What We Will Carry
To accomplish the purpose outlined on the opposite page "The Gospel Guardian" will expand and enlarge the fields covered by "The Bible Banner." We will carry some twelve or fifteen departments (obviously not all of them can be carried in every issue) dealing with every phase of the life and activity of the church.
Among our tentative departmental fields are the following:
CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES. This will deal specifically with marshalling the "many infallible proofs" by which we know the Bible is the word of God; Christ is His Son; and the world and all things therein are products of his creative power.
"THINGS TEMPORAL & ETERNAL" The incomparable pen of Cled E. Wallace will be contributing regularly to our pages under some such heading as this. Having access to all the leading religious journals published in the English language, he will keep us informed of the world. His articles will be "interpretative" as well as fact revealing, explaining the meaning of the news as it relates to us and to the church of our Lord.
METHODS OF CHURCH WORK. Men of recognized and demonstrated ability will reveal and discuss effective plans and methods of promoting and encouraging scriptural work in the local church. Mid-week meetings, Vacation Bible Schools, training classes, personal work, church bulletins, Bible School organization, and every other phase of the activity of the congregation will be treated.
THE CHRISTIAN HOME. The Christian home is the bulwark of the church. We will feature articles at regular intervals dealing with the problems faced by Christian parents in their efforts to rear children to love and serve the Lord in the midst of a pagan and unChristian society.
TRUTH vs. ERROR. In this field a number of able men will set forth in clear, unmistakable, and irrefutable contrast the difference between the simple truth of God's word and the dogmas of denominationalism that have developed through the ages. The world has a heresy of all of these errors, from Catholicism on up and will be exposed to the light of truth.
TEXT AND CONTEXT. There is probably no man alive today better qualified to give the true meaning of the text of the scriptures than the veteran R. L. Whiteside. He will be writing regularly on a variety of topics—but with a particular emphasis on the exegesis of difficult passages, especially those passages so often perverted in support of false doctrine. He says, I do not like to have a 'Department Heading' that would shut me up to a certain line of thought or subjects. I like the open range. 'Don't fence me in!' I am perfectly willing to write articles on 'false arguments and scripture perversions'. But sometimes I have an urge to write something else." If he writes it, we'll print it!
THE GOSPEL PREACHER. One department to be carried at regular intervals will deal with the peculiar problems and work of the preacher. Sermon material, homiletically techniques, plans for his library, for study, for administrative organization of his work, useful suggestions for ways and methods by which he may improve his work as a whole will be featured. Many gospel preachers will be contributing to this department, sharing with all of us the valuable lessons they have learned by hard, and often costly experience.
CRISES OF THE CHURCH. Historically, every real crisis of the church has arisen from (a) external opposition, (b) internal dissension, (c) external approbation. Each of these potential sources of trouble will be discussed not only in their historical aspects, but also in the contemporary scene.
EVANGELISTIC ISSUE. One entire issue of the paper each month will be devoted wholly to evangelistic material. This issue will be adapted specifically for distribution among non-Christian people. It will deal with the first principles of the gospel, the identity of the church, how to distinguish the truth of Christ from the false teachings that deceive men, etc. This issue, inasmuch as it will go to many thousands of non-members of the body, will not carry the usual "News Department".
NEWS DEPARTMENT. We will carry news of local and general interest, telling of the activities of preachers and churches throughout the world.
EDITORIALS. This journal will be characterized by a distinctive satirist policy. Brethren may not always agree with what we say or where we stand; but we intend there shall be no doubt in their minds as to our position. Most of the editorials will be written either by the editor, or by Foy E. Wallace, Jr., or by the two collaboration with one another Occasionally, some writer's material may be given editorial space. While we certainly shall not run from a fight, we neither intend nor desire to make all editorial material controversial. This is our policy not only on the editorial page, but throughout the whole paper.
THE OVERFLOW. The back page will catch "the overflow". Here we will carry comments, correspondence, criticisms, commendations, and anything else we think may be either interesting or profitable. This will be a sort of "attic" for our house, where we can put everything that might not fit into the house proper.