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Jack Williams
Volume 5 March/April, 1998 Number 1
In this issue . . .
The
Bible -- All Sufficient ("Informationally" That Is)
Jack H. Williams
Last January I attended the debate between Mac Deaver and Bill Lockwood on the work of the
Holy Spirit in the life of a Christian. Many things were very distressing in this debate,
but I want to look to only one at this time. Mac many times over stressed that he believed
the Word of God was all sufficient, but "only informationally." He offered the
challenge several times for Bill to state how it was all sufficient in any other way. His
intent was clearly to deny the sufficiency of the Word except for information, thus to
open the door for the necessity of the direct action of the Spirit on the child of God.
Now let's consider that for a moment. Is the Bible all sufficient in any way other than
"informationally?" Well, in one sense it surely is not. The book which lays
before me as I write this article is just laying there. It is a compilation of words
grouped into meaningful sentences and paragraphs that form books that provide ...
information. It is not going to begin to glow when an enemy approaches and then zoom
through the air imparting death and destruction. It is not going to mystically float
through the air and block my path when I attempt to engage in those deeds which are wrong.
It will not give a soothing tune when I do the right. It can do none of these things for
me-- after all it is just a book of information. Right? Yes, it is information, but I
cringe at the idea that gospel preachers are belittling it in this day by saying it is
insufficient since it is only information. After all the "information"
is not like that of Encyclopedia Britannica, we are speaking of DIVINE information (2
Timothy 3:16). A brief look at this book of "information" tells us that it is
indeed of great value to the child of God other than just information. A very much
abbreviated list of what the Word does for the child of God would contain such things as:
What good is the Bible other than "informationally"? Paul, by inspiration, answered the question for all who are concerned with listening to God rather than justifying their own teachings:
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
God's word is all sufficient. We do not need "supra literary" help from the Holy Spirit, and to teach so is to demean the Word of God and even the ability of God to supply that which He has promised through the word. It is "information" but it is information from God and is able to do that which He has promised.
In my files I have excellent material on the all sufficiency of the Word of God from the pen of Roy Deaver. I know many who sat at the feet of Roy when he taught at the Brown Trail School of Preaching, and I have yet to find one to whom he taught such. Rather they remember his unswerving stand for the all-sufficiency of the Scriptures as I do both Roy and Mac when they spoke at the lectures here at 39th Street (and not "just informationally"). It saddens me and a multitude of others to now see Roy and Mac seemingly intent on dividing the precious body of Christ by putting forth this unscriptural doctrine of a direct action on the child of God by the Holy Spirit -- a position both have valiantly fought against in earlier days. Let us all determine to look humbly to the all sufficient word of God, which He has said contains all we need for doctrine, for reproof and for correction, and to thus heed the action of the Spirit through the Word and bring our teaching into accord with His word rather than striving to justify self.
Abounding
Assumptions Assumed by An Anti-Assumption Advocate
by Robin W. Haley
Not all assumptions are wrong. Sometimes they are quite correct and accurate. Presumption, on the other hand, is a bad habit, and it ought not to be something in which God's people indulge. When it comes to spiritual matters, we ought neither assume nor presume, but do as Paul wrote, "prove all things; hold fast that which is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21).
I have recently read and re-read an article by my friend and brother Bob Berard which was published in Contending for the Faith, September/1997, pages 13-15. Within the body of that article, Bob uses the words assume, assumption, and assumed no less than 20 times by my count. He rightly takes to task a man who advocates the use of women in leadership positions in the realm of worship. Although he correctly applies the prohibition of 1 Corinthians 14 regarding women speaking in the assembly, he contradicts himself, not only within his article, but with how he attempts to justify women speaking in a teaching capacity when they translate a sermon preached by a man, to an audience which includes men. Bob's consistency does not shine through here.
He entitles his article "Women May Not Lead in Worship." Nevertheless, this is precisely what he advocates when he allows women to teach men through their oral translating work. Whereas Bob castigates the writer of the article under his review by mentioning that the writer "accepted as fact his ASSUMPTION that women were prophesying and leading prayers in the church's worship assemblies..." (B.B.'s emphasis), he nonetheless makes similar assumptions by implying these women were not doing so. This is what I mean: when contending with me in our written debate that women may orally translate to men, Bob alleges that they were prophesying in the assembly in 1 Corinthians, which Paul then forbad and corrected. But in this article, he says it is only an assumption that these gals were prophesying. Which is it? They were or they were not. What did Paul try to correct?
Further assumptions are made (which are the ones he made in our written discussion) that the assemblies in which these women were regulated were "special assemblies." He is quick (and correct) to point out that the command for silence for the men (1 Corinthians 14:28,30) is accompanied with conditions (silence, if there is no interpreter), but forgets all about this when he applies the command to the women, concluding that their silence is for special assemblies only. He continues to be inconsistent in this: silence does have conditions for both the men and the women. The conditions affect her teaching and leading, not her singing and confessing. He still has never shown the evidence nor the proof that what is described in 1 Corinthians is a "special" assembly. Oh, we admit the miraculous was involved then, but friends, it was a regular worship assembly, after which we pattern our worship today. All the ingredients are there with the only exception being the method by which doctrinal truth is conveyed to the assembly. Then it was by miracle, now it is by the written Word. Thus, the same prohibitions exist regarding who is to do what in that assembly when it comes to teaching and having leadership authority. "No," Bob says, "that prohibition does not apply to women who translate and interpret the preacher's sermon to the audience" (this is not a quote, but is what Bob teaches). Why Bob, why?
On page 14, third paragraph, Bob puts words in Paul's mouth when he writes: "Paul says 'it is a shame for women to speak' in the special assemblies here considered." No, he does not quote Paul as saying this, but implies this is what Paul meant. One ought not to put words in the apostles' mouths. What Paul taught was "women are to be silent when it comes to teaching in the assembly." Too bad Bob cannot see his inconsistency when he tells us that the woman's submission is "God's will dating back to Eden," except where the miraculous is involved . . . then we can dismiss those texts as immaterial when it comes to regulating a woman's role in public assemblies.
Under the column headed as Special Assemblies, Bob now continues in his assumptions by telling us what was going on in Corinth. If these are "special assemblies" where do we find the teaching regarding the "regular worship assemblies?" What first century assemblies did not have the miraculous present? Tell us, Bob. What did they do in these "regular worship assemblies?" How do you know what they did? Bob tells us that Paul is regulating "inspired speaking." How can he tell this? Did Paul mention "inspired speaking?" No, but he did correct the abuses of the inspiration which brought the teaching. Look again at the first few verses of chapter 14. Paul's concern throughout is the edification for the church which came through miraculous means. The Lord's same concern still exists for His church today. How does he want us to speak and teach? Peter tells us in 1 Peter 4:11. Who does the Lord want teaching? He tells us in 1 Corinthians and 1 Timothy. Dismiss these as "special assemblies," and there is no other teaching regulating the "who" in these matters.
Bob says, "Specific allowances and restrictions on the use of miraculous gifts cannot be applied today when there are no miraculous gifts to allow or restrict." With this I agree. We cannot regulate the non-existent prophet. But then he asserts: "Obviously, then, all the authorized speech considered in this text took place in a special assembly characteristic of the miraculous age and impossible for subsequent non-miraculous ages" (my emphasis, rwh). Here he is dead wrong! The authorized speech considered here is the doctrine of Christ. It is characteristic of all ages and centuries. Its transmission has changed, not its substance and presence. Paul is regulating the means, not the message. The men were to follow the guidelines peculiar to that age. The women were not limited to any age or time . . . they were to be silent, period! Even Bob says God's teaching for submission goes back to Eden, but then he dismisses Eden, and limits the prohibitions to the miraculous age. It is only his assertion, assumption, attestation, averance, and avowance that informs us that these were "special assemblies." He says these assemblies were "characteristic of the miraculous age." Now tell us, Bob, what were these characteristics? It has been proved over and over that the context of 1 Corinthians 11-14,16 show us a typical worship assembly. All that took place then, takes place now, except, as I said, the means by which the doctrine of Christ is transmitted to the audience. Within this context we find the Lord's Supper, teaching, prayer, singing, and the collection. What do you all do there in Spring, TX.?
Bob next alleges that "the prohibition of all women's speech was one of the specifics in such special meetings." Notice Bob forgets the conditions that he points out for certain men. Are there no conditions to this female silence? Yes: the condition has to do with what is going on. What is that? TEACHING. Women may not speak in this manner. This has nothing to do with her singing, as he rightly pointed out, but now denies. He uses the same argument that the man under his review used: "If it were applied to worship services of the church there could be no women singing or confessing their faith or faults." He will not allow the subject of his critique to use this, but he will use it himself. Inconsistency is always the trademark of those who will try to justify an unauthorized practice, such as allowing women to teach men through oral translation.
Ah, a challenge. Bob says "Let those claiming that this text is a regular worship assembly of the church explain why they allow confessions by women in today's worship assemblies." Now, Bob knows that I have explained this to him many times in our debate, but he will not listen. Here it is again, Bob: a confession by anyone (woman or man) is not an act of worship, neither is it an act of teaching, and it certainly does not usurp authority, nor does it constitute having dominion over anyone. Simple!
What is apparent is that Bob will use the same arguments used by this Eric Waller whom
he castigates, but only when they will assist him is allowing a woman to do that which she
is not authorized: teach men orally in a different language. I should like to quote him
again as I close this article. It applies to him as much as to the man he was reviewing.
"Given the gullibility of men, and especially of novices, his words will likely sway
some into his erring way." Bob ought to ponder the consequences as well. Perhaps Bob
thinks of me as a novice. Perhaps this is why he did not want to meet me in a public
discussion of this unauthorized practice. I offered many times, and many times he refused.
Time is always a consideration, I know. But when a false practice threatens to divide
brethren (and already has), we ought to make time. I still stand ready. If he will not
meet me, I am sure of two or three others who would be willing . . . and ready. What say
you, Bob?
211 N. 5th St.
Marlow, OK 73055
(580) 658-3186 or 3674
email: rwh07@aol.com
Converting
Christian People
Jim O 'Connor
"The greatest service that could be rendered to Christian peoples would be to convert them to Christianity."
I do not know the source of the above quote, nor do I know what might have motivated the author to make such an observation, but the message is plain and sobering. Unlike some "cute sayings," it isn't superficial. It goes to the very heart of the matter.
It is true that too many have accepted a watered down, rearranged, bargain basement substitute in the place of genuine Biblical Christianity. Likewise, too many have seen abuses of truth and viewed it as a fair representation of the whole, thus concluding, "If that's Christianity, I want no part of it." Well, in most cases, it isn't Christianity, sometimes not even a fourteenth cousin to it, and it causes Christianity to receive an unfair trial in the courts of human judgement.
The "holy war" in the middle-east, the Catholic/ Protestant confrontation in Ireland, the "K.K.K." here in the United States, the doctrinally divided denominational world, the weak kneed wickedness of "Christian Socialites," and apathetic materialism combine to give the religion of our Savior a bad name. Denying kinship to all such evil is a must, but it won't solve the problem.
What do we do? I wish I knew an easy solution to the problem, but I don't. What we must do is bring Christian people to an understanding that Christianity is more than an hour of their time on Sunday morning and a dollar in the collection plate. It's a way of life! It's a life of sacrifice, humility, compassion and courage clothed in holiness. When we understand that Christians are a group of people forming a united front against a spiritual foe, combining our efforts in concern for the lost and suffering of this world, then, and only then, will the prayer of our Savior bear fruit (John 17:21).
We could certainly begin with more Christians having a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the church of our Lord. This can only occur as more Christians educate themselves in the word of God -- not forgetting the milk while partaking of the meat of the scriptures.
200 SW 18th St.
Oak Grove, MO 64075
UPDATE ON JIM AND JUDY'S EVANGELISM WORK
On January 19th Judy and I left for work in India, Singapore and the Philippines. We had hoped to also be able to work in Nepal and Malaysia on this trip but it didn't materialize.
We arrived in India on January 21st. and made our way north to Rajahmundry in A.P. state where we began our work on the 24th. While in this area we worked mainly with the Ramadasupet congregation where my translator, V. Sudarsana Rao, works, but we also worked with congregations at Satelite city, Undeswarapuram, Madhurapudi, Kothavaram, Kovvur, H.B.Colony, and Butchempet. We baptized 35 into Christ in this area.
On January 30th we began working our way toward our next major work in Vijayawada. On the way we worked in Tanuku, Ankalagudem and Koyyalagudem. We had 17 baptisms in these three villages.
While in the Vijayawada area we worked mainly with S.Joseph and S. Karunanidhi at the Gunadala congregation. After completing five days of classes at this location we began branching out to the outlying villages of Vanakuru, Tadegadapa, Gottamukkala, Kankipadu, Neppalli, Ninavaram, Pottamata, Ibrahimpatnam and Singhnagar. We baptized 55 in this area of work. S. Karunanidhi worked with me quite a lot in this area as translator.
Judy taught ladies classes in several of these villages. Anna Elizabeth, wife of my translator, translated for her.
We finished our work in A.P. state and proceeded to Madras (Chennai) to prepare to leave the country. I spoke on February 22nd at the Sai Nagar congregation and we left the next day for Singapore.
In Singapore I taught classes on "World Evangelism" at the Four Seas school at Jurong and preached a meeting for the Jurong congregation. I also spoke at the mid-week meeting of the Lim Ah Pin congregation. Judy taught a ladies class at the Jurong congregation also. No translation was necessary here as all is done in English.
We left Singapore and proceeded on to the Philippines. We had personal studies in Manaoag, Babasit, and Lingayen, with Judy teaching the ladies at Lingayen. We left on March 10th for our trip home, arriving early on March 12th.
On this trip I spoke 62 times in 30 different places, the Lord blessing our work with 107 being baptized. We also distributed 600 New Testaments and 90 full Bibles in the Telegu language, and 40 full Bibles in the English. We distributed 1,000 copies of a booklet written by Nancy Goring for the ladies. I had it translated into Telegu and printed there in India. Brethren had also contributed funds for the purchase of nine cycles for preachers, and one petromax lamp, which we were able to do. I also distributed approximately 900 dollars for benevolence.
Judy and I thank you for your financial assistance and for your prayers. We hope you find some measure of satisfaction in being a part of this work, for we certainly find satisfaction in being able to be involved in it. Please continue to remember us in your prayers, and pray also for our new brothers and sisters in Christ.
Jim O'Connor
"The Lord willing, I shall begin my eighth journey to the Baltic Republic of Lavtia to work for the Master in edifying the brethren there in a concentrated study of the book of Hebrews. There are preparations also being made by the men there for our working together in evangelism. There are a number of personal contacts made and which shall be made for our privilege of teaching the unsearchable riches of Christ.
"Also, I shall be presenting a plan and curriculum to the leading men in the church in Riga for a school of Biblical Studies to be conducted there on a rotation basis by the faithful men who will go there to teach. This in cooperation with Randy Watson, who has and will continue to do much work in that city, under the oversight of the combined efforts of his elders and mine from the 39th St. congregation, and the Marlow,OK congregation. We solicit your prayers on behalf of these efforts.
Robin W. Haley"
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