Would We Recognize Trends Which Point to an Apostasy?
by Floyd Chappelear Sentry Magazine, March 2001 Salmagundi I have been attending churches of Christ for more than fifty years. I have been preaching the gospel for more than forty of them. I do not think it presumptuous to suggest that I know what I am talking about. The things that point to apostasy are not…
Read MoreGod Is Light and in Him Is No Darkness at All
by Mark Chatfield Sentry Magazine, March 2001 Einstein said, “It is better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness.” With all his knowledge, he knew a simple truth that nothing can be seen when light is totally absent. Moreover, man could not exist at all except that God said, “Let there be…
Read MoreHandling the Scriptures Aright
by Terry Wane Benton Audience Confusion is present when the scriptures are not “handled aright” (II Timothy 2:15). False teachers handle the word of God “deceitfully” (II Corinthians 4:2). There are basics to handling the scriptures carefully and correctly. Know who is writing and who they are writing to. We are reading these documents second-hand.…
Read MoreGenuine Faith
by Jefferson David Tant The topic of “faith” is often discussed and often misunderstood. Skeptics accuse Christians of having “blind faith,” or taking a “leap of faith,” meaning that there is no basis for what we believe. Thus our faith in God’s existence is no different than what I have encountered in South Africa, i.e.…
Read MoreClosing the Door on the Non-Human Neanderthal Myth
by Joshua Gurtler Modified slightly from the original publication in Biblical Insights Magazine, April 2015. It was once assumed that Neanderthal man was a missing link in human evolution. Now that evolutionists themselves have thoroughly debunked that idea, public schools continue to teach our most vulnerable young minds that Neanderthal man was an unintelligent, non-human, caveman,…
Read MoreWhy do some Christians hold fast to the idea of owning guns?
Question: Could someone explain to me why there are some Christians who hold fast to the idea behind the second amendment and owning guns? I’ve looked in the Greek text and there are no commands about self-defense or owning weapons. I understand in the Hebrew, that there are specific instances where Israel was commanded to…
Read MoreThe Legacy of Campbell’s Error
by Steve Dewhirst Sentry Magazine, December 2000 Alexander Campbell Alexander Campbell (1788-1866) was a remarkable man, but he was just a man, subject to error even as the rest. for all of his great learning, teaching, and writing over many years, he was profoundly wrong in his understanding of one vital aspect of the New…
Read MoreWhy I Left the Methodist Church (Howard)
by Raymond A. Howard Like many, or I might say most, I played church for a number of years. I only went because my friends did or it was the right thing to do. After I married, my wife is probably the reason I went, to begin with (I realized the man is the head…
Read More“Go Ye” Means “Go Me”
by Jefferson David Tant This is written with some reluctance. I feel as Paul must have felt as he tried to make a point to help his readers. “Again I say, let no one think me foolish; but if you do, receive me even as foolish, so that I also may boast a little” (II…
Read MoreI keep getting involved in lewd behavior that I know is wrong
Question: I need spiritual help, sir. I thank God for your life and ministry. Please, sir, I pray the Lord will use you to restore me to Himself permanently. Sir, I became born again several years ago. I have been growing through discipleship but for about two years my life has been fluctuating. The instrument…
Read MoreEating Our Own Flesh
by Rodger Trimm “Now, as to the attack the zealots made upon the people, and which I esteem the beginning of the city’s destruction, it hath been already explained after an accurate manner; as also whence it arose, and to how great a mischief it was increased; but for the present sedition, one should not mistake if he called it a sedition begotten by another sedition,…
Read MoreThe Chains of the Past
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/The-Chains-of-the-Past.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Colossians 3:1-11 I. In Charles Dickens’ story “A Christmas Story,” Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his partner who is wear chains of cash boxes, keys, padlocks, ledgers, deeds and heavy purses. When asked what the chains meant, “I wear the chain I forged in life,” replied the…
Read MoreI lied about my taxes. What should I do?
Question: About 3 years ago I received a tax credit that I shouldn’t have. I was claiming kids that I was legally allowed to claim but received a childcare credit for them also. Their mom paid the childcare fees and the daycare owner admitted to me that she altered the amount paid to be higher.…
Read More“I Don’t Want My Kids to be Different”
by Greg Gwin The Beacon, January 22, 2013 Although most Christians wouldn’t say it in so many words, many parents seem to be very concerned about things that might make their kids look ‘different.’ They are concerned about raising their children in strict, disciplined ways that might make them stand out in contrast to others.…
Read MoreThe Wisdom of Winning Souls
by Charles N. Spence, Jr. Sentry Magazine, December 2000 and March 2001 “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise” (Proverbs 11:30). How does winning souls demonstrate wisdom? When Christians involve themselves in this task, they understand that they are doing that which the Lord has…
Read MoreThe Tie that Binds
by Dixie Bowman Sentry Magazine, December 2000 Earthly relationships often inspire and encourage us as we live our lives as Christians. While this is not another article about marriage, divorce, and remarriage, I would fail in my effort to write concerning relationships if I did not first mention the most intimate association of mankind, and…
Read MoreHoly, Holy, Holy
by Ken Green “And one called to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory’ ” (Isaiah 6:3)! The very first rule, the commandment that earns the #1 spot, states who God is: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of…
Read MorePurge Me with Hyssop
by Johnny O. Trail Most scholars believe David wrote the fifty-first Psalm after his transgression with Bathsheba. If this is the case, it is one of the most penitent Psalms in the Old Testament. From the passages recorded in Psalm fifty-one, it appears the writer was heartsick over his sins. Psalm 51:11-12 says, “Do not…
Read MoreDoubts
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Doubts.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Jeremiah 17:5-8 I. I had the opportunity to study with a member of the International Church of Christ. A. Many of their core beliefs are similar to our own, but they diverge from the plain teachings of the Scriptures in a number of significant ways. B. While researching their beliefs and…
Read MoreThe Law of Contradiction
by Ken Green Larry P. Arnn, president of Hillsdale College, delivered a speech on Nov. 17, 2020, which was digested in “Imprimis,” a publication of the school. It is titled, “Orwell’s 1984 and Today.” He says, “I taught a course this fall semester on totalitarian novels. We read four of them: George Orwell’s 1984, Arthur…
Read MoreWho writes the answers on your website?
Question: Who is the minister for La Vista church of Christ? Or, if not the same, who wrote most of the articles for the website? I really enjoy the hundreds of informative and Bible-based articles, commentaries, etc., and am wondering who authored most of them, since no name is mentioned. Thanks so much. Answer: Any…
Read MoreI want to marry a guy, but he is being forced to marry the girl he got pregnant
Question: Hi! I found your site and am hoping to get advice on relationships. I have been dating a guy for a year. Late last fall, he cut off all communication with me. Recently. when I asked him why he ghosted me, after a lot of persuasions, he finally told me that his ex was…
Read MoreHow I Met And Fell In Love With Marilyn
by David Truong Sentry Magazine, December 2000 During the last few months of my brother’s life, what I feared most was how much l would miss him for the rest of my life. So in the last few seconds of his life on earth, I knelt down next to his bed and whispered these final…
Read MoreWhy the Old Testament Diet?
by Terry W. Benton Photo by Lily Banse on Unsplash God “imposed” food and drink laws on Israel, not on us (Hebrews 9:10) until the time of reformation. The time of reformation is the New Testament age under Christ. Under Christ, the earthly food laws of the Old Law are not binding (you can go…
Read MoreI found the answers I was looking for on your website
Question: I have been searching many websites on the Internet about the truth on many subjects but I couldn’t get find it. But when I got to this website I immediately got my answer to what I was looking for from the word of God. As a member of the Lord’s church, I thank you.…
Read MoreHow Pure Is Your Religion?
by Jefferson David Tant You know the verse: “Pure and undefiled religion … is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress” (James 1:27). Now, consider Ezekiel 16:49, where God mentions Sodom’s sins. “Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had arrogance, abundant food, and careless ease, but…
Read MoreWould God throw me away because I’m mentally disabled?
Question: I am disabled (Autism, SchizoAffective, and BiPolar Type 2) and on disability. Does that mean God isn’t pleased with me? I know the verse “He who doesn’t work ought not eat”. I’ve been mulling this over a lot. My attitude toward it has been even though I don’t work to earn money if anyone…
Read MoreAttitude
by Jefferson David Tant The word “attitude” has different meanings. Two of the meanings are critical and are related to this writing. (1) “Disposition or state of mind,” and (2) “the orientation of a vehicle … relative to the horizon, the direction of motion, etc.” Bad attitudes, in either case, bring bad results. A fairly…
Read MoreWhy did God forbid priests who had defects from serving?
Question: In Leviticus 21:18, those people were not responsible for being that way. How can I explain this to others, especially that of a flat-nosed person? Answer: Many of the laws regarding worship under the Old Testament existed because they symbolically represented something under the New Testament. Thus, sacrifices had to be without defect (e.g.…
Read MoreWhen Preachers Err (Miss the Mark)
by Floyd Chappelear Sentry Magazine, December 2000 I love to preach. There is something about standing before an audience and expounding the word of God that energizes me. Again, I love to preach. Furthermore, I love to teach Bible classes. I regard myself as a director of a class whose chief responsibility is to get others…
Read MoreA Passage To Ponder: Ephesians 6:1-4
by Ken Weliever In a 2014 sermon, Steve Malone asked “What do the following have in common?” 90% of homeless and runaway children 63% of youth who commit suicide 80% of all rapists 85% of children with behavioral problems 71% of all high school dropouts 75% of all teens in chemical abuse centers 85% of…
Read MoreWhat Happens When We Are Canceled?
by Greg Chandler If you do not stay up to date on pop-culture slang, you may be unfamiliar with the terms “woke” and “cancel culture.” Though definitions vary, the primary meaning of “woke” involves maintaining social awareness and the primary idea behind “cancel culture” is to silence anyone whose opinions are not considered woke; thus, they are…
Read MoreFalse Teaching and Fellowship
by Frank Jamerson Sentry Magazine, December 2000 The issue of false teaching and fellowship is not a new one. The following is approximately two pages from an eleven-page article, published in January 1975, that I commend for your consideration. “All of us must accept the fact that we have fellowship (live and work and worship with)…
Read MoreThe Plea for a Daysman
by Jarrod M. Jacobs Job chapter nine records one of the speeches Job made when defending himself against Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. This speech in chapter nine is somewhat different from the others. Job does not spend much of his speech responding directly to Bildad and what he said in chapter eight. In chapter nine,…
Read MoreHostile Fulfillment of Prophecy
by Matthew W. Bassford In Acts 13:27, Paul makes a fascinating claim about the Jews of Jerusalem and their rulers. He notes that even though they did not identify Jesus as the Messiah or recognize Him in the prophecies of the Old Testament, they fulfilled those prophecies in their bad treatment of Him. This is…
Read MoreSex Reassignment Doesn’t Work
Source: Ryan T. Anderson, “Sex Reassignment Doesn’t Work. Here Is the Evidence.” The Heritage Foundation, 9 March 2018. “… the medical evidence suggests that sex reassignment does not adequately address the psychosocial difficulties faced by people who identify as transgender. Even when the procedures are successful technically and cosmetically, and even in cultures that are relatively…
Read MoreWalking in the Light
by Perry Hall What does walking in the light mean? On one side proponents claim walking in darkness happens when the Christian commits even one sin; “sin is darkness, after all.” The opposing side counters, walking in light describes a life-style, not each punctiliar action – “its a walk, not one step.” Contextually, “walking in light”…
Read MoreAbortion Deadlier for Women Than Childbirth
Source: Jennifer Groover, “Abortion Deadlier for Women Than Childbirth,” CNS News Report, 13 July 2000. Quoted in Sentry Magazine, June 2001. Jennifer Groover, CNS Correspondent, reports on the Finnish Study that disputes claims by abortion-rights activists that abortion is safer for a woman than childbirth. “The study involved maternal post-abortion deaths of 9,192 Finnish women, aged 15-49,…
Read MoreUnited States’ Founding Fathers on God and Religion
Source: Original Intent by David Barton “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” — John Adams “The great pillars of all government and of social life … [are] virtue, morality, and religion. This is the armor, my friend, and this alone, that renders…
Read MoreIs it wrong for women to wear trousers when everyone doesn’t accept the practice?
Question: Is it wrong for a sister to wears trousers in an environment where it is yet to be acceptable by some of the residents? For instance, in my country, some people believe trouser wearing by women is sinful. What do you think? Answer: The idea of modesty is to not call attention to yourself…
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