Friendly Advice to Conservative Christians

By John Waddey

In his opening volley, the chief apostle of the change movement justified his changes by citing the harsh and caustic message of his conservative brethren. He painted them as sour and steely-eye critics of others. He depicted them as quarrelsome and divisive. He offered himself forth as an apostle of love and kindness with a message of optimism and a multitude of young Christians gathered around him. Ere long, sufficient older Christians joined in his parade to give him a base to launch the army of change that is now ravaging the brotherhood of Churches of Christ.

In his book, The De-Valuing of America, William J. Bennett, former Secretary of Education, offers some friendly advice to his fellow political conservatives. As I read those suggestions it occurred to me that we who are conservative Christians could profit from them, if we would adapt them and apply them to our situation. My observations and application are mingled with Mr. Bennett's advice.

* Conservatives tend to be too dour. "There's more to life than scorn and opposition to liberalism."

* Conservatives need to improve their disposition. They need to cheer up and let the love of God be seen in their faces and heard in their voices.

* We must be wary of fretfulness and pessimism. We serve the Almighty God and the triumphant Christ. Satan will do his best, but God's remnant will survive and prosper.

* We need to exhibit a more positive and affirmative disposition of spirit, tone and attitude. The average Christian is not inclined to embrace leaders who are sour, cynical, negative or hopelessly pessimistic.

* We need to be vigorous, bold and assertive in presenting our case. There is a victory to be won!

* We should not be distrustful and defensive toward those brethren we don't personally know. Our presumption should always be that a member of the Lord's church is a friend and fellow-soldier of the Master. He may be otherwise, but we must be sure of the fact before we refuse him.

* Remember that we do not become saints by opposing other people's sins (Chekhov).

* In Christ, there are many great lessons to affirm. Let's be bold in presenting them. Neither a congregation nor a convert will grow strong and healthy on a diet of negative, critical preaching.

* We need to celebrate the wonderful blessings we have in Christ.

* We must beware of cynicism, griping, and chronic complaints about the way the church going. Even in these dark days there are a multitude of faithful Christians and congregations and much good is being accomplished by God's people.

* We need "pluckiness of spirit, good will and a sense of humor."

* "Conservatives should lighten up, enjoy life and show it."

* We should be optimistic because our cause is right and our King will lead us to ultimate victory. People respond to the leader who lights a candle rather than the one who can only curse the darkness.

* We must avoid a quarrelsome, factious spirit (Tit. 3:10). By nature, Christians are peace makers (Matt. 5:9).

* Our mission must be to keep the church pure and united (John 17:20-21; Eph. 4:3). If division must occur, it must be the work of the apostates, and not of our doing.

* If conflict is thrust upon us by men who would destroy the church we will stand up and defend her (I Tim. 6:12). Such is our duty to Christ. But we should never be spoiling for a fight.

The successful conservative warrior will look beyond the little and insignificant things that others quarrel about to the great principles of truth that Christ has given to govern us. He will preach them with confidence. He will defend them with determination. The battle will be won or lost on those great principles. &

* William J. Bennett, The De-Valuing of America, 1992, p. 251-252, 255.

Role of Women in the Church

By Ron Boatwright

The Bible speaks of how women are to conduct themselves in worship. In 1 Timothy 2:11-13 we read, "Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve." God’s word says it is not permitted which means it is forbidden. When we do things that are forbidden by God it is sin. It is sin, which separates man from God and sin will cause people to be eternally lost. In Genesis 3 we see what happened when Eve took the spiritual leadership over her husband and what happened when Adam failed to exercise spiritual leadership over his wife. Because of this Satan was able to introduce sin into the world.

During the worship of the church, women are not permitted by the Lord to preach, lead prayer, lead singing, or take a leading role over man. 1 Corinthians 14:34 says, "Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak, but they are to be submissive." Women are not to teach Bible classes where men are present, because they are not "to teach or to have authority over man". This does not preclude women from singing in the worship service or teaching children or lady's Bible classes. Many people do not approve of what God has said, but this is still God’s business. Who are we to question God?

God intends for women to be subordinate to men in worship. When a woman gets up before the church with men present to teach, preach, lead prayer or singing, or wait on the Lord's table, she is in violation of what God has commanded. She is perverting the worship of God. As a result of this rebellion, God is not worshipped in spirit and in truth. Worship becomes vain or useless when we follow the desires of men instead of what God has specified (Mark 7:7). For us to ignore what God has said, on this matter or any other, is spiritual anarchy and will result in horrible consequences. Let’s always follow what God says in the Bible. Going to Heaven must be our number one priority in this life. &

In the Belly of a Fish

By Shane Williams

Can you imagine how uncomfortable it would be in the stomach of a fish? It is hard to envision what that would feel like, yet this is precisely the place from which Jonah uttered his prayer in Jonah 2. "Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the stomach of the fish."

As bad a position as Jonah was in, there are many people in this dark and suffocating world who seem to think the place they find themselves in is a pretty good place to be.

They believe the world needs only a few social and political improvements to make it what they want it to be. Many also hold that people themselves possess the ability to make all the needed changes.

This is not the testimony of the Word of God, for it says, "The whole world lies in the power of the evil one" (1 John 5:19). The mission of the church is not to introduce social and political changes into the world, but to proclaim salvation as the way out.

Jonah was not so thoughtless as to suppose that God would make him a little more comfortable in the fish's belly, but he looked for deliverance out of it! He cried to the Lord and He heard him! "I called out of my distress to the Lord, and He answered me..." (Jonah 2:2).

We are not to look for perfection in this world but to look forward to the time when Christ will take us to our true home (John 14:2,3; 1 Peter 1:4). & (Via Search, Vol. 15, No. 6)