As many of you know, our brotherhood is going
through a very difficult period in the history of the church.
Many individuals and congregations are charting new courses that
are taking people away from the old paths set forth in God's word.
It's troubling to see how widespread this problem has become across
our nation.
Some of our best thinkers have set out to write
articles and books that are intended to warn us and stop us from
following this current digression. Several other books have been
written in an attempt to analyze why all this is occurring and
why it's occurring now. But there's one book I've been reading
lately that stands out among the rest. The author of this book
does an excellent job addressing and speaking authoritatively
on many of the issues that are dividing our brotherhood today.
On the issue of Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage,
this author states that if a man, Christian or non-Christian,
divorces his wife for any cause other than fornication, and marries
another, he is guilty of committing adultery. Furthermore, it
is this author's position that if this man desires forgiveness,
he must cease or terminate his sinful relationship.
On the issue of the New Testament Church, this
author is rather outspoken in his affirmation that there is one
and only one church. He states that the church cannot fellowship
the denominational world, and even denies that there are sincere,
devout, knowledgeable Christians in all the denominations.
On the issue of Mechanical Instrumental Music,
this author states that we must have biblical authority for all
that we say or do. He therefore contends that the use of mechanical
instruments of music in Christian worship is sinful since it is
unauthorized in the New Testament.
And on the issue of Salvation By Grace, this
author contends that a man is saved by God's grace, but not by
grace alone. There are works involved in a man's salvation. Though
man's works do not earn his salvation, this author contends that
they secure his salvation.
Anyway, there are many more interesting things
this book has to say about our present concerns, but I want you
to read them for yourself. If you would like a copy of this book,
we have several copies available in our church library. However,
I suspect you may already have a copy of your own. You see, the
book to which I am referring is the Bible, and the author is God.
If you want to read a good book, I have one to
suggest! -BIBLICAL STUDIES , Vol. 15, Issues 5&6, May
& June, 2004, p.3., P.O. Box 503, Glasgow, KY 42142. shigg@glasgow-ky.com
www.glasgow-coc.org