Shipp in there helping to lead them off 1 I saw interested brethren should write to the eld- you onceortwiceinthosedays, andeven though ers of the Lemav Church of Christ, 2709 Lemav you know as well as anyone whatICorinthians Ferry Road. St. Louis. Missouri 63125 asking 11:14 teaches, there you were trying to let for copies of their May 1, 1974 withdrawal of your hair grow long (what there was of it), fellowship letters re: Stanlev Shim and his right along with therestofthose thus rebel- nsorina elders at McKnight Road. I under- ling against the authority ofthescriptures. rand further withdrawals soon forthcoming.)

- - - -- ...ANDINCASEPEPPERDINETHINKSWEMAYHAVE MRGO TTENALLABOUTBROTHERLUPER*S 52 QUESTIONS..... AUGUST / 1974 SHADESMOUNTAIN CHURCHOF CHRISTPRESENTS Volume V, No, 8 $2 Per Year; 3 Years 85 Gnt endin. !!FEi th

FOR EtDERS, DECLCONS, PREACHERS, TEACHERS AND CONCERNED CHRISTIANS

Churches and Individuals alike are Invited to Support The building in San Francisco which had been purchased CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH for the joint use of the college as well as the church will continue to serve as the meeting place of the Downtown San as Well as Far East Evangelism Francisco congregation; all wishing to continue helping those brethren to pay out this building should send contributions As was announced in the Fat East/World Evangelism directly to them-addressed to Post Office Box 588, San Newsletter earlier this month, sponsorship and oversight of my Francisco, California 94101. family's and my missionary and publishing efforts now has been transferred from the church in Downtown San Francisco Shades Mountain Will Receive Contributions to the elders of the Shades Mountain church of Christ, in Churches and individuals alike who previously were Birmingham, Alabama. supporting me and my family in our work of contending for All of our work for which we have been soliciting the faith as well as evangelizing the faith into Singapore, brotherhood support heretofore-both in the Far East as well Southeast Asia and the Far East are invited both to continue as the United States-will continue, excepting only the College and a1 so to increase this support-addressing your of World Evangelism, in San Francisco, which, because of contributions henceforth in care of The Elders, Shades extenuating circumstances, will not open September 30 as Mountain Church of Christ, Post Office Box 26247, earlier announced. Birmingham, Alabama 35226. Most particularly, just now, we are endeavoring to enlist the aid and support of all elders, deacons, preachers, teachers, concerned Christians as well as congregations in building up the circulation, influence and effectiveness of CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH. Many of you who already take the paper have encouraged us greatly through your words of appreciation for what we are doing in the cause of truth. And we are grateful. But the cause needs more than your applauseto survive. It needs your active support. And now that we have brought this Lra Y. Rice, Jr., Editor publication under the oversight of the Shades Mountain elders, Post Office Box 26247 Birmingham, Alabama 35226 in Birmingham, Alabama, they join with me in asking you to assist this effort in every way you can for the preservation of truth among the churches of Christ. Volume V, No. 8 August/1974 Middle America is Battleground for Truth As I was driving a 24-foot U-Haul earlier this month from San Francisco to Birmingham, I stopped by Elk City, Oklahoma, to have a brief visit with my good friend W. R. Craig, minister to the church and director of the school of SUBSCRIPTION RATES preaching there. Something he said during our telephone conversation has stuck in my mind ever since. Single Subscription - $2 per year or Three Years for $5 "If we are to win this battle (for truth)," brother Craig declared, "it will have to be fought out among the churches all Club Rate - Six Subscriptions, $10 across middle America." To which I can but add my own Single Copy, 254 heart-felt "Amen!" How You Can Help Bundle Rates: 6 Copies I $1 How can you help build up and extend the influence and 12 Copies 1 $2 effectiveness of Contending for the Faith? No doubt you 18 Copies / $3 yourself can think up many ways; but here are a few 25 Copies / $4 40 Copies 1 $6 suggestions: 60 Copies 1 $8 First, if indeed you deeply believe in what we are trying to 80 Copies I $10 do in Contending for the Faith, you can send us written 100 Copies 1 $12 permission to use your name in this behalf. It would help mightily to encourage others to help, if enough will just close ranks with us and stand up and be counted. We want to publish your name as endorsing this effort-but we will not do This publication is sponsored by so without your express permission. So, if you endorse what and under the oversight of we are doing, say so! the elders of the Second, the principle reason so many of our brethren and Shades Mountain Church of Christ churches are apostatizing from the truth is simply a lack of Birmingham, Alabama effective communication. Contending for the Faith can be effective only insofaras what we are saying is known. To help build up this communication, you can help build up our circulation by securing and sending in all the subscriptions you can. Because of rising costs, we have had to, increase our rates $5. Please address ALL COMMUNICATIONS to $2 per yes-or three years for If you really want to to help, encourage as many as possible to subscribe. Lastly, even with this increase in subscription rates, this still CON'ENDING FOR THE FAITH does not give us the necessary support to send out the Post Office Box 26247 multiplied thousands-yea, tens of thousands-of copies of Birmingham, Alabama 35226 special issues, such as this one, that need to be sowed down brotherhood-wide to alert brethren and churches everywhere to what actually is happening to "us." So, if you want to help the cause more than just applause, please contribute regularly, sacrificially and faithfully each month-to our CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH FUND. Get Yours into the Mail TODAY!

CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH is published To get you started right in helping on this fund, please note monthly (except December) by Shades Mountain that this issue is twice normal size-16 pages instead of just Church of Christ, 959 Alford Avenue, Post eight. This means it cost us close to an additional $1,000 to Office Box 26247, Birmingham, Alabama 35226. get this one out, when you count the cost of double the paper Second Class Postage paid at Birmingham. and printing as well as having to have it type-set, which alone, in Birmingham, costs $5 per hour! All contributions will be acknowledged with tax-deductible receipts. Please make them out to CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH FUND and mail them at once to Shades Mountain Church of Christ, Post Office Box 26247, Birmingham, Alabama 35226. -Ira Y. Rice, Jr. Page 3 HIGHLAND'S "SPECIAL REPORT" (A Detailed Review by E. R. Harper)

Many of you have received a "Special Report" signed by the eight (8) elders who remained at Highland. This report does not run true to the facts known by those whom they have attacked. I do not have the money to mail a reply to all of you, nor to the brotherhood, as do they; but I humbly request that you read what I have to say and to press for an explanation by the elders.

Chapter I THE "BLUE PAPER"

just here, "Where was the 'love' that all stand against unscriptural DOCTRINES QUESTION NO. 1 of them claim to have 'shed abroad in being taught here at Highland was the The first question is: "Is there their hearts by the Holy Spirit'?" Had principle cause of our difference. They another "spirit" invaded their hearts all were taking a "soft and compromising anything to these these months? Why did not even one of stand." Now read their statement on Herald of Truth", or we might Say, them come to me as the Bible instructs page 5 where they write, "Again, this "The Highland Church of Christ?" and talk with me regarding all of this? decision to release him had nothing to You will notice they have SO ad- Yes, why? Where was the Holy Spirit do with DOCTRINE.'' This entire paper mitted! Therefore, there can be no "in them" all this time? Yet they at- is filled with iust such contradictions. denial of the ''correct reports" that tempted to justify their unchristian ac- Brethren, it was ALL DOCTRINE! None they do have doctrinal problems at tions toward me upon my sinful actions of it was for "power," nor was it just Highland. They admit that this has toward them. It reminds me of Adam a matter of "judgment." You will for- been ,going on for months (page 2). when he said, after he had sinned, "The ever know now that their claim is false They are only hoping to ",bring gold" woman thou gavest me Lord." Or what when they declare that the differences Flip Wilson says, "That ole Devil made out of "refining fires." We might ask, between the elders, {brother Fowler, the Who started these "refining fires ?" Did me do it." Truly now, are these brethren committee and me was not over DOC- they? Not one time! It was by this "renot ashamed of such a pitiful excuse for TRINE, but over "methodology." Had fining" process we were trying to cor- their now-admitted unchristian behavior there been no tragic and dangerous doc- toward me, their brother? rect this trouble within Highland (not trine taught by brother Anderson an'd before the public) when we were so vio- 3. THE 1969 "AGREEMENT" WITH sisters Jolly and Bass, there would not lently attacked by the "elder majority" ME: This agreement was not correctly have been one criticism from me. There here at Highland. This "elder majority" presented. I did not agree with the ac- would have been no need for method- and the "hard core" among the deacons tions taken against me in my sudden re- ology. I was begging them to take a were denying that there was anything at tirement. To retire me at that age was "firm stand," not a "harsh stand" against Highland that needed "refining." Now their right, without my objecting, had it them. There is a difference! Their stand they admit we were telling the truth- been just an honest retirement. It was against me was a "harsh one," wouldn't that Highland needed refining! not just a retirement! It was another you think? Wonder why the difference? one of these "blinded, unchristian ac- That Highland needed "refining" was NO EXCUSE that which some of the deacons were tions" against me :because of an incident I must say that there is no excuse for denying that Wednesday night in August that took place in Nashville, Tennessee. the elders to have made the accusations when Lynn Anderson was "fired", and Brother Baxter was present. He can the following Thursday night when some explain to you that neither he nor I had against me in their 24-page paper mailed of the deacons called the elders to anything personally to do with it. I re- out to thousands over the nation. I deny, task that I was demanding a "HARSH ap- for their action. The deacons declared ceived the blame and was, retired out of proach" toward any of those mentioned. that Lynn liad preached no "doctrinal anger just as this action toward me was I only asked the elders to repudiate their errors" that needed "refining" and con- admittedly taken. Brother Fowler knows now-admitted, unscriptural doctrine; and verting into "gold." To them, all that the reason. He did not report my retire- if those teaching these false doctrines Lynn preached was pure "gold." ment correctly to the elders. He reported to them that I gladly agreed to all of did not repudiate them, that che elders THEIR CASE AGAINST ME this. I did not! The incident that took terminate these false teachers. The eld- 2. On page 2 of their "Special Report, place was a taped, two-hour discussion ers who signed this paper know full well the eight remaining elders at Highland among a number of church leaders in their statement was incorrect. It was not harshness! Firmness! God's Word present their "case" against me and then Nashville, laying down their demands plead their "justification" for their sinful of the elders at Highland if they were demands such. Read Romans 16:17, actions toward me. Please notice that the to support Herald of Truth. Clois Fowler "Mark those;" Titus 3:10, "reject;" 2 elders, first of all, undertake to justify and Art Haddox refused to let the elders John 10-11; I Corinthians 5. at Highland hear the tape. their admitted "unchristian principled" 5. MY CONTACTING OTHERS: This actions toward me. They make the ex- 4. MY HARSH DEMANDS: On page 3, is basically false. I deny that I con- cuse that they "were so hurt" by my the elders write, "We were aware that tacted members asking that I be allowed actions that t he y )became "sickened, s o m e DOCTRINAL PROBLEMS had to discuss "my side" of this affair before, frustrated, and blinded to their Christian SURFA.CED in this congregation. Broth- or even after, their now-admitted "un- duties." My, My, My! What a pitiasble er Harper was demanding a HARSHER Ohristian" letter of dismissal. I discussed group they must have been! I might ask APPROACH." Here they admit that my it only with those who 'approached me, or who came into my home inquiring why 7. CALLS AND LETTERS FROM OUT Now, after the letter of March 26, I was fired. I do not even, to this day, OF THE CITY. This. accusation they signed only by Attorney A. L. (Dusty) ask people to let me personally tell them know to be false, for they imply this was Rhodes, a deacon, firing me, these letters "my side" of this affair. (Note: Brother all before the March 26 letter to me. began pouring in from everywhere. Fletcher, both you and brother Art They write, "Each time he would visit Congregations began to stop their contri- should have known better than to have another city, we would receive phone butions. It was not due to what I had signed your names to such an instru- calls and letters from people." said or done prior to March 26, 1973. It ment! You both know how you poured Let us see my condition from 1971 was brother Anderson's preaching and your hearts out to me over this affair. until 1973. In the middle of 1971 I had this unchristian letter written in anger ERH) to cease from conversational speaking. to me as they now admit. These elders 6. STUDYING WITH THEM: They In April of 1972, my vocal cords were became "angry" because I let people see admit on page 3 that they were "study- operated upon. For the remainder of the letter terminating my "association" ing" this Holy Spirit issue then with that year I did not preach a single time with the program. these sisters, and they did with Lynn. and was only out of the city once at- 8. WHY THEIR ACTION? It has now This admits that our accusations were tending any kind of meeting as I recall. "surfaced" that some of the elders, incorrect. The "hard core" of deacons de- At that time, there was no criticism of cluding brother A. A. Wade, and also nied publicly that brother Anderson was me. My first attempt to speak was at brother Fowler, had been planning my wrong doctrinally, and so did most of Nashville, Tennessee, January, 1973, and termination all of this time, behind closed these elders. Many at Highland know that had nothing to do with Highland. I doors hidden from other elders and some this to be true. Brother Neal McLeskey, was in Nashville trying to help Brother of the committee. Their "secret actions in a telephone conversation with me Baxter find a full-time man for us in and decisions" surfaced and were made some few weeks before I requested that that area. Brother Baxter will so admit. known to the other elders. Finally, a they remove my name from the church My next cities were Henderson, and then majority of elders voted to relinquish roll, told me himself that brother Ander- Memphis, Tennessee. their authority to fire me to brother son had not preached any error and de- In the fall of 1971 brother Neal Mc- Fowler and his committee. These actions fended these two women as being free Leskey said to me, "brother Fowler gave were unknown to other elders until that from such, even while "studying with a good report of you to the elders. He evening. The "Special Report" is dis- them," and accused me of misrepresent- said he had not received one letter re- torted, and I am ready to so affirm. Not ing them. Now, when I accused them of garding you that was critical since your even all of the COMMITTEE knew about teaching error, all of a sudden they all retirement in 1970." I said, "Neal, do these actions! Why were they not ad- admit the "elder majority" and "deacon you know the reason why?" He said, vised? Elders Wade and McLeskey n~ajority"were wrong, and I was correct. "No." I said, "You no longer have the knew. Was this done behind closed doors When can you believe them? two men who caused us all the trouble in "secret meetings?" I stand ready to This is the most pitiful cover-up of out in the radio and television area." I repudiate publicly this account of their them all. Here they admit this error said, "Neal, Bob Scott and John Allen action against ,me and tell the why and had "surfaced," and they were "studying Chalk were the two men who were giving how. Their report is not true. with them." With whom were they us our static. You took John Allen off 9. WHO SHALL DIRECT HIGHLAND: studying? I am sure they mean sisters the radio, and Bob Scott moved to Santa On page 5 they make this statement: "It Jolly and Bass. What they did not tell Ana, California." Then I said to Neal, simply came down to who was going to you is that they allow sister Jolly, an "brother Baxter is doing all bhe preach- make the final judgment in these critical admitted Charismatic, false teacher, to ing, both radio and television; and I have areas--brother Harper or the elders." teach from January 8 until May 29, when told brother Fowler that with bhese two This is rather hilarious! Yes, just who. her class customarily dismisses e a c h men gone, having eliminated our trouble, DOES "run Highland?" The elders or summer, knowing all of these five (5) and with brother Baxter, at that time, the deacons? Remember August 2? Re- months she was Charismatic in her con- doing all of the preaching, we can raise member when the elders announced "that victions. Yes, why? all the money we need." Neal replied, certain Wednesday night" the termina- "I hadn't thought about that, brother tion of brother Anderson's ministry, to They allowed sister Bass to teach for Harper." more ,Wan seven (7) years after knowing become effective September lst? Re- her convictions in this matter. I have a member the "mob-like scene" that fol- AFTER HENDERSON taped discussion of seven years ago last lowed in the auditorium? So tragic was March, which I delivered before the eld- After Henderson, I was through being this that brethren Randy Nicholson and ers of Highland, at their request, on the given opportunities to speak for the pro- Bob Bailey felt called upon to make Holy Spirit issue. This was caused by gram. The news of brother Anderson's public apologies the next Sunday for two things which had "surfaced" at that refusal to endorse the Highland elders' their unchristian actions against brother time (seven years ago): (1) Dwain Ev- statement that they would not "condone Fletcher, an elder. Remember how the ans' (Sister Bass' son-in-law) famous this Charismatic Movement" because he deacons called the elders to task Thurs- "Charismatic" lecture at ACC, and (2) said their statement may "prove to be a day night following, bringing such pres- her "scattered outlines" regarding the mistakeu--and yet that the elders were sure upon the elders until they were operation of the Holy Spirit that she used keeping brother Anderson, on as their made to rescind their announcement of in her class. The elders, seven years ago, local preacher-closed all doors to bmth- Wednesday night and rehire brother An- had her class monitored for a long time. er Baxter's program there. In Memphis, derson on Thursday night? Yes, who The women of her class kept reporting brother Anderson's sermons closed bhe DOES RUN HIGHLAND? Then they her teachings. My wife was in ,her class. doors there to me as a representative of ask, "Who shall make the final decisions, And yet, the elders honored her at the the Herald of Truth Program. The elders the elders or brother Harper?" Well, the 1973 teachers' banquet at t he church have letters from the churches in Mem- deacons feel they need someone to make building with special recognition for her phis and other places, I am sure, object- them I am sure! Aren't these brethren twenty-five year services as a "faithful i n g to brother Anderson's teachings ashamed of this letter they have sent teacher" at Highland and "teacher of the there, not to me! I came home from out? I would ;be, were it mine. I am year, 1973." SURFACED just REjCENT- Memphis because I was no longer able not mad at them. I am really sorry for LY? These eight elders need to come to reach people as long as they kept them and pray for them. Remember how before the church and the brotherhood, brother Anderson as Highland's local they publicly said these elders were apologize for this and resign! They know preacher. This was the first of March, "tired old men," and Highland needs I have reported the truth! 1973. younger men as elders ? Then make such Page 5 an accusation about me! Are they not them strength to do that which, they, of but if the "Herald of Truth has it to ashamed? Why did they not so accuse themselves, cannot do. They thought, I pay!" This is their "loophole" whereby the deacons? suppose, that my good wife and I, now they can stop my retirement at any 76 years of age, would be so anxious to given time! 10. TWO THREATENING LETTERS: receive a check for $2,000, and $5,200 per If they will produce "two threatening let- THREE THINGS HERE year as long as I live (or until they de- TO CONSIDER: ters" I supposedly wrote them demand- cided there was no more money to be ing the things they have so falsely ac- given from the "Herald of Truth") that 1. This was hoped to keep me from cused nle of prior to March 26, when I would jump at this offer. You see, opposing the errors taught here at High- they gave to me this now-admitted "fam- they reserved the right to decide when land, and those defending them, for fear ous, unchristian letter," I will apologize, the money was no longer available. my retirement might cease. Had it been accept my retirement, and never lift my from the "church," it could not have voice against them again. If they have THE GIMMICK IN THE LE'ITER ceased since it would have been until my deliberately misrepresented this, or de- Let us look at this retirement so death or until Highland Church of Christ ceived, then they should resign, come be- graciously presented to me from those died! This they would not promise! fore the congregation, admit they have who were so unmercifully persecuted by wrongly accused me, and never serve 2. The second was, should I continue to E. R. Harper until it produced "spiritual oppose the actions of a church paying as elders again. They are obligated to blindness" in your hearts. Their letter do just this! The remainder of their me $5,200 per year, this would destroy states this retirement is "to run until me. Can't you just hear what would be "blue paper" is just about as inaccurate his death or as long as the Herald of as is this statement. said all over the nation-"opposing a Truth program has it to pay-whichever church from which he is taking money!" I wrote two letters prior to March 26: comes first." Did you notice that the (1) One was to brother Lynn after a Highland Church of Christ, for which I 3. There would go up the cry all over two-hour luncheon with him, elder Wade have worked for 28 years, did not obli- the brotherhood, "Harper has sold out and James D. Willeford. This was a let- gate themselves, as a church, to pay me for money!" Ah, no, never! This is ter like a father would write to a son. one dime? They only agreed to pay me being called "Harper's Zipper Check!" This was November 24, 1972. They have this retirement so long as they could take It will not work, brethren! I am not for a "copy" of it. (2) I delivered to the it from YOUR treasuries in Radio and sale. I have never been and never shall elders a paper prepared the last of No- Television land. This did not bind High- be accused justly of defending error, nor vember, 1972, and they received it the land and the elders to do anything for of upholding those who do. I shall not first of December. In this letter I was me as a church. They were left com- destroy 76 years-60 of them in the plain and pointed. I tried so hard to pletely free from all obligation to me. church; nearly 49 preaching and defend- point out to these brethren back then May I ask this question? Who decides ing the Lord, his church and the precious what would happen if this were not cor- when Herald of Truth Program does not Word of God-by being bought off. Fear rected. I suggested that I did not want have it to pay? The elders or Harpcr? moves me not when the truth of my Lord this to come to the papers. I pointed They stopped W. F. Cawyer's retirement is attacked! I refuse to sell out the out to them what it would do to the pro- in less t h a n a year! Unconditional? truth or my brethren defending that Pshaw! truth. They have the wrong man! gram for which I gave twenty years of A SOCIETY my life, if not corrected then; but they I cannot accept money from a church. would not listen. They seem to be separating the Herald nor from elders, who accuse me of such of Truth from Highland Church of Christ. The only other letter I ever wrote to atrocious things as presented in their 1, Such distinction would be exactly what letter. I need the retirement badly. But them was May 1973. It was my answer the "Anti" brethren accused it of being to their "termination letter" of March to accept it after all these accusations, at its birth. I affirmed then that the 26, the letter that they now admit was so could mean only one thing: that I am a Herald of Truth is Highland; our Bible hypocrite, wanting only their money. un~tiristian,written in their anger (when department is Highland; our (benevolent the Holy Spirit was no longer indwelling Had this been true, I would never have program is Highknd in action; and them and directing their actions). This lifted my voice in the first place. They neither of these can support its own letter of May 1, 1973, plan to give to have misjudged their man this time! It I works. The Herald of Truth is NOT an the members here at Highland. seems to me that this says, "if I were organization. It can do NOTHING of Harper, I would take it, be quiet, and 11. MY RECENT RETIREMENT OF- itself. All that is done is done by the let the rest of the church, those who are FER: As admitted in the elders' meet- Highland Church of Christ. Now they. fighting for truth with him, be hanged." ing the night they discussed my present as a church, obligated themsleves to me, I am built of "finer stuff than that" retirement offer, this retirement is mine, as a church, for nothing. I worked for when the truth of my Lord is on the scaf- because I had earned it. A11 know this! Highland 28 years. I was their local fold, when the church of my Lord is on This letter asking that I now accept the preacher for over eleven years of this the altar, and when my Lord is "up for retirement that is justly due me, hurt time. They should have said, "so long as auction" to the "highest bidder" while me and enhanced their image tempo- the Highland Church of Christ, for which the souls of men cry out for help lest rarily; but we must rememiber that this you have worked 28 years, shall live"- they be lost eternally. When truth is on retirement was not offered to me in not the "Herald of Truth!' It is not a the altar and my Lord's church is being their paper until, first, they made all of separate organization. (Or is it now?) torn asunder I fear neither "men nor these false accusations against me. Their The Highland Church of Christ OWES devils"--as I once told 'brother Haddox accusation is that these all took place this to me! Not the Herald of Truth! when we were in his office in one of prior to their writing this unchristian Not the treasuries in "radio and tele- those secret conversations. He put his letter to me March 26, 1973. They pre- vision land!" They have repudiated their arm around Fe with tears in his eyes sent themselves as the "suffering elders" obligation to me as a church. They have and said, "Brother Harper, that is why who have been so "mistreated" 'by E. R. saddled it off on the "Herald of Truth;" I love you." (Note: I am still that same Harper that they became to "blinded" to and yet they say this offer "is to be E. R. Harper, brother Haddox! You men their "Christian principles" that they, in UNCONDITIONAL with no conditions are my brethren with whom I have work- anger, resorted to these actions that they from the elders to him and no conditions ed so hard; brethren whom I love and for now wish to correct. They picture them- from him to the elders." Oh, yes, their whom I pray; but I do not fear what you selves as kind, loving, and forgiving eld- offer is conditional-the "condition" be- can do to me. I may have to beg, but I ers who were persecuted beyond their ing "if Herald of Truth has it to pay," will not compromise my soul for error, ability to withstand, though they teach not if the Highland Church continues, nor for the defense of those in error. I the Holy Spirit's person is in them giving nor if the Herald of Truth continues; know the trousble here. You brethren Page 6 know I know! So does the brotherhood! here was a "secret meding" without the letting brother Anderson go? I know You demanded I deny there was trouble knowledge of the other elders, that the you did, and even with me! Was every- here, until you have [been forced to admit "hard core" of the committee might re- thing you two brethren, plus the three the truth as the result of brother Ander- ceive brother McLeskey's endorsement elders, discussed before all the other son's teaching over the brotherhood and before they would present the letter elders at all times? Was it? You know the teaching of these Charismatic sis- either to the elders or to me? Wonder it was not! Brother Fletcher even as- ters. Even brother Baxter has now been why his okay and not the okay of all the sisted in deciding many of the unscrip- compelled to admit also. You are "angry" elders. tural teachings brother Anderson was because it got out on you! ERH) NO SECRET MEETINGS! My, My, guilty of, stating we had a "false teacher 12. SECRET MEETINGS: The eight My, and then MY! at Highland Church of Christ." I know, for he discussed them with me. Brother who remained at have Another thing: not all the committee discredit these Haddox, you discussed such with me in purposefully intended ever saw that letter before it was pre- your office. You brethren, at times, led good who opposed them by stating that they were working all the time sented to me. Brethren Ed Davis and these men to believe you were going to Ed Enzor had not seen it three months secretly and those who remained did not resign with them. Brother Haddox, when AFTER I received it-did not even know you suggested you would resign but that Of know Then they state that such a letter was written! "Secret meet- you did not have a job, you were even the other (who remai'nd' "worked ings" only between these "three elders?" told that you need not worry, you would of they are The brethren who signed this notorious be awaie' is not true. Even in this paper taken care of. Secret Meetings! Broth- letter should resign! Elder Neal MeLes- er Haddox, aren't you really ashamed of (page 4, they state the first key was advised of the contents of that signing such accusations when you were be done with me- what letter before it was presented to me; in some of these meetings you call The decisions from this before the other elders saw it. (NOTE: Idsecret meetings?" The kind you breth- A' meeting were then given to Brother Wade, did you know what was ren are now condemning! My, My, My! A. an that he 'might in it? Now did you? God knows; and and YES, MY! it to brother Fowler, deacon and director you know. ERH) of the radio and television program, Her- QUESTIONS TO THOSE ald of Truth. Brother Fowler is said to Brother Haddox, were these discussi- REMAINING : have taken this decision of the elders ons with these three elders carried on in that was him by Brother Smith, is it possible that you the presence of all the elders in an present it to his committee' were at the "terminating ceremony" and elders' meeting when you told them you The committee's recommendations~ to- had not read what you were presenting did not have a job? What are you going gether with those of brother Fowler's, to me in that letter? would you be a to say at the judgment? Were you, were then referred back to the party to such an overt act as that? Of brother ~~dd~~,forming some kind of and then the fired me. of course, some of you brethren met time uconspiracy~ to

Chapter I1 DOCTRINAL ERRORS

13. INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC: Why did Brother Baxter, what did you know ther announced that these two good not their 24-page "Blue Paper" discuss about this affair? If you knew about it, people had discussed this with him, with the accusations regarding INSTRUMEN- what did you advise? Were you advised A. A. (Buddy) Wade, chairman of the TAL MUSIC having been introduced in of this suggestion? Were you? I know elders, and with brother Batsell Barrett your meetings? Why would it even come what I advised about the classes and Baxter, our radio and television speaker up for discussion at the Highland Church what I would have advised about Herald of Herald of Truth. The man who was of Christ by some of the deacons and of Truth had I 'been asked. I would have accepted on his triune baptism suggested some elders? Why? I know what hap- demanded the dismissal of those contend- they all accepted their baptism as scrip- pened regarding the Bible classes. They ing for it on Herald of Truth. As I tural and felt they were entitled to mem- had no little discussion regarding the use understand, the principle character try- bership at Highland. Brother Anderson of tapes and film strips with instrumen- ing to introduce it in the Bible Classes did not explain this peculiar kind of bap- tal music in the background. I was ap- left soon after this. tism administered to this couple. He proached for my convictions on this issue. QUESTION just left that in the "cover-up" as they They received them promptly. A refusal, do so many things at Highland. of course. IT SHOULD HAVE NEVER Do you good brethren in radio land who received this "Blue Paper" feel that Months after Highland's acceptance of BEEN BROUGHT UP IF HIGHLAND this Church of the Brethren baptism CHURCH OF CHRIST IS SOUND. all things at Highland are really now in safe hands? We must remember that Mrs. Harper and I visited this splendid I was not made aware of the pressure most of those opposing much of these couple. They are most gracious in their to bring instrumental music into our things, with a voice trying to rid High- home. You would enjoy every moment Herald of Truth program until about the land of all such, are GONE. They have with them. We sat down at the table for time I was "terminotd." They said, moved out, some 300 or more in the past refreshments, and t h i s gracious lady "We did not mention it because we felt four years. It takes courage to face such opened the conversation 'by asking me we had defeated it and that it would not opposition, for they will stop at nothing this question. "Brother Harper, do you cause trouble," but later those who were as is evidenced by this "Blue Paper." k n ow about our baptism and our fighting the battles at Highland felt that Yet brother Haddox signed this "Blue church?" Mind you, hey had been "mem- it should have been settled then for good. Paper" and is now "head" over the entire bers" at Highland for months, but even They realized that an issue that took Herald of Truth Program. "Head," did they did not consider themselves really such firm (not harsh, but firm) rejection I say? We shall see! Remember, Clois members of the kind of "church" as we as to force an elder to say "you will do Fowler is still full-time director over were at Highland. I feel this is something it over my dead 'body" should have been radio and television. for honest members of bhe church over resolved at that time by withdrawal from the nation to ponder well as you send those who presented it and defended it. 14. TRIUNE BAPTISM: Just what is your money to the elders here, for these "triune baptism?" The word "triune" people were inducted into "our fdlow- SOME OF THE CHARACTERS simply means "three in one." Hence, ship" by brethren Lynn Anderson and It was reported to me that the late "triune baptism" simply means "three Buddy Wade, chairman of the elders for James Walter Nichols suggested that we immersions in one baptism." This is the 1973. Brother Anderson announced that could get more stations if we would just baptism practiced by the "Church of the it had been accepted 'by the elders at use instrumental music in the back- Brethren." They immerse or "bury" ycu Highland. I must say, for the benefit of ground. It was reported that Clois Fow- three times face down "for the remission some of the elders, they did not know ler (since made an elder) did not object of sins." There is no Biblical command, what "Church of the Brethren's baptism" if it could be worked out. Why would nor is there any Biblical example, nor was. One elder, brother Fletcher, said they even suggest such a thing! Brother Biblical inference that such was ever brother Anderson did not make the an- Nichols suggested, so I was told, that it practiced ,by the early church or com- nouncement he was supposed to have would not interfere with the teaching, manded by the Lord. Bible baptism is made. I do not know; but I can easimly be- nor with any worshipthat this was just one burial in the name of, or by the lieve this to be true. God knows! a teaching program, not a worship pro- authority of Jesus Christ. (Acts 2:38, At that table, these two good people gram. It was reliably reported that and Matthew 28:18). The Church of the brother A. L. Haddox is the elder (who is Brethren buries you "once in the name told me and my wife that there were still serving) who was referred to in the of the Father, once in the name of the five men present from Highland at that paper by the three elders. It was A. L. Son, and once in the name of the Holy same table before they were admitted to Highland fellowship - all five of them Haddox who defended the use of the Spirit." Romans 6:4 declares we are instrument in Herald of Truth. It was "buried with Christ" - not the entire knowing how they were baptized -and advised them their baptism yas scrip- elder J. F. (Jim) Harper (not related to "Trinity"! tural. They were made to believe they me) who said "you will do it over my This "elder majority" is on record at dead body." He was reprimanded sev- Highland, together with brother Lynn were already members of the church of erely for his "unchristian spirit" in the Anderson, as endorsing this Church of Christ just because they had been bap- above affirmation. You have to be firm the Brethren's baptism as Scriptural baptized "for the remission of sins." Those with such men. Brother Haddox was said tism. A most gracious man and his good present at this table upon that occasion were Lynn Anderson, A. A. (Buddy) to use I Corinthians, chapter 14, for his wife were accepted into full fellowship refutation to the arguments lbeing put at Highland some two years ago on just Wade, Bateell Barrett Baxter, Landon forth opposing its use. It was reported such baptism. Brother Anderson that Saunders and Glenn Owen. Identification: that he suggested that the instructions Sunday evening-from the pulpit-an- Brother Anderson-our local preacher in I Corinthians 14 applied only when nounced that this couple had been bap- Brother Wade-chairman of elders for the entire church came together for wor- tized for the remission of sins. He sug- 1973 ship. That the Herald of Truth was, not gested that since they had been "baptized Brother Baxter - our full-time Herald a worship program but a "teaching pro- for the remission of sins" that they were of Truth speaker gram" and the instrument could be justi- members of the church of Ohrist and Brother Saunders. - of Heart - Beat fied on that ground. He further stated entitled to memibership or fellowship at (Herald of Truth) that we could also reach more people. the Highland Church of Christ. He fur- Brother Owen-Herald of Truth Pro- gram for the Spanish speaking peo- the "quick and the dead". Read I Corin- they adhere to the "Restoration Princi- ple thians 6:l-8; Romans 16:17; 2 Thessa- ples"-that they "practice nothing that is I told this lovely couple that brother lonians 3:14; Titus 3:lO-11; and 2 John not expressly authorized in the New Baxter did not believe in their baptism, 9-10. And yet all those who have taught Testament." This element at Highland I felt certain, and were he to take them these errors that have caused our trouble argued all these are "expressly autho- before the Highland congregation a n d are still at Highland in "full fellowship" rized" in the New Testament; and broth- bury them three times, face down, for with no public confessions of wrong, nor er Haddox quoted I Corinthians, chapter the remission of their sins as scriptural any public criticism of a one of them 14, as proof for the instrument in Her- baptism and declare them members of from the elders or brother Anderson. ald of Truth. the church of Christ, it would kill him 15. RESTORATION MOVEMENT: The WHAT THE suddenly with the churches of Christ "Blue Paper" states that the elders at RESTORATION MOVEMENT over the nation. They became very much Hiehland are "committed to the Restora- WOULD NOT HAVE DONE disturbed and begged me not to hurt tion Principle." I do not wish to invade I do not believe the men of the Resto- brother Baxter, for he was their friend. the sacred precincts of the human heart ration Movement would have kept in and Now have no idea if they understood I to speak for that heart. I do believe, defended a preacher who denied them brother Baxter and these other men cor- however, that from the above, I have rectly, but this is the impression they the right to "ban from the church this the right to point out my conviction that Charismatic Movement" as did brother received, and this is what Lynn Ander- they neither understand what the Re- son announced publicly from the pulpit. Anderson, Sunday A.M., N~vem~ber12, storation Movement was, nor do they 1972. Highland's elders who remained I might suggest they did not misunder- understand the Restoration Principle. I stand me! Those implicated the five did, with him! The men of the Restora- - believe that there are men at Highland tion Movement would not have kept as mentioned and the elders - may refute who would weep should they live long this and call upon brother Anderson for their local preacher one teaching their enough to see the final culmination of young people that the Holy Spirit gives clarification of his n~isrepresentation of the doctrine taught by the people whose to him the "thoughts, the words, and the them before the congregation at High- errors they condone, which errors have wisdom" to deliver his sermons. They land, if he did misrepresent them; and caused this tragic hour in the Highland they may also demand of these two won- would not have kept in their pulpits a church today. Should an element sud- preacher who would pray that the Holy derful people who so understood, to apo- denly surface some morning playing the Spirit would "energize the Word that it logize for reporting such to me and to organ or should someone attempt to might really give us life." I do not be- my wife; but I am sure they will not! speak in tongues or perform miracles, or lieve the men of the Restoration Move- Those who have condemned us as "trou- bring new revelations, I believe there are ment would have stood for the preachers ble makers" who have stood for the truth some who would object. But their com- of their day to announce to their audi- would do well to open their eyes to the promising attitude toward those in the ences, both young and old, that the truth, for they know I have always church today at Highland who believe in "church is a big, sick denomination." fought the battles of the church for this and tried to bring all of this into They were coming out from the denomi- truth. I have always been opposed to our fellowship, as the paper signed by national world. They would not have error; and I know what truth is and the eight elders finally admitted this looked upon a man with great admira- what error is. group undertook to do, is more danger- tion who told the religious world of de- Just suppose this "music question" and ous than the overt acts themselves. The nominationalism and the young people this report of this "triune baptism" issue demanding, by brother Anderson, that of the church that he could offer to them are actually true? Then I ask you, is the such elements should be given full fel- "some rather exciting and strange and Herald of Truth safe in the hands of lowship and active participation in the what some people would call far-out such people? You may hate me, despise services, as he did Novemlber 12, 1972, things that are experEnces in my life me, and brand me as a "troulble maker," spells final destruction; and this is what that I attribute to God's Holy Spirit in but that will not answer the question. has happened at Highland, and is taking it." I do not feel they would have kept What are you going to do about the place there, and all of us know this is that preacher long in their active minis- above errors being taught and accepted true. This is the "Ketcherside doctrine" try if he presented to them one of his at Highland Church of Christ? Yes, I and that of Pat Boone and Don Finto experiences that he admitted was a "vis- have been "accused" by the Digressives, and Wesley Reagan and John Allen ion that he did not understand all of the Premillennialists. a n d the "Anti Chalk. what it means" but ho~edhis audience Movements" for the past 50 years; so WE HAVE THE ELEMENTS could "intrepret it." Nor would those this is no new thing to me. I have never The paper prepared by the three elders men of the Restoration Movement long surrendered the truth nor the church yet; who stood for the truth, pointed out to have kept elders over them who defended and I do not intend to do so now at 76 you, as I have for years, that in High- such. These are only a smattering of the years of age, facing death, should I lose land we have those who: errors brother Anderson preaches! every friend I have on earth. I am not The men of the Restoration Movement made of that kind of compromise with 1. Believe you can speak in tongues; 2. Who believe you can perform mir- would not have kept in their pulpits a error! You who may read this are at man who would uphold men like Don liberty to take your stand with whom acles; 3. Who have defended those who claim Finto of Belmont Avenue in Nashville, you wish. This is your privilege. But I Tennessee, who was let out of David Lip- beg of you to stand with this number to possess all these gifts (all this now on tape and in writing); scomb College. This brother Anderson who are pleading for truth and opposing did. I heard him! Nor would they have error with the conviction that it should 4. Who claim it is possible to receive new revelations (this is on tape); fellowshipped a man in their pulpits, di- be eradicated from our ranks, not kept in recting their young people, who would as brother Anderson demanded Novem- 5. Who would have introduced the in- fellowship churches 1i k e the Central ber 12, 1972, when he said of the "Cha- strument into our work at Highland rismatic Movement" that those who be- and over the program, "Herald of Church of Christ in Houston, Texas, lieve "they have to speak in tongues Truth"; and which church conducted a "seminar", should not be banned from the church"! 6. Who .endeavored to justify their de- August 23, 1973, whose speakers were men like Don Finto, Dan Anders of the We must remember there is a "judg- mands by what they feel is scriptural proof. Central Church of Christ, and Steve Mol- ment ahead" at which time all things, nar (who, at the preacher's meeting in both right and wrong, true and false, So the question to settle is: What do Houston, November 13, 1973, in his de- shall be laid open ,before the judge of these elders mean when they declare that fense of Herald of Truth and the High- land Church of Christ and her elders, "trouble makers" have "moved out." I leaving like that caused by the deacons said to us, "You wasted your time in would ask brother Baxter, Why are the the night it was announced that brother opposing premillennialism") ! elders at Highland all united today since Anderson had been asked to resign. We just moved away peaceably. QZJESTION: Just who was the first- "we trouble makers" have "moved out ?" named speaker for this "liberal semi- It is because they all fellowship such HOW LONG THIS UNITY? nar?" It was the local preacher at the men as brother John Allen Chalk and How long will brethren Haddox and Highland Church of Christ, Abilene, Tex- brother Lynn Anderson, who in turn, fel- Baxter, who are claiming to be in adher- as, Lynn Anderson, who did not appear lowship Don Finto of brother Baxter's ence with the Restoration Movement and because of the pressure put upon him. city, Nashville, Tennessee. Why did we who claim to believe as do I, remain He wanted to go! The closing speaker "trouble makers" "move out," brother such, running with and upholding a on this "liberal seminar" was Wesley Baxter? Our religious honor would not group of liberals as we believe these Reagan of Houston fame, repudiated by permit us to remain on with a congre- whom we have mentioned to be? Their most of the churches in Houston, except gation whose elders would fellowship rhetoric is fascinating, but their fellow- those who are "way out" and such as such actions as brother Chalk's and the ship is deafening! We cannot hear their those fellowshipping the "Houston Semi- things I have been discussing in this propaganda because of the noise of their nar!" paper. Brother Baxter, I am sorry that running mates. How long before they your religious convictions are so "imma- will come join with us, should they under- NASHVILLE, BELMONT AND FINTO ture" that you can carry on with those take to free their image of this "liberal Nor would the Restoration Movement who welcome into their fellowship such group" now in power at Highland since have looked upon a preacher with "out- liberals as John Allen Chalk, Lynn An- most of us "trouble makers" have moved stretched arms" of fellowship who would derson, Bob Scott. Walter Burch (remem- out and left them' in peace ? Most of appear on a "seminar" with his dear ber you were in fellowship with Burch all those who opposed all this liberal group's wife, in Nashville, Tennessee, with Don during the Herald of Truth workshop taking over Highland and the Herald Finto, as do the elders of Highland and here in Abilene last August), Harold of Truth for which we have fought, have brother Baxter. a f t e r the Highland Straughn, John Wilson, Stanley Shipp, MOVED OUT! Brethren, honestly, will Church had tried to make the people Wendell Broom, and C. Bruce Davis, Min- you just "fold up your tents" and "close believe they do not condone Don Finb ister of Education at Highland. Many of your eyes" and embrace this group of and the Belmont Church of Christ in the above fellowship Don Finto, Wesley liberals - Finto, Burch, Reagan, Strau- Nashville, Tennessee, in what they are Reagan, Steven Molnar, and some will not ghn, Bob Scott, Steve Molnar, John Wil- doing. Who was that preacher who went repudiate Pat Boone; and on I could go. son, Chalk of Highland, who was in to Belmont, and when? Was it two years I could include the Basses, the Jollys, the Nashville working w it h Finto while ago? No, it was November 22 through Cothrans, who are active members at brother Barter was proclaiming "peace November 25 of 1973. Rather current, Highland now. May I remind you again, in the valley at Highland?" Will you would you not say? Who was the preach- brother Baxter, the Restoration Move- stay with this group just because they er? It was a young man whom I have ment came out of all such "liberals" to "back you?" Was brother Baxter fel- dearly loved, but with whom I cannot restore the church that we older men lowshipping and upholding b r o t h e r now agree. It was and is John Allen have helped make possible for you today; Chalk's being in Nashville recently with Chalk, now attending and in full fellow- and now it seems, brother Baxter, you David Lipscomb's ousted teacher, Don ship with the Highland Church of Christ are playing the church right back into Finto? If not, how could brother Baxter here in Abilene, Texas. He was the their ranks. Brother Baxter, I wonder be singing "peace at Highland" unless chosen speaker for the eulogy honoring what your dear father would have done? the elders intended to keep John Allen Dr. Bessire of the Highland Church of 17. WHY UNITED? I ask and press Chalk (of "Midnight Cowboy fame") Christ, and also leads the prayers at the question again: Why are the elders active in their fel!owship at Highland Highland. at Highland "united?" It is very simple: while he worked with Finto who was Those of us who have the truth and had eliminated from David Lipscomb College 16. S T R A N G E CONTRADICTION: because of his liberalism? It would seem About this time in Nashville, while John the courage to speak out against this denominational, charismatic, "li bera 1" to me that Chalk's actions wibh Finto Allen was appearing in Nashville with this November while brother Baxter'was Don Finto, our brother Baxter was speak- element at Highland felt compelled to move out and leave it-with the brethren telling the preachers and churches in ing at a preachers' luncheon telling them Nashville that all is "peaceful down that everything is "all right down High- who fellowship and use this liberal element while condemning all of us who Highland's way" will pose a rather em- land's way." What about the "Finto Cor- barrassing situation with brother Bax- ral?" He said all the elders are now stand for truth. We did not cause con- fusion and throw a "mob scene" in our ter and the eight remaining elders at together, leaving the impression that the Highland.

Chapter I11 CONCLUSIONS UNANSWERABLE

Last, I wish you who read my answer frustrate, sicken, anger, and blind these elders and condemning me and the three to Highland's Special Report in which same elders until these same elders said elders who left them, together with they have blamed me for all their frust- and did to them what they have to me? brethren Cawyer and Willeford for being ration, sickness, anger, and blindness to Why did my defense of truth and my at this great, young congregation st their Christian priniples, to ponder well pleadings for the elders to'rid Highland North 5th and Grape Streets, have you this last plea I am making in this answer of all such that Highland be not hurt been honest with yourselves, with us, in to their misrepresentations of this entire nor our radio and television program be trying to find out what the truth really affair. dominated by such liberal elements so is? WE WONDER WHY? anger them as to cause them to "fire Ask yourselves honestly this question: me" but keep every false teacher in full Why did they get rid of Harper, Wille- I wonder why those who have taught fellowship at Highland? THIS IS SOME-' ford, Cawyer, the three remaining men all these errors, who caused all this trou- THING TO PRAY ABOUT, BRETH- who were in the beginning of Herald of ble by their false doctrines, did not so REN. You who are upholding these Truth, who fought bheir battles all over this nation, and keep every false teacher forts how that I did and ncvw Bob Bailey and I made to have Highland and her in their fellowship? Why try to destroy (a deacon who was a member of the com- program when no others would, and that the three elders who wrote the "minority mittee that gave to me that much-fam- before I knew I would ever be one of the reportm-men who had been elders there ous, March 26 letter terminating me from speakers on the program. I feel you for years-and uphold Chalk, Anderson. Herald of Truth Program) told Pat Mc shmld weep and bathe your heart in Bob Scott, Harold Straughn, Wendell Gee that I did wrong in debating the rivers of tears and the good church and Broom, John Wilson, Stanley Shipp, Wal- Herald of Truth with the Guardian group. school where you work should say, ter Burch; use Tony Ash's TV scripts; He said I should have just "loved" them "Brother Baxter, prove the accusations fellowship the Basses, Jollys, Cothrans-- and won them. This is the criticism of you and the eight (8) elders have made many of whom indorse Don Finto, Ben me now. They say I should never have against E. R. Harper." Franklin, Jim Reynolds, and some Pat opposed those who have caused all this A CONTRAST Boone and even Ketcherside; and Lfynn trouble and that I should have just loved Anderson w h o fellowships Don Finto. them out of this error instead. This is May I give you a short history con- Walter Burch, defies elders to "ban from the most deceptive argument ever pre- trasting the above with what I did in the church" those who think they "have sented by those who have error to im- 1955 for this program and that without to speak in tongues" and who is a bosom pose upon a church. We met this with one dime remuneration from Highland. friend to Chalk, Finto, Harold Straughn, the Premillennialists for a generation. I delivered some twenty or more radio Stanley Shipp. and uses the Basses, When any group begins this approach, manuscripts and conducted two debates praises publicly the Jollys before High- just know they have a motive not "open for the program in 1955 and received not land, and calls on Cothran for his pray- and above board." This approach has one dime for any of this work. I was ers? We who live here and who have never failed to identify those who are the local preacher for the Highland fought the battles for Highland and the trying to cover up their designing abjec- Church of Christ. Our program wab Herald of Truth know many of these are tives. Teaching and practicing love? Oh, ready to close down. Brother Nichols had considered to be in ssmpathy with and yes! But not this kind of "love." We can resigned to give full time to his business. some known to be "all out" for the Char- spot this kind of "love" the moment it They were not able to hire another man, ismatic Movement. surfaces. Brother Bob is by the "under- bring him here, furnish him a home. They asked me what I would charge Remember, the group mentioned above ground," being groomed for an elder. This true, he will be one elder who will them to prepare and deliver the manu- are all, as far as I know, to a man and scripts. I asked them what they were woman, opposed to those of us who are not defend truth in debate with those in error. You need to read Romans 16:17; paying brother Willeford. mhey s a i d fighting the battles for the c h u r e h $150.00 per week except when he was against all errors. The elders there know I Cor. 5:6-7; Titus 1:9-13; and 2 John 9-11. These are the scriptures the elders conducting meetings. They did not pay this to be true. It is on tapes, manu- him a dime those weeks. I told them scripts and letters from brethren over have refused to obey and hence all this "anger, sickness, frustration, and blind- he could not live like that. They were the nation 'who have heard many of astonished when I told them churches these, including brother Anderson's lect- ness to their Christian principles." Had they been willing to abide by them (in- would not pay a man enough back then ures and tapes. Why so bitter AGAINST to do what Brother Willeford would b'e us but so FOR them? stead of casting out those of us who have tried to plead with them to remove called upon to do. I told them that in WHY? this "leaven" that is still within the more than 75% of all my meetings I Last, in this paragraph I press the "lump"-the church at Highland), all would have been better off financially question: Why is it that many of the of us would be at Highland now, united, to have remained home, for it cost me outstanding men who debated for and and all this ugly affair would never have not less than my expenses there and back defended Highland and her program re- been ours to weep !bitter tears #becauseof more than I received. They were sur- fuse so to do today? Yes, why brethren? its happening. You know this is the prised at what they had been paying Does this say "nothing to you who read trouble. preachers. Since then men who came to this?" We are not all "renegades" hav- OUR THANKS Highland were supported better. ing sold out to error and trying to sabo- Brother Baxter, that is the thanks I THE PROMISE tage the church. Such men as brethren now get for defending the program that I told them if they were only support- Guy Woods, Tom Warren. Roy Deaver, it might live and I received not a dime ing brother Willeford to that amount, Alan Highers, Garland Elkins, Gus Nich- for this defense back then and was and if the program were in Mat condi- ols, Franklin Camp, G. K. Wallace,. my- "fired" March 26, 1973 without retire- tion, I would do the work brother Nich- self and scores of others who have de- ment. I am condemned now by one of ols had been doing over radio, conduct fended in debates and lectures the High- your leading, wealthy deacons who may the two debates I Bad already promised, land church of Christ and her Herald of emerge as a "loving elder" who will not and try to live off my $150.00 per week Truth Program, will no longer defend defend the truth in debate with errors salary. I was promised that, if any them. We all will defend the "principle" trying to take over Highland! Brother changes were made with brother Wille- that allows such programs, but not High- Baxter, I believe I am willing to match ford, they would make the same with me. land as she is now. Name one of the "sources" with yours. Brother Baxter, This went on for a few weeks and one men now in fellowship wiath Highland where are you headed? Where will you day #brother Reese, as the result of a who debated addefended this propam and this liberal group end? I honestly conversation between the two of us, told that it might live (as the men I have feel that you are heading in the wrong me that he felt he should tell me that just listed in this paragraph)-and yet direction in defending this group who they wer e paying brother Willeford brethren are condemning us, and Reuel will condemn the one man who has been $100.00 per week during his meetings. Lemmons attacking us in his paper. (Of the shoulders upon Whom the life of your I said to brother Reese, "Well, I knew course, he endorses Don Finto and ad- program has depended to a great degree. he could not live on what you were pay- vised brother Landon ~aundersto attend You know this! The brotherhood knows ing, and it is hard for me to do your Finto's Seminar at Belmont in Nashville this! Oh, I know, they will write, Harper local work, prepare these radio sermons, and defended Pat Boone's appearance is trying to take all the credit! No, not prepare for these two debates, do the with Oral Roberts. I suppose for such at all! But I know, had it not been for local work of a preacher and go over the as this, he may be honored as "Dr. Lem- me, you would not have had the building country speaking for the program on mons.") now at Highland,.NOR the Herald of Brother Baxter, where are you in this? what I am getting just for my local Truth. This you know! Bob Bailey, a work." I suggested that they promised You never did defend your program in deacon, who may be an elder, condemn- public debate. All of you know my ef- me the same as they did (brother Wille- ing the hard sacrificial efforts my wife ford, $100.00 per week for my sermons, for that was what they were paying him HIGHLAND BREAKS POSTAL LAWS caused to become the most powerful in- extra during his meetings. fluence for righteousness since the deabh Of all the deceptive schemes that have of the last apostle in the closing of the been perpetrated by the elders of the first century of Ohristianity. NEVER A DIME TO THIS DAY Highland Church of Christ, the worst Though they owed me that promise for one I shall now relate to you who read This is nfo light, insignificant, shrug- my work, to this day I have never re- this reply to their recent Highland re- of-the-shoulders or "what-of-it" affair, ceived one dime. They were asked by port regarding me and the three elders nor an "all-congregations-have-problems" one of our most faithful workers at now at the Church of Cihrist at North plea being made by Highland to bhrow Highland at that time, to give me and 5th and Grape streets in Abilene, Texas. you off your guard. Not all congrega- my wife a "paid vacation," that is, all An eldership that will resort to such an tions have such problems as these at expenses. They said they were not able. act of law-violation to deceive Christians Highland. Yours do not include Federal My work for Highland during 1955 saved that tlhey may get their money, I feel Postal Law violators as do theirs. This the "program" and saved Highland some has little room to criticize anyone for plea that "all churches have their prob- $7,500 and more for an extra preacher anything, much less advise them to con- lems" and %hat should not be brought to take brother Nichols' place. I loved sider "their sources." (Aren't you breth- into this" has blinded so many. Phey do the prograni enough to make that sacri- ren ashamed?) have them but NOT LIKE THESE WE fice for it. Yet brother Baxter tells you This I shall now relate to you is a HAVE. These are "all doctrine" not to "consider the sources." Well, brother fact. Thousands have he evidence in "judgments and methodology." Ours are Baxter, I was one of those sources and their own homes, if they would only call DOCTRINAL errors! had it not been for this "source," I say their post office and contact their post- without apology, you would not have be- master or their postal secret service THE DECEPTION come the '"television star" you now are. man. They may write the Federal Postal The most I have ever received per week The deception attached is this David Bureau, Washington, D.C. and confirm Lipscomb white envelope with t~heHigh- for my work was $200.00, and bhat only what I am writing just now. the last two or three years of my work land Church of Christ's mailing permit with Highland in my late sixties. And THE FACTS in the upper right hand comer. It is this then you drawing from $12,000 to "permit" that violates the "Federal Post- You who received the white envelope al Law!' Take the one you received to $20,000! - not a debate to defend the with David Lipscomb College's return program; having most of your manu- your postmaster and ask him if I address thoughk that was done by the telling the truth. Ask him! Then ask scripts all written for you; myself and college in Nashville, Tennessee, in co- others traversing this nation begging yourself this question: "Am I a law- operation with the elders at Highland abiding Christian to uphold the law, or money for you to remain on the program, who are supposed to be "over" the Her- and you now accuse me and them of hav- shall I uphold the Highland Church of ald of Truth. At the close of this dis- Christ in their deliberate violation of this ing "told only part of the story." of hav- cussion I shall present the absolute proof ing presented a distorted view," and our law." It is your decision to make. I that the college knew absolutely nothing have made mine. I stand on the side of criticisms are "incomplete and inaccur- about this unchristian, deceptive scheme. ate" and warning bhem to "consider their the law. This is smelling more like a What you who read this may do or think, "religious Watergate" the furtJher you sources." Brother Baxter! Brother Bax- I have no way of knowing only as you ter ! "investigate." Honestly, are you who react to such law violations as expressed read this going to condemn me and up- DID NOT KNOW? by you personally. This is a violation hold them in this "religious Watergate," Brother Baxter, we LIVED IN IT, of our federal law that should not be deceptive plot? Remember, God is look- WITH IT, A PART OF IT, and with it passed by lightly; and those guilty of ing on! on TOP OF US, while you lived a 1000 such an act should come to trial at the miles away, in another state, knowing judgment councils of Christian men and You ask: "What is the 'violation'?" mostly what you were told by those who women. Here it is. The Federal Postal Authori- had taught all this error; by those who I realize some will just close their ties granted to the David Lipscomb Col- were defending those who taught the eyes, stop their ears, and harden their lege a permit to be used with this parti- errors, and who have kept them, every hearts against me for exposing such cular folder carrying with it the return one with Highland. Then to have the heinous acts of law violations, but the of David Lipscomb College, Nashville, audacity to say of us, we did not have God of heaven has it written in His Tennessee. This folder can carry no "complete and accurate information" and heavenly law book recording the delilber- other permit unless granted to them by "distorted" our reports, and "consider ate, deceptive law violators among His the holder of this return. This permission their sources!" This hurts too deeply for church while they live here on earth. Highland did not have. This I shall now words ! This act to destroy honest men who are prove to you. This shows the deception endeavoring to uphold God's laws shall on the part of Highland. Why did they I wish the elders where you work not go unpunished. It may deceive people not ask? They knew David Lipscorn15 would humbly request thalt you bring here and for a time trample under their might not grant it to them! By this forth clear and factual proof that the feet the truth of God's Word as did the folder carrying David Lipscomlb's return accusations made by these elders, which violators of both the spiritual and moral address, it would give the appearance report you affirm, are an "open, honest. laws of an age that brought to us the Ohat the college was backing Highland and decisive dealing" with this issue. Catholic Church, divided Protestantism and condemning Harper and those fight- You further affirm that their action has or has cursed the church of the late eigh- ing for truth with him. This it did- been both courageous and "reassuring!' teen and early nineteen hundreds when and many began sending t'housands of I am willing to meet you in Nashville there was born the digressive "Christian dollars believing that the college was before all the churches, let you make Ohurch." Men of these ages laugh4 to backing Highland, together with believ- these accusations, present your proof scorn those who were trying to save the ing the Hillsboro Church of Christ was that I have done as accused by them and ohurch from such liberal deceivers who indorsing hhe Highland elders and their by you, namely: disturted the truth and possessed the native ability to charm and accusations in this report mailed out to told only a part of the story. I deny brain-wash good, innocent people w h o them, and that Brother Baxter had pre- every word of these accusations and am trusted ehem. Men who by so doing, sented the truth in his letter inclosed in willing to meet you and brother Haddox caused to be hated bhe men who pre- this white folder. Nothing can be farther by myself alone. I can do no more, but served the church that we of the South- from the truth! this I will do! ern "Bible Belt" have inherited and Page 12

your heart and your deep and abiding The three (3) elders at North 6th QUOTATIONS SUPPORTING and Grape Street Church of Christ MY LETTER concern for the gospel of Christ." Signed by Willard Collins. were in all those elders meetings at From a letter written to me, January Highland. We do have accurate and 23, 1974, by brother Willard Collins, This, Brother Collins knows too well, complete information.. For this you V i c e President of Lipscomb College, for I have been with him since he was should apologize. Nashville, Tennessee, I give you excerpts. 24 years old, when I was associated wibh It is too long to give it all. Some of it him in one of the great meetings at Old Brother Baxter, there is no greater manner of degradinq a-friend such as I is not related to the issue. Excerpts re- Hickory, Tmnessee. lated to this specific issue read as fol- BROTHERHOOD'S HOUR have been to you than to just say, "Oh, lows: "I would like to give the following OF DECISION well, consider the source. He has dis- answer to sct the record straight. Neith- torted the truth." That expression has Now the decision is yours to make. I er President Athens Clay Pullias nor brought to surface a disposition that has have replied to, yes, answered their de- lived in every man i have known who has any member of the Lipscomb administra- ceptive letter mailed out to you in de- tion gave permission either to the High- created for himself an image of being ceptive envelopes Highland either bought "too kind to say anything that will hurt land Avenue congregation or to the Her- or made up themselves, stamped with ald of Truth to mail out this statement anyone." Endanger their "idd" and the their own permit with Lipscomb's usurp- dagger of death plunges deep to the from the eight elders at Fifth and High- ed return, in open violation of the Federal land in the large white folder with David heart of those who oppose them. This Postal Laws of our nation. BROTHER you have done to those of us who have Lipscomb College listed as the return BAXTER SHOULD RESIGN, REPUDI- address." The letter further states: "It fought your battles to keep alive t~he ATE SUCH ACTIONS. CLEAR HIS Herald of Truth that you might be hon- is my understanding from the postal au- NAME, REMOVE ALL CRITICISM thorities here in Nashville that the postal ored to be the speaker on both radio and FROM THE HILLSBORO CHURCH OF TV. This is our thanks! Should I live authorities in Abilene should have stop- CHRIST, WHERE HE IS THE BE- ped this mailing. The mailing permit to be 100 years old, the hurt of these IAVED PREACHER, AND FROM DA- words coming from a young man I have used on the folder is not a permit as- VID LIPSCOMB COLLEGE, WHERE signed to David Lipscomb College. The loved and for whom I have stayed away HE IS HEAD OF THE BIBLE DE- from my wife for two months at a time return address should designate the hold- PARTMENT, DIRECTING YOUR SONS er of the permit used in a mailing of raising money for your program, when this kind. When the two are different, AND DAUGHTERS IN CHRISTIAN she was in her late sixties and early as it was in the case mentioned above, DECISIONS AND ACTIONS. One is seventies and not well! That hurt can made to wonder if he is holding up to the postmaster of the originating post never cease though I can forgive a thou- office should see to it that written per- them such actions as those deceptive sand times! Those words were inexcus- mission has been granted from the source schemes and law violations of the High- able! They express the real feelings in of the return address to the holder of the land elders in A,bilene as the Christian your heart and the hearts of those who way of life. permit before the mailing is permitted would violate the Federal Postal Laws to pass through the originating post of- Brobher Baxter, you cannot evade your of our nation that elders might destroy fice for delivery." (Emphasis by ERH.) responsibility in this affair, for you have those who have upheld the truth and written t h e s e condemning accusatiqns begged the elders to surrender those Now read this statement and ask: teaching, preaching and defending errors. "What have we been supporting? What against us and because of your indorsement of the "courageous and reassuring'" The Judgment will take care of it all- has brother Baxter been upholding and but too late! recommending to us that we support?" actions of the Highland elders as you It reads,. "Permission was not requested wrote November 26, 1973, in your article RETIRED WITH HONOR nor granted for this mailing." They did "To Whom It May Concern." You said: Brother Baxter, do you fecl that I was this to the college without their knowl- 1. Their "defensive statement": "Hon- "retired with honor" as you suggested in edge or pern~ission. Brethren, are you est and decisive" in dealing with your letter of August, 1973, to.Jackson, still going to close your eyes to what is the problem. Honest, you say? Tennessee, I should be? Do you? When going on here at Highland and keep con- 2. "The Highland elders are good men all tihese false accusations by you and demning us for lifting our voices and who believe in the inspiration and the elders have been charged against me begging for a "house-cleaning" here at authority of the scriptures, and who before I was offered this "trick retire- the Highland Church of Christ in Abi- are determined to lead the Highland ment," being called "Harper's Zipper lene, Texas? What would you have done Church and the Herald of Truth Check?" How would you feel, brother had you been here and seeing all these work in scriptural paths." (To be- Baxter, if Hillsboro Church of Christ or things taking place? What would you come Federal Postal Law Violators David Lipscomb College should fire you elders have done? Would you have sur- to deceive the brethren and cast under such conditions as Highland has rendered the church and the truth to admitted they did me, and then write you "liberal,~denominational, reflection upon a good college? Are this Charismatic t h e s e scriptural paths," brother and suggest that they will restore your element" and then so do, as the Highland Baxter?) Then you say, "their ac- retirement IF the Hera1.d of Truth will elders here and brother Baxter, betray tions have been courageous and re- send it to Hillsboro and if the Alumni the Lord's church into such hands? Well, assuring." It does, for "sure" take Association of DLC would send it in to we could not! "courage" to break Federal Postal them, but neither the church nor the DAVID LIPSCOMB COLLEGE'S Laws! college would promise you one dime for REQUEST the work you have done for them, after 3. You say, "After a person has read having made to those who send the Collins' letter to me further reads, all of bhe criticism, has considered money all these hard, unkind accusations "President Pullias is now in contact with their merits and their sources, etc.," against you that you brethren have the elders of Fifth and Highland congre- then he must make "a very simple charged against me? Would you feel gation in Abilene and he is requesting decision." this would be "Retirement with Honor?" that a written explanation and retraction Do you? be made." 4. You also accuse us of giving "only part of the story" and having "pre- Do you not know that this offer to me Brother Collins has expressed my feel- sented a distorted view as a resulst in the manner in which it was offered ing in this in these words: "It is my of incomplete or inaccurate infor- was for two reasons: (1) To stop my conviction that a Christian must be for mation." Remember, Cawyer and I opposition to their defense of all this the right and against the wrong. I know were.with this from *e beginning. liberal, Qhcirisrnati.: element admitted to be in Highland and their defenders, and, elder. You could hear it, but not have a the decisions for Highland, Harper or (2) to keep Herald of Truth alive by copy. MY. MY. MY. Why not let us the elders?" Is it? (I would bow my making the church to feel that Highland have a copy? I was told by the elders head in shame for such accusations, Church of Christ was somy for what they that it would hurt Highland and kill our brother Haddox.) Won't you good people had done to me and was nlow repenting, program with the brotherhood. try to find out the other side? I am writing the absolute truth! that they were restoring my retirement It was three (3) months before I man- IF THOSE IN RADIO AND TV LAND aged to get a copy - and I had worked 'Brother Hill was Ben Franklin's moderator in would just send it to them. But not one for them for 28 years! Brother Haddox the Woods-Franklin Debate on the Holy Spirit dime from Highland as a church was told them bhat "whoever let me have question. offered nor did they say, '$brother Har- that copy would answer to the Lord." I LATEST REGARDING THE JOLLYS per, return to your office with your replied: "Those who kept that tape from books, now packed in boxes to ruin in a being heard at Highland and by the In January of 1974 (rather current, side room onto the garage across the brotherhood that they might know what I should think), Highland began what street from you." No, they did not she is, would answer before God at the the church everywhere calls the "Bus promise to provide me with an air-condi- Judgment." And they shall. Brethren, Ministry." They invited brother Quinn, tioned office. They did offer to help me you who read this, what is wrong that of Nashville, to come to Highland and move my books into a "catch-all, little such things can go on and on and on? help them begin this with a rather great room" in the back corner of my small event at the Highland church building. yard IF I WOULD MOVE THEM OUT GREW WORSE There is nothing wrong with a Biblical IN TWO WEEKS AND FIVE DAYS; bus ministry. It can accomplish good if THAT WAS, BY THE 15th OF APRIL, This grew worse and worse. Finally, directed correctly and by loyal brethren 1973. I was "cast out" March 26, two you in the brotherhood were told by of the congregation. weeks and five days before. brother Baxter and the "elder majority" at Highland that all these Charismatic GUESS WHO THE CHARISMATIC JOLLYS families had been taken care of and that Yes, you have it. The JOLLYS were At first, it was the Jollys at 16th and they were no longer active in the work made the leading directors of this "Bus Vine Street Church; then the Jollys at at Highland; this is what you were Ministry." Dr. Grady Jolly, husband of the Highland Church of Christ; then the caused to believe. Now, wasn't it! It is sister Nell Jolly, was made the "Captain organization of the "Nell Jolly's Young not true; never has been true; and I do of the Bus Ministryw-with his picture Ladies Bible Class," of which my daugh- not believe it ever shall be true! in Highland's Bulletin. On January 16, ter became a member; then sister Jolly's The Basses, the Cothrans, the Wendell Highland's Bulletin, under the caption, being brought before the elders for a "THE BUS," said, "With Walter Martin, reprimand for her suggestions regard- Brooms (his wife teaches the Jolly Bible Class and she and Nell Jolly are bosom Katherine Broom,. and the JOLLIYS, one ing the Holy Spirit, with a promise she driving, one writing, we picked up 23 would not repeat it. Then ONE YEAR friends to sister Jack Hill, who attendrd Nell's class all the time-and still does I bus riders.. ." Then, "In 10 degree LATER sister Jolly's notorious recorded weather, eight hardy souls gathered at defense of the Charismatic Movement, am told). Who are the Jack Hills?'" They are the directors of the "Business the FARM (This was the Jolly farm, upholding the right to speak in tongues, brother Baxter. ERH) to knock perform miracles (an elder present in Men's Pentecostal Fellowship National Organization." Jack one time worked doors . . ." The closing part of this the class, Foster Cox). And, finally, her paragraph read, "Workers in this temp- defense of modern revelations. here at Highland. The Hills claim to cast out demons! Brethren, this thing erature (several were named, the last Then we began to read in the High- here is a MESS! It was the Jack Hills being), the Jollys." (All underscoring land Bulletin of the activities "down on that Highland was said to publicly mine. ERH) (Walter Martin is a nice the Jolly Farm." We were asked by "mark" or "withdraw from" about a year young boy. ERH) some from Vine Street, "Has Nell Jolly ago. They had not been members at Here you have the "Bussing Jollys" taken over Highland?" An elder told me Highland for some five years and had they had warned the elders at Highland in this "teaching, preaching ministry" been away from the state for a number as the leading characters. It would be of the Jollys, but brethren, WHO CARES of years. How could they do such a much better to allow sister Jolly to have what is going on today in the church! thing ? Many do, but not nearly enough. Our her small class, most of whom came l e a d i n g papers, colleges, publishing In addition to all these, brother Ander- with her from 16th and Vine, than have houses, and congregations should be ex- so11 is still holding up this Jolly group her where she now is "teaching and posing all this "attempted takeover," before the congregation; and their de- preaching on the bus." Brother Baxter, calling their names and marking them fenders are dominating the church. All she is still TEACHING. You told the as commanded by the Word in Romans these to this date are still active in the elders at the workshop last August that 16:17. What money, prestige, power and affairs at Highland; and some of their you would not preach for an eldership "fear" will keep us from doing! It costs defenders are slated to become elders that would keep these Oharismatic teach- to do what I have and am doing! My fam- soon. ers, that they would have to get rid of ily and I know. I need that retirement them. Now we shall see how sincere All Ohis is the absolute truth bu't WHO you were. that is mine; but I shall not accept it CARES, REALLY? Many do 'but have only, as brother Baxter said, "wibh hon- no unified way of combatting it. Brother Baxter, in your report in- or!" We must not forget the Harold Strau- closed in your letter of Nove'mber 26, THE UPROAR ghns who wrote the notorious book for 1973, you write, "They (the elders) have Finally, all this brought an "uproar" t h e Herald of Truth Correspondence taken decisive action concerning th e that was "heard around the world," re- Courses which book was mailed to hun- small handful of charismatic sympathiz- ligiously speaking. Sister Jolly recorded dreds until my daughter came to me ers at Highland. Actually there are no her defense of the Charismatics, or "Cha- with it and I went to Art Haddox about Highland members who speak in tongues rismates" as I sometimes refer to them! it. The Straughns are still here. I am or claim to have the special gifts of the The elders were refused a copy of the "fired." All this group and more, still Holy Spirit. There are no charismatic sympathizers among the elders of the tape unless 'brother A. A. (Buddy) Wade here-and every one who begged and would promise not to let anyone, not prayed that this all be corrected before Highland Ohurch." Question: Why have the elders kept all of them then? even another elder, have a copy unless it got to the pu>blic have been cast out! that elder would promise not to let any- Can you explain this? Is the trouble This "handful" of "charismatic sym- one else have a copy unless he was an just "methodology" or who sthall "make pathizers" includes the Basses, the Jol- lys, the Cothrann and Highland local min- Jolly Farm for their Thursday-night de- Contending for the Faith would not have ister brother Lynn Anderson, who de- votionals? How angry are you over this been written ha& it not been for this un- clared on November 12, 1972 (taped), recent honor bestowed upon this Charie- Ohrisrtian letter handed to me. They have that you cannot "ban from the church" matic-defending family? You know the made the first move every time and de- nor "KICK OUT" those who think "you truth on this! Are you going to resign manded that I keep quiet and nvt answer have to speak in tongues." That you as you affirmed to them you would if back. cannot "call them some kind of third- these families were not let out at High- You who read this, how many of you class Christians. I do not feel that way land? Or shall you do as others, com- did I write before you either wrote me, . . ." It includes the deacons who denied promise with error and the liberals now. called, or asked me in person FIRST? these ladies were teaching error, and endeavoring to justify your and their How many of you? who affirmed their full and complete de- actions to salvage the Herald of Truth? I tried every way possible to keep this fense of brother Anderson, saying he Just remember: "As goes Highland, so taught nothing wrong. It includes broth- within the lmal congregational action to eventually goes the Herald of Truth!" clean up Highland before it surfaced be- er Neal McLesky, an elder, who argued Just with one "stroke of your tongue" with me over the telephone that I was fore the brotherhood and hurt Highland you could correct it all and all of us be and shamed the beautiful image the Her- misrepresenting sister Nell Jolly and behind you. Just say, "Get rid of them sister Jo Bass. It includes brother Foster ald of Truth program had created with all; fill your pulpit with a man who is us and before our religious neighfbors. Cox who is on tape, while an elder, accepted by the solid men of the church, endorsing fully Sister Jolly's defense of fill y o u r classes with unquestionable This Oharismatic element and their this Charismatic Movement. (He later teachers as are some of your classes, defenders took advantage of my deep resigned, not because he was required select writers recommended by the men and abiding love for the Highland Church to but for his own reasons. He offered whom you know are sound in the faith, of Christ w,here I had worked for 28 to resign, I understand, the night High- and let Highland just admit her sins, years; of my devotion to Herald of Truth land had such a "mob scene" when the repent of them, correct them, without for which I had fought in debates and elders announced that brother Anderson having to first condemn, cover up the all over the nation that it might live had been asked to resign; but brother truth, and lay all their angry actions, since its beginning in my office; and Cox did not. They needed his vote to sickened feelings, frustrated emotions, "gambled" (I guess this is the correct bring brother Anderson back as local a n d blinded duties to their Christian word) on my keeping quiet lest I, at my minister. This may be denied; but it was principles upon one of the most faithful age and the health of my wife, might be told me by elders at that time.) friends they ever had, Ernest R. Harper. fired and without a job and nowhere to I know what went on-and what is You know this is the truth. go at three score and 15 (plus.). going on now. There are other families I CALL YOU TO THEY GAMBLED WRONG at Highland now who sympathize with ACCOUNT THIS DAY this element and who would not publicly In this they "gambled wrong!" I was oppose those who advocate such. They I humbly call all of you to account this not conceived in cowardice; born of de- are having trouble with them now. (May day that you have read nothing from my ception; nor nurtured and trained to ma- 5-14, 1974). I know what happened with pen regarding all this shameful, heart- turity by a father and mother who taught "Christian Homes." You know this ele- breaking situation at t h e Highland me td. betray that which I believe to be ment is still here. You see, "Christian Church of Christ here in Abilene, Texas, fundamentally a n d unerringly r i g h t Homes" is not under Highland. They save one article that appeared in Con- scripturally. That which is of absolute have board members not of Highland tending for the Faith. This was four necessity to the salvation of lost man- who objected to this Highland lady work- months after I had received my now ad- kind-the preservation of the Word of ing for the home who was an active mitted unchristian letter, signed by A. God and the blessed church bought by member of the Jack Hill Pentecostal L. (Dusty) Rhodes, who was only a dea- the precious blood of Christ our Lord- Movement here in Abilene. They had to con at Highland. Not an elder's name I will defend! I shall not, nearing 77, let her go, I understand. signed to it! betray that for which I have fought for 50 years if I have to beg for bread! My letter was an answer to their letter WHERE ARE THE BASSES to me, a letter that has cursed them even Had not my father believed these I press the question: Where are the to this day, though they have tried to principles to he "absolutes" in the sal- Basses? They are in full fellowship make you believe *hey have apologized to vation of men, he would never have left with the church and have been all me and corrected their unchristian at- the Baptist Church where he served as a through the entire affair--called on for tack upon me. When you read the en- deacon, Sunday soh001 superintendent, prayer and active in the work at High- tirety of this answer to their report, I and a delegate to their Baptist Associ- land. They have made no public con- feel you will see they did not intend ations, which associations I attended fession of errors, nor of false teachings. for it to be an apology for anything with my dear father when I was a little but a very cunning attempt to make boy. He would not have suffered alcl the WHERE ARE THE JOLLYS them appear as weeping penitents while criticisms of his dearest friends and the Where are the JOLLYS? Dr. Jolly is at the same time destroying my honor, heartaches received from his own rela- the "Captain of the Bus Ministry." Sis- reputation ad my influence w ith a tives had he not believed these truths ter Jolly is "riding the busses" in this brotherhood that has known at all times and loved the church the Lord built. I "reaching, teaching, and preaching bus where I stood on all issues confronting have three brothers who have not sur- ministry." the church. I have never had to "explain rendered the church for the Charismatics what I meant to say but did not say," as nor the liiberal, denominational sympa- Brother Baxter, is this the way the brother Baxter asserted brother Lynn thizers. My brother, Sam H. Harper, Hillshoro elders where you work would has preached in and around Little Rock take care of such a doctrinally rebellious Anderson admitted. Yet I was "fired," but Lynn remains; and brother Baxter is for some 35 years, and if I do say it, is group? Would you so recommend to one of the great preachers of this time. them, such action? Do you favor this now defending him, so the report here goes. He is now retired from the postal service EXALTATION of the Jollys? Do you? and lives at Fair Field Bay, preaching Do you remember how angry you were THEY ACTED FIRST for the church at Shirley, Arkansas. We the night we left t,he church building This long reply would not have been, LEARNED THE TRUTH at the little at Getwell in Memphis when we were had it not been for this report signed church in Enola, Arkansas, twenty miles discussing Highland's sending the young by these eight (8) elders at the High- east of Conway. For 35 years, half of people-in their church busout to the land Ghurch of Christ. The article in his life, our father preached the gospel in that section of our state, baptizing in any paper on the issue, not having who felt they have to speak in tongues," scores of his friends. For 50 years, next spoken, only when invited, that I might not just innocent people wsho were not December, I will have been proclaiming answer the accusations made by them, able to understand some things. His man that same wonderful and beautiful story and now this report in which I am the had to speak in tongues! Remember of salvation through Christ our Lord; "villain" of the attack-it is "enough!" brother Lynn s a i d "the Charismatic and I shall not betray it now. Our I have decided to let the "axe fall on the Movement!" Sister Bass has taught fear father, Judge W. M. Harper of Enola root of the tree" and expose this for 25 years, "Teacher of the Year" in 1973; and Conway, Arkansas taught us the what it really is. "Enough is Enough!" Sister Nell Jolly a teacher for years at Vine Street and Highland. They are not truth. He preached five years for the I did my best for eight years-from church in Conway and served that church just "new comers." Here was a deliberate 1966 until July, 1973-to keep it within deception! These teachers have been at as an elder until his death. the "Highland Corral" (Ketcherside's ex- this for years. (You need my tape of pression); but they "broke out" of the ENOUGH IS ENOUGH 1966). corral, fired me, wrote all over the nation This report signed by these eight condemning me, and last, this deceptive BROTHER BAXTER, REMEMBER elders at Highland was too much! I have report PLUS this Federal Postal Law sat and have taken what they have writ- As Mark Antony said to Brutus at violation and the elevation of the Charis- ten and said about me-but this was the Caesar's funeral oration, "This, is the matic Jolly family to be Captain of their ultimate! had, as suggested, only one unkindest cut of all." In his letter I "reaching, teaching, and preaching Bus article in the papers; wrote only those of August 29, 1973, to the Central Church Ministry." These things I can take no who wrote to me, called me, or contacted of Christ, 1498 Campbell Street, Jackson, me in person, and spoke only when in- longer. This is the most shameful, dis- Tennessee 38301, brother Baxter said of graceful betrayal of the Lord's churc'h, vited. Highland had spoken at Fort Highland's brother Lynn Anderson trhese his truth, and innocent brethren into the Worth, Dallas, and Houston after which words: "His explanation of each of the hands of the "li~beral, denominationally- I was invited to speak because they felt items that I brought to his attention was orientated a n d Charismatic - attempted brother Haddox did not present affairs helpful, though I profoundly wish that take-over of the church" that I have wit- as they really were. Some of them felt he might have said what he now says nessed in my 66 years introduction to he was "covering up" and dodging the that he meant to say rather than some issues; and they invited brother Cawyer the church of Clhrist, 60 years of them of the loose statements that were made. and me to come. I was invited to the a memlber, and nearly 50 years a preach- I wish that he might have come to High- Memphis afternoon-and-evening recorder and defender of the truth taught by us. land after anobher five or ten years of ing of the Herald of Truth discussions. Yes, "enough is enough!" I make no maturing, so that these costly mistakes At first I decided not to stop by on the apology for what I have said, bhe pointed might not have been made!' (Bold face way home from Nashville, for I thought manner in which I have said it, and for mine for emphasis. ERH) Yet High- I was to be the only out-of-town repre- the men that I have exposed. If I have land kept him; and brother Baxter is sentative to meet the Abilene group. lost your respect and friendship, I am now defending him and those who have The closer I got to Memphis from Nash- sorry; yet I feel that I have gained the kept him as sound and honest and de- ville, the more I decided I should stop, respect of those who love the truth and pendable, having corrected all things! for my friends had invited me. They had of my Lord whose truth and church I am Bfother Baxter! Brother Baxter! fought so hard for the truth that I de- defending. I refuse to sell out to the Brother Baxter, these words relating cided I would n~e e t Highland single- 1 i b e r a 1, denomination - defending and to brother Anderson shall live through handed, aided by those in Memphis who Charismatic - determined effort to sabo- eternity, possibly, for they were true were defending the truth, if I never tage the church of our Lord for this words. He has said things much worse spoke again due to the condition of my Pentecostal craze of the Holy Spirit since you wrote that letter. He is still vocal cords caused by an operation. I group such as Pat Boone, Ben Franklin, backing the Basses, the Jollys, and the was never so surprised at what I met Jim Reynolds, Don Finto, Bob Scott. Cothrans, blowing Dr. Jolly up to the when I entered the place of meeting. Harold Straughn, Carl Ketcherside, Wes- sky. Have you compromised your de- There were brethren from six states ley Reagan, John Allen Chalk, the Basses, mands of the elders at the workshop last present. I had no idea how all of them the Jollys, the Cothrans, the Wendell August when you told brother Wade that stood; but it turned out that, before the Brooms, the Stanley Shipps, and yes, they shall have to get rid of these Char- evening ended, most opposed them. I their own brother Lynn Anderson, the ismatic teachers or get them another was invited to speak at the lectureship "Charismatic Movement" defender (who preacher? Or have you "wilted" beneath in San Francisco regarding the affairs declared from Highland's pulpit Sunday, the mighty hands of Art Haddox, Dusty at Highland. Brother Cawyer and I have November 12, 1972, that we should not Rhodes, Clois Fowler, Bob Bailey, Neal recorded our speeches. They were also "ban from the church, kick out, nor call McLesky, and the deacons who forced recorded at Fort Worth, Daellas, Houston, those who believe you have to speak in the elders to rescind their decision to and Memphis should you wish the other tongues as third-rate Christians"). terminate brother Anderson's service side. This is taped for all to hear should with the church because of his errors, Not having pressed this affair before you wish to hear. I have a copy of the and forced them, the elders, that very the public, not having but one article tape. Remember, he said that "those next night to ZEHIRE him without

THE MOST ASTONISHLNG PHENOMENON of all the AXE ON THE ROOT-Volume I ($1); many such now plaguing our brotherhood is the studied Volume I1 ($2) and Volume 111 ($2)...... determination with which countless thousands of The Set, $5.00 "us7'-great numbers of elders as well as preachers CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH, in included-steadfastly refuse to acknowledge there is bound volumes, for the years 1970, '71, '72 anything wrong! and '73. Each volume-I, 11, 111 and For thoy who REALLY WANT TO KNOW who and IV-$3.00...... The Set, $12.00 what have been undermining practically the whole RESTORATION MOVEMENT for at least a decade or Order both sets-or any single or combination of more from within, here are two sets of books that wiU volumes from CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH, Post help bring your information up to date: Office Box 26247, Birmingham, Alabama 35226. brother Anderson's making any acknowl- FAITHFUL BRETHREN, SISTERS AND edgements of wrongs, or errors, or to make any pron~isesthat he would repu- CONGREGATIONS ARE INVITED diate these views of his and preach bhe truth? No! But he returned with some TO HELP US GET THIS ISSUE TO demands of the elders what they should do before he would return. He told broth- EVERY CHURCH IN AMERICA! August1 1974 er Fletcher that he had not changed his 1- views! Dear Brethren: Brother Baxter, Brother Baxter, Broth- No doubt you all saw that enormously impressive report put out by er Baxter! And now you are the defend- Highland's Herald of Truth newspaper listing the hundreds and hundreds of er and upholder of this element and the congregations as well as thousands of individuals who are STILL SENDING IN condemner of those of us who have fought for the truth and opposed the er- TO THEIR SUPPORT, regardless of the effort being made by those in a position rors you admitted in your letter, just to know THE FACTS to warn us all that TRUTH is no longer of any real or read, that brother Anderson was teach- genuine concern to those now in control at Highland. ing things that were wrong. This letter What few of us seem to grasp is that not one single one of those faithful exonerates everyone of us whom you brethren who originated the Herald of Truth at Highland-and whose chief have advised others to "consider their sources" when they read our criticisms. concern was for the truth-remains any longer with the Highland church of What of your criticism that you wished Christ. They either are all dead-or have left Highland and now meet separately he had not come to Highland for some at the corner of Fifth and Grape, in Abilene. Those still living, who helped five or ten years yet." This is what we originate the Herald of Truth, are E. R Harper, who preached longer at Highland wish! You advise, "consider their (our) than any man in their history; W. F. Cawyer, former elder at Highland, who sources." Yes, you expect them to accept raised funds for Herald of Truth for 13 years; and James D. Willeford, who you and these liberally-minded, Charis- spoke for Herald of Truth for many years in its inception. Where are these matic defenders, as dependable "sources." brethren today? At Highland? Not on your life! They all have left Highland and May God he merciful to those who are now meet at the corner of Fifth & Grape. Why? For just one simple reason: confused and do not know. I CLOSE. AN INVITATION THE ABANDONMENT OF THE TRUTH BY THOSE NOW IN CONTROL Now, it is up to the brotherhood. I OF THE HERALD OF TRUTH! will meet and defend what I have written. As I was reading brother Harper's foregoing review of the Highland Elders' I hurt to the depths of my soul that "SPECIAL REPORT," it occurred to me that if we could get this report out to this has had to happen to a once happy, our brethren all across the land, surely the brotherhood as a whole will wake up loving, a n d peacefully - united church. to the fact that the apostatizing Highland church of Christ is something faithful This is what errors introduced and up- Christians who know the facts no longer can support. Now that you have read it held-and those teaching them defended, will fellowshipped and pushed to the "fore- for yourself, I am sure you agree that brethren who will not believe this frontu-always does if there are Chris- report would not be persuaded "though one rose from the dead." tians who love and are willing to defend Brethren, sisters and churches alike-do you want this issue made available to the truth and expose the errors. There every congregation in the brotherhood? Neither I nor the Shades Mountain were such at Highland. We rose up in brethren are able to put it there-alone. However, with your help and that of defense of truth! others like-minded, we can get the job done. It will depend on how much you Yours for Truth, care whether we are able to accomplish this or not. Be they $1, $10 or (Signed) $100~-get your contributions into the mail just as soon as you have finished ERNEST R. HARPER reading this-and either order bundles of copies to be sent out by you or instruct 2143 South 5th us to use what you send to get that many more copies of this issue distributed Abilene, Texas 79605 just as far as what you send will go. We do not have the enormous sums to spend P.S. Since concluding this reply to the for this, which Highland and Herald of truth, by your contributions, seems to article by the eight elders of the High- spend like water. However, if enough of you will contribute to this particular land Church of Christ here in Abilene, I effort, maybe we can at least get our thumb in the dike before the whole thing is have been confined to the hospital for a washed away! number of days due to a rather severe seizure affecting the #bloodvessels at @he Address all contributions to Contending For The Faith Fund, Shades base of the brain that affett ones phy- Mountain Church of Christ, Post Office Box 26247, Birmingham, Alabama sical balance and sight. They feel that 35226. IYR, Jr. I will recover to an average normal condition with respect to these physical attacks, but if I am anything like able, I Second Class Postage shall be willing to run bhe risk of the PA1 D destruction of those physical powers that at Birrnlngham. Ala. the truth I have printed, defended, and given to the brotherhood for our present and future protection, and that my re- POST OFFICE BOX 26247 ligious honor and integrity that have BIRMINGHAM. ALABAMA 35226 been respected for fifty years may still be proven worthy of your continued respect. I have told the truth. These accusations are facts-recorded, taped and written-so many of them, until such should serve as proof sufficient to cause faithful brethren still to believe us to be religiously honorable men. E.R.H. SHADES MOUNTAIN CHURCH OF CHRIST PRESENTS Volume V, No. 9 $2 Per Year; 3 Years $5

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GOODPASTURE, LUPER HELP INITIATE STRONG TEAM EFFORT IN BIRMINGHAM

Shades Mountain Elders, Preachers and Whole Church Are Set Both to Extend as Well as to Defend the Whole Counsel of God

September 15, 1974 may prove to be historic not only in Franklin Camp Lays Strong Foundation the annals of the Shades Mountain church of Christ, in Birmingham, Alabama, but it could prove to be a turning point Such strong congregations and elderships as Shades for the entire brotherhood of Christ-provided we have a Mountain, Birmingham don't "just happen;" they have to be sufficient overall response to the great, new team effort being planned and nurtured that way. When delving into the history launched here. of this exceptional church, the first thing you run into is the choosing of Franklin Camp, truly one of the great Bible It is not unusual any more to find a church with elders who scholars of our time, to be their first preacher. are enthusiastic to send the gospel "into all the world." And here and there over the brotherhood you will find such who For more than 30 years brother Camp has been arising at 4 are "set for the defense of the gospel." But to find these two o'clock in the morning and devoting more than six hours of traits combined within a single congregation and eldership every waking day to a careful, prayerful study of "thus saith these days is rare indeed. the Lord." When you consider the kind of deep-down Bible preaching such study produced, is ~t any wonder that both the Yet such is the case with the Shades Mountain church of congregation and its elders should be wholly committed to its Christ; and with the formation of this new team effort to propagation! extend as well as to defend the wllole counsel of God-worldwide-who can say what glorious things are yet in Thus it was that from the beginning Shades Mountain has store for the true gospel for which our Savior died! been noted both for its missionary zeal (sponsoring works Ira Y. Rice, Jr., Editor Post Office Box 26247 Birmingham, Alabama 35226

Volume V. No 9 September/ 1974

both at home-North Carolina-and abroad-India, New Zealand and (now) Singapore headed toward China-as well as SUBSCRlPTlON RATES standing like a bastion in defense of the faith once for all delivered to the saints. Single Subscription - $2 per year or Three Years for $5 Way Paved for Team Effort Club Rate - Six Subscriptions, $10 That brother Camp may have built better than he knew Single Copy, 25c now seems evident. When the two original elders-James D. Bundle Rates: Foster and Leslie Sparks-decided (after he had been with 6 Copies Shades Mountain for ten years) that it was time to add another I2 Copies preacher to the local work to give him (brother Camp) more 18 Copies 25 Copies time for study and writing and to respond to the tremendous 40 Copies demand for his preaching elsewhere, at first he wasn't sure if 60 Copies that is what he wanted or not. 80 Copies I00 Copies However, with the coming (in 1 97 1) of brother Rex Moorer to handle the local pulpit work as well as the other demands of the local ministry, it freed brother Camp to the point that now he would not have things any other way. This publication is sponsored by and under the oversight of With the churches at Munford (his original home the elders of the congregation, where he grew up and did his first local work), Shades Mountain Church of Christ at Talladega and at Adamsville (all three in Alabama) 11elpi11g Birmingham, Alabama in his financial support, Shades Mountain has made it possible, during these past three years, for brother Camp to conduct preacher-training courses, to preach in more than 125 congregations from the Carolinas to California, to write three new books (Old Truths in New Robes-Volumes I and 11 and Please address ALL COMMUNICATIONS his monumental Work of the Holy Spirit in to Redemption)--besides which he has gotten out his monthly CONTI-:NDING FOR THE FA17H publication The Word of Life in a better way than ever before. Post Office Box 26247 Birmingham, Alabama 35226

CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH is published FOR EFFECTIVE monthly (except December) by Shades Mountain ORGANIZATION, Church of Christ, 959 Alford Avenue, Post every team effort Office Box 26247, Birmingham, Alabama 35226. requires good Second Class Postage paid at Birmingham. supervision. At Shades Mountain/Birmingham, this is provided by the elders (shown on right). I:rom left to right, they are James D. Foster, Leslie Sparks, Lester Wri@t and Brice Jones, A rcspectivcly. LIKING WHAT THEY FOUND at Shades Mountain/Birmingham, B. C. fully-supported missionaries to India (Carl & Emma Johnson), and Freddie Goodpaster are seen (above, left) grinning at one another New Zealand (Dan & Judy Jenkins) and Henderson, North at the home of one of the elders aftcr the morning service, September 15. Franklin Camp (above, center) was simply overjoyed with the Carolina (the Wesley Crews'); partial support for Jackson P. whole occasion. The team of preachers overseen by the elders at Shades English, at Lumberton, North Carolina; besides supporting or Mountain, as shown above, right, now includes Rex Moorer, Camp, partially supporting five preaching students-Jim Dearman, Archie W. Luper and Ira Y. Rice, Jr. Jim Hunter and John Hunt (at Memphis School of Preaching; Memphis, Tennessee); and hnGoddard and Jim Smith (a't Southeastern School of Evangelism. Atlanta, Georgia).

Then. as if all this was not enough, on June 16, 1974, it was In fact, these past three years have been the most effective decided to add Ira Y. Rice, Jr. and Archie W. Luper to the of his entire gospel-preach~ngcareer. team.

Two New Elders Appointed How All This Came About

As the work at Shades Mountain continued to grow and more and more responsibility was assumed, the need for Like what had gone before at Shades Mountain, this latter additional elders began to appear. Finally, in November, 1973. event d~dnot "just happen;" it was the orderly progression of brethren Lester Wright and Brice Jones were looked out and many things that had transpired earlier. appointed to the eldership. For the past several years this congregatio~lhad been having The team was growing. It now included brethren Foster, an increasingly substantial part in supporting our work both in Jones, Sparks and Wright, as elders: Bill Baxley, William San Francisco as well as in Singapore. And when Tan Keng Cashion, Henry Dawson, Hilton Dean, Charlie Eanes, Robert Koon came at the end of 1973 to help raise funds for the Ford, Bill McCleskey, Bill McKim and Neil Sayers, as deacons; building in San Francisco, Shades Mountain was the first to let Moorer, as local minister; Camp, on special assignment; us know they wanted to hear him. too. Moreover, two of the elders (Foster and Wright) had been our brotherhood-wide undertakings in this regard. We are ui the printing business in a major way for many years. And willing and ready to make an all-out fight for the truth-just as when they learned what we were having to pay for printing in far as funds hold out to make it possible. San Francisco (it was eating us up), they agreed to take on our printing needs at their cost-a tremendous saving to us! If you, too, would like to be a part of this great team both to extend as well as to defend the truth of the gospel, please Luper Knew of Our Need let us know how much you would be willing to contribute regularly and faithfully each month to our CONTENDING As early as last winter, brother Luper had known of sister FOR THE FAITH FUND. Please address all contributions to Rice's and my need for new, different sponsorship not only this fund % The Elders, Shades Mountain Church of Christ, for our missionary work in Singapore and the Far East but also Post Office Box 26247, Birmingham, Alabama 35226. for Contending for the Faith. Family-wise as well as work-wise the situation in San Francisco just wasn't working out suitable to our requirements.

When, during the Woods-Franklin Debate, in Gadsden, Alabama, in May, brother Luper and I dropped over to Birmingham to visit Shades Mountain, it was apparent to both of us that here was a situation tailored to our needs-a church not only committed to world missions where elders and preachers alike were set for the defense of the gospel-and two of the elders in the printing business!

So it was that when brother Luper learned through an enthusiastic remark how 1 felt toward Shades Mountain together with its elders and preachers, he got back in touch with them with no hint from me on our behalf. By June, on our way to Blue Ridge Encampment, we stopped by Birmingham-and by the time we left to continue our journey, it was all set. Shades Mountain was to be our new sponsor.

Goodpasture Invited to Help Initiate New Arrangement NO MARK OF DISPLEASURE marred the visages of Vada and Ira Rice thc week of June 16, 1974, when they first learned definitely that Shades Mountain/Birmingham was to be their new sponsor both as Because this new arrangement appeared especially missionaries as well as contenders for the faith. Shown left and right, auspicious for greater things to come, it was felt that above, in a photo taken that week at Blue Ridge Encampment, the something unusual should transpire to initiate its beginning. Rices, like Phillip, also have four daughters, who, instead of prophesying, sing. Left to right, below, they are Ramona, 26; Lynette 24; Renee, 22; and Rochelle, 16-all of whom were present for the Thus, on the night of Saturday, September 14, 1974, occasion September 15. Not shown, is son Ira 111. a graduating senior at brother and sister B. C. Goodpasture were on hand, along with Hrlrding College, who because of his studies was unable to be on hand. brother Luper, for a dinner and weekend sponsored by the elders of the Shades Mountain congregation. Brother Goodpasture spoke at the morning service the following day; and 1 spoke at the evening service.

In such fashion, the new arrangement was beautifully begun. That weekend shall ever be one of our fondest memories.

Who Else Would Like to Be a Part of this Great Team?

In taking the sponsorship and oversight of the Rice family and all of our works, especially of the paper Contending for the Faith, it has been uppermost in the Shades Mountain elders' minds and hearts to help preserve plain, simple, genuine New Testament Christianity both for this and also for future generations.

A fund to be known as the CONTENDING FOR THE RICES TO LIVE IN MEMPHIS FAITH FUND has been set up with the Shades Mountain Whereas their sponsorship and oversight will be from Shades church of Christ so that brethren, sisters and other Mountain/Birmingham, Alabama, until their youngest daughter; congregations may have a part with us in our efforts to teach Rochelle, graduates from Harding Academy, two years hence, the Ira Y. the truth and to put an end as soon as possible to the Rice, Jr. family will be living in Memphis, Tennessee. As a welcoming gesture into Memphis-and also to introduce the paper area-wide-local incursions being made against the truth by its enemies both brethren are sending this particular issue of Contending for the Faith to within and without the church. (NOTE: All such contributions EVERY CHRISTIAN HOME in the GREATER MEMPHIS AREA. are tax-deductible. IYR, Jr.) Those wishing to subscribe, please send either $2 for one year or $5 for three years to CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH, Post Office Box Numerous individuals and several congregations already are 26247, Birmingham, Alabama 35226. Much appreciation! having a part with us to help make possible the enlargement of Page 5

WHITE STA TlON/MEMPHlS ANN0 UNCES ROY OSBORNE MEETlNG OCTOBER 6-10

Other Well-Known Heretics Scheduled Include Prentice Meador (for Couples Retreat) October 1820, and Stanley Shipp (for Junior High through College) November 89

Like a famous Washington Iiostess I read about years ago, Osborne is the first of these three false brethren announced to who moved aniong her guests offering cookies, remarking, be coming to Memphis via White Station, for the rest of this "These are frosted with arsenic, those with paris green-take article. let us determine why no faithful, sound congregation your pick." the White Station /Memphis, Tennessee bulletin of our Lord should be having anything to do with him in any t'or September 4. 1974, carried the following announcement way-other than to admonish him as we are taught in 11 on Page 3: Thessalonians 3: 14-1 5.

"FALL DATES TO REMEMBER Osborne's Writings Are Heavily Responsible Sept. 8: Sunday nigh! Bible htudy at Jeff Lawrence's for Dividing the Church in Singapore Sept. 10: Tuesdav nieht Bible studv to resume sept. 14: Canoc~rb,9th~olleg'. Leave 7 a.m., back by 7 p.m. Just when brother Osborne began to depart from the faith Sept. 15: Sunday night fellowship at Jeff Burrough's Sept. 21: Jr. High Bible study and fellowship at the Robinson's that was once for all delivered to the saints, I cannot exactly Sept. 22: Sun. night fellowship at Bruce Nunnally's say. Like so many of these who are arising among us these Oct. 6-1 0: Roy Osborne meeting (emphasis mine-IYR, Jr.) days "speaking things they ought not," exact beginnings seem Oct. 8: Rap session with Roy Osborne (emphasis mine-IYR, Jr.) difficult to discover. Ocl. 18-20: Couples Retreat. Wy ldewood. with Prentice Meador Nov. 8-9: Stanley Shipp for Jr. High through college" However, by as early as May 8, 1967, in a speech on White Station's announcement, signed James (would that "Fellowship," during a special lectureship on doctrinal matters be James Robinson. Associate Minister, listed on Page I'?) that he had concocted at San Leandro, California, where he summed up by saying, then preached, he began to come out publicly with a false position regarding Christian fellowship. I have a taped copy of "We have some spiritually enriching and fun-filled events that speech in my possession; so, although I may have been planned for the fall months. These special events are scheduled overseas in my missionary work in Singapore at the time. ro help you in your personal growth in the Lord through the continual functioning of the body of Christ. Through events nevertheless, I do not have to guess as to what he said. I know such as these we should grow into maturity and completeness so what he said, having listened to that tape over and over and that we might work within the local church to spread the Good over again. And what he said, if believed and followed, would News in our community. The Jr. High group will begin meeting utterly destroy the doctrinal basis for there even being any on a regular basis just ah the high school and young marrieds have. We will get into the Word and have lots of fun together on churches of Christ as separate and apart from the Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. NOTI: ON THE CANOE denominational world about us. TRIP. . .Thih Sunday will be hign-up deadline-James" Possibly growing out of that speech, or vice versa, an article Announcement is Sheer Poison by brother Osborne appeared in the magazine called MISSION-a publication whose very existence is primarily for 111 all the Inore than 42 years that 1 personally have been the undermining and destruction of the Restoration preaching the gospel around the world, this announcement, Movement. How I first came to know of that article was foregoing, is almost in a class to itself for slieer poison. Rather voluminous quotation from it by brother Samuel Miao, in the than brother James, whoever he is, styling the events late summer of 1968, when I confronted hirn in a semi-public emphasized therein as "spiritually enriching. . .to help you in discussion of doctrinal difference before some 50 of the more your personal growth in the Lord," he should have placed a mature brethren in Singapore. And because brother Miao both skull and cross-bones after each emphasized name-for, in fact, took and takes the same doctrinal position as Roy Osborne it would be hard to find any three men who have done more regarding both truth and feIlowship-having led some 44 of to undermine the churches of Christ doctrinally in this our finest young converts in Singapore to divide from the true generation than Roy Osborne, Prentice Meador and Stanley church there over this heresy-in early August, 1968, it Shipp. All three are set for the destruction of the Restoration became necessary for ALL OF THE FAITHFUL CHURCHES Movement in the guise of "restructuring" it. OF CHRIST 1N SINGAPORE BOTH TO MARK AND WITHDRAW THEIR FELLOWSHIP FROM SAMUEL MIAO. lnasmucll as Contending for the Faith devoted almost an He remains withdrawn from, unrepentent, to this very day. As entire issue to the False teachings and false endorsements by much as any man on earth, responsibility for our having had Stanley Shipp, in July, 1974, those who want additional this division in Singapore must be laid where it copies of that issue may order them from The Elders, Shades belongs-squarely at the door of White Station's soon-coming Mountain Church of Christ, Post Office Box 26247, speaker, Roy Osborne. Birmingham, Alabama 35226. Numerous churches in the St. Louis area. where he preaches, have withdrawn both from him What Osborne Teaches on Truth, Fellowship and his sponsoring congregation (the McKnight Road Church of Christ) within recent months for doctrinal reasons. I need Because white Station has long been a harborer .,nd not say more in liis regard, therefore, in this issue of the paper. supporter of known false teachers (Richard Batey a. John Scott, just to name two)-and because I have not I- ,ll remiss Also, there is not enough room left in the current issue to in pointing this out lest other disciples be draa. away after do justice to both Osborne and Meador. So, since brother them through listening to their "speaking perverse things." Faithful brethren still in the White Station congregation what he had in mind. I don't think this is the thing that he was (hundreds having already left) conceivably could be prejudiced driving at. Undoubtedly, there were disagreements among toward anything that 1 personally might report concerning those in New Testament days over particular interpretations of this. passages of scripture. And so I think that we have to recognize that our unity, if we are to achieve it, must be achieved on a However, brother Ivie Powell, minister to the Berclair slightly different basis and with a slightly different perspective church of Christ, in Memphis, also lias a copy of the from that that we have often thought of. aforementioned Osborne tape-and if any want to check further regarding the truthfulness and reliability of what I am We have always thought of unity as being a time when all of saying in tliis article, I suggest you get in touch with brother us can come together under one roof and all of us can do the Powell. He'll gladly sit down with you and let you listen to same things in worship and all of us can agree to the same Osbor~ie's false teaching as recorded on that tape-in his own interpretations of passages of scripture. (NOTE: Brethren, read words! 1 Corinthians 1: 10 afresh, then proceed. IYR, Jr.) There is only one way that this can ever be achieved and that is if we I could wish that space limitations did not prohibit my elect somebody to do all of our interpreting for us and we publicatio~l herewit11 of brother Osborne's entire speech, lest agree that we are going to accept whatever he has to say as the he charge Ine unfairly with quoting him "out of context." interpretation of every passage of scripture. When you are However. going down through that speech, here are just a few ready to do tliat, then go aliead and do it, but we won't have of his statements, wherein anyone familiar with plain, simple, any unity at all, unless you elect me, of course ..." New Testament teaching can easily pin-point the falsehood. (NOTE: If brother Osborne was not, basically, trying to In a Lull Between Divisions deny what is clearly taught in I Corinthians 1: 10, brethren, then what would he have had to say if that had been his After explaining why lie was having such a lectureship as intention? IYR, Jr.) that at San Leandro. lie said, "...I think, primarily, because we are in a lull between periods of division. The cliurch has been Now watch: "... I would like to suggest tonight that the historically treated to division from time to time through the problems of denominationalism are great ones. We contribute centuries. It has almost come on a regular cycle that some to these when we isolate in any one corner with a particular problem lias arisen with each generation, and sometimes if we set of creeds and ideas one group of people which separates are energetic enough we get too inserted in a generation that them from all other groups of people who have essentially the causes the church to be shaken from center to same goals. (NOTE: Brethren, was he implying that we of the circumfere~lce..." (NOTE: From this, would it be fair to churches of Christ are such a group? IYR, Jr.) conclude that brotlier Osborne knew tliat what he was doing Denominationalism is wrong and all of us have said this for was likely to divide tlie church? IYR, Jr.) many, many years. We have preached on it from our pulpits, we have pounded the idea into our children as they came long In his third paragraph, lie said, "... I am a member of the and it has been a handy sermon to preach on regularly. family of God 2nd tliat particular part of the family of God of Twentyeight years ago, when I preached my first sermon I which I am a member is the Church of Christ ..." (NOTE: then decided on what 1 would preach on my second sermon Brethren, is it your understanding tliat the church of Christ is which was that evening, and 1 preached on denominationalism. only a part of the family of God? Such is the position and I was 16 years of age. I didn't see any reason why teacliing of Roy Osborne. He does not believe that God's denominations should continue to exist for another six family is limited to the churcli-even on this .earth-for he tried months after 1 started preaching. 1 surely should be able to hard to convince Dee Ellis, then of Lubbock, now preaching at wipe them out in that length of time. But now, after one Sam's Valley, near Rogue River, Oregon, that Elton Trueblood hundred and four years of working on the job, I have given it (an unconverted Quaker) is a Christian-and tliat he expects to up and I have decided that it is never going to be achieved ..." meet Trueblood in heaven! IYR, Jr.) As you go through what Osborne was saying in that speech, lie refers to "us" as "this fellowship" which lie belongs to "by Osborne Charges "US" with Denominationalism heritage" (whatever that is); however, he leaves the definite implication that there are other fellowships that are also part What a great many elders and churches cannot seem to ol' God's fanlilypother than tlie particular fellowship in wliicli grasp is that brother Osborne no longer considers tlie churches he participates. of Christ with being anything more than just another denomination! "We recognize, of course, the evils that exist in ldentify With Whom? denominationalism," his speech went on; "but these evils are not necessarily the ones we have often thought exist. We Getting into tlle main body of his speech, he continued, ourselves become a denomination when we separate ourselves "...Tllere are a few things tliat I would like to point out in by a particular name and a particular set of doctrines. This conliection with . . .fellowship. Identify with whom? I think within itself is not wrong. Yet, if you will define what alseadv we have been treated to an examination of tlie denominationalisln really means and what a denomination is, problem of unity in such a way tliat it should impress itself then I think you will find that any religious group of people, trporl all of us. Tliat the kind of unity that we have felt all of by virture of the fact that it is a particularized religious group our lives is desirable is not only impossible but sometimes not of people becomes denominated as a separate group and as cvcn desirable. When we strive to find that kind of unity on long as it insists on maintaining its identity, then it becomes a tlic absolute basis that has been mentioned tonight, we realize part of, or a denomination, within itself ..." (NOTE: From that tllis is not possible to chie eve. That we can never get to which it seems clear that Osborne thinks that we, rather than the place whel-e all of us can come together under one roof God, have separated ourselves "by a particular name and a and all of us can believe exactly tlie same thing. I think that particular set of doctrines." If we did this. he might have a tlic apostlc Paul recognized this. and wllen he said 'of one point. If it was God who did it, instead of us. then what'? IYR, heart and onc niind,' i~imy ow11 mind I do not believe that is Jr.) Farther along, in describing what he called the speech, Osborne clearly disagreed. Still implying that the "denominational spirit that holds us in one group separated denon~inationalworld is to be received right along with the from all others," Osborne declared that spirit, which he churches of Christ, he proceeded, "...when we identify so attributed to "us", as creating "antagonisms rather than carefully with a certain existing group (NOTE: That's "us", love-and this in the edifice of Christianity. If the position that brethren. IYR, Jr.) rather than with those who with all of their we hold and our identity with this particular group of people, heart and mind have faith in Jesus Christ and want to follow whatever group that happens to be, and I don't know who all him (NOTE: Those include, in Osborne's thinking, heretics of of you are, if the identity that you have with the Church of every stripe not only among "us" but among the Christ or the identity that you have with the Baptist Church of denominations, as well. IYR, Jr.), when we identify so closely an "anti" group . . .or the Christian Church. or the Catholic, or with a group, we have a second problem-and that is the spirit Jew, it does not matter. If the identity that you have with that of self-righteousness. Any time 1 get to the place where I group and the loyalty that with that group is of such a kind decide that I am here and am in the group that is always right, that causes you to be antagonistic to other groups with which and that those who disagree with me must, of necessity, you do not identify, then you participate in the evils of because they are not of this group, be wrong, then I denorninatio~~alism.If I cannot identify with those who participate in something else that is the very antithesis of believe in God, who have a like goal of Jesus Christ himself, Christianity . . .And if there is anything in our identity with a who believe that lie died on the cross and who would march to group, our loyalty to the group, our identity of ourselves selve mankind because of his service for us, if 1 cannot identify which causes us to feel more righteous than the rest of the with these people, then 1 must automatically set up in my world, then this particular damning facet of denomi- mind certain antagonisms against those with whom I disagree. nationalism is destructive of the very power of Christianity I think this is the greatest evil that exists within the whole within our lives..." realni of denominationalism ..." (NOTE: Brethren, if it was just self-righteousness that (NOTE: With the foregoing immediately in mind, this helps caused us to believe that there is a way that is right and cannot me to understand brother Osborne's constant practice of be wrong, then, truly, Roy would have a point. Such, however, having practically unlimited fellowship with various appears to be just another false charge; for it was Jesus (not denominational groups all over the country. Even though I1 we) who said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man John 9-1 1 plainly teaches us neither to receive such into our cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6) Hence, house nor to bid them God speed-and that to do so is to Osborne's position attacks not just his brethren, but the very partake of their evil deeds-nevertheless, in my files, I have doctrine of Christ! IYR, Jr.) numerous bulletins (or photo-copies of bulletins) from the San Is it Right to Contend for the Faith? Leandro congregation attesting to Roy's being invited to speak to various denominational bodies-nationwide-a thing they Next, in his speech, brother Osborne inveighed against never would have done had they doubted his feelings of creedalism among "us." Although it should be apparent to the fellowship toward them. Also, I learned from the elders of the merest tyro that one cannot obey such passages as Jude 3 Lake Merced congregation, where Osborne preached for without "earnestly contending for the faith once for all several years, in San Francisco, that it was he-Roy delivered to the saints," yet, Roy said, "...We have argued Osborne-who invited all those denominatio~lalpreachers and against creeds so long, while we have verbally fixed ours priests to sit on the platform with him to help "dedicate" the exactly ..." (NOTE: No we didn't, Roy: God did-and his word building on Brotherhood Way, when they opened it, a few is it! "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God." years ago. Such an action, it appears to me, is far more than (I Peter 4: 11) That should include Roy Osborne! But he just "liberalism," brethren; it is the rankest sort of refuses to be so bound. IYR. Jr.) INFIDELITY. And from that auspicious beginning, when the Lake Merced congregation was having approximately 400 in Even though it would be impossible to obey such passages attendance-the largest in San Francisco-under Roy's as I1 John 9-1 1 without what Osborne termed identifying liberalistic tutelage, by the time they had to let him go some "with a particular group," farther along. he taught that "the two or three years later, so many had left it was down to 200. creedalizing or the denominationalizing of the church or the I honor those elders for having gotten rid of such a false identity wirh a particular group so tight, hinders the search for teacher when they finally did-but, by then, it was too late. the truth through party loyalty." Piffle. It is true that we must Osborne's teaching had set a death-like trend in the constantly eschew our own traditions and ideas in favor of a congregation, so that their exodus of members continued even "thus saith the Lord;" yet, when one equates such with after he left. By the time my family and I moved back to San "creedalizing" and "denominationalizing", he either is not Francisco two years ago, their attendance was down to less thinking straight-or at all! than 100. Since them, Lake Merced somehow got another liberalizing false-teacher in there, resulting this year in an When we "identify so carefully with a group," Osborne out-and-outachurch split-the elders have all left, and that continued. (qualifying this somewhat, but not enough to break once-great congregation of nearly 400 members has now been the force of his contention), "one of the things that we run reduced to about 50 disillusioned, misguided brethren meeting into when we come to the problem of fellowship is that we in an 80@capacity auditorium with hardly a clue as to-what ourselves have to decide whom we call a Christian . . .If 1 say I the true church is all about. Such is only a small part of the am a Christian, then I talk about fellowsllip, and I talk about doctrinal fruit of this false tree that White Station is planting whom I identify with . . .When we think of fellowship as being in the midst of the churches in Memphis. IYR, Jr.) only those that 1 approve of or that I think God will approve of, we have tightened too n~uch.I have no right to decide Is There a Way that is Right, Not Wrong? whom God will approve. 1 have no right to decide, as far as that is concerned, except within very broad limits. who can be That the churches of Christ's very existence is predicted called a Christian ..." upon the conviction that there is a way that is right and cannot be wrong is too well known for need of substantiation (NOTE: How strange all this Ashdodic language really here. Yet, in the next point in his San Leandro Lectureship sounds-for one who is supposed to be a teacher of the Word. Luke had no such difficulty: he said "the disciples were first Houston Ezell, in particular, went out of his way to do quite a called Christians at Antioch." (Acts 11:26) Paul had no such lot of investigating on his own. After talking with brother Ron difficulty: Agrippa said unto Paul, "Almost thou persuadest Brotherton, then at Harding College, Searcy, Arkansas, as well me to be a Christian." (Acts 26:28) Peter had no such as with others, he and the Vultee elders finally, reluctantly difficulty; he said, if any man suffer "as a Christian, let him concluded that the last man they wanted in the Vultee pulpit not be aslianied; but let him glorify God on this behalf." ( I was Roy Osborne-so they cancelled his meeting and had Peter 4:16) Neither would Roy Osborne be having such Stanley Shipp instead! difficulty, if he was not trying to allow for others to be Christians, too, that neither Luke, Paul nor Peter would have When I told this to brother Arthie W. Luper on our way so recognized. All he needs, probably, is a good, stiff dose of either to or from some work we were doing in the Florence, Romans 14:22, letting it run out all this other. As Paul wrote Alabama area, I was astonished when he burst out laughing. here, "Happy is lie that condemneth not lumself in that thing "What are you laughing about?" I asked; "it isn't funny." which he alloweth." IYR, Jr.) To which he replied "It will feel better when it quits There was more to his speech than what I have cited hurting." foregoing, of course, part of which was true, part false. However, I have given enough from that speech to establish Faithful Need to Come Out and Be Saparate beyond reasonable doubt that the basis of fellowship that Wherever this man and his false doctrine get a hold, brother Osborne evidently believes in and advocates is not the doctrinal error and/or division are sure to follow. Such basis of fellowship as tauglit in the New Testament. resulted in Singapore; at San Rafael, California; and at Lake Osborne Ill-Advisedly Brought into Nashville MercedlSan Francisco. Several years after that speech, certain ill-advised elders in Because White Station/Memphis, Tennessee is a well known the Nashville, Tennessee area began bringing this skillful false harborer and defender of false teachers, perhaps none of us teacher into various pulpits for so-called "gospel meetings." should be too surprised at their inviting of brother Osborne for When I learned of what was happening, 1 tried hard to head his meeting starting October 6. But when they go on to these off-but you just can't warn some folks because they announce Prentice Meador and Stanley Shipp to be coming, refuse to be warned! When the Woodson's Chapel elders in addition to Osborne, in rapid succession, really brethren, decided to invite brother Osborne, one of their former this is just too much. It simply means that White Station is not ministers, 1. Garvin Smith, now of Savannah, Georgia, tried his just apostatizing, it already has apostatized. The faithful best to persuade them not to have him; but they had him Christians who yet remain at White Station have only one any way! recourse-to "come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will When I learned that brother Osborne had been booked for a receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my meeting with the great Vultee congregation, in Nasliville, for sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." (I1 Corinthians 1973, 1 went personally to the elders of that church and did 6: 17-18.) my best to warn them that they were inviting an out-and-out heretic into their midst. It took a bit of doing-and brother -Ira Y. Rice, Jr.

NOTE: For those who suppose that this edition of Contending for the Faith is the end of the matter, re: Roy Osborne, well, it isn't. In a speech at a well known college that stipulated what he said could not be attributed to them, (so I am not attributing), Osborne said, "...I cannot know what of the truth I have is absolute and what of it is being altered and colored by my own subjectivity. Hence, the knowledge of truth which I possess is always relative..." Brethren, do you believe that? If not, do you deem such heresy suitable to be taught to your young people? If not, then what are you going to do about encouraging others to take part in this meeting? Watch the October issue for the next chapter on this matter ...

Mrs. Pat Howell, Holly Hill, I:lorida, Address a11 contributions to Contending For The Faith Fund, Shades Scptcmber 16. 1973: "...I have long admired, Mountain Church of Christ, Post Office Box 26247, Birmingham, Alabama loved and trusted Bro. Baxter. When I received a plea signed by him, recently, for support for 35226. IYR, Jr. the 'One Way' film, I had a $10 bill ready to .xnd to him. Instead, I'm writing him the following letter, 'Dear Bro. Baster, I had $10 Second Class Postage ready to send in answer to this plea signed by you. When I notice from the envelope that the PAID money would go to the Highland elders, I at Birmingham. Ala. cannot do it. 1 love you- trust you-l have evcry confidence in you-l feel that soon I will hear that you are no longer associated with the POST OFFICE BOX 26247 Herald of Truth-or I will learn that there has I been a real and complete 'house cleaning' there . . .I shall send this $10, instead, to Bro. Ira Rice to help in the good work he is doing. . .Bro. Baxter, I'm praying for you. 1 don't want your good name and influence tarnisl~ed by those men at Highland.' . . .Bro. Rice, I'm so thankful for you and your work. If you did not alert us to these dangers, who would? I am praying for you, too..." October 1 1974 Volume V, No. 10 SHADES MOUNTAIN CHURCH OF CHRIST PRESENTS $2 Per Year; 3 Years $5

FOR ELDERS. DEACONS. PREACHERS, TEACHERS AND CONCERNED CHRISTIANS

Greater St. Louis Area Churches Take Herald Of Truth Off The Air, Withdraw From Landon Saunders, Stanley Shipp Withdrawn-from (for Heresy) Shipp, Meanwhile, Heads for Harbor With White Station Church of Christ (November 8-9) in Memphis

It has taken faithful brethren and churches a long, long Christ prayed for unity, John 17. It is our prayer we will be united in time to begin to put what is happening to "us" the teachings of Christ. brotherhood-wide into proper perspective; however, one by Sincerely, one, elders, preachers and churches alike are beginning to wake UP. (Signed by the Elders) Ezra Cook Noel Davis Perhaps the most dramatic evidence of this happened in Cecil Low August, when those responsible for Herald of Truth in the On that same date, May I, 1974, these same elders, on Greater St. Louis area finally got their eyes open enough to behalf of the entire congregation at LemayISt. Louis, what is going on via HighlandIAbilene, Texas, that they addressed the following letter of withdrawal to Shipp's decided to take the program off the air in St. Louis. sponsoring elders: Furthermore, they have withdrawn both from Landon Saunders, Stanley Shipp and also from Shipp's sponsoring Elders, Church of Christ congregation. 25 15 South McKnight Road St. Louis, Mo. 63124 As early as May 1, 1974, because of the divisions and offenses being caused by Stanley Shipp among the churches Gentlemen: both in the Greater St. Louis area and elsewhere, the elders of Based on your support of Stanley Shipp and his teachings concerning the church that meets at 2709 Lemay Ferry Road, St. Louis, women leading in prayer at gatherings where men are present, we, the Missouri, addressed the following letter of withdrawal to elders at the Lemay Church of Christ, can no longer fellowship you the elders at McKnight Road Church. I1 Timothy 2: 12 and I Corinthians Mr. Stanley Shipp 14:34. 12108 Conway Road St. Louis, MO 631 31 When this situation has been corrected, we will be happy to rescind this letter. It is our prayer that we become united in the teachings of Christ. Dear Mr. Shipp: Sincerely, After much past discussions with you and the elders under whom you serve, we are presenting the following reasons for not permitting our (Signed by the elders) Ezra Cook youth to have fellowship in the meetings where you are engaged as the Noel Davis speaker. Cecil Low As is normal practice among heretics and their sponsors, I. Endorsement of the false teacher, Jim Reynolds. 11 John 11. when the foregoing letters were sent out, instead of repenting 2. Teaching that women can lead in prayer in presence of men if of and correcting their errors, a veritable "blitz" of it is away from the church buading. 11 Timothy 212 and 1 counter-charges began emanating from McKnight RoadlSt. Corinthians 14: 34. Louis and elsewhere to try to break the force of these two We cannot find your teaching concerning prayer in the New Testament. withdrawal actions. This, in turn, led to brother wayne T. When we have been assured that you have adduced proof that these HaU, Lemay's faithful minister, sending out the followillg allegations are no longer true, we will retract this Ietter. letter under date June 20, 1974: L TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: Who causrd the strife, confudon, divieion, and alienation among churches of Christ in the St. Louis ruea?

1) The Lemay church of Christ did not begin to teach that it is sinful to take money from the church treasury and send it to a Children's Home.

2) The Lemay church of Christ has never had members claiming Holy Spirit Baptism and speaking in Tongues. Ira Y. Rice. Jr.. Editor Post Office Box 26247 3) The Lemay church of Christ has never advocated "open Birmingham, Alabama 35226 fellowship" to those doctrinally wrong.

Volume V, No. 10 October/1974 4) The Lemay church of Christ did not support the Billy Graham Crusade.

5) The Lemay church of Christ did not originate the "Junior Church".

6) The Lemay church of Christ did not start women praying SUBSCRIPTTON RATES audibly with men present.

Single Subscription - $2 per year 7) The Lemay church of Christ did not start turning off Lights, or Three Years for $5 getting in a circle, and confessing intimate sins. Club Rate - Six Subscriptions, $10 8) The Lemay church of Christ did not start the young people Single Copy, 254 using the new oneman translations. Bundle Rates: 9) The Lemay church of Christ does not sing or hum during the 6 Copies Lord's Supper. 12 Copies 18 Copies 10) The Lemay church of Christ does not equate modem 25 ('opies conversion experiences with inspired examples found in the 40 Copies book of Acts, turning them into testimonial meetings. 60 Copies 80 Copies I00 Copies 11) The Lemay church of Christ does not use questionable men, and men ''gen~9y" misunderstood, for meetings, workshops, and tra~mgfor service sessions.

12) The Lemay church of Christ does not believe in the direct operation of the Holy Spirit. This publication is sponsored by and under the oversight of If the ones teaching and practicing the above mentioned things will the elders of the Shades Mountain Church of Christ cease, and repent, or produce just one scripture for doing these things, Birmingham, Alabama the Lemay church of Christ will remain silent! However, until one of the two is done, we press on!

(Signed) Wayne T. Hall, Miism

By early July, when my family and I were preparing to Please address ALL COMMUNICATIONS leave San Francisco to move back to Tennessee and Alabama, to under date July 8, 1974, I received the following Western CONXNDINC FOR THE FAITH Union Mailgram: Post Office Box 26247 Birmingham, Alabama 35226 TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: THE CAMPAIGN FOR CHRIST CONDUCTED IN THE MACHINISTS HALL THE FIRST WEEK IN AUGUST FEATURING LANDON SAUNDERS DOES NOT CORRECTLY REPRESENT THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH, THE CHURCH FOR WHICH MY SAVIOR GAVE HIS BLOOD, THE CHURCH OF WHICH I AM A MEMBER. (Signed) WAYNE T. HALL, 4252 MASSABIELLE, ST. LOUIS, MO. 63129

Four days later, under date July 12, 1974, the elders of CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH is published the West End church of Christ, that meets at 9350 Natural monthly (except December) by Shades Mountain Bridge Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63134 (for which brother Church of Christ; 959 Alford Avenue. Post Office Box 26.247, Birmingham, Alabama 35226. Harold McKeel is the local minister), mailed out the following Second Clm Postage paid at Birmingham. statement: An Open Letter to the Elders of the Churches of Christ in the St. Loui Area

Dear Brethren:

i Landon Saunders soon will hold a third series of meetings at the Machinists Hall in Bridgeton as he previously did in the summers of (Signed) Ezra Cook, Elder 1972 and 1973. Noel Davis, E4der Cecil Low, Elder We have been asked whether we have sponsored or supported any of Elders, Lemay church of Christ these 3 meetings We wish to set the record straight so there will be no doubt where we stand Backing up the Lemay elders in this action, the elders of Landon Saunders does NOT represent the West End Church of Christ in the Midwest Church of Christ that meets at 510 N. Florissant that forthcoming series of meetings scheduled from July 31 through Road, Ferguson, Missouri 63135 (a part of St. Louis, where August 9, 1974. Steve Wimp is the minister) wrote as follows under date July 28, 1974: He does not represent us because: The elders of the Midwest Church of Christ to the Churches of' 1) The previous meetings were boisterous and not conducted Christ in the St. Louis area. decently and in good order. We desire that it be known that WE DO NOT ENDORSE in any way, (nor have we in the past), the meeting scheduled at the Machinist's 2) In the previous meetings he failed consistently to preach the Hall in Bridgeton with LANDON SAUNDERS. "good news" of salvation. He did not tell the audience how to he saved nor did he extend invitations to be baptized into The reasons are as follows: Christ for the remission of sins. 1. Those congregations with whom he is sponsored and working. We prevail upon the sponsoring congregations to clearly identify A. The 5th and Highland Church of Christ in Abilene, Texas. themselves in their advertisements concerning these meetings. They do (Supports and oversees.) not represent us. B. The Mcknight Road Church of Christ, St. Louis, Mo. (Has failed to follow I Corinthians 14:40 in previous meetings and We prevail upon other congregations who feel as we do, to speak out the rest of the New Testament pattern for the church.) lest the brotherhood in general and the public at large gain the impression that Landon Sunders and these meetings truly do represent 2. The teachings of Landon Saunders and the teachers with whom he the Churches of Christ of the St. Louis area. is associated A. Association with known false teacher Stanley Shipp. Where meetings are conducted in pod and decent order, and where the B. Failure to preach the gospel on "Heartbeat." whole gospel is preached, we stand ready, as always, to support them. C. The false teachings he has delivered himself concerning For we, as Paul so ably declared, "are not ashamed of the gospel of "compromising" and "the church and the kingdom." Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth." We encourage and exhort all to stand for the Bible truths and let no one tear them down. We cannot sit by and say, "it is none of my Brethren, let us preach it in ALL its power, and declare the WHOLE business," or "I do not want to get involved." If you are a Christian, counsel of God. you are involved!

(Signed) Lawrance Barton, John Mam and Albert S. McDaniel Elders, Mid-west Church of Christ Elders, West End Church of Christ (Signed) D. W. Rawls Eleven more days passed; then, under date July 23, 1974, J. L. Chadwick the Lemay/St. Louis elders saw fit to expand their withdrawal Vernon Ruff actions, as follows: For those familiar with the Greater St. ~odisArea, you will recognize St. Charles, Missouri, as in the immediate We, the undersigned Elders of the Lemay church of Christ, 2709 Lemay Ferry Road, St. Louis, Missouri, 63125 (314) 487-5671 DO NOT vicinity to the west. Under date July 28, 1974, the Charbo and endorse the Landon Sunders meeting in the Machinist's Hall the fist Karen congregation of St. Charles authorized the following week of August for the following reasons: statement:

I) The church by which he is supported and overseen (5th and TO OUR BRETHREN IN THE ST. LOUIS AREA: Highland, Abilene, Texas) Dear Brethren: 2) The local church that coordinates his activity in St. Louis (McKnight Rd) In a specially called business meeting of the men of the Charbo and Karen church of Christ on July 28, 1974, it was resolved that we would 3) The past campaigns by the same speaker in the same location make known in a public way our stand regarding the ST. LOUIS have not adhered to the church we read about in the New CAMPAIGN, 1974, scheduled to be held in the Machinist's Hall in Testament. Bridgeton, Missouri on July 31 to August 9.

4) Brother Sunders is on record (Tape and in writing) as The Charbo and Karen church neither endorses nor supports this effort, saying: financially, morally, or with our prayers. The scheduled speaker, Landon Saunders, does not represent us in this campaign. We do not (A) We shouId endorse extremists in the church in order to helieve, as Landon Saunders has publicly taught, that there is a bring about a reconciliation hetween them. significant difference between the Lord's church and the Lord's kingdom. Neither do we believe that we should "walk somewhere in (B) The Church and the Kingdom are different. between" liberals and antis, fellowshipping both.

5) His association with known false teachers (Stanley Shipp, St. This letter is sent only in the interest of unity, based on truth, among Louis, Mo.) and unsound congregations (Belmont, Nashville, St. Louis area churches. We stand where we stood four years ago when Tern.). area churches were at peace with one another. We abhor the present polarization of congregations.

6) He does not preach the Gospel on "Heartbeat." This letter sent at the diiection of a business meeting attended by twenty-nine male members of the Charbo and Karen church of Christ, (Signed) Wayne T. Hall, Minister July 28, 1974. Lemay Church of Christ 2709 Lemay Ferry Road Crystal City, Missouri, also is in the immediate vicinity of Ira, Send bundle of 100 CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH issue St. Louis. Simultaneously with the foregoing statements, the about STANLEY SHIPP. I suppose this is the July, '74 issue. Also Twin City elders (of Crystal City, where Joe Rhoads and renew my subscription for one year (to 2-75). Harbert D. Hooker are the ministers) sent out the following: God bless you, Ira, for helping us out in our fight against An Open letter to the Elders of the Churches of Christ in the St. Louis HERETIC SHLPP! Area Brotherly, Dear Brethren: (Signed) Kenneth Ware Church of Christ Landon Saunders soon will hold a thud series of meetings at the Machinists Hall in Bridgeton as he previously did in the summers of Charbo and Kaxen Streets St. Charles, Mo. 63301 1972 and 1973. We had so many special calls for the special issue on We have been asked whether we have sponsored or supported any of these 3 meetings. We wish to set the record straight so that there will be "SHOULD SHIPP SHAPE UP OR SHIP OUT?" that we ran no doubt where we stand. out and had to await another shipment before we could fill brother Ware's foregoing order. Under date September 9, Landon Saunders does NOT represent the TWIN CITY Church of Christ 1974, in reply, I wrote, in that forthcoming series of meetings scheduled from July 31 through August 9, 1974. Dear brother Ken:

He does not represent us because: 1 was away on appointments when your order of August 7 arrived; then, we ran out of copies of the July issue where I was and had to wait 1) The previous meetings were boisterous and not conducted for some more. However, under separate cover, today, I am mailing you decently and in good order. the 100 copies you ordered. It looks like 1 may have to re-print this 2) In the previous meetings he failed consistently to preach the issue. Interest in it has been exceptionally high. One congregation "good news" of salvation. He did not tell the audience how ordered 300 copies! to be saved nor did he extend invitations to be baptized into Christ for the remission of sins. By now you probably know that the elders of the church at Shades Mountain/Birmingham, Alabama have invited me to transfer this We prevail upon the sponsoring congregations to clearly identify whde operation to their oversight and sponsorship. I warned them that themselves in their advertisements concerning these meetings. They do it probably would not make them popular. However, they assured me not represent us. that the survival of the truth means more to them than thet own personal popularity. We prevail upon other congregations who feel as we do, to speak out lest the brotherhood in general and the public at large gain the It is their hope that other elderships all across the land will join impression that Landon Saunders and these meetings truly do represent with them in trying to stem this awful apostasy. How about you the Churches of Christ of the St. Louis area. brethren at Charbo and Karen Streets? As I see it, the main reason these apostasy-prone brethren have gotten as far as they have is that those of Where meetings are conducted in good and decent order, and where the us who stand for the truth never have closed ranks and stood as one whole gospel is preached, we stand ready, as always, to support them. man against theu digressions. Once this ever happens, their days of For we, as Paul so ably declared, "Are not ashamed of the gospel of opportunity are numbered Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth." As for ways you could he1p;here are at least three:

Brethren, let us preach it in ALL its power, and declare the WHOLE 1) The paper could be put into every home in your local counsel of God. congregation-or else a standing order for a bundle be placed to take care of that many. Elders, Twin City Church of Christ 2) You could put yourselves on record as endorsing this allout (Signed) Marion Decker Glen Felton effort for the faith once delivered. H. Phipps L. S. Ward 3) You could contribute faithfully and regularly each month to Brethren, 1 seriously doubt that anyone among the our CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH FUND to help us be able to faithful brethren of the churches of Christ, brotherhood-wide, spread the information the length and breadth of the brotherhood. knows more about what such heretics as Landon Saunders and See what you can do. Thanks for caring. (Signed) Lra Stanley Shipp actually teach and stand for than the faithful elders and brethren of the Greater St. Louis Area churches In our issue for September,l974, we pointed out that the above cited. first in a whole series of falsc teachers being brought into the Memphis area (including Stanley Shipp-hence, the foregoing) When our special issue exposing the false teaching of was Roy Osborne-than whom there is no more dangerous Stanley Shipp came out in July, faithful churches throughout teacher of error among the churches of Christ in the 20th the St. Louis area wrote in for large bundles to be distributed century! among their members. Typical of the letters we received at that time were- We mentioned how the Woodson's Chapel elders, of the Please send a bundle of ,100 copies of the July issue of Greater Nashville area, had decided to invite brother Osborne "Contending for the Faith." there for a meeting-even over the protest of one of their Thank you, former ministers, J. Garvin Smith now of Savannah, Georgia. Among the faithful gospel preachers who went out to see I have no desire to antagonize you in any way, so please realize that what this blind-leader-of-the-blind would say was Lee M. this letter is beimg written with much care and wi4 the prayer that it will cement fellowship rather than destroy it. At the same time, Rogers, director of the Great Commission School, which meets however, I do not feel, as 1 have stated from the beginning, that my in the Wingate church premises, in Nashville. Afterward, under soundness is subject to the judgment of another individual as fallible as date August 10, 1971, he addressed a letter to Roy, % Sunset I. Ridge church of Christ, San Antonio, Texas, where he now I hope you will receive this letter in the same spirit in which it is preaches, as follows: being written May His cause and the unity of His followers be our constant quest and may God bless you in this undertaking. Sincerely, "Dear brother Osborne, (Signed) Roy F. Osborne." I was in the audience at Woodson's Chapel last Friday night, and I frankly confess that I liked much of what I heard. I wholeheartedly Why Does Osborne Find Answers Difficult? agree that if you are sound in the Word, you should be shared with the brotherhood; but if you are not, you are a dangerous man, because When I read what Roy had written foregoing, I could not there are going to be multitudes who will be influenced by you. help remembering brother N. B. Hardeman's oft-quoted Because I want to know from you-not from anyone else-] would statement that he could write his position on any point of very much appreciate your answering the following questions: doctrine on a post-card-and still have room enough left to ask, "How is your Aunt Sally!" When one believes the truth of 1. Do you believe in the verbal inspiration of the Bible? the gospel as it is in Christ Jesus, he has no such difficulties as 2. Do you believe that it is possible for a man to know truth, and those professed in brother Osborne's letter. be sure that he knows it? In his reply, under date of September 1, 1971, brother 3. Do you believe that it is possible for a responsible person living in the gospel age to be saved without being baptized in water for Rogers concluded this correspondence, saying, the remission of sins? "Dear brother Osborne: 4. Do you believe that it is right to have fellowship with those who (a) use instrumental music m worship? Thank you for your response to my letter. Let me assure you that 1 (b) claim the abiity to speak in tongues? have no more desire to antagonize than you; and.if I know my own (c) deny the verbal inspiration of the Bible? mind, 1 am equally concerned about promoting love and fellowship (d) teach the doctrine of premillenialism? among the saints But I am also concerned about romoting genuine (e) deny the miracles of the Bible, including the virgin birth? love for God and loyalty to His word as the court offmal appeal for us fallible men. 5. Do you believe in only one New Testament church which is neither Catholic nor Protestant? It is not my intention to usurp God's prerogative of judgment, but 6. Do you believe that one may please God and be saved in heaven rather to 'try the spirits whether they are of God, because many false without holding membership m or extending fellowship to any prophets have gone out into the world' protestant denomination? Your letter disturbs me also. You seem to be scoldin me for asking Thank you for your consideration of these questions I shall questions which you interpret as an effort at jutpent on your anxiously await your answer. . .Your brother in Christ, (Signed) Lee M. soundness. Is it possible that you have called my soundness in question Rogers' for calling your soundness in question, all the while denying either of us the right to question the soundness of the other? b it possible that you have judged me for doiig what you thouat to be judging you? Osborne's Reply Surely you are not daiming the right to be exempt from question if Before giving brother Osborne's reply to the foregoing, you presume to be a gospel preacher! If you have the right to teach what you believe, surely I have the right to question what you teach. brethren, from your own convictions, strictly based on "thus But neither of us has the right to be wrong. saith the Lord," would you have had any trouble answering brother Rogers' plain, simple, straightforward questions? It is my fond desire that all of us speak the same things, that there Osborne did! In his reply, some 13 days later, under date be no division among us, and that we be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. This is the way to New August 23, 1971, he wrote, saying, Testament fellowship. In hope, (Signed) Lee M. Rogers." "Dear Brother Rogers: The elders of the White Station congregation, who are I appreciated receiving your letter, but fmd it very difficult to bringing all these heretics into the Memphis area, profess to answer. I believe that the Bible, as the inspired word of God, is our sole rule of faith and practice and that He who wrote it is our sole judge. have "checked them out" and found them sound. Yea, verily! For this reason, I find myself saddened by the attempts on the part of In other words, how ill-informed (or misguided) can you get! many of my brethren to take over His prerogative of judgment. The very fact that John Scott is one of these elders (and a I am a little disturbed by the tone of your letter, which su ests that teacher at Harding Graduate School) is itself revealing! you wish to pass on my soundness as a preacher of the gospe?l do not believe that I have the right to pass on your soundness nor that you have the right to pass on mine. Garland Elkins Pinpoints However, I am much more concerned over the problem of mutual love and fellowship than I am over the problem of what you or 1 have a Evidence Of Liberalism right to do. I am certain that attempts to pass judgment on one another's soundness does not promote the spint of love among us for But these things are not being done "in a corner." They which our Lord so earnestly prayed. are extremely well known by those of us who are trying so I have taught semantics and communication too long to believe that desperately to call our brethren back from the brink of, 1 would be able to convey in a few words the answers to your long list apostasy . Among the best-informed brethren, of questions even if I were inclined to do so. To fully answer this list would require the writing of a rather large book. Yes or no answers to brotherhood-wide, is brother Garland Elkins, minister to the such questions as these would be woefully inadequate and almost naive. Getwell Church of Christ, 1511 Getwell Road, Memphis, Any attempt to reduce one's doctrinal status to such a simplistic plane Tennessee 381 11. Further bearing out what we reported in our would be ridiculous The fnst question alone would require considerable clarif~cation, as I find in our brotherhood numerous issue for Septemberll974, brother Elkins had the following to definitions of verbal inspiration. say in The Getwell Reminder for October 3, 1974: EVIDENCE OF LIBERALISM IN MEMPHIS

Faithful brethren in the Memphis area have some idea of the 1. If one cannot know what of the truth he has is absolute and what of general nature of Liberalism. Most of the brethren are aware that from it is being altered by his own subjectivity, then it follows that he cannot among ourselves false teachers have arisen, that somewhere in the know that there is a definite body of absolute (objective) truth. brotherhood there are many liberals, therefore many false teachers. However, unknown to many good brethren of Memphis is the fact that 2 And - if one cannot know that there is a definite body of absolute well-known liberals have moved to Memphis. Apostasy in the churches (objective) truth, then he cannot know that the Bible is the word of of Christ is a real threat, not only a thousand miles away, but right here God on our own doorsteps in Memphis! 3. And - if one cannot know that the Bible is the word of God, then he In view of the problem of liberalism in Memphis, it may not be cannot know that any of the Bible has any binding force on anyone. without signif~cancethat men who had and/or still have connections with CAMP SHILOH and MISSION live in Memphis Perhaps in Ute 4. And - if one cannot know that Bible teaching has any binding force future it might become necessary to deal in a more detailed way with in the lives of men and women living today, then no one can know that this matter. Christianity is any more acceptable to God than say, Buddhism-or even Atheism. Richard Batey, well-known Modernist, has lived in Memphis for years Batey formerly taught at Harding Graduate School of Religion in There are many other devastating, Goddenying, Christ-denying Memphis. Due to his modernism, brother Benson did not renew his implications in the above statement, but these are sufficient to make contract after the 1964-65 school year. Batey now teaches in a liberal clear that this man has denied the Bible as a meaningful revelation from denominational school. Brother James D. Bales wrote the following God to man, and, in so doing, he has (by implication) denied the Christ about Richard Batey, his teaching, etc., in the SPIRITUAL SWORD, who died for us all. Volume 5, Number 1, October, 1973, pp. 41: Osborne is also on record as saying, "HOWEVER, FAITH OF "Dr. Richard Batey of Memphis is a modernist. We have written ANY SORT IS BASED ON PROBABILITY. The scientist dotes on this him and sent him and have published articles concerning his in his experiments; the mathematician thinks he invented the idea. IN A modernism, but we have not heard from him. What are some of his WORLD- OF FALLIBLE BEINGS, IMPERFECT SENSES, AND positions? (1) The book of Revelation shares the view of the false PARTIAL EXPERIENCE. ABSOLUTE CERTAINTY IS ONLY A apocalypticism to which some Jews held. This contradicts Revelation 'IHEORETICAL CONCEPT. AS A FRIEND OF-MINE SAYS,'WE (Rev. 1:1,10,11,19; 22:19). (2) Luke's inspiration is discredited in BEHAVE AS LF WE KNEW.' WE CAN NEVER BE ABSOLUTELY some statements made by Batey concerning Luke and Acts. (3) On the CERTAIN, BUT WE BEHAVE AS IF WE WERE."(Emphasis mine. GE) basis of ,false apocalypticism, Paul gave some false teaching on marriage which 'contributed to the seriousness of an already difficult problem! Osborne's statement reflects the view of skeptical philosophers, (4) Matthew either misunderstood or deliberately changed Jesus' but not the view of Jesus, Paul, and the other inspired writers of the beatitude concerning the poor in spirit. (5) First Timothy is a fraud New Testament. Jesus said, "And ye shall know the truth and the truth written in the second century. This makes the fiist verse a lie (I Tim. shall make you free." (Jno. 8:32). Paul wrote, "For this cause also 1:l). Supposedly I Timothy reverses a teaching of Paul (Richard Batey, thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of JESUS AM) THE POOR, pp. 12,13,28,43,29,30,42,36,38,39,20)." God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as Recently Richard Batey and a group pulled out of a congregation and it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you began meeting in a local Holiday Inn. that believe." (I Thess. 2:13). Paul further wrote: "Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is" WELLKNOWN LIBERALS BROUGHT TO MEMPHIS It is indeed sad to see men apostatize. Paul warned the brethren of According to the bulletin of a sister congregation such men as Roy his day of such danger, and it often caused him to weep. (I Tim. 4: 1-4; Osborne and Stanley Shipp are to be used by said congregation in the Acts 20:17-31; Phil. 3:18,19). Peter affiimed that obedience to the near future. The liberal views of these men are known both far and truth purif~esthe soul. (IPet. 1:22). He also warns the brethren against wide. false teachers. (IlPeter 2:1,20-22).

Since Roy Osborne is scheduled to be in town in the next few SMOOTH OPERATORS days, it is proper that we examine some of his errors. Osborne is on record and from that record we quote: Spearheaded by such liberal journals as MISSION, INTEGRITY, and other papers, along with many well-known speakers, the liberals "Thus the fact is colored and changed by the personality of the keep up a continual banage of smoke screen, double talk, innuendo, receiver. In this sense then, truth, as man has it, is always relative. and outright attack against the truth. So vicious have been their attacks Relative to man's ability to grasp the infinite.. .relative to man's (while they affect to be pious, love everybody, and shed crocadile fallibility and prejudices. ..relative to limited knowledge which plagues tears), that some denommational preachers use their material to every man. misrepresent the Lord's church. While living in another state I heard a well-known Episcopalian priest doing that. "If it is not possible for me to grasp inf~tetruth, it is equally impossible for me to define the limits of my comprehension. In other Whether Osborne publicly repeats the statements which we have words, I CANNOT KNOW WHAT OF THE TRUTH I HAVE IS quoted from him or not, he has already made them and they are on ABSOLUTE AND WHAT OF IT IS BEING ALTERED AND record Brethren, do not be deceived by "smooth and faiz speech." COLORED BY MY OWN SUBJECTIVlTY. HENCE, THE (Rom. 16: 17). KNOWLEDGE OF TRUTH WHICH I POSSESS IS ALWAYS RELATIVE." (Emphasis mine. GE) Remember that both those who teach error and those who "bid him God speed" are "partaker of hie evil deeds." (I1 Jno. 9-11). From the above statements of brother Osboine we draw the following conclusions: REMEMBER, BRETHREN, ROY OSBORNE DOES MOST OF HIS FALSE TEACHING BETWEEN SERMONS, NOT PUBLICLY!! HOWgrievously frustrating it is to have to warn brethren and congregations time and time again, year after year, and then to have the elders of a well-known congregation like White Station/Memphis, Tennessee seemingly go out of their way specifically to bring such heretics as Roy Osborne, Rentice Meador and (now) Stanley Shipp into our midst to continue their deceptions!

And the naivety with which certain brethren (including many elders and preachers) proceed to carry out their so-called "investigations" of these false teachers is juvenile almost beyond belief. For instance, after Osborne had come and gone, one young preacher came to me and described how his own B. C. Goodpasture Is Scheduled father had gone to hear every single sermon Osborne preached while in Memphis, listened to him critically, and never heard a single false statement! Well, Alan Highers, Garland Elkins, Ivie For Gospel Meeting Nov. 17-20 Powell and other such well-known Memphis preachers went out to hear Osborne (some more than once) while he was in With Getwell Church In Memphis jj Memphis this time-and they heard statements from his lips A treat for the Christians and congregations of the which were clearly intended to deceive the very eleit! Greater Memphis area is in store November 17 through 20, Evidently, some of our brethren who think they are "listening when the Getwell Church of Christ will present B. C. Good- critically" simply are not well versed enough in the scriptures pasture, of Nashville, Tennessee, in a gospel meeting. to recognize false teaching when they hear it! Goodpasture, for more than 35 years the esteemed Besides, one thing which makes Roy Osborne so editor of the Gospel Advocate, the oldest periodical of the dangerous -especially to our young folks-is his practice of churches of Christ, is truly one of the greatest speakers, doing the major part of his false teaching between sermons! scriptorians and pulpiteers of our time. Thus, technically, it oft-times is possible to hear him through an entire series of lessons (publicly) without a single false This is an occasion when you will want to bring your statement being uttered, and yet he can be sowing down our children and give them a chance to hear this extraordinary young folks and others with his false doctrine through brother. They will be telling their children's children about conversations and what he calls "rap sessions" (privately). Oh, it for generations to come. brethren, let us not be ignorant of Satan's devices!

THE MOST ASTONISHlNG PHENOMENON of all the WHITE STATION ELDERS ARE UNHAPPY many such now plaguing our brotherhood is the studied AT BEING STYLED AS "HARBORERS" determination with which countless thousands of OF KNOWN FALSE TEACHERS "usv-great numbers of elders as well as preachers included-steadfastly refuse to acknowledge there is It is my understanding that the White Station elders were anything wrong! somewhat incensed at our describing their congregation as having long been a "harborer and supporter of known false For those who REALLY WANT TO KNOW who and teachers." Well, if they do not wish to be so described, they what have been undermining practicalIy the whole should quit harboring them! RESTORATION MOVEMENT for at least a decade or more from within, here are two sets of books that WLU One false ship now heading for harbor at White Station is help bring your information up to date: a Shipp named Stanley. From what we have published in this issue of Contending for the Faith, it is crystal clear that AXE ON THE ROOT-Volume I ($1); STANLEY SHIPP IS A WITHDRAWN-FROM HERETIC Volume I1 ($2) and Volume I11 ($2)...... FROM ST. LOUIS. Remember this, brethren: It is the faithful The Set, $5.00 ccngregations in the St. Louis area who have withdrawn from CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH. in brother Shipp. It remains to be seen whether he will find bound volumes, for the years 1970, '7 1, '72 harbor with the White Station church November 8-9 in and '73. Each volume-I, 11, 111 and Memphis, as they have announced. If he does, then White IV-$3.00. . . The.Set, $12.00 Station becomes self-condemned as a "harborer and supporter . . . of known false teachers." Order both sets-or any single or combination of volumes from CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH, Post Such things ought not so to be! Office Box 26247, Birmingham, Alabama 35226. Page 8

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FOR ELDERS, DEACONS, PREACHERS, TEACHERS AND CONCERNED CHRISTIANS

AND NOW FOR ARCHIE W. LUPER'S 52 QUESTIONS (and 55 Sub-Questions) TO M. NORVEL YOUNG, PEPPERDINE

Have We Finally Reached the Stage, Brethren, that if You Are Famous Enough in the Churches of Christ, You Can Practice Falseness (Just So You Call it Truth) and Get Away with it?

Over the past three or four years, brother Archie his own traumatic resignation, last August, President W. Luper, of Ventura, California, together with quite Richard M. Nixon, to some extent at least, resolved a number of others-some of them Christians, some Watergate; both what appeared on the tapes and his not-have been carrying on a private investigation own acceptance of a pardon from President Gerald into affairs at Pepperdine University, generating Ford established his guilt. questions which in former days would have caused no small stir among those of us who call ourselves But what-now-of Peppergate? Are we the sort Christians among the churches of Christ. of brotherhood who can know of the exist'ence of these 52 questions and their clear implications-and For almost two years now, brother M. Norvel accept NO ANSWER for an ANSWER? Young, Chancellor of Pepperdine University, has had a list of 52 questions (and 55 sub-questions) put to Or is it that these questions and their hm by brother Luper in an inquiry that lasted almost implications have not been made clear to us yet? four hours. I have personally seen brother Luper's annotated copy of these questions, showing the Way yonder more than enough time-surely-has answers brother Young gave to them as they were been allowed to pass that publication of these originally presented. questions at this time cannot by any stretch of the imagination be characterized as precipitate. Had When 1 requested permission from brother brother Young seen fit to answer them (and were his Luper to publish the list of questions TOGETHER answers evident justification of the matters involved), WITH BROTHER YOUNG'S REPLIES, Luper doubtlessly what we now are about to publish never insisted that I get Young's replies DIRECTLY FROM would have seen the light of day. However, to my HIM. This, I have tried to do-both privately as well personal inquiries of brother Young in this regard, he as publicly--ALL TO NO AVAIL. has steadfastly refused to answer even a single word-"stone-walling" is the term currently in vogue. Almost a year now has passed, since we first started mentioning "Peppergate/Watergate" and So, since we cannot apparently inspire answers Luper's 52 questions through these pages. Through from him in any other way, here (at long, long, long Page 2

last) is the much discussed list of querries Luper put to Young-to which our brotherhood has a right to sufficient answers-or brother Young should resign from Pepperdine University -or both:

QUESTIONS FOR M. NORVEL YOUNG

1. Is your base salary $35,000 annually at Pepperdine University?

2. Do you receive $300.00 monthly for miscellaneous expenses? Ira Y. Rice, Jr., Editor Post Office Box 26247 Do you make proper accounting for this amount? Birmingham, Alabama 35226 A. Do you receive any benefit personally from the "President's Volume V, Number 11 November11974 Fund"? A. Is this fund properly and regularly audited?

Do you receive in your home maid service paid by Pepperdine University?

SUBSCRIPTlON RATES I Does Pepperdine University purchase food for your home?

Single Subscription - $2 per year Is this expenditure written off as an expense against your or Three Years for $5 A. office at Pepperdine University? Club Rate - Six Subscriptions, $10 Who is University Planning Consultants? Single Copy, 256 I A. What is their address? Bundle Rates: 6 Copies B. What is their telephone number? 12 Copies 18 Copies 25 Co ies C. Who are their officers or directors? 40 ~ofies 60 Copies D. What services do they render or perform annually for the 80 Copies $40,000 they bill the Executive Committee of the Board 100 Copies of Trustees of Pepperdine University?

E. How many years has University Planning Consultants billed Pepperdine University for Consultants services? What is the total amount to date? This publication is sponsored by and under the oversight of F. Why were these $40,000 checks hand delivered to you? the elders of the Shades Mountain Church of Christ G. Was there proper accounting tax information given 10 the Birmingham, AJabama proper authorities of these transactions?

H. Please explain the endorsement on the back of these $40,000 checks. Are you the major stockholder of Twentieth Century Publishing Company? Please address ALL COMMUNICATlONS to A. Are employees of Pepperdine University used in the CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH publication of Twentieth Century Publishing Company? Post Office Box 26247 Birmingham, Alabama 35226 B. Does Pepperdine University pay for their services? Does the Public Information Officer of Pepperdine University, William M. Youngs, work full time for Pepperdine University?

A. How much time does Mr. William Youngs devote to the publication of "Action" while on the payroll of Pepperdine University?

Please explain how and why Mr. Roy Dial uses Pepperdine CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH is published University as an instrumentality to transfer funds from one of monthly (except December) by Shades Mountain his finance companies to the other? Church of Christ, 959 Alford Avenue, Post Office Box 26247, Birmingham, Alabama 35226. Class What were the motives of the Adamson Rindge ranch people in Second Postage paid at Birmingham. giving part of their land to Pepperdine University?

A. What other developments have occurred in the adjoining lands near Pepperdine since receiving the land gift from Adamson Rindge?

B. What part did Kenneth Hahn and George Evans play in getting this land re-zoned? Page 3

Does the Adamson Rindge family borrow large sums of money Please explain the newly acquired wealth of Mr. Larry from Pepperdine University on various occasions? Hornbaker and Mrs. Lovette Bennett through stock appreciation of the Hallmark Group Companies. A. Did they give Pepperdine University a promisory note for these sums? Is Pepperdine University involved in land developing projects in Topanga Canyon and Palos Verdes estates? B. Were these promisory notes redeemed? In what method were they redeemed? Has Pepperdine in the last few months executed a mortgage with the Bank of America for $12.8 million? C. Explain Charles Runnels, Jr.'s method of removing these notes from the safe at Pepperdine University. A. Does it also have a short term note due to the Bank of America for around $3,000,000? D. Please explain the method of the cancellation of these notes. Is Pepperdine University on the Los Angeles campus and the Malibu campus in a solvent financial condition? Has Robert P. Jones borrowed large sums of money from Pepperdine University in landdevelopment schemes? Is Alexander Grant and Company the auditors of Pepperdine University? A. Did Robert P. Jones sell Pepperdine University a 1120th share of worthless land in the Riverside area for $75,000? A. What is Paul Linnell's position within the Alexander Grant Company? What is his relationship to Pepperdine B. Was a cashiers check for $75,000 issued through the University? United California Bank at Manchester and Vermont in Los Angeles for this amount? In the past three years name those who have been in charge and others in the accounting department who have been terminated Name the alumni, Board of Trustee members, Administrative and the reasons for their terminations, at Pepperdine. members and academic officers who have been involved in several investment transactions in which Pepperdine University Please explain Mr. G. L. Curruthers' contributions to Pepperdine funds have been used. University.

Who are the officers or Board members of the Riverside Valley A. Were part of these contributions given back to Erschel Investment Company? Bean or Mrs. Bean?

A. Has this company or officers of this company borrowed Is it ethical or professionally acceptable for colleges or money from Pepperdine University at low interest rates or universities in fund raising activities to become involved in at no interest at all? kick-backs or finders fees?

Have there been investment ventures carried on by M. Norvel Are various top officials in the faculty and administration of Young, Kenneth Hahn, Walter King, Kenneth Ross, Irl Stalcup, Pepperdine University recipients of Ministerial housing William Stivers and William L. Allen that involved Pepperdine allowances? University in any manner or capacity? A. Did Wiiam Banowsky in 1969 write a memo to Was Topo Dynamics, Inc., 310 North San Vincente Blvd., Los Pepperdine controller, Harry Walker, directing that Angeles, California, retained by the University to help advise on around $400.00 a month or so of Mr. Banowsky's salary the cash flow needs on the construction program at Malibu? be treated as a Ministerial housing allowance?

A. Has the site preparation cost of the Malibu campus B. Since 1969 does Mr. Banowsky still have part of his salary exceeded $8,000,000? If so, how much more? treated as a Ministerial allowance?

B. Was the site preparation cost originally estimated at $1.5 What is Pence Dacus's relationship with Pepperdine University million? today?

Did the Architects Wiliam Periera Associates in 1970 project the A. Does Mr. Dacus receive around $30,000 annually from cost for the various buildings programmed at Malibu on phase the University? Please explain. No. 1 of the construction program including site preparation costs to run around $15,000,000? What is Hillary Mottsinger's relationship with Pepperdine A. How much have these costs run to date? University today?

B. Were all incoming donations for Malibu placed in one A. Does Mr. Mottsinger receive around $30,000 annually account? If so, why? from the University? Please explain.

C. Were all expenses paid out of this one account? What is Donald Bibbem's relationship with Pepperdine University today? Did Hamld Isom collect on a Lawsuit for a 10% finders fee for a contribution he obtained for Pepperdine University? A. Has the University purchased new automobiles for him? If so, please explain. Did Mrs. Jerene Abblyby Hamish give $1,000,000 to Pepperdine for the American Heritage Center? When Wiiam J. Teague ran for public office in the 34th Congressional district was Pepperdine University used in any A. Did Larry Hornbaker, Vice President for development for manner in the payment of campaign indebtedness on behalf of Pepperdine University receive a 10% finders fee on the Mr. Teague? Hamish donation? k Explain why Pepperdine University was involved in the Did Mr. William Youngs in part of his publicity program for payment of posters and bumper stickers, etc., for Mr. Pepperdine say. that Wiiam Banowsky inherited unexpectedly Teague by the Aldine Printing Company. from an uncle who died, $1,000,000? B. Prior to the 1970 election did Mr. Teague become Does Mr. Charles Runnels, Jr., trade quite heavily in the stock disenchanted with Pepperdine University? If so, why? market? C. Please explain how Mr. Teague obtained employmtnt 44. What were the reasons Mabel Bean was terminated by the with the Purex Corp. Ltd. of Lakewood, California. University two years ago?

D. Has Mr. Teague ever warned that he would 'blow the A. Recently was Mrs. Bean told that she would have a private whistle' on Pepperdine after the race for Congress in room at a beach house at Malibu and also is her son who 1970? If so, Why? is a student at Malibu receiving free tuition and other expenses paid by the University? E. Has Pepperdine University extended consulting fees to Mr. Teague to pay for outstanding financial obligations 45. Did William Banowsky ever say there had been financial after the campaign of 1970? irregularities at Pepperdine but if anyone was ever implicated, indicted, or punished it would be Dr. Young and Bill Teague Please explain the accounting procedures in balancing the budget because he, Banowsky, had not signed anything? of Pepperdine University both at Los Angeles campus and the Matibu campus. 46. Did William Banowsky ever say he personally did not care whether the membership of the Church of Christ felt negatively Please explain the method of business tra~sactionsbetween Mr. about him, that he felt the Church of Christ was too sectarian Kenneth Ross, his computer mailing service and Pepperdine and that this fact had caused him several years ago to begin University. following more secular pursuits?

A. Please explain the "contractual. fee" and the 47. Who are the members of the Executive Committee of the Board "contribution of service" between Mr. Ross and of Trustees of Pepperdine University? Pepperdine University. 48. In Harold Isom's suit against Pepperdine University claiming he Please explain the business relationship between Palmer Conner solicited $5,000,000 for Pepperdine, actually from whom did and Mr. Chades Runnels, Jr. Pepperdinc University receive donations from Mr. Isom's efforts, if any? A. Please explain the various business transactions between Mr. Conner, Westland Bank, Westlands Investment 49. Concerning the 1970 political campaign of Bill Teague, did he Company and Pepperdine University or between certain receive a check from Pepperdine for $6,000 and direct the individuals at Pepperdine University. accounting office to charge this expense against Cerrarel Tuttles development program? Please explain the $450,000 annual ta.x bill of Mrs. Frank Seaver and the reasons for her contribution to Pepperdine University 50. Because of the deep concern of the members of the Church of for this amount and Pepperdine University's reasons for paying Christ throughout the Brotherhood concerning the class that was this amount. taught by the First Christian Church Preacher, Larry Keene, on "occultism" in the "great issues series" at Pepperdine University, How many members of the Board of Trustees of Pepperdine will you permit the continuation of classes such as this to be University need to be present to constitute a quorum to carry on taught in the future at Pepperdine University? official business of this institution? A. In what method or manner was Mr. Keene selected Is it unusual for the Chancellor of the University, the "teacher of the year" by teaching this particular class? Chancellor's wife and the President of the University to also be members of the Board of Trustees of Pepperdine University? B. Who were the members of the Church of Christ, either students or faculty, who voted for him for this honor, or Do all membersof the Board of Trustees of Pepperdine perhaps a better word would be tragedy? University receive regularly (whether they attend all of the Board of Trustees meetings or not) full and complete accounting 51. In another class in the "great issues series" also taught by Larry of both campuses of Pepperdine University? Keene, is it true Mr. Keene invited and permitted so-called "swingers", "lesbians" and "homo-sexuals" to teach and talk to Did William Banowsky ever promise to anyone that if he would Pepperdine students who were under his supervision? not engage in politics in the future would this action deter any persons or aggrieved groups from suing the University? A. If true. will you permit classes such as this to be taught at Pepperdine University in the future? A. Did William Banowsky visit a superior of a former chief accountant and tell him this former chief accountant at B. Did a young lady from an Orange County Church of Pepp erdine University had turned over certain Christ congregation talk to Mrs. Helen Young about the information about Pepperdine's affairs to others? shocking things that went on in this class at Pepperdine?

B. Did William Banowsky telephone this same former chief C. What did Mrs. Young do about this tragic situation? accountant and ask him out to dinner so they could "talk at length"? Did the former chief accountant accept or 52. A few years ago in the student hand-book at Pepperdine refuse this invitation? University, social dancing was prohibited on the Pepperdine campus. Why was this statement removed from the hand-book? C. Did William Banowsky tell the formei chief accountant that he was needed back at Pepperdine and to feel free to write his own contract with Pepperdine and to set forth in this contract any terms, salary wise or otherwise, and the So there you have them, brethren-Archie W. Luper's 52 terms would be met? questions (and 55 sub'tjuestions) which he put to Pepperdine D. Two or three days later, did the Mother-in-law of William Chancellor M. Nowel Young more than 18 months ago. I leave Banowsky telephone the former chief accountant to it to you-do you believe that the brotherhood of Christ has a reiterate and reemphasize Mr. Banowsky's offer to the right to know the answers to these questions (especially since accountant? brother Young and Pepperdine still seek to recruit our Christian young people for whatever they teach in the name of E. Two or three days later, did the Father-in-law of Mr. Banowsky telephone the former chief accountant to Christianity at Pepperdine)? Or do you believe that such a expand on the offer and reiterate it? situation as these questions clearly imply poses no threat to our children's Christian character and that Young, Banowsky, have to get there early even to find a seat for this at the Bader Runnels, Hornbaker and company should be allowed to Gymnasium! And the many-faceted other parts of the annual continue their cover-up of "Peppergate" and all of us just lectureship program are being attended accordingly. pretend it never happened? Maybe we don't know all the answers, brethren; but we When brother Luper began looking across this think we know the answer to this one. It is because more and brotherhood for someone he felt of sufficient stature and more of us are awakening to the fact that the ACC influence to try to get things corrected, he finally decided to administration has been paying only "lip service" to the truth present all of this material to brother Reuel Lemmons not of !he gospel, while toadying to Liberals, Modernists, only because he was the Editor of the Firm Foundation but Neo-Pentecostals and Pseudo-intellectuals of every stripe, also because he was (and is) a member of the Board of whereas Freed-Hardeman, as always, still is sticking with the Directors at Pepperdine University. truth of the gospel as it is in Christ Jesus.

In his desperation, rather than holding anything back, he Because of the situation at Abilene Christian College, I, laid all of his material causing the foregoing questions squarely personally, discontinued attending their Lectureship some in the lap of brother Lemmons. And what was Lemmons' three or four years ago. 1 will not be there again this year-nor reaction to all this? Rather than making any real effort on his any year-until overt fruits of repentance are clearly visible own to establish the facts, he absolutely refused to accept any that their love affair with false teachers and apostates is truly of it, saying, in a letter to brother Luper, "It is nothing but a over and that they are ready to return to the marriage of campaign of calumny!" truth-and really mean it.

Well, brethren, it is not a "campaign of calumny9'-and However, brethren, I do attend the Freed-Hardeman 1'2 legions of angels saying that Reuel Lemmons was right Lectures just as regularly as the years roll around. Last year we about it won't make it so.. If there was nothing more to it than had well over 4,000 in attendance. Because of the the fact that donors gave that money to Pepperdine and already-cramped facilities, I don't know where they'll put you; received a tax-credit for it -only to have Young, Banowsky however, this coming February, let's make it at least 5,000 or and others syphoning off $40,000 a year for seven years more! If all those preachers, elders, teachers and concerned ($280,000) for their own personal use-that within itself not Christians who still know, believe in and love the truth of the only is unethical, it is downright dishonest! gospel as it is in Christ Jesus will really rally to the Freed-Hardeman Lectures this year, we'll have such an And, from the material that I now have in my outpouring of attendance that those responsible contrariwise possession, which I obtained through sources other than at ACC, Pepperdine and other such apostatizing campuses will brother Luper, it is my own conviction that this $280,000 simply have to sit up and take notice. rip-off is only the tip of the iceberg! "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against As near as I can tell, it is not just Young, Banowsky and principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness Pepperdine that are at stake, but the responsibility and of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." integrity of our entire brotherhood. Rather than burying our (Ephesians 6:12) heads in the sands of indifference and unconcern, surely the time is now here when those who really care should be asking, See you there! "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" NO PAPER IN DECEMBER AS EDITOR One thing you can do, if you are truly concerned for the AND OTHERS ACCOMPANY R. N. HOGAN truth, is to send your copy of these 52 questions to brother ON FAR EAST CAMPAIGN TO SINGAPORE Young at Pepperdine University and ask him please, please, to answer them for the entire brotherhood without further delay. To the oft-repeated false charge that we who are connected with Contending for the Faith are "completely BROTHERHOOD-WIDE CALL SOUNDED negative9'-always tearing down but never building up-we FOR THOSE WHO STILL STAND FOR TRUTH answer: 'T'AINT SO! OF THE GOSPEL TO RALLY AT FREED-HARDEM AN LECTURESHIP In fact, if certain stateside brethren had not been pulling all these doctrinal shenanigans back home while my family and This may not be the most tactful question to ask, I were overseas as missionaries (for almost 11 years), I suppose brethren, but explain, if you can, why is it that at the same we should still have been in Singapore, Southeast Asia and the time the Abilene Christian College Lectureship is on the Far East much longer by now. decrease (and they finally had to just give up on their infamous, so-called "Preachers Workshop" entirely), yet, over We take no delight whatever in publishing the facts we the past three or four years attendance at the Freed-Hardeman do regarding the present apostasy; but we continue to plan, Lectureship has practically tripled! raise support and work for the spread of the cause of Christ overseas and around the world-and, in this, our hearts rejoice. Whereas, before, those who attended Guy N. Woods' well-named Open Forum at the F-HC Lectures formerly had Those who subscribe for Contending for the Faith all no trouble finding a seat at the church auditorium, now you know this-for, in addition to this paper, we also send every subscriber regularly each month (without charge) its extending the faith that was once for all delivered unto the companion publication, the Far EastlWorld Evangelism saints. Newsletter. And those who have been reading the Newsletter faithfidly all know that ever since last January we have been While we are away, please be thinking over two working toward accompanying R. N. Hogan, of Los Angeles, important points: 1) Do you who now subscribe to California, and raising support for others to participate in a Contending for the Faith believe that we should increase the gospel campaign, December 16 through 21, in Singapore. size of it from its present eight pages to 16 pages in order to try to keep up with this burgeoning apostasy in the year (and Because of this gospel effort overseas-and also because years) ahead? And 2), if so, how much support would you be our mailing permit is set up this way-there will be NO ISSUE willing to purpose on a regular, monthly basis to our of tlle paper in December. (Incidentally, for those desiring CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH FUND during 1975 both to BOUND VOLUMES of Contending for the Faith for the make this possible and to undergird an all-out battle for the current (5th) year-1974-NOW IS the time to place your truth of the gospel among the churches of order. Even in the face of rising costs, we are holding the price Christ-WORLDWIDE? of these bound volumes again this year to just $3.00 per If you really want a 16-page paper, we need to know it! volume. Or, if you want the entire set of FIVE bound However, without your financial support, it will not be volumes, send 515.00 with your order, in care of this paper.) possible for us to carry out the fight for truth on the scale the present situation clearly calls for. Therefore, while it is still However, just as soon as the appointments we have fresh on your heart, please let us hear from you. Address all scheduled for Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, New Zealand and correspondence (and contributions) to Contending for the the Fiji Islands have all been fulfilled, Lord Willing, sister Vada Faith, Post Office Box 26247, Birmingham, Alabama 35226. Rice and I will be back stateside the latter part of Tax-deductible receipts will be sent to all who send. We'll be January-ready to continue contending for as well as looking forward to hearing from you. IYRJr.

J. B. Myers, minister, Kimball mine; however, gospel truth comes tiist even "Here is the $10 a month that we have AvenueiMemphis, Tennessee, June 6, 1974: before friendship ..." IYR, Jr.) purposed to give to go where it is most needed. "Lnclosed is a copy of a letter 1 sent to Haskell Wish that it could be more. We are happy that Chesshir, editor of the Christian Woman Paul Logue, Jackson, New Jersey, July 13, we can have fellowship with the work and we're magazine, concerning the mailing list of his 1974: "Dear Brother Rice: Sometime ago glad that men are being trained both in S.1.'. and magazine. I have not received an answer yet and (January 1971), 1 wrote you remonstrating that Singapore to preach and defend the faith of our I thought that you might know a reason why you advocated withdrawal from certain Lord Jesus Christ ..." this occurred (see letter). Mission has definitely brethren, namely, Pat Boone, Ren Franklin and received the mailing List of the Christian Dean Dennis. I am now convinced that this was Ernest Underwood gospel preacher, sent me Woman. Did this occur before Rro. Chesshir a pointless thing to have done and ask your a copy of the October 5, 1973 "Ridgewood became editor? 1 don't appreciate the. 'back forgiveness . . .In your reply you expressed Reflector" published weekly by the Ridgewood door' approach that Mission has taken (wltii the surprise that I should have been chosen an elder Church of Christ, Beaumont, Texas, wherein he help of Christian Woman magazine) in its of Central church of Christ in St. Louis You had circled in red the following item asking, attemp to sow the sccds of unbelief in my will be comforted to know that in July 1972 1 "What :hink thee of this?'"The item, quoted in home. resigned as elder and teacher at Central. My full, reads as follows: wife and I withdrew our membership from that The letter that brother Myers had written congregation.. .The foregoing statements are " 'TIME TO RUN1-A movie worth was dated January 15, 1974, and reads as made to 'clcar the remembrance that thy seeing.. .lily Graham has done it again. follows: "Dear brother Chesshu, My dehas brother hath ought against the5 and to 'forgive, Following for 'Pete's Sake', one of the +hest received several advertisements from Mission if ye have ought against my. I wish to stand religious-oriented motion pictures to be :nade maga7ine soliciting a subscription to that before the altar of God with clean hands. Yours available to the American people in many years. publication. Since they misspell her name the with the love Jesus has shown us, (Signed) Paul There now comes 'Time to Run', a picture same way that it is misspelled by the Christian Logue.) about a family, about listening, about the Woman (Janett Myres instead of Jeanette silences between people, the unspoken Myers), 1 assume that you have sold or given (NOTE: In my reply to the foregoing, under moments, and the moments of anger that don't Mission your mailing List. Since Mission is a date August 17, 1974, 1 wrote: "Dear brother really accomplish anythmg. 'Time to Run' publication sowing the seeds of discord and Logue: Thank you for your letter of 13 July offers Christ as an answer to the human error, I can hardly see how this will help the 1974.. .Whereas 1 take no joy in the fact that dilcmma . . .Regardless of your understanding readers of the Christian Woman magazine. you had to resign as an elder and teacher at of the inadequacies of the Billy Graham gospel Would you please advise me how this could Central church of Christ, in St. Louis, inasmuch this film has a tremendous story for those who have occurred? ..." as you evidently are still bent on apostatizing want to do some thinking about Christ and the from the truth of the gospel as it is in Christ Christian way of life.. .Four of our members (NOTE: In my reply to brother Myers, Jesus, 1 believe you chose the right course of previewed the film and each one under date June 13, 1974, 1 said, in part, "Dear action, until, if ever, you see the error of the enthusiastically endorsed it. The invitation at brother Myers: Thank you for sending mc that way you have chosen to go and repent.. .That the end offers counseling for anyone who wants copy of the letter you wrote HaskeU Chesshir. 1 truth may prevail, (Signed) Ira Y. Rice, Jr.") to accept Christ. We know of course that have felt for quite some time that brother accepting Christ requires that one be immersed Haskell llas not been thinking straight relative Harrell Davidson, minister to the Eastside into Him in order that one might rise to a to the Restoration Movement. Whether that congregation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, newness of life. Unfortunately, Mr. Graham has mailing list from the Christian Woman was used August 13, 1974, in sending in two more never seen the necessity of ths. Even so, this by MISSION before or after Haskell became subscriptions to Contending for the Faith, said, motion picture will do you good. I urge each editor, I cannot say. However, he needed "Hope all yo:; work and the move are working one of you to attend along with the whole jogging anyway; so, in either case, no harm out real fine... family.. .lake Charles bulletin." done.. .Haskell's wife has been fellowshipping at Belmont in Nashville now for quite some Robert James, Parma, Idaho, in sending in (NOTE: What do I think of this? From what time.. .Both of thcm are long time friends of his new address enclosed another $10, saying, Paul said in Galatians 2, it matters not at all; Page 7

God regards no man's person. But what God Lynn Anderson and Roy Osborne. Just why Christian will be saddened and disturbed about thinks of this matters everything. Regardless of Harold Hazelip and Alonzo Welch would appear the great number of gospel preachers who are the qualifications about the "inadequacies" of on the same program with these, I am giving up the Lord's work for secular Billy Graham's "gos~el," the over-riding effect unsure-unless, of course, "birds of a feather employment . . .The experiences of the great of this item was to bid God speed" to him in (you finish it)" ... As for brother Wisdom having Christian, Paul, have not impressed many with his new film. How much more "God speed" no degrees, I advised him, in my reply of the grave danger of forsaking the greatest work could anyone want than to have "each one of August 3 1, 1974, "Don't let anyone put you on on earth-proclaiming the gospel of Christ to a vou" urged "to attend along with the whole an inferior level because you do not have dying world.. .Paul did not allow the iamly." For what God thinks of this, please degrees. Neither did Jesus Christ nor any persecution and ridicule of the enemies of truth reas 11 John 9-1 1. IYR, Jr.) apostle with the possible exception of Paul. I to deter him from fulfilling his mission, but said gather that he must have been somewhat 'woe is me if I preach not the gospel.' Cast out Ben D. Sherfield, evengelist? Margarita, learned'; but none of the others were-and God of Lystra, expelled from other cities, he went Canal Zone, September 26, 1973: "1 am writing used them to his glory ..." IYR, Jr.) through them again and established you for two reasons, first to have 12 copies of churches. . .Present day gospel preachers need each issue sent down each month to my new Bishop R. Burroughs, Oakland, California, to be concerned, first with the lost state of the address. . .The second reason . . .is to prdse July 7-8, 1974: "Reware of the teachers who world, and, secondly with their obligation to you and others for revealing this Herald of teach FALSELY and whose belief is fulfill the task they have assumed to 'save Truth mess. Not many in the states would have CONTRARY to the WORD OF GOD. some' . . .The 'quitters' have IiAtle in common known without your good paper and even less Example: They teach there is a Heaven but with faithful gospel preachers ... in other fields. I received a letter from their believe there is no hell. Man is not wiser than office saying that brother Haddox would God. Let's get our Bible and study. God said NOTE: Brother Anderson enclosed another answer my letter in which I requested that they the wicked shall be turned into HELL and all $10 to help with the publishing and greater remove my name from their mailing list. !! will nations that forget God. Psalms 9:17. And distribution of Contending for the Faith. We be interesting to hear what he has to say... death and HELL were cast into the Lake of need thousands Like him! IYR, Jr.) Fire. This is the second death. And whosoever W. L. Totty, minister to Shelbyville was not found written in the Book of Life was Tom Ashmore, Peru, Kansas, July 23, 197 3: Road/Indianapolis, Indiana, in ordering cast into the Lake of Fire. Revelation 20: 14-15. "...Contending for the Faith is one of the best additional copies of Axe on the Root, Volumes The Holy Spirit revealed to the apostle things conservative publications that I receive-from 11 and 111, said, under date June 24, 1974, "1 concerning the day of the Lord. He said the California to Florida. Others also do a truly appreciate the work that has been done ill heavens would pass away, and the elements tremendous job . . .Brother Rice, it is people publishing CONTENDING FOR THE should melt with fervent heat. I1 Peter 3:lO. like you and brother Jackson that help keep the FAITH ..." Verse 12 says this was fire. Be not deceived. gospel ture. May you always keep up the good Study your Bible. A little learning is work ... Glen W. Mellott, minister, Salem, Indiana, dangerous..." November 2. 1973: "... 1 can't tell you in words W. D. Boles: "... 1 have just finished reading how much good you and your paper have done Mrs. Loretta Long, in renewing her own the letter you wrote to John C. Stevens. For for me in my work here and in the fight against subscription for two years, asked us to send the most of my life ACC was upheld as the ultimate liberalism. The elders and I are united in this paper to a friend. Enclosing $10, she instructed in Christian education. A degree from ACC he!d fight for truth as we have been together on all us to "use the rest as needed most." We are more esteem with me than from any oiher other fronts. Thanks to you and others Like using it to get the message out to others who institution in the world.. .Over the last few you, they are determined sensationalism of any otherwise might never have known just what is years the developments at ACC have been at kind shall not enter this congregation . . .God happening to "us." the best heart-breaking. I hope and pray that bless you and hold up your arms in your good the once good men in charge will come to their work ..." W. F. Cawyer ordered 25 copies of the senses soon. As it is now, 1 dare not mention to March11974 issue of Contending for the Faith others that ACC is a church school, because in Bettye B. Still, Seattle, Washington, sent us for distribution in and around Abilene, Texas. my opinion it is no longer a church $25, saying, "Hope this helps. I pray for you all school.. .Thank you for the letter you wrote the time and hope that these liberals will see G. W. Patterson, Weatherford, Texas, Mr. Stevens. . .God bless you in your the light ..." November 2, 1973: "Have just received the Contending for the Faith." sample copies of Contending for the Faith. This Jimmie R. Wiscom, Callahan, Flo~ida, is just what is needed to fight for truth.. .I Winston Atkinson, Dallas, Texas, January Auaust 19, 1974: 1 received several back have distributed copies of Cawyer's article to 29, 1973: "I enjoy reading CONTENDING coGes of 'Contending for the Faith' last week; about 500 members in this area as well as to FOR THE FAITH. Thanks. I appreciate your and 1 am very thankful to receive them . . .I am other congregations. The fight is on and we will very firm stand for the truth and your courage a minister, who has come up in the college of win. . .Thanks for your efforts in stemming the of conviction.. .May the Lord continue to hard knocks because I speak against error and great tide of digression ... He enclosed check to bless you as you pray for wisdom and direction the liberal doctrines. You may already have cover his own subscription and four others. in your attacks against liberalism in the this, but I have enclosed a bulletin from one of brotherhood in a manner that might be the Florida congregations. I may be wrong, but W. H. Johnson, minister to the church at approved by God.. .If I can be of service at it seems like to me something is going to Dresden, Tennessee, ordered 100 copies each of any time, you know to call on me ..." happen. Some of these names are really the July/1973 and August/1973 issues for standing out in my mind. I thought you just distribution there. NOTE: Since writing the foregoing, brother might like to read this and think about it . . .I Atkinson has moved on to New Orleans, have spoken out against some of these teachers, Bud Camall, Cherryvalle, Kansas, November Louisiana. He still stands firm. IYR, 31.) along with brothers Paul Sain and Steve Wder, 9, 1973: "...Keep up the good and faithful that have come to the North Alabama area in work of truth. We were very happy to read the Alberto Ramm, Glendale, Arizona, July 29, the 'Youth Quake' and various other things. I last issue on how and why Contending for the 1971: "... 1 believe your publications and others hold no degrees and a lot of my brethren have Faith was started. T2o many times we have like yours are just what the brotherhood needs tried to put me on an inferior level; but some of heard the comment, Well, it's nothing but a today. I do not think many among the my brethren would not know the truth if it was trouble-making gossip sheet.' By the last issue brotherhood are aware of the present apostasy under their nose- and it is.. .I have been in you have given your aim and.goa1, and it is in the church. Your publication has personally Callahan for six months. Eight have been truly a hard but great mission you have enlightened and has helped me identify the baptized and 13 confessed faults." undertaken. (We) know from experience how false teachers of today. I have recommended trying it is to stand up for truth and against the subscription of your periodic editions of NOTE: The bulletin brother Wisdom apostasy. But when you hgve God on your side, 'Contending for the Faith' to the elders of the enclosed should have cauted him concern. It you've already won over the Devil and his congregation I attend in Phoenix ..." was Chuck Lucas's bulletin for August 18, work. Keep up the good fight ..." 1974, from the Crossroads congregation in W. H. Watson (for the elders), Darby Drive Gainsville. 1:lorida. Among other wrong things Grover Stevens, I.ubbock, Texas, January church of Chr~st,Florence, Alabama, May 13, Chuck was reporting was the then-imminent 22, 1974: ... 1 appreciate the work you are 1972: "...We like the newsletters we have seen EIGHTH ANNUAL FLORIDA EVANGELISM doing in exposing liberalism in the church. It's thus far, and we would like to commend you SEMINAR-a vehicle whereby he and the long ptst due, and 1 am afraid too late for for the fine job you are doing in exposing the Crossroads brethren were bringing in false or many ... growing apostasy called 'liberalism' ..." uncertain-sound speakers from all over the NOTE: The Darby Drive elders have a nation to help mislead our youth. Among the Lee Anderson, St. Petersburg, Florida, July standing order for 40 copies each issue. Much false teachers they featured this time were 20, 1974: "... I know that every faithful appreciation. IYR, Jr.) activities and not be accountable? Heart beat Has Heart Trouble The speaker on Heartbeat thinks Franklin Camp God's love overlooked all of these sins. How could he tell the young EDITORAL NOTE: Much appreciation to B. C. Coodpasture, Editor of the GOSPEL man he would not have been lost ADVOCATE, for carrying the following article by my fellow worker Franklin Camp in the Advocate for November 7, 1974. It is timely in the extreme. IRYJr. if this is not what he was advocating? If the love of God would The Fifth and Highland church young man about his problems. have saved the young man in his in Abilene has a five-minute radio The young man revealed the fol- sins, then why would the love of program called Heartbeat. The lowing about his life. He had run God not save all others in their format of the program is "talk away from a foster home, had sins? (John 3: 16.) God's love about anything except the Bible." been on drugs, and had almost provides grace and forgiveness Their claim for following this pro- died from an overdose of drugs. through the gospel to the obedient. cedure is that if the Bible is used, He said he had also been guilty of (Mark 16: 15-16.) God's love of- or the church mentioned, it will fornication. After the young man fered through the gospel makes it turn people off. The speaker on had revealed his past, he asked the possible for God to be just while the program has defended this ap- following question, "What would extending mercy. have happened if had died? proach by saying that the radio I "Whom God hath set forth to program is only a method to con- Would I have been lost? What be a propitiation through faith tact people and then he teaches about hell? Would it have been in his blood, to declare his them by personal letter. I ques- fair?" Why did the young man righteousness for the remis- tioned this approach from the start think it would be unfair for him to sion of sins that are past, of the program. I also wondered be lost? His answer was that he through the forbearance of just what kind of teaching would was only fourteen years old. God; to declare, I say, at this be done by personal letter by one What answer did Heartbeat offer? time his righteousness: that who refused to use the Bible on Here it is. "If you had died, do he might be just, and the jus- the program for fear people would you know what God would have tifier of him which believeth not iisten to the broadcast. I done? He would have scooped in Jesus." (Rom. 3: 25-26.) know now what kind of teaching you into his arms and would have is being done by letter. If this let- held you forever." By what au- God's love does not conflict with ter is a sample of the teaching thority did the speaker of Heart- his justice. If it did, then God done by this method, Heartbeat beat tell this young man that if he would condone sin. This is impos- has not only a weak heart about had died he would not have been sible. The contents of this letter using the Bible on the program, it lost? Was it because the young shows without any doubt that has the worst kind of heart trouble man was unaccountable? If this is things have not improved at High- in teaching by letter. so, why did the young man want land. I have a copy of one of the to know if he was lost? Is it possi- GOSPELADVOCATE Heartbeat letters. The letter is ble for one to take drugs, practice November 7, 1974 dated May 27, 1974. This is nine free love, engage in illicit sexual

PERHAPS THE MAIN REASON the churches of Christ are having so much trouble over the Holy Spirit question these days is simply a lack of study. The most recent-certainly the most comprehensive-study book to appear on the subject of late is brother Franklin Camp's latest book, just off the press, entitled, The Work of the Holy Spirit in Redemption. Selling for $6.95, this new book is a major work. It is not intended for light reading. It is a study book on day. the sinele.L, 2 most ~er~lexing-.topic of our If it is answers you are looking for, please send your order today to CONTENDING FOR'THE FAITH, Post Office Box 26247, Biingham, Alabama 35226. I months later than the Memphis Second Class Postage meeting where one of the elders PAID at Birmingham. Ala. and the speaker of Heartbeat sought to defend the program. Since that time they have traveled POST OFFlCE BOX 26247 far and wide seeking to assure dis- BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA 35226 turbed brethren that all was well in Abilene. But according to the contents of this letter, the patient is sicker than ever. Read the heart of the letter. The speaker on Heartbeat was talking to a