The 28th Annual Oklahoma City Lectureship March 23 – March 26, 207 “Professing themselves to be wise, - they became fools” (Rom. 1:22) A Foolish World lectureship 2017 The 28th Annual Oklahoma City Lectureship March 23 – March 26, 207 “Professing themselves to be wise, - they became fools” (Rom. 1:22) A Foolish World dedication There is a sadness this year as we dedicate the Lectureship book! It was determined last year to Dedication this year’s book to Earl Patterson, who had served the Barnes church of Christ for many years, in a number of ways. However, Earl departed this life before we could so honor him. Earl died on April 24, 206! Therefore, he will not get to receive our love as expressed by the dedication but he will not be forgotten! As the photo above shows, we honor both Earl and Gladys by dedicating the “28th Annual Oklahoma City Lectures” book to them! Earl was born on October 24, 947 in Bakersfield, CA. and Gladys was born on January 8, 947 in Atoka, OK and Earl and Gladys were married on August 4, 967 in Spencer, OK and they were married 48 years. From this marriage came two children: Alicia and Loren; and they were blessed with six grandchildren: Kenny, Sarah, Philip, Emma, Gus and Danielle (by marriage). They also were blessed even more with twelve great-grandchildren! Earl served the Barnes church of Christ as song leader for many years. He was one, even during his illness, that you felt free to ask him to do things. He was one ready with a laugh, a smile on his face and was ready with a joke! As evidence to his character, little children loved him and he loved them. When he was a young man, he traveled with U. L. Allen a gospel preacher, who was blind, and Earl sometimes lead singing during gospel meetings. Earl had a great desire to learn the word of God; and he was a student in the “Oklahoma City School of Biblical Studies,” even though he may have known as much, or more than the teacher. On a personal note, when he was in my classes, I called him my “fact checker,” as I asked him to look things up. At times, he had the answer on the “tip of his tongue!” His three favorite songs testify to his spiritual mind; they were: “Lead Me Gently Home, Father,” “I Hold His Hand,” and “O That Will Be Glory.” Each has heaven written all through them! Gladys’ favorite songs are: “Our God He is Alive,” “On Sion’s Glorious Summit,” and “Lead Me Gently Home, Father.” Thus, these two shared a favorite song: “Lead Me Gently Home, Father.” Together in marriage and spiritually! Gladys has served as Bible class teacher for more years than even she likes to remember, as it i might reveal her age! She envisioned, along with others, to have paintings of the Bible events, from the beginning to the end, hanging on the hall wall facing the class rooms. She and others painted them and they are now hanging on the wall up for all to see! She also, many years back, painted the painting hanging behind the baptistry. Though she has asked others to paint a new one, we are most happy with her work! She also helps with the meal served each Tuesday night, to the students and faculty of the “Oklahoma City School of Biblical Studies,” and she is also a student which reveals her desire to know the Word of God! We are honored to dedicate the “28th Oklahoma City Lectureship book” to Earl and Gladys Patterson, who have served God through Christ! ii PREFACE “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools” (Rom. ;22). The story of the Roman Empire and modern America! Anytime a people put themselves above the wisdom of God; they are proving their own “foolishness.” The rejection of God, is the first foolish act coming from the heart of man! From this “foolish” heart, a certain way of thinking follows; which is then concluded in the outward acts! As Paul wrote: “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened” (Rom. :2). The fact that America has changed is undebatable! While some see the changes as good and even desirable; Christians see the changes as destructive to the very fiber, “the soul” of our nation! It appears that these changes have taken place nearly over night! However, the “bud” of these changes started in the 960’s and continued on through the 970’s. The back ground that served as an excuse was the Vietnam War! America had gone through three wars: ) World War I; 2) World War II; and 3) the Korean War and America was now in the Vietnam War. However, before getting into this area of study, notice the words of 94 in Britain, when British General Horace Smith-Dorrien said: “that war should be avoided at almost any cost, that war would solve nothing, that the whole of Europe and more besides would be reduced to ruin, and that the loss of life would be so large that whole populations would be decimated.” One might think that war is never popular, but it has been written, World War II never dropped below the support level 77 percent; despite the years and the damaging nature of the conflict. The Korean War was not as popular; and ended with about 30 percent support. The Vietnam War started with about 64 percent support in 965, but it to would end with only about 30 percent support. This is written to bring us to the point, there was greater protest during the Vietnam War than ever before! There was a change in attitude; the attituded was near, if not all together like that of British General Horace Smith-Dorrien: “that war should be avoided at almost any cost, that war would solve nothing.” Why the difference between World War II and the Vietnam War. In my humble opinion, a great change in America had taken place. The love of country, the goodness of America was no longer the opinion of many “Professors” in our colleges and Universities and from them to our young! But who were these who saw America in such low opinion? They were those called the “baby boomer.” This term generally includes those born between 946 and 964. They are the children of those who lived, fought, and sacrificed during World War II. I personally will never forget the words which came from the mouth of a young man spoken during a “Vietnam protest;” he said: “There is nothing worth dying for!” These words, though maybe the young man did not understand it, implied that there is nothing worth living for, for surely, we shall all die! Should we then not make our death worth something; in that it should leave behind a life of value? The streets were full of protesting young people, they were protesting the Vietnam War; draft cards were burned, and some ran to Canada to avoid being drafted and sent into the war. But there was something that ran deeper! It was their view of America! It was their view of authority, their rejection of parental authority, and with it came a change in the moral values of America! From it came what is called the “hippy movement!” The “hippy movement” was a rejection of God and the moral teaching of the New Testament! It included among other moral changes, free sex, men and women living together outside of marriage, children being born without the foundation of a family; it brought a greater use of various mind changing drugs, and the communal families; if not Socialism, it was so close to it, it was hard to see the difference! Then, in 973 the Supreme Court of the United States of America, gave their American changing ruling: The Constitution of the United States of America gave iii women the right of abortion! With this ruling came the cheapening of life! With this cheapening of life came a rejection, first of God and that man was made in the image of God; then of “right and wrong,” as right became something to be rejected and evil became something to be embrace; “good” and “evil” as America had known it from her founding, was turned upside down! America had the opportunity to know God, and had for many years imbibed, to some degree, the “principles and precepts” of “the teaching of Christ.” Her laws came from the Bible, not word for word, but in her values and sense of “right” and “wrong.” But, we have seen them change over the years; to the point that what was “right” is now “wrong,” and what was “wrong” is now “right!” We are now told that a boy may think, he is girl and it is so; or a girl may think she is boy and it is so! This was the Gentile world, the Roman Empire, which covered a large part of the earth. As we turn our attention to the Roman Empire and what it was like in the time of Paul we need not go in search of the history books written by men; for we have an inspired record as Paul wrote the letter to the church in Rome. What was Rome like during the first century? A study of Romans chapter one, verse eighteen through verse thirty-two describes the moral values, a depravity that now dwelt in the hearts, then, in the thinking, and finally in the actions of the time! According to, George Santayana (863-952), the words have been written differently through the years, but really says the something.