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A Strong Condemnation of the Preeminent
by Ross Ward, Jr. “Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in…
Read MoreSeven Reasons to Love Others
by Perry Hall God commands it. “Because God said so” must be good enough to obey. But we want more, don’t we? Maybe we should need more reasons! It imitates God. That is the highest motivation. God loved us while we were His enemies (Romans 5:8-10). It helps others (Romans 12:20-21). Just because we do…
Read MoreBut It Hurts!
by David Gibson Why we suffer may be the most troubling of all questions. Atheists’ strongest argument is: How could a good God permit suffering? It is important to know what the Bible says about this so we won’t lose faith or grow bitter. Suffering is a complex issue. It has no single cause. Sometimes…
Read MoreA Spiritual Beauty Contest
by Orlando Gonzalez I have a question: Which is more beautiful, a 2015 Aston Martin DB10 or a Madonna Lily? I know, I know. You might be asking yourself, “Orlando, what kind of question is that? You can’t compare a luxury car to a mere flower. What’s wrong with you?” Yes, I understand what you…
Read MoreA Few Words about Our Thrill-Seeking Culture
by Edward O. Bragwell, Sr. In recent years, we have developed a thrill-seeking culture – a culture moved more by emotional stimuli than careful thought – that affects many facets of our lives. I have not been to a movie in years, but I have seen trailers on TV and digital video and heard people…
Read MoreDefining Ourselves
by David Gibson “If we are left to define ourselves, it is impossible to know who we are” (author unknown). How some define themselves Many believe they are the product of a long evolutionary development from lower life forms. But soon after creating lower forms of life, God said, “Let Us make man in our…
Read MoreSongs of the Saints: James W. McFadden
by Wayne S. Walker In his book Hymns and History, Forrest M. McCann wrote, “Various individual Christians have published hymnals used more or less regionally in the United States and by segments of the Stone-Campbell Movement. Among these, without any effort to be definitive, are the following: S. H. and Flavil Hall, The Gospel Message…
Read MoreO Wretched Man that I Am
by Terry Wane Benton The law of God is like an X-ray machine that reveals the contamination and cancer of the soul, called sin. The law shows us that we have neglected our great salvation, failed to glorify God as we should, and have not even been thankful for all the daily gifts of life and…
Read MoreEastern Orthodoxy and the Churches of Christ
by Gregory Alan Tidwell The midweek hush drifted across a modest church building on a quiet street in a small Southern town. A group of young men—fresh-faced, sincere, poised with open Bibles—exchanged thoughtful glances. Their heritage was the Churches of Christ, shaped by the American Restoration Movement. Yet, on their phones at night, the glowing…
Read MoreImplications of the 23rd Psalm
by David Gibson We cannot make it without the Shepherd. Sheep need their shepherd. So do we (Ezekiel 34:11-16, 23). What a Palestinian shepherd did for his flock, Jesus does for His sheep: He leads, provides, and protects (Isaiah 40:11). Self-reliance is folly. It takes humility to admit we can’t make it without Him. Only…
Read MoreThe Value of Your Soul
by Zeke Flores There is no pile of money, no hoard of jewels, no parcel of land you could trade that would be worth your ever-living soul. And yet, we’ve all sold it for far less: A momentary pleasure, a brief sensation, a passing gratification that leaves us unfulfilled and dissatisfied. So, what could be…
Read MoreIs Change Always Better?
by Doy Moyer I recently went to my favorite donut shop to get an apple fritter and, to my dismay, found that they had changed it. This was my favorite fritter, so when I saw it was not recognizable, I wondered why they would do it. (Honestly, it was a little difficult not to take…
Read MoreGod or Humanism?
by Terry Wane Benton How can one determine that humans are more important than anything if everything is just different forms of material accident? To be a humanist is to make humanity your god and devote religious belief to the superiority of man, and that becomes your dogma and tradition. It is a matter of…
Read MoreHow Long Will You Hesitate Between Two Opinions?
by David Gibson “Decision,” wrote Gordon Graham, “is a sharp knife that cuts clean and straight; indecision is a dull one that hacks and tears and leaves ragged edges behind it” [Bits & Pieces]. Israel could not seem to make up their minds whether they would serve the Lord or Baal. The Conflict Then King…
Read MorePerversion of the Love of God
by Terry Wane Benton Many want to continue a sinful practice so much that they think they can use the love of God to justify it. God does so love the world that He gave His Son to die for sinners. He loved me while I was yet a sinner (Romans 5:8; John 3:16). But…
Read MoreWhat Is the Work of the Church?
by Kyle Ellison Recently, I came across a discussion where community members discussed the need for churches to expand their activities. More physical fitness facilities, more sports options for Christian families, more clothing drives, more dinners, more food drives, more bookstores, improved coffee facilities for first-time guests, and on the list went. It caused me…
Read MoreThings We Are to Find
by Floyd Chappelear via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 16 No. 2, June 30, 1990 The kingdom of God is likened unto a treasure hidden in a field, or to a lost coin whose owner searched diligently till she found it. Indeed, there is preciousness associated with the kingdom that warrants our seeking that we might find it.…
Read MoreThoughts on “Sinful Nature”
Author Unknown (Labeled “Guest Editorial”) via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 16 No. 2, June 30, 1990 Sinful natures exist. It would be foolish for any serious individual to deny it. How this comes about in a person’s life and just who has a sinful nature are other matters. Please consider a few thoughts on the subject, which…
Read MoreThe Christian and Gambling
by Dudley Ross Spears via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 16 No. 2, June 30, 1990 More States in our Union are adopting state-operated lotteries to increase revenue. Every citizen of every state, especially Christians, must understand the issues involved. This is not being written to influence anyone politically but rather to urge readers to investigate some of…
Read MoreReligion in Germany
by Hans H. Waetjen via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 16 No. 2, June 30, 1990 Floyd asked me some time ago to write an article on the state of religion in Germany. With all the latest political developments in East Germany, this information may be even more relevant now. So, I will try to describe today’s religion…
Read MoreSaying Goodbye to a Dear Friend
by Adam Litmer It won’t be long now. The binding in my Bible is coming undone, and pages are starting to tear and fall out. Tape and glue are no longer getting the job done. I’m going to have to purchase a new Bible. Honestly, it nearly brings a tear to my eye. I suppose…
Read MoreDa Cai Xiao Yong
by Jeffery Kingry via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 16 No. 1, March 31, 1990 In the middle ages, the famous Chinese poet Xin Oiji (Shin Chee-gee) pleaded with the emperor to withstand the Kin invaders, but it was a generation of appeasement and indulgence. The emperor’s ministers advised him to wait, not recover lost territories, and consolidate…
Read MoreBiblical Law
by Lynn Trapp via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 16 No.1, March 31, 1990 For several months now, I have agonized over the question of biblical law. Three factors have led to my consideration of this subject. First, having read Walther Eichrodt’s Old Testament Theology (Vol. 1), I began to perceive that how I had explained the relationship…
Read MoreHow to Draw Near to God
by George Hutto via Biblical Insights, Vol. 15 No. 1, January 2015 “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded” (James 4:7-8). James said, “Draw near to God and…
Read MoreBy This We Know Love
by Michael Sullivan via Biblical Insights, Vol. 15 No. 1, January 2015 “I love you.” We live in a world that drains these words of their power. Even for many who claim to follow Christ, “love” has come to represent strong emotion and warm feelings toward those who are likeable, those with something to offer. Christians…
Read MoreWords Hurt, Words Heal
by Doy Moyer “There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing” (Proverbs 12:18). Words can hurt. They can be like sword thrusts, cutting deeply and hurting people in ways we may not even consider. Because “what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart”…
Read MoreThe Burden of Proof
by Terry Wane Benton We sometimes hear someone say “prove it is a sin,” with the idea that unless the Bible says “this is a sin,” it is acceptable to the Lord. But, the criteria is that for something to be acceptable to the Lord, one must “prove it is acceptable” (Romans 12:1-4). If you…
Read MoreAlways with Grace
by David Gibson It was about 4:00 a.m. in the ICU. There had been a change of shifts, and a nurse entered Chub Lambert’s room whom he had not met before. “Good morning!” Chub said. “How are you doing today?” She didn’t respond at first. After a pause, she said, “I don’t know how to…
Read MoreSongs of the Saints: Tullius C. O’Kane
by Wayne S. Walker A name which may be a little more familiar, or at least recognized, than Skene but still not as well-known as Campbell or Stone is Tullius Clinton O’Kane, who was born in Fairfield County, in the vicinity of Lancaster, Ohio, on March 10, 1830, and educated at the Ohio Wesleyan University…
Read MoreLetter from an Inmate
by David Gibson In a file folder labeled “Hypocrisy,” I found some correspondence I had forgotten all about. It was a letter from an inmate and my reply to his questions. The inmate’s letter: There is a whole bunch of guys here who read their Bible and go to church and even the prayer circle,…
Read MoreGender Roles Within the Sacrificial System
by Perry Hall Gender requirements were specified in the Mosaic sacrificial system. We will reveal how this is important to our topic of gender roles within the church. Before that, let’s examine the gender specifications. The priesthood and the Levitical ministers were all males. This is undisputed and must be meaningful since pagan religions had…
Read MoreThe Human Life of God
by Steve Klein via Guardian of Truth XXXV: 14, pp. 419-420, July 18, 1991 One of the most ticklish of all religious controversies since the time of the apostles has been over the nature of the deity that Jesus possessed as a man. Historian Philip Schaff observed that in the years before 325 A.D., “the…
Read MoreGod Was Manifest in the Flesh
by Tim Coffey via Guardian of Truth XL: 5 p. 8-9, March 7, 1996 Paul proclaimed, “Great is the mystery of godliness, God was manifest in the flesh” (I Timothy 3:16). For those who saw Jesus in the flesh, the difficulty was not in believing that he was man, but in believing he was God.…
Read MoreHow Do I Make Someone Change
by Wilson Adams “How do I make someone change?” You won’t like the answer. Are you ready? You can’t. People change only when they’re ready to. All the pushing, prodding, needling, and nagging will not bring change. Why? It’s a fundamental law of human nature—you push, and they push back. All this pushing creates gridlock…
Read MoreIs There a Standard for Our Worship?
by Dave Hart How shall we decide what should and should not be a part of our worship? A quick look at the religious world reveals many distinct worship practices and customs. Some hold that the activity of worship is not as important as the attitude of worship. Others maintain that activity and attitude are…
Read MoreTwo Sources of Temptation
by Perry Hall Two frightening sources of temptation used by Satan, according to James 1 and Romans 7, are me (James 1:14) and God (Romans 7:7-12). We see both in the first temptation in Genesis 3. Satan uses Eve, but notice how the possessed serpent only tempts Eve with the Pride of Life. Then she…
Read MoreWhat’s Your Choice?
by David Gibson Many are avid baseball fans, but others care nothing about it. Some love to sit in a fishing boat hour after hour; this bores others stiff. Opera has its devotees; others can’t stand it. Probably most would agree that baseball, fishing, and opera are not matters of life and death. If you…
Read MoreTheir Face, Our Heart, Your Body
by Oliver Watts via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 16 No. 1, March 31, 1990 In the King James and American Standard Versions, “your” is always plural. It means belonging to more than one person spoken to. Unlike how we talk now, when “belonging to one person spoken to” was meant, the word “thy” was used. This fact…
Read MoreMemory
by Kenneth Frazier via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 16 No. 1, March 31, 1990 “Then spake the chief butler unto Pharoah, saying, I do remember my faults this day” (Genesis 41:9). The butler had a good memory. After two years, he could remember what had taken place in a jail where he and the chief baker had…
Read MoreFaith in the Unseen
by Jeff May via Biblical Insights, Vol. 15 No. 1, January 2015 Christians must have vision far greater than 20/20. They must, by faith, be able to see the unseen. Their faith must go where their eyes cannot. This is the grand message of Hebrews 11, which was written to backsliding Jewish Christians. They were tempted…
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