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 Ask
those who have experienced a “conservative — liberal”
struggle in a congregation — usually to see the conservative
minority “put out” of the church and property by conscience
or by stomping and shouting — to explain how such a thing
could happen among supposedly “good” people. The observant
will tell you that (1) there had not been enough PLAIN teaching
concerning church organization — teaching that not only
established the principles, but made easily recognizable
application to Herald of Truth, benevolent institutions,
etc.; and (2) otherwise “good” people, who saw the truth and
its application, were moral cowards who had rather accept error
than “speak up”, knowing that this meant carnal persecution
at the hands of the liberal majority.
These
two reasons for triumph on the part of error are well known. But
I either do not know, or can not understand the answer to a
follow—up problem. How can brethren, having experienced these
things, having been “put out”, with great difficulty and
sacrifice having “built anew”—— how can they swallow a
compromising position, accept lukewarm preaching that refuses to
make application in PLAIN and FORCEFUL ways, and thus drift
right back into the error from whence they were so recently
freed??
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Good
sound churches are multiplying all over the country; many are growing in number
and financial power. More important, there is much spiritual
growth. But my enthusiasm is dampened by the knowledge of
churches that are “turning to their own vomit again.” (How
else can one put it, and honestly represent the fact. (2 Pet. 2
) They countenance teaching that makes no specific application;
they glory in association with those who teach and practice
error — making no effort to teach them truth. (It is right
to
associate with erring brethren in
frank, honest consideration of issues and studied efforts to
attain unity in God’s truth.) They have begun to shy away from
men of conviction who may “embarrass” them before their new
liberal or compromising friends.
I
want no part in establishing sectarian lines of
“conservatism”, trying to hold “our” party in line so we
can combat a “liberal” party. I firmly believe in the
inherent power of truth to fight such battles as must be fought.
But truth must have free course. Anything less than unshackled
truth, clearly applied to the issue, is something less
than truth.
The
unapplied principles, and compromising “middle-of-the-road”
attitude will wreck churches AGAIN.
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