“Bye-bye church. We’re busy.” That’s the message teens are giving churches today. Only about one in four teens now participate in church youth groups, considered the hallmark of involvement; numbers have been flat since 1999. Other measures of religiosity — prayer, Bible reading and going to church — lag as well, according to Barna Group, a Ventura, Calif., evangelical research company. This all has churches canceling their summer teen camps and youth pastors looking worriedly toward the fall, when school-year youth groups kick in.   - USA Today

National Review Online  August 20, 2010

Radical Islam … has changed the course of nations and affected the lives of millions. It is the reason every airport in the West is an armed camp and every land is on constant alert. Ground Zero is the site of the most lethal attack of that worldwide movement, which consists entirely of Muslims, acts in the name of Islam, and is deeply embedded within the Islamic world. These are regrettable facts, but facts they are. And that is why putting up a monument to Islam in this place is not just insensitive but provocative.

 Items of Praise 

• Our son, Kazuma and I were able to come to US for the first time in nine years this summer.  We were blessed with encouragement and love shown us everywhere we went.  The Apostle Paul said, “I thank my God every time I remember you.  In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy….”  This is exactly what we experienced during our visits.
• We had five young people who came to know the Lord and were baptized during the past year. They are growing in their faith in Christ. While I was in the states this summer, one these young men, Kouki (age 17), took the responsibility to lead in the worship services.  Our younger son, Lin (age12), did all the preparatory work for the services.
• We are anticipating in the 50th anniversary of our church next year.  We have been discussing how we can honor God in our celebration—both from our past blessings and in our future goals as a church.  We praise God for His faithfulness.
• We have five members that are in their upper seventies.  God has blessed them with good health thus far.  “Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God.  I am the LORD” (Lev. 19:32). We are truly blessed to have these seniors in our congregation.
• We are now in the fourth year of our Reading Club with its subsequent outreach program for the neighbor children.  Around Christmas time, we have many more that come to join this club.  As yet none has come to know the Lord, but the seed has definitely been planted.  The harvest is the Lord’s.  We are only the laborers and we praise the Lord for the privilege. 

Items for Prayer 

• Continue to pray that our new believers will have a strong spiritual walk and growth. 
• Our son, Kazuma, and another boy, Misaki, are both fifteen years old.  They are preparing for their high school entrance examinations.  It is an extremely stressful time in their life studying and attending after-school tutorial sessions daily until next March.  Please pray that they will be encouraged and sense Lord’s leading as they prepare. 
• Please continue to pray for our church as we want to be a light and witnesses in our town; especially with the new age Buddhist temple having been built right behind us.
• Pray that the kids who attend our Reading Club will come to know Jesus as Savior.
• Pray for a possible land purchase and all the issues surrounding it (there are many).  We need the Lord’s leading as we prepare for the future of our church in Shizuoka.  

  Moto & Yoriko Nomura  – Bethany Home, 1381 Koarama, Nagasaka-Machi Hokuto-shi Yamanashi-Ken, 408-0031 Japan  motofish@eps4.comlink.ne.jp    I am grateful for being able to be supported by our brotherhood so patiently well for the past 55 years with whom we share the “Blessed Hope”.  

Items of Praise 

•  For His placing the two of us in the seemingly extremely difficult Buddhist community in the mountains here away from big cities.    For a very few faithful believers who come to our house church to serve Him while enjoying mutual fellowship to grow together in His grace and Blessed Hope.
• For His making me available to finish a series of books on Thomas Campell, Book Four, plus on Barton Warren Stone and his 1801 Cane Ridge Camp Meeting.  I am on the Book Five on Thomas Campbell to the Declaration and Address.  Quite a lonely work that requires lot of patience and historical knowlege. 
• The City of Seoul, Korea, has recognized my hidden slum ministry in the worst slum in their capital city, Seoul, between 1968 to 1985, and honored me twice.  Special slum photo exhibitions were conducted based upon film I recently donated to the city.  This is an area no Korean Churches has done, and yet their most hated Japanese minister served the least people with a glass of cold water, about which Jesus talks about.
• Pepperdine Univ., my third almamater, sent Jerry Rushford to my library to collect all of my history related books to transfer them to the newly established Churches of Christ Heritage Center in Malibu campus. Next time he will ship all of my history related materials written in Japanese.

 Items for Prayer 

• We two are gradually fading away due to age.  Yoriko suffers from an extreme low blood pressure.  She still serves good meal to those who come to our way.  I am with a hardening liver due to hepatitis. I recognize that my remaining days are getting rapidly shorter. I am serving churches in Japan as a senior preacher, for which I am grateful.
• I wondered often if God would send younger helping hands here to carry on the torch to the next generation. 
• The late O.D. Bixler’s greatest contribution to Japan was to produce a finest minister, and his son is another finest young minister.  I have encouraged him to go to America to get his doctor’s degree for a brighter future churches in Japan. He is currently studying at Fuller Theological Seminary. He hardly has any regular sponsor.  Please pray for him and his wife and family with two growing children with him. 

Special Note:  Katsuko NOMURA, my mother has gone to be with the Lord August 21, 2010.   Please go and visit Google Japan for Katsuko Nomura.   The average cost of a Japanese funeral is $35,000 but we have found a funeral company that would help us for around $2,000.   There will be an inheritance tax on the property at Bethany, which is in my mother’s name.  With these additional funds, it is unclear as to the future of our work in this area.  Due to a serious recession, no one would buy the land and an old house.  Thanks you for your prayers.  The Almighty Gracious One is still with us.”   (Moto) 

Jinei Tomura Warabi Church Tokyo, Japan  tom525@hotmail.co.up   Our Thanks and Praises

1. Brother Sumio Akiba who had a deadly accident May 2002 spoke a message during our worship service on Sept. 20th for the first time. It is a great testimony for many that God loves and uses his children for his glory.

2. There was one baptism on Aug. 31. A woman of around fifty years old stepped forward to follow Jesus. We were all encouraged by her faith.

3. There will be wedding on Dec. 12th from our body. We are thankful for this Christian couple who are always faithful to the Lord.

4. On Sept. 27 the, one Christian family decided to worship with us. They were looking for the body where they could commit their Christian life. We are glad to have them with us. We praise God for his guidance upon this family.

5. We have finished our two nights three days retreat focusing on the discipleship. The members eagerly learn the topic in three days. All things went very good and enriched on our discipleship.

6. There are increased young adults. We are thankful for this since churches usually has a difficulty having young adults in Japan. Our prayer is to let them grow into leadership role of the body.

7. I thank you for your unceasing prayer support for the mission of Christ in Japan. 

Items for Prayer

1.  Our numbers of the body has been increased gradually. We must be ready for this increase to minister each one of them young and old.
2. We have adult Sunday school every Sunday morning but not for children at this moment. We used to have Sunday school for children for many years.  We of course see importance of Sunday school for children. We are now considering starting children’s Sunday school so please pray for this move.
3. There are 5 people who seek to follow Christ among us. Please pray for them and us that God uses all situations to lead each one of them to himself through the cross of Jesus Christ.
4. We have newly opened our home page in order to share the message, devotional thoughts on each Sunday by internet. Please pray for this activity that the page will be used to contact people with the gospel. HP address: http://church.jp/warabi  All contents are in Japanese.
5. I am corresponding with one prisoner for months. He is trying to find the true life from the bible so he is asking many questions from the scripture. He has to be in a prison for about 15months. Let God speaks his truth and love to this man. We are continuously praying for people in various sicknesses around us that they may be kept each day under the mighty hands of God.      May God bless you always with his immeasurable Grace,

School of Biblical Studies becomes Kentuckiana Bible College.  A word of thanks is in order for 32 years of support for the Portland Christian School of Biblical Studies.  SBS is in transition, which includes becoming independent of Portland Christian School.  SBS is now known as Kentuckiana Bible College, and will continue to be supported by churches of Christ and individual patrons. KBC support for scholarships and expenses comes from donations by a small number of churches and individual donors, and a grant from the Southeastern Christian Education Corporation.    Soon, many congregations will be planning their 2011 budgets.  Please, keep KBC in mind, and make a way to help monthly or quarterly.   We are encouraging churches to “Pick-A-Sunday” and participate  in a goal of $7,500.   The next semester begins the week of August 23, 2010.   Copies of this semester’s classes can be obtained by writing KBC at 2105 Buechel Bank Rd., Louisville, KY 40218 or by calling (502) 499-2702

Locust Street Church of Christ, Johnson City, TN:   Please visit our  web site.  Bro. Hall C. Crowder’s message on September 5, 2010 is up on the  Sermon Player in both video and  audio.  Let them   know you visited the site by   going to our  Contact page and  sending  a  message– it would really  encourage the  folks there.

Woodland Bible Camp – Senior Citizens Week – September 13-17, 2010 –Theme: “Roaming Thru Romans” Directors: Dick & Janell Lewis  & J. R. & Pie Satterfield.  For further  information, please  contact  J. R. Satterfield, 114 Brandywynne Lane,  New Albany, IN 47150 or  call 812-949-1959.   We  look forward to having you with us!  Please pray for this  camp week.

Woodland Bible Camp- Homecoming and Annual Meeting- September 18th, 2010 .Woodland Annual Meeting 2010

Woodland Bible Camp is pleased to announce the Fall Youth Retreat October 1st, 2nd, and 3rd at the camp. The retreat is aimed at young people in 8th grade through the 1st year of college. Friday night will feature capture the flag in the dark, so be sure to pack your best stealthy outfit! Tim Parrot will be the featured speaker on Saturday. Corey Marsh, Justin Adams, and Tim Parrot will be leading the worship service Saturday evening around the bonfire – be prepared to toast your s’mores! Sunday morning includes church services in the tabernacle.

See the camp website to download the camp brochure and registration form. Contact Jeff Adams at jeffreywadams@peoplepc.com if you have any questions. Cost is only $30. Register and pay in full by Sept. 15th and get a free T-shirt designed especially for the retreat. Come for the fun. Come for the fellowship. Come prepared to leave challenged!

20th ANNUAL LADIES RETREAT has been planned for September 24,25, 2010 (Friday & Saturday) at Kavanaugh Life Enrichment Center, Crestwood, Kentucky. This year’s theme is: “Faithful Service: Past, Present, Future.” Early registration due August 21st. Cost is $30.00 per person if paid by August 21st. After August 21st, cost is $35.00 per person. This covers accommodations, breakfast, and lunch on Saturday. Contact information:  Sandra Naugle, 545 Linnwood Ave. Sellersburg, IN 47172  (812) 246-2918 (or)  Ruth Wilson 209 S. Galt Ave.    Louisville, KY 40206  (502) 897-2831

Hamburg Church of Christ, Sellersburg, IN – Oct. 17-21 at 7 PM – “Service for God’s Kingdom” Different speakers from Hamburg and local areas each night. Round Table discussion on Thursday evening, Oct. 21.

CHURCH OF CHRIST WORLDWIDE — Cramer & Hanover Church of Christ    P.O. Box 54842  Lexington, KY 40555

Bhill40482@aol.com

Bro. Bennie Hill has a power point presentation (w/ pictures) of the Church of Christ Worldwide and is available to visit your church on a Wednesday night for a presentation. The focus is on missions and he presents various works along with a brief explanation of each work. The primary purpose of the Church of Christ Worldwide is to forward funds. In no way do we discourage the method of your giving to Missions but would like to share what is done here. At the end, is a challenge to become more involved is offered. If your congregation is interested, please contact at the address given above or call my cell # (859) 608-6477

The Restoration Movement developed from several independent efforts to return to apostolic Christianity, but two groups, which independently developed similar approaches to the Christian faith, were particularly important to the development of the movement.   The first, led by Barton W. Stone, began August 1, 1801 at Cane Ridge, Kentucky and called themselves simply “Christians”. The second began in western Pennsylvania and Virginia (now West Virginia) and was led by Thomas Campbell and his son, Alexander Campbell; they used the name “Disciples of Christ”. Both groups sought to restore the whole Christian church on the pattern set forth in the New Testament, and both believed that creeds kept Christianity divided. In 1832 they joined in fellowship with a handshake.

A number of slogans have been used in the Restoration Movement, which are intended to express some of the distinctive themes of the Movement.  These include:

• Where the Scriptures speak, we speak; where the Scriptures are silent, we are silent”
• “The church of Jesus Christ on earth is essentially, intentionally, and constitutionally one.”
• “We are Christians only, but not the only Christians.”
• “In essentials, unity; in opinions, liberty; in all things love.”
• “No creed but Christ, no book but the Bible, no law but love, no name but the divine.”
• “Call Bible things by Bible names.”

So it is with the believer. All of us who are in Christ , grow in Him at different levels. Walking denotes making progress. So, if we are striiving to “grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus,” we are on the right path.

However, we must be “walking in the truth.” This phrase is used on numerous times in the New Testament. In John’s  2 short epistles, 2nd & 3rd John, we find John commending the receipients of the books. In 2 John 4 and 3 John 3-4 “walking in the truth” is mentioned.

We want to be pleasing to our Heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus in every possible way. Thus, we must be following the teaching in the New Testament that show us how to live for Him who died for us.

The storm passed by in about 30 minutes, and we found out later that we were spared the brunt of the activity. It seems that we were in a small crease, with the more intense storms on either side of us. Many in North Texas and Southern Oklahoma were not as fortunate. Some people were killed and much damage was done to several towns. I pray for them. But inside our home we were as safe as we could be. The little children were not quite sure what was happening, but they were with their parents and that is all that really mattered to them. They played together on the floor of our living room, seemingly with no care in the world. When we were sure the storm had passed, we loaded all the kids in the car and the family was on their way home, thankful for a more secure place to stay, and thankful that the intensity of the storm was not as powerful as we anticipated. Even though they are somewhat annoying at times, we should all be thankful for the emergency warnings that are given in times of extremely bad weather. These warnings probably have saved many lives from tornados, hurricanes, and intense storms.

How important it is to have a place of safety, a hiding place, “a shelter in the time of storm” both literally and spiritually! During WWII a woman named Corrie Ten Boom, who with her family was a part of the Dutch Underground, hid many Jews from the Nazis, thus keeping them safe from the atrocities of anti-Semitism. She called it her “hiding place” and later wrote a book with the same title recounting her activities during that time of horror. Later, a movie was made of the book. Many Jews were saved from annihilation because they were kept safe in the midst of the storm clouds of war by this courageous woman. The story became very popular in Christian circles as it not only told a fantastic and thrilling story, it symbolized the safety that believers have in Christ. When Moses asked to see the face of God, he was hidden in the cleft of a rock as the glory of the Lord passed by. That event has filled poets with songs, with “Rock of Ages” perhaps being the most beloved. Think of the power and assurance of the words of that song as it points to Christ: “Rock of Ages cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee.” At the moment of salvation, the scripture says that “you died (to self)), and your life is now hidden with Christ in God” (Col 3:3). Hidden here implies concealment, safety, and security. The eminent Greek scholar, Dr. A. T. Robertson said, “So here we are in Christ who is in God, and no burglar, not even Satan himself, can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:31-39).”

The Bible is filled with references to the storms of life and the need for a place of safety. The psalmist David called upon the Lord to hide him. There was a time in David’s life when he went into hiding for fear that King Saul would kill him in a fit of jealousy. David cried to God, “Hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who assail me, from my mortal enemies who surround me” (Psa. 17:8). But in confidence he exclaimed, “He will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock” (Psa. 27:5). “O Lord, I hide myself in You” (Psa. 143:9). “You are my hiding place, You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance” (Pas.32:7). These verses remind us of the security we have in the Lord. We can be thankful that He, in the words of the old song, “keeps me safe ‘till the storm passes by.”

However, there were times in scripture that the act of hiding was not commendable; on the contrary, it was shameful. After the mortal sin in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve hid themselves from the presence of God (Gen 3:8). It seems foolish that people think they can hide from God, yet they attempt to do so even today. Saul hid himself among the baggage in an attempt to shirk his responsibilities (1 Sam.10:22). Similarly, Jesus condemned one who simply hid his talent in the ground rather than use it for good (Matt. 25:25). And Jesus made it clear that his followers were without excuse to hide their light (the image of Jesus) before others. He said, “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). Little children in Sunday School sing, “Hide it under a bushel… No!” There are things that people hide, thinking that they will not be found out; however the word of God says otherwise. In poetic language Job exclaimed, “He tunnels through the rock; his eyes see all its treasures, He searches the source of the rivers, and brings hidden things to light” (Job 28:10-11). Finally, it is futile to think that one can hide from the all-seeing eye of the Lord. In speaking of the time when the Lord returns, Paul wrote, “Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God” (1 Cor. 4:5).

Had it been any other neighbor, I certainly would have opened my house to them under such circumstances; but these were special neighbors. This family is part of my own family, so I was more than happy to oblige. My brother’s oldest daughter and her family live next door, so all these ones who came seeking shelter were related to me. How extra special that our family was safe inside! Are you hidden in Christ? Is your family safe, safe in the loving arms of Jesus?

Safe in the arms of Jesus, Safe on His gentle breast,

There by His love o’re shaded, Sweetly my soul shall rest.

In our beginning installment last month, we saw that R. H. Boll faced much oppo-sition during his long ministry. Various accusations were made against him by some influential preachers and editors among Churches of Christ.

But we also presented evidence that he was strongly committed to:
1) belief in the Bible as the word of God;
2) freedom for all Christians to study it carefully and prayerfully for them-selves, without having to agree fully with any church or human teacher (including him);
3) being loving and positive towards those who did not agree with all his views.

Now we continue.

D. Toward Those who Differed from Him, Boll was Gracious, Not Vengeful or Mean-spirited

Related to his positive approach (mentioned last month), was Boll’s graciousness of attitude toward others. This was seen both in his writing and his editing. He would be the first to say that it is God’s grace to us that stimulates our graciousness to others.

Though for decades he faced opposition that was often fierce, he infrequently referred to these matters in his magazine, and hardly at all in his sermons. I would guess that a sizeable number of people who heard him preach regularly had not the slightest idea that he was the object of sharp attacks. The inner core of the congregation knew about this–in a general way from reading Word and Work, or in a more detailed way from the various papers of “the other side,” as we termed the editors who opposed Brother Boll and “our” churches. And those in his regular classes (on Mon.-Wed. afternoons, for instance) might learn of such matters from questions sometimes raised by students regarding disputed doctrines or accusations which had been heard. But in the numerous classes I attended (maybe ten years of Fri. night classes, plus two years of Mon.-Wed. afternoons), I never remember his slurring his detractors nor even mentioning them by name. He considered them brethren, and would not drag them down. In warning against fundamental errors like modernism he would caution us against writers who were dangerous–like Harry Emerson Fosdick. But in teaching about differences among people who were truly committed to God’s Word, he would discuss issues (like legalism, sectarianism, or watering down God’s promises) rather than personalities.

In January 1934, Word and Work publisher E. L. Jorgenson, probably Boll’s closest friend, wrote these remarks as part of an article introducing the new year: “As to any personal reflections and aspersions directed our way, such scribes are to us, in this character, as if they did not exist. The editor of W. & W. rarely reads their fulminations. His message could well be: ‘I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down.’ (Neh. 6:3.)”

Another example of this magnanimous approach is found in a statement Jorgenson made twelve years later. He mentions that a series of articles in Word and Work had been strongly opposed by some writers. He and Boll had “disregarded” those criticisms “for the reason that they have generally come from harsh and ‘extreme’ sources” — people who were drawing lines and causing divisions. “But now there has appeared a long article from a man that we respect and esteem; a brother in the Lord that we have long thought of as wishing to be fair — namely, Brother G. C. Brewer.” Then comes this significant sentence: “We call no names unless we can commend.” Jorgenson then presented Brewer’s criticisms and replied to them.

Yes, Boll (and his associates) called names when commending others, but not when replying to belligerent accusers. The latter he would ignore if he knew his replies would only be twisted and abused. Or, if his antagonists seemed to be honest seekers for truth, he would deal with issues and defend his position. But he chose not to vilify anyone.

Due to this policy, some of his aggressive opponents felt he was a wimp. His most caustic attacker from the early 1930s onward was Foy E. Wallace, Jr. (I would follow Boll’s example and omit Brother Wallace’s name, except that you could find it anyway in the endnotes! And almost everyone knows of his opposition to Boll.) Richard Hughes writes,

In the very first issue of the Bible Banner, [Wallace] complained that ‘a general softness is pervading the church….Plain preaching…[is] now yielding to the persuasions of the plush-mouthed and velvet-tongued moderns.’ He blamed this decline…on ‘the Bollistic blight [that] has been a malignant growth in the body of Christ’ and on ‘the spirit of pacifism….’ He called instead for ‘militant preaching… that defends the truth against all errors, teachers of error and institutions of error by name, make, model and number.’

Another preacher echoed those sentiments, writing “There are those among us who believe in being soft, noncontroversial, nonfighting. But the old Book still tells us to fight the good fight and to put on the whole armor of God.” His major targets in this regard were the Truth-Seeker, published at Harding College, “which is determined to be sweet-spirited, never pugnacious,” and Boll’s Word and Work, which “does not mention names of those it attacks.”

Another writer we all know wrote these words: “The Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead he must be kind to everyone…not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct.” Say, that sounds good to me; what about you?

In the memorial issue of Word and Work, published the month after his Home-going, this trait of Boll’s was mentioned by several of his friends in their tributes to him. For example, L. V. Houtz wrote that RHB’s life taught the lesson that the great man of God has no time to defend self. For those who maligned him, Brother Boll had only the kindliest of words. When one of his erstwhile enemies would be called from this earthly scene of action, Brother Boll would write a kindly tribute to the life of the departed brother. I am sure that now –as he shakes hands with them on the other side, the kindly feeling is mutual.

I myself was deeply touched several years ago when browsing through the Dec. 1937 Word and Work. Its “News and Notes” section contained reports sent in from churches in many parts of the country. One of them said, “Horse Cave, Ky.: Ancient gospel preached at Green’s Chapel by Brother Foy E. Wallace Jr. of Denton, Texas…. Many heard, believed and were baptized. The Lord added daily to the church such as should be saved. Church strengthened and edified. Wallace…endeared [himself] to us. –R. L. Dunagan.” That report had crossed Boll’s desk. Perhaps Jorgenson asked, “Should we run that in Word and Work?” I am guessing that Boll replied, “Yes, why not? We hold no malice in our hearts.”

Ten months later, in the Oct. 1938 Bible Banner, “Wallace declared pre-millennialists and their sympathizers no longer members of Churches of Christ.” Nonetheless, Boll continued to apply the words of Paul we quoted above. He felt Edwin Markham’s poem summarized it well:

E. He was Broad in Fellowship — Not Sectarian

The circle Boll drew did shut out those who denied the Gospel, as Paul did (in Gal. 1:6-9, e.g.). But it took in those who believed the Gospel, as Paul did (in 1 Cor. 12:21-22; 15:15; Rom. 14:1-15:7). While on principle Boll opposed denominationalism and thus denominations, that did not at all mean he believed “we” were the only Chris-tians and all members of “denominational churches” were lost.

Richard Hughes writes that Boll rejected “the sectarian exclusivism of Churches of Christ when he routinely ran articles from…early fundamentalists…in the pages of his journal Word and Work.” My research shows that in 1916, the first year he was editor, he included articles written by D. M. Panton, G. H. Pember, Charles Trumbull, Philip Mauro, and James Stifler. None of them were from restoration movement churches (though of course he ran articles from such men too–A. Campbell, Scott, Harding, Lipscomb). Also included was a letter about demon-possession, written by a missionary identified as a Presbyterian. And the magazine carried recommendations of books written by such men as R. A. Torrey and James M. Gray, both of whom were presidents of Moody Bible Institute. Boll recognized that God has lots of children in lots of places.

Again, consider an article he wrote entitled, “The Place of Prayer in Mission Work.” In it he quoted or mentioned with approval missionaries William Carey, John Paton, Samuel Zwemer, and Hudson Taylor — he lavished praise on Taylor especially. Yet he well knew that none of those men were from “our churches.”

Of course in this attitude Boll was saying nothing new. Barton Stone, Thomas Campbell, Walter Scott, and especially Alexander Campbell commended men like Luther, Knox, Bunyan, Wesley, Newton and others. They might on occasion point out their faults and errors (Boll did that too), yet they acknowledged them to be not only Christians but outstanding servants of the Lord. Yet Hughes observes that “many viewed Boll’s fraternization with fundamentalists as nothing short of scandalous.” Maybe it’s safe to acknowledge such outsiders as brethren only after they have died.

His inclusive position led him to allow some of his books (I don’t know how many) to be translated by a Pentecostal missionary into Portuguese. They were then circulated in Brazil–in Pentecostal and Evangelical circles. Here’s the background to that: In the late 1920s O. S. Boyer and several co-workers were sent to Brazil by Churches of Christ. They were zealous and bold amid ferocious persecution. As time went on, they experienced some unusual circumstances. In a letter Boyer “unintentionally [used] a misleading phrase” about the Holy Spirit, resulting in a “barrage of vicious, bitter, condemnatory criticism” of him in several papers–though they never gave him a chance to explain himself. Through a chain of events stretching over several years, Boyer and a few others ended up affiliating with the Assemblies of God. This broke Boll’s heart. As the situation had unfolded he had written several articles showing Scripture’s teaching on the Holy Spirit and refuting the Pentecostalist positions. He also carried on “long and patient correspondence” with Boyer. But, Boll believed, in the end the extremely censorious reaction by church leaders in the U.S. drove the missionaries away from us and into the arms of Pentecostalists. “One extreme tends toward another,” he concluded. Later, Boyer (who developed a farflung literature ministry in Brazil) wanted to translate some of Boll’s books for use there. Boll consented. If God’s people would be blessed by them, he was pleased. He never trimmed his message because of his audience. But he firmly believed, “Judge me by what I say, not by where I say it.”

F. He was Spiritual — Not Self-centered

Even some writers who strongly disagree with Boll’s beliefs have testified to his deep spirituality. Earl West wrote, “Boll was modest, sincere, thoroughly in love with Christ….With tender-hearted love he presented his message ….” Robert C. Welch writes quite caustically about Boll’s teaching and blames him for fomenting division among the Churches of Christ. But he also mentions his “gentle graciousness” and “dignified graciousness.”

Boll’s generosity and humility were demonstrated when he allowed others to publish a very popular tract he wrote — without crediting him as its author. I learned of this in 1963 when I visited the Abilene Christian College bookstore. There I was amazed to see for sale the well-known tract Boll had written decades before, “Why Not be Just a Christian?” But it didn’t have his name on it; no author was indicated. I feel quite sure that no company would have published his tract without his permission. And I feel very sure that he would have given permission to print it without his name — for many people would not have bought it if they knew he was its author. To spread the truth was impor-tant to him; to get credit for it was not.

Then there was his prayerfulness. A student in a mainline Church of Christ college had heard some premill friends mention R. H. Boll several times. So he chose to write a research paper on him. One book he read was Boll’s Lessons on Hebrews, in which the author ended each chapter with a prayer. For instance, at the end of his lesson covering Heb. 5:11-6:20, he wrote:

Our Father, we know thy promises are sure and steadfast and our hope is secure. But our zeal flags, our energy fails, our faith grows weak and our assurance faint. We need thee every hour. We believe that thou art able to keep that which we have committed unto thee; yet protect thou us from our own selves, lest we abandon the attitude of faith and patience and drift back when we should go forward…. May thy solemn warnings and tender admonitions and encouragements, thy exceeding great and precious promises and the knowledge of thy perfect faithfulness, inspire us to patient perseverance in the way and the aim to attain to Christian perfection, that every one of us who has this hope set on him may by thy grace purify himself, even as Christ is pure. Amen.

The student had never read such prayers, especially in a commentary or study-book. He felt Boll must be sincere and godly. Thus later, when he heard that some people strongly opposed him, he wondered why.

Boll not only wrote such prayers, he also wrote articles exhorting to prayerful- ness. And he practiced what he preached. That fact (and some others) is shown by an incident which Leroy Garrett shared with me from his student days at Freed-Hardeman College in the early 1940s. A well-known Bible teacher there “considered Boll a heretic and false teacher.” In a class which Garrett attended, that teacher told of a friend of his who had had RHB in his home. The friend [said] that RHB must be a man of prayer and deep spirituality, for when he went upstairs to call him to breakfast, he noticed through the slightly opened door that Boll was on his knees praying. The host backed away, leaving him undisturbed. He came back some minutes later, supposing he could now tell him that breakfast was ready, but he was still on his knees praying.

The host insisted to [Garrett's teacher] that RHB must be very pious to be praying for so long on his knees in the early morning. But [the teacher] then said to us (and perhaps to his friend upon being told of the incident) that he wondered why Boll had his door partly open! I got the distinct impression that he would not put it past the likes of RHB to set up that sort of presumed piety.

I don’t pretend to have all the answers to human suffering, but I do know there are some things that help me deal with such difficult questions. One such aid comes from a change in perspective. What if the perfection God is looking for is in us, not the imperfect bodies of people? What if the greater perfection God desires is in our reaction to people who are imperfect?

How compassionate are we with the afflicted? How patient and understanding are we with their trials? Do they have too many troubles to make getting involved with them worthwhile? Are we inconvenienced and resentful of their demands on our time and lifestyle? Are we annoyed at their presence or even worse, embarrassed by them?

Just maybe the perfection God is looking for is in our Christ-like response to imperfect people. Instead of allowing people born with physical disabilities to shake our faith in God, should we not rather allow them to challenge us to reach toward Christ-like perfection in our response to these people?

While Jesus walked this earth, He was God in the flesh (John 1:1-14). He came in contact with people who were burdened by imperfect bodies. In fact, multitudes of people with physical disabilities flocked to Him because they knew He was one who had compassion upon them. On one occasion, a leper came to Jesus for help (Mark 1:41). The text says that Jesus had compassion on him and healed him. But not only did Jesus heal him, He also reached out and touched him! I wonder how long it had been since anyone had touched this leper. This passage gives us a glimpse into the heart of Jesus. He wasn’t one who stood at arm’s distance from the suffering, but rather touched their lives.

Friends, from God’s perspective, the imperfection in this world may not be the physically and mentally disable, but in a healthy person’s uncompassionate response to those individuals.

Have you checked out The Sower’s website lately? (www.arthurchurchofchrist.com)
Be sure to visit the “Christian Evidences”/”Apologetics Press” links, now in both English and Spanish.

[Today] we demand the fruit immediately even though the root may be weak and knobby or missing altogether. Impatient Christians today explain away the simple beliefs of the saints of other days and smile off their serious-minded approach to God and sacred things. They were victims of their own limited religious outlook, but great and sturdy souls withal who managed to achieve a satisfying spiritual experience and do a lot of good in the world in spite of their handicaps. So we’ll imitate their fruit without accepting their theology or inconveniencing ourselves too greatly by adopting their all-or-nothing attitude toward religion…..

Preoccupation with appearances and a corresponding neglect of the out-of-sight root of the true spiritual life are prophetic signs which go unheeded.

Immediate “results” are all that matter, quick proofs of present success without a thought of next week or next year. Religious pragmatism is running wild among the orthodox. Truth is whatever works. If it gets results it is good. There is but one test for the religious leader: success. Everything is forgiven him except failure.

…The Apostle Paul urges his readers to be “rooted and built up in Him,” which envisages the Christian both as a tree to be well rooted and as a temple to rise on a solid foundation.

Open your hearts and search the Scriptures. Bear your cross, follow your Lord and pay no heed to the passing religious vogue. The masses are always wrong. In every generation the number of the righteous is small. Be sure you are among them.

”A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.”

My initial answer to this question is: “Both.” But it is an answer that needs an explanation.

The one asking the question is concerned that some people in coming to Christ seem to have the idea that they can hold on to certain wrong things in their lives with the thought that they will eventually grow out of them. Certainly there are those who treat conversion very superficially who often leave repentance out of the “what-to-do” teaching given to inquirers. It is popular in some quarters to call for a commitment to Christ which seems to ask for or expect little more than a signature on a card or a confession that “I want to be recognized as a Christian.” There are those asking for decisions for Christ who do not seem to realize that this also involves a decision against sin.

Let it be said very clearly that repentance toward God is a necessary part of our response to the gospel of Christ if we are to be saved. And our repentance is not of some sins, part of our sins, or even most of our sins–it is repentance of sin, whatever is wrong in our lives, whatever misses the mark and is not in the will of God. The very moment we begin to reserve some corner of our life and want to be rid of all sin except such-and-such, we show that we are trying to repent selectively and that is not repentance of sin. What wife wants to hear that her husband has decided to stop committing adultery with six different women, that he has “repented” and now only intends to do so with just one other woman? True repentance is not selective but covers every known area of sinning.

Moreover, repentance is a prerequisite of the new birth. New Testament messengers included repentance in their message (Acts 2:38; 3:19; 5:31; 20:21). From the beginning to the end of the Bible repentance precedes the forgiveness of sins. It is not something added to faith as a work of merit; it is one of the activities of true faith in a God who abominates sin. But it is there. There is not even a hint that God forgives known sin in responsible persons without repentance.

Now, without retracting even one iota of the above, let us understand that prospective Christians and new Christians do not always recognize some things to be sin which are sin. New Christians are babes in Christ and immature in their thinking. Every Christian in his growth becomes more aware of the terribleness of sin and likely comes to see things as sin which he may not have earlier understood to be so. In this sense he might be said to grow out of sin.

Let us illustrate. A young man believes that Jesus is the Christ and, repenting of his sinful life, confesses Christ and is baptized into Christ. It is a genuine conversion to Christ. Let us say however that he has not had much pre-Christian training as to what the Bible teaches and so he does not as readily recognize specific sins as others might. In spite of his immature state, such a one is a genuine Christian. Now let us say that this young man in his life has picked up some language which is not wholesome. He continues to use that language. That proves, does it not, that he never repented of sin? No, it does not. He may have repented of sin as a principle, but his understanding may not have caught up with his principles. He does not intend to do wrong, but he does, without being aware that it is wrong. Now, as a further development, someone declares his language to be wrong without giving a solid basis for it in God’s word. He may be deterred a bit, but does that person know what he is talking about? Let us not confuse faith in an individual’s judgment with faith in Christ. Finally, he is shown from the word of God that his words are wrong. Now he must repent of this sin. He has not grown out of it, but he has grown in his understanding so that he now includes it in those works of darkness he wants out of his life. Suppose we even go a step further. His words have been spoken by habit, and a habit is not easily broken. He no longer intends to use those words, but he slips. It was not that he had not repented. He temporarily lost a battle with the flesh. But now that he knows this to be sin he can not shrug it off. Repentance is called for. And if he is living in touch with Christ as he ought to be, it will be done.

There is a sense, then, in which repentance is primarily a matter of the heart. We do not say there is not also a practical side. Some wrongs are so evident that it is foolish in any normal case to talk about repentance while one continues in the acts. Nor are we talking about playing games with God, pretending an ignorance which we do not have. God knows our heart. What we are saying is that it is possible for a person who has repented of sin in his heart to continue doing some things because of ignorance or immaturity which will be recognized as sin by the more discerning. Now we know that when there is a willingness to do the Lord’s will (John 7:17), darkness does not persist. We must be fair, however, and recognize that sins of ignorance can only be repented of in the sense of ceasing from them when we come to know them to be sins. And this is often a process of growth.

Another danger to be avoided is this–confusing a human standard with God’s. Some there are who are ready to pronounce a cup of coffee or a glass of Coke sin. Nevertheless, that person who drinks these refreshments is not necessarily an unrepenting sinner; he may simply see that there is no solid ground on which such an interpretation stands. I have some neighbors and friends for whom holiness is a particular style of clothing and hair style. Am I unrepenting in rejecting this arbitrary standard which they have adopted? I do not like to see Christians using tobacco. I think it hinders their testimony. I can even make the possible connection that it harms the temple of God. I’d like to see no Christians ever using the stuff in any form. But I have known and know some Christians for whom I have a high regard who use it. It is just not an issue with them. They reject my application of scripture which makes it a sin. They reject my standard, but they do not believe God has made it an issue. Preachers, elders, teachers and others have been known to be wrong in what they declare to be sin before God. Those persons are not necessarily wicked sinners before God who reject human judgments and applications. Even when the judgments and applications are right, it may involve growth in spiritual understanding to recognize it.

Now for a statement or two in closing. We are not saying that only that is sin which a person recognizes to be sin. God’s word, in specific declaration and in principle, determines sin. We are saying that there can only be an active repentance of that specific sin when it is known. Surely this is one area where the continual cleansing of sin for the one abiding in Christ is such a precious truth (1 John 1:7). Again, we are not suggesting that one can deal with known sin by growing out of it and that it is to be tolerated until such is achieved. We may grow in strength to overcome (or in our awareness of the provision for strength in Christ), but known sin must be repented of or else our whole outlook on sin is defective.