May 2008 Revivalist
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the CONTENTS editor’s May 2008 view Volume 120 No. 4 FEATURES AMother’sMemorial 5 by Vanessa Heppeard TheGloryOfGodInTheGoodness 13 OfMarriage by Albert Mohler LARRY D. SMITH DEPARTMENTS TheEditor’sView 2 ThePresident’sPage 3 LettersToTheEditor 4 WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN WEDDING? TheWorldToWin 4 FacultyForum 6 CalledUntoHoliness 8 im was a Calvinist, the pastor of a Presbyterian NewsFromTheHilltop 10 church, while I was a Wesleyan, the pastor of a holi- Jness church nearby. What united us, though, was far RevivalistFamily 10 greater than what divided us; and our camaraderie in DearPhil 14 Christ was very great. We prayed together, affirmed each WorldPulse 15 other’s ministry, and stood together in public witness. MediaMinute 15 Our people even borrowed his church for a wedding too RevivalistPulpit 17 large for our tiny space, and that service is etched in my WeBelieve 21 memory still. But so also is Jim’s reproof. ThoughtsForTheQuietHour 23 He was very gentle, of course; but he was also very pointed. “Why did you let them sing ‘I Love You Truly’ in EDITOR our church?” he asked. That question may seem puzzling Larry D. Smith now, for “I Love You Truly” has gone the way of the buggy whip; but 30 years ago it was still sung at weddings. “I love STAFF you truly, truly dear. / Life with its sorrow, life with its tears, / Fades into dreams when I feel you are near, / For I love you Kevin Moser, art director, managing editor truly, truly, dear.” Brandon Hilligoss, graphic designer It was entirely secular without reference to God or to Jon Plank, graphic designer, webmaster His purposes in marriage. That is why Jim thought it was Heather Frazier, production manager out-of-place in His house. For he knew—as I should have known—that Christian weddings are about God and His God’s Revivalist and Bible Advocate (ISSN 0745-0788) is published nine times a year for $10.00 per year ($28.00, Canada; $45.00, foreign countries) by the designs and not about mushy love songs. Revivalist Press of God’s Bible School, College and Missionary Training Home, Light and sentimental frills add merriment to a party 1810 Young Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202. Periodical postage paid at Cincinnati, Ohio, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: send address or reception, where they are welcome and appropri- changes to God’s Revivalist and Bible Advocate, 1810 Young Street, ate—provided always, of course, that they are neither Cincinnati, Ohio 45202. coarse nor mean. A Christian marriage ceremony, how- God’s Revivalist and Bible Advocate, the official organ of God’s Bible School, is a magazine founded by Martin Wells Knapp in July of 1888. We seek to proclaim ever, is not a party or a reception where we are charmed the good news of salvation; to stir a revival spirit among Christians; to stimulate and entertained, but rather a holy rite where God is Christian growth and responsible Christian living; to present the happenings and exalted and His purpose is fulfilled. That is why it usual- interests of God’s Bible School. Please obtain permission before reprinting any articles from God’s Revivalist and ly takes place in church, conducted by a pastor before a Bible Advocate. Unsolicited manuscripts are welcomed, but not returned. congregation; and that is also why all its details must be God’s Bible School and College seeks to glorify God and to serve His Church by reverent and devout. A Christian wedding must honor providing higher education centered in Holy Scripture and shaped by Wesleyan conviction, thus preparing faithful servants to proclaim Jesus Christ and spread God! This principle is timeless and universal, (p19)➡ scriptural holiness throughout the world. God’s Bible School and College does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, national or ethnic origin, or against otherwise qualified handicapped per- sons in its admission of students or employment of its faculty and staff. Contact us by telephone at (513) 721-7944 (Revivalist Press, ext. 296); by fax GOD’S REVIVALIST and BIBLE ADVOCATE at (513) 721-1357; by email at [email protected] or [email protected]. Visit us online at www.gbs.edu or www.godsrevivalist.com. 02 COVER PHOTO ©2008 Jupiter Images the president’s page DISCERNMENT by Michael R. Avery, President “Give your servant an understanding heart… that I may discern between good and evil” (I Kings 3:9). hen Solomon ascended the throne, he was keenly aware that he was not another David. WHe was a scholar, not a soldier. He knew noth- ing of cold lonely nights in the Judean wilderness protect- ing sheep from preying lions and bears. He had never faced a Goliath, fled from a Saul or put down an insur- rection led by his own son. As the new Commander-in- Chief, he had never worn armor, wielded a sword or killed a Philistine. In a word, he seriously lacked the life experi- ence that qualified him to be king. It’s no wonder that when asked by God in a dream, “What shall I give you?” the answer was already on his lips, “Give your servant an understanding heart…that I may discern between good and evil.” Solomon wanted and needed the kind of dis- cernment necessary to lead a great nation of people. Solomon’s prayer needs to be pulled out of the archives and prayed again. Discernment seems glaringly absent from Washington to Wall Street in both saint and sinner alike. The Church desperately needs saints who possess a healthy dose of discernment. Yet, from all appearances, discernment has not become one of the more coveted gifts. Discernment is crucially important because the purpose and goal of spiritual discernment is to know and do God’s will. To desire a discerning heart is to tell God that His will is valued above all else. To gain discernment is to gain the ability to bring God’s point of view to any issue or decision that confronts us. Not all of the issues we face have a simple “book-chapter-verse” answer. Many if not most require the application of a biblical principle that sometimes lacks specificity. We need a discerning heart in such cases so that we may please God by making a con- sistent and proper application of His Word in our lives. Discernment can come as a special gift from the Holy Spirit, but most discernment comes from exercising and developing our spiritual senses (Hebrews 5:14). This actually begins in parental training, for parents play a crucial role in developing discernment. They build a foundation of honesty, respect for authority, self-control, sensitivity to God, moral judgment, wisdom, etc,…from the toddler days to the teen years. The spiritual and moral training given in these formative years is indispensable to discernment. If neglected, it is almost impossible to construct them at a later time. During the teen years, godly counsel and life experience help further the development of discernment. For the adult, the most important means of developing discernment is through a thorough knowledge of God’s Word. Paul said, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correc- tion, for instruction in righteousness….” The Word serves as both a guide and a gauge for all our actions, activity and attitudes. As we saturate our minds with Scripture we develop biblically-oriented discernment and propriety. This enables us both to live and walk in the Spirit as mature Christians should. The Church and individual Christians are facing an onslaught of issues in today’s world that seem to demand Solomonic wisdom. We needn’t waste our time longing for Solomon’s wisdom, but we can pray the prayer of Israel’s young king and find that the same God who was pleased with such a request will again be pleased to grant us insight into His will. After all, desiring discernment is just another way of telling God we highly value His will and are willing to do what pleases Him most. And that, my dear friends, not only opens the door to His storehouse of wisdom, but to a host of other blessings as well! MAY 2008 03 MISSIONSREPORTS TOTHEEDITOR Letters should be addressed to the Editorial Office, 1810 Young Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, or emailed to [email protected]. Letters reprinted here do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editor of God’s Revivalist nor those of the administration of God’s Bible School. Names and locations of writers will be withheld at their specific request or at the discretion of the editor. We reserve the right to edit and condense. Each month we publish brief “field reports” from missionar- ies around the world. Missionaries are invited to send us their newsletters and other information about their activities. GBS FOREIGN SUBSCRIPTION PRICE INCREASE graduates are especially urged to respond, but we also wish to in- clude others who uphold our vision and our commitment. You are right that the increase in cost [for a Revivalist subscription outside the United States] is a COSTA RICA. “Rolando Meneses is developing well big jump. However, I believe I would like to continue as a pastor, caring for the people and wanting to do my subscription because I thoroughly enjoy the his best for them. One day [he] accompanied the Revivalist, especially the holiness stand it takes. McDowells [Rex II and Melissa] and me to the Barrio I do get a lot of soul food from the editor’s com- Mexico section of San Jose, Costa Rica’s capital city.