Jamaica Patois Wisdom #2

By Jefferson David Tant

(The Jamaican Patois dialect is colorful, unique and humorous. It is my desire to share some of the philosophy shown in this mix of colorful phrases that are witty as well as thought provoking. I hope the readers both profit and enjoy. In my quarter-century plus of teaching there, I have come to appreciate some things about their culture. – Jefferson David Tant)

Patois: Di higha di monkey climb, di more im expose.

English: The higher the monkey climbs, the more his underpants are exposed.

Meaning: When one attempts to exalt himself, he can be disgraced.

Pride has been the downfall of multitudes in all generations. It even started in Eden. We recall Satan’s approach to Eve: “For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate” (Gen. 3:5-6). Notice the “desire to be like God.” What is that but an appeal to pride?

Notice the three categories of sin that John outlined for us: “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world” (I John 2:16). Satan tempted Christ with this as he urged Christ to jump off the temple and let the angels catch him so that all could see he was the Son of God (Matt. 4:6).

We all like to feel we are important, but genuine importance can be displayed more in a spirit of humility and service than in a display of pride. I cannot think of a more important character in the New Testament than Paul, excluding Christ, of course. Yet how did Paul characterize himself? “For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle…” (I Cor. 15:9); “Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ” (Eph. 3:8). Paul also encouraged a man “not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think” (Rom. 12:3).

We remember Nebuchadnezzar’s downfall when he gloried in the great kingdom he had built. God brought him down to the level of cattle eating grass for seven seasons. In time he uttered these words: “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride" (Dan. 4:37).

I have seen too many churches harmed or even destroyed by those who have the spirit of “Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them…” (III John 9). A preacher may be asked to leave, but may be so full of pride that he feels his ambition is of greater importance than the peace of the congregation, so he splits the church. Or elders, or other men in the church become factious over personalities and preferences. Let us make sure that our “importance” is known by our deeds rather than by our self-proclaimed prominence.

“Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time” (I Pet. 5:5-6). Take heed that we do not expose our underpants! &

Some Things for Which We Stand

By Bob Myhan

Inasmuch as we do not wish to be “too negative” in our teaching, here is a list of some things for which we (the members of the Forest Hills church of Christ in Macon, GA.) stand. Of course, standing for these things puts us squarely against other things.

1 We stand for local churches using the power of the gospel to convert lost souls; this places us squarely against local churches using carnal rewards and motivations to “convert” lost souls.

2 We stand for individual members doing "individual" work and local congregations doing "congregational" work; this compels us to oppose local churches doing the work of individual members as well as individual members delegating their “individual” responsibilities to the local church.

3 We stand for local churches overseeing their own work, which places us directly against local churches delegating their work to other local churches.

4 We stand for scriptural cooperation between congregations that preserves local independence. This causes us to be diametrically opposed to the overseen cooperation of churches. The operative word, here, is “overseen.”

5 We stand for local churches providing for their own needy members; this places us squarely against local churches providing for the physical needs of non-saints.

If any of our readers have questions concerning the things we (the Forest Hills church of Christ in Macon, GA) stand for or oppose we will be glad to answer them. &

Leaving an Apostate Congregation

By Mark White

Many of our brethren across the country are sore distressed by the state of affairs in churches of Christ today. To say that many churches are undergoing change is a gross understatement of the situation. Radical changes in thought toward the authority of the Scriptures are allowing many churches of Christ to take very liberal views toward the work and worship of the church. With the "new hermeneutic" as their license (which denies that the New Testament reveals a pattern for our organization, work, and worship) the movers and shakers of institutional churches of Christ are leading their people toward the wholesale acceptance of a myriad of innovations and compromises with denominationalism. Our brethren are "re-thinking" such issues as instrumental music in worship and the role of women in the leadership and worship of the church.

Additionally, many brethren are abandoning "book, chapter, and verse" preaching and teaching for a modernistic higher criticism which seized the pulpits of denominational churches many years ago. Moral issues such as social drinking, mixed swimming, divorce and remarriage, immodest dress, etc. are no longer preached about in sermons lest we appear too strict and legalistic. Even the plan of salvation is under serious attack. Many leading, influential elders, preachers, and professors are not too sure there is a "plan" as we have preached it. Baptism is being "re-thought" in some circles, and it appears that before long the necessity of immersion for the remission of sins may be abandoned altogether.

Within many of the churches troubled by these issues are some brethren who sense strongly that the church is "leaving" them. They see these changes as apostasy, but it is hard to break long-standing ties with friends and family and leave such rank infidelity to the Lord Jesus Christ and His will. They know the church is not what it should be doctrinally, nor is it even moving in that direction. The preaching is no longer distinctive and could be served up in any denominational pulpit in town. They have tried to warn the elders, the preacher, their friends and anyone who will listen. But they are considered "old-fashioned", "non-progressive", "anti", and even "legalistic." Eventually, the elders no longer listen to them. The preacher berates them for trying to hold on to a "1950 mentality." Each passing week brings more compromise, additional innovation, and bolder liberalism. What must concerned brethren do if they cannot get the church to listen to the truth?

A Case In Point

King Jeroboam of Israel introduced the apostate worship of idolatrous golden calves in an effort to keep the northern tribes from going to Jerusalem for worship (1 Kings 12:26-33). He even appointed non-Levites to his new "priesthood." Unable to stop such apostasy, many Levites had no other recourse but to leave Israel and flee to Judah (2 Chron 11:13-17). Remaining faithful to God meant separating from their homes and friends with whom they had previously worshipped. Doubtless it was painful to do this, but it resulted in the strengthening of Judah (v. 17). Men and women who stand for the truth always strengthen the people of God who are like-minded.

When John heard the announcement of the imminent destruction of "Babylon," he heard another angel warn, "Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities." (Rev 18:4, 5) While opinions vary regarding what "Babylon" is in this symbolic passage, the warning is clear that God's people must flee from Babylon or perish with her. Even Lot was warned to leave Sodom or be destroyed with the salacious city (Gen 19:13, 14).

It is no different today. God's faithful people must no longer promote apostasy by tolerating it. "Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord."" &

Dreadful Mohammedanism

“How dreadful are the curses which Mohammedanism lays on its votaries! Besides the fanatical frenzy, which is as dangerous in a man as hydrophobia in a dog, there is this fearful fatalistic apathy. The effects are apparent in many countries. Improvident habits, slovenly system of agriculture, sluggish methods of commerce, and insecurity of property exists wherever the followers of the Prophet rule or live. A degraded sensualism deprives this life of its grace and refinement; the next of its dignity and sanctity. The fact that in Mohammedan law every woman must belong to some man as his absolute property, either as a child, a wife, or a concubine, must delay the final extinction of slavery until the faith of Islam has ceased to be a great power among men. Individual Moslems may show splendid qualities – but the influence of the religion paralyses the social development of those who follow it. No stronger retrograde force exists in the world. Far from being moribund, Mohammedanism is a militant and proselytizing faith. It has already spread throughout Central Africa, raising fearless warriors at every step; and were it not that Christianity is sheltered in the strong arms of science, the science against which it had vainly struggled, the civilization of modern Europe might fall, as fell the civilization of ancient Rome.” (Winston Churchill, 1899, via Bill Beasley and the Lincoln Bible Reader) &