THE CHURCH OF CHRIST WEBSITE

by Tom Wacaster

Bobby Key once wrote the following: "Most of us visualize our days surrounded by a tight circle of problems, annoyances, and responsibilities which are fast closing in upon us. Each day inds us with a dozen problems to solve, a dozen appointments to keep, and a dozen decisions to make. This is not a true picture of our lives. No matter how busy our days or how crowded our schedule, we live our lives one moment at a time. We solve our problems one at a time. Our appointments are kept one at a time. It is only when we view them all at one time that we feel emotionally drained" (Bobby Key, Four State Gospel News, 6-93, page 2). I can relate to that, can't you? Most of us, at one time or another, have found ourselves pressed from various sides, our schedules full, and our days literally crammed with so much activity that we scarcely have time to ...

By Charles Box

The Devil is not eternal like God, but he is just as real. The Bible says that Satan is the deceiver of the entire world. "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him." (Revelation 12:9) The Devil is busy seeking man's spiritual destruction. "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world." (1 Peter 5:6-9) The Devil caused sin to be in the world. (Genesis 3) Sickness, death, disappointment and discouragement are all the working of Satan. Man is tempted ...

by Tom Wacaster

The title of this week's article comes from the lead-in statement in an opinion page on Fox News website. Following the lead-in statement the author writes: "After all the very visible fighting about public displays of religious symbols - from 10 Commandments plaques to graveyard crosses to faith-themed war memorials to holiday manger displays - you might have developed the impression that most Americans don't think the Bible matters today and they like it that way. You'd be wrong." Drawing from research conducted by The American Bible Society, the author focuses on what the Society calls the "state of the Bible" in America. Here is what this year's research uncovered: The majority of Americans (69%) believe the Bible provides answers on how to live a meaningful life. In addition, 79% consider themselves knowledgeable about the Bible. ...

Compiled by David Barton ---

When one observes President Obama’s unwillingness to accommodateAmerica’s four-century long religious conscience protection through his attempts to require Catholics to go against their own doctrines and beliefs, one is tempted to say that he is anti-Catholic. But that characterization would not be correct. Although he has recently singled out Catholics, he has equally targeted traditional Protestant beliefs over the past four years.. So since he has attacked Catholics and Protestants, one is tempted to say that he is anti-Christian. But that, too, would be inaccurate. He has been equally disrespectful in his appalling treatment of religious Jews in general and Israel in particular. ...

By Charles Box

Just a day to spend? No! I want this to be a day when I will love life and see good days. In First Peter chapter three we are told how to love life and see good days. The spiritual condition of children of God makes it possible for them to have this kind of life. The days are good when we bridle our tongue and speak the truth. "If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain." (James 1:26) This loving life and seeing good days is representative of the life we would expect to live in our eternal state. Those who follow Christ are pursuing the course of happiness and security. If along this way you are called upon to suffer, then be a person that suffers for righteousness sake. To suffer for the cause of truth or a good conscience will always produce a positive result. "Christians have no reason to be afraid of the threats or rage of any of their enemies." ...

By Ernest Underwood

During this election year there is an intense effort by some who presently hold high offices in our country to try to convince their audiences of the many lies that they are telling are in actuality the truth. It almost makes one want to throw a shoe through the television, as though such a thing would punish the liars. I personally do not wish to or desire to violate any law or principle that is set forth in the word of God. This being the case with many others also, how are we to vent our frustrations at these persons? I believe the answer lies in a passage in the one-chapter book of Jude. This passage reads: "Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" (Jude 9 - Emphasis added.) There it is! We as children of God need not "lose our cool" and blurt out some things that would ...

After completing a previous article on writing styles, I decided to write a little more on the subject and include four of my favorite, lesser-known styles. These include: emblematic, exaggeration, rhetoric, and metonymy.

1) The emblematic style is basically where objects or actions are made to directly remind us of alternate objects or actions that they have been designed and defined to stand for. The American flag is a good example. It has been designed to represent a country, its government, and its citizens. However, this representation is somewhat different than a simple figure, in that its use is thoroughly substitutive in value. This is true to the point that when a person dishonors or misuses the flag, he symbolically dishonors or insults the American people or its government. Of course, the flag is not really us, but its direct connection as an emblem for us forms comparative ties that render both the symbol and its representational object as being somewhat co-equal. ...

About thirty years ago, I sat down to my first study with a couple of Jehovah's Witnesses. Our discussions were filled with disagreements over scripture, and by the third study session I came to a rather starting discovery. You see, almost every single scripture I believed to be literal they believed to be symbolic, and every scripture they believed to be literal I believed to be symbolic. I still marvel at the way inwhich our beliefs formed a strange, often remarkable "mirror image" to one another. I must confess that there are still times when I reminisce on this and entertain thoughts about just how odd it is that such a weird reverse-osmosis effect could have possibly come from the same book. After three decades of thought and self-questioning, I think that I now have at least a few good answers for this.
You see, most people who begin to study the Bible make two very large mistakes.
Mistake number one is to start reading the Bible from the end first. ...

by Tom Wacaster

On May 13, 1981, at approximately 9:30 p.m., Bobby Grant Lambert was walking out of a Safeway supermarket in Houston, Texas. An assailant approached Lambert and put his hand into Lambert's rear pocket. When Lambert resisted, the assailant pulled out a pistol and held it to Lambert's head. Lambert dropped his groceries and the assailant shot him in the chest. As the assailant fled, Lambert stumbled back into the grocery store, where he died. The robber got away with the change from a $100 bill, although police later found $6000 in $100 bills on the victim's body. Graham was arrested, convicted and sentenced to be executed. Hollywood elites took interest in Graham's case, and along with various "rights" advocates, every attempt was made to stop the execution of Graham. Consequently it gook almost 20 years before Graham would be executed by lethal injection.

On the evening of July 19, 1976, Gary Gilmore robbed and ...

"There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all..." (Ephesians 4:4-6)
Normally, I do not dwell very much on fundamentals in these articles. I have tried to make it my aim to write about topics that we don't usually teach very often. In this issue, however, I want to examine a rather larger and more extensive view on the subject of "baptisms" in the New Testament. As stated in Hebrews 5:12-6:3, even this expanded consideration—that of a variety of different immersions—is topically included in rather fundamental or basic instruction for Christians, before they reach the point where they begin to do more teaching to other Christians than learning from other Christians who have already come to the point where they teach the church. Certainly, all of the topics listed in this passage in Hebrews should be of great interest to, and learned by, all Christians.
In ...

After the murder of his brother and receiving God's sentence of punishment, we are told, "And Cain went out from the presence of Jehovah, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden." (Genesis 4:16)
Many years ago, John Steinbeck seized upon this biblical expression as a title for his now-classic book, "East Of Eden", utilizing this phrase in a more modern context of the general "alienation" involving his characters.
One might think that Cain must have longed to travel back west of Nod and reenter the beautiful place where mankind was born. However, not only was this prospect no longer possible for Adam and Eve, but it was also actually never possible for Cain at all. You see, you can't "go back" to any place where you've "never been" before. Yes, in a strictly poetic sense, we are all born "east of Eden", and we can't cure this simply by going "west of Nod."
Sometimes we forget ...

It is not unusual for people who do a lot of teaching to use structural mechanisms as aids toward producing lessons that are easier to understand because of their logical presentation. Most preachers use sermon outlines for topical study. Classroom materials have been created for teachers for similar purposes. Even in the Bible itself, subjects are often grouped together according to topic, and arranged in categories for easier recollection. (A good example of this is the "laundry list" style, emphasizing a group of items--as in Galatians 5:19-23.)

Down through the years, I've seen a variety of different tracts and lessons using these methods to show how to identify the church that Jesus died for. According to this style of presentation, lists are usually compiled containing important features of the church from scripture under selected headings. Such headings might include: the plan of salvation, elements of worship, church organization, the mission of the church, ...

By Jeff Grimes

Many of you on numerous occasions have heard me say, “I may be old fashion but…” However, being old fashioned in the 21st century is not the most popular choice for sure, but it is not necessarily bad. In fact, my being old fashioned aligns me with those of daring character. For example: “Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein” (Jeremiah 6:16). Being old fashioned in Jeremiah’s day did not win friends or influence people. That was true in Jeremiah’s day and is still true today. Let me hasten to say there is a difference in being old fashioned, and being old and “cantankerous”. Cantankerous means “easily angered and difficult to get along with”. Being cantankerous has nothing to do with age. Remember I coach a little girls softball team! Most cantankerous people do not want to “hear the rest of the story”. ...

by Tom Wacaster

Had you told me thirty years ago that homosexuality would eventually be accepted in Western Civilization as a legitimate life style, gaining the approval of the so-called "Christian community," sanctioned by the military, and protected (in a special way) by the laws of our land, I would have reacted in unbelief. Three decades later the sin of homosexuality is not only accepted but its participants and supporters actually "glory" in the sin with their "gay pride days," and even a "gay pride month" (the month of June). I read this past week that the Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta has announced that the Pentagon will celebrate gay pride month for the first time. In his words, "Diversity is one of our greatest strengths. During Pride month -- and every month -- let us celebrate our rich diversity and renew our enduring commitment to equality for all." The legitimization of homosexuality has been underway since ...

By Tom Wacaster

It is unfortunate that politicians tend to "brand" their political opponents with various terms that are designed to bias an audience either in favor of the one making the statement or against the one to whom the accusation is laid. This past week our President accused the budget presented by the GOP as "Social Darwinism." Whether or not the budget suggested is such that it promotes social Darwinism remains to be seen. One party accuses the other party, words are thrown out in an effort to get the upper hand, and the feathers fly! Sadly, few take the time to really examine the truth. It is an unfortunate reality that those stirred by emotional innuendoes like to be riled up into some kind of frenzy, and in the final analysis the truth suffers, reputations are hurt, and lives are damaged. The internet has enhanced the ability to spread rumors far and near. It is easy to simply press "forward" and send an item to others, ...

by Tom Wacaster

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal" (Matt. 6:19). Last night (Sunday May 6th) I learned first hand the sobering reality that there are thieves out there, and that they do indeed break through (or into) and steal. For six years I have been the proud owner of a low mileage 1986 Chevrolet Suburban. While I slept someone broke into and drove away with that classic. Whether or not it will ever be recovered only the Lord knows at this point in time. I have gone through the various "stages" of neglect on my part for not providing a little more security to avoid the consequences that go with such dishonesty on the part of others, including shock, despair, anger, and calm and reflective meditation. After calling the insurance agent and learning that it was not covered for ...

By Tom Wacaster

My first preaching work was in a small farming community in south central Oklahoma. It was not uncommon to arrive at church services and find someone out front whittling on a stick with a pocketknife. Most of the time there was no definite purpose for "whittling," and the end result was a shortened stick with a sharp point at the end. But every now and then a good brother would be whittling away at a stick for a specific purpose he had in mind. It also seemed as if each of the men carried a knife that fit their personality and needs. There were all sorts of knives, of varying size and sharpness. Occasionally, at one of the fellowship meals, a brother would whip out his pocketknife and slice a tomato in no time flat (I sometimes wondered where that knife had been prior to slicing the tomatoes, but tried not to dwell on the possibilities). ...

By Tom Wacaster

Occasionally I watch "Wheel of Fortune," perhaps one of the longest, if not THE longest running game show in television history. If you happen to watch the program you know that each round features a puzzle that focuses upon some theme that is designed to give a clue as to the answer. The theme may feature names of famous people, places, or things. One theme is "before and after." Just to give you an example, the answer might be "Mary had a little lamb chops." One word in that phrase ends the first part to the clue and leads into the second part. Hence, "Mary had a little lamb," and "lamb chops" make up the whole of the thought, but when condensed into the "before and after puzzle," the answer is, "Mary had a little lamb chops." Occasionally the sought after answer can be quite humorous, and once ...